The gray sedan was packed to the roof with boxes, its engine rattling as it pulled into the driveway of a small, modest brick house. Xavier stepped out of the car and looked around. This neighborhood was different from where they had come from. The lawns were perfectly manicured, the houses were massive, and the air felt expensive.
His father, Elias, wiped his hands on a greasy rag as he climbed out of the driver's seat. "It's not much, Zay, but it's a fresh start. New town, new school. You just keep your head down and play your game."
Xavier nodded, his jaw set. He knew why they were here. His father had taken a job as a mechanic nearby, and this house was the only thing they could afford in a high-end school district. To everyone else in this neighborhood, they were the "Average" family. But Xavier didn't mind being the underdog. He liked the work.
The First Day at Ridgeview
The next morning, Xavier arrived at Ridgeview High for soccer tryouts. He felt the eyes on him immediately. He was taller than most of the boys, with a broad, athletic frame and a quiet intensity that made people move out of his way.
He walked onto the pitch, his old, worn cleats a sharp contrast to the neon-colored, expensive shoes the other players were wearing. At the center of the field stood the person everyone was looking at: Sebastian Sterling,flashy, arrogant style that made the crowd roar. He was the "Star," and he knew it.
"Who's the new guy?" Sebastian asked, not even looking at Xavier as he dribbled a ball around his feet. "He looks like he lost his way to the construction site."
The other players laughed, but Xavier didn't flinch. He walked straight into the circle. "I'm Xavier. And I'm here for the Captain's armband."
The laughter stopped. Sebastian finally looked up, his blue eyes narrowing. "The Captain's spot isn't for outsiders, especially ones who smell like a garage. You want to lead? You have to be able to keep up."
The Challenge
Coach Miller called for a scrimmage to decide the starting lineup. He put Xavier on the defensive line and Sebastian on the attack.
"Let's see if the new kid has any bite," the Coach shouted.
Sebastian moved like lightning. He was used to defenders being intimidated by his name and his skill. He charged at Xavier, performing a series of high-speed step-overs, expecting the "average kid" to trip over his own feet.
But Xavier was patient. He watched Sebastian's hips, not the ball. As Sebastian tried to burst past him, Xavier moved with a heavy, "intentional" force. He didn't just block him; he planted his shoulder and sent Sebastian sprawling into the dirt.
Xavier took the ball cleanly and looked down at the blonde boy on the ground. "Speed is nothing without balance, Sterling. You're too light."
The field went silent. Nobody talked to Sebastian like that. Sebastian stood up, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and a strange, burning heat. He stepped right into Xavier's chest, his voice a low hiss.
"You think one tackle makes you the boss? You're in my world now, Xavier. I'll make sure you regret ever stepping onto this grass."
Xavier didn't back down. He looked Sebastian in the eye, his dominant aura making Sebastian's breath catch for a split second. "I'm not going anywhere. Get used to looking at my back."
Chapter Two: The Equipment Shed
The Coach saw the fire between them and, instead of breaking them apart, he decided to force them together. For a week, he made them stay late to manage the equipment.
The sun was setting behind the bleachers as Xavier and Sebastian stood inside the small, metal equipment shed. The air was thick with the smell of grass and the heavy tension that had been building all week.
"Grab the other end of the net," Xavier commanded, his voice echoing in the small space.
"Do it yourself," Sebastian snapped, leaning against a stack of mats. "I'm not a servant, and I'm definitely not yours."
Xavier dropped the net and turned to face him. The shed was tiny, and with Xavier's size, he seemed to swallow up all the remaining space. He walked toward Sebastian, his steps slow and deliberate.
"You've been complaining since I got here," Xavier said, his voice dropping into a dangerous rumble. "You act like a spoiled brat because you're scared. You're scared that someone who actually works for what they have is going to take your crown."
Sebastian stood up straight, his back hitting the corrugated metal wall. "I'm not scared of you."
"Then stop shaking," Xavier whispered, pinning Sebastian against the wall with his hands on either side of his head.
The air changed. The rivalry was there, but it was being overtaken by a raw, erotic charge. Sebastian's eyes darted to Xavier's lips, his arrogance melting into a desperate kind of need.
Xavier leaned in, his chest pressing against Sebastian's. He was the "Average Kid" who had nothing, but in this moment, he was the one with all the power.
"You want to be the Star, Sebastian?" Xavier asked, his breath hot against Sebastian's ear. "Then start acting like you deserve to be on my team."
Sebastian didn't push him away. He grabbed Xavier's shirt, pulling him closer, the secret beginning in the dark of the shed where no one could see the Captain and the Star finally colliding.