Lucas decided that doing anything at the moment would only cause suspicion. He made his way to lunch, thinking through his next step the whole way through. By the time he got changed, took a painkiller, and headed for practice he had decided on a plan.

Most of the team was already on the football pitch. They stood in silence as coach Duke paced back and forth before them.

"What did I miss?" Lucas whispered to Jordan.

The goalie twisted his gloves in his hands, eyes never straying from their coach. "Not much, yet. He looks like he's about to blow a fuse though."

Lucas' eyes returned to their coach. He noted the red face, the rapid breathing and the bulging veins in the man's neck. Those signs were clue enough of what was to follow. The assistant coach stood to one side, clipboard clutched in one hand as he watched.

"Dude, I'm so screwed," Nathan hissed as he sidled up to Lucas. "Tell me you have a way out of this."

"Actually." Lucas didn't even shoot him a glance as he spoke, eyes still glued to the coach who had added in a stomping motion to his pacing. The man made Lucas picture and angry T-Rex. "I have another favor."

Nathan let out a load groan, making eyes from all around turn to him.

"Shh," someone warned.

Lucas furrowed his forehead. It seemed that no one wanted the coach's pacing to be disturbed, or perhaps they were trying to put off what was to come after.

"We need to fake an injury, remember?" Lucas murmured so that only Nathan could hear.

"You seriously want to do that?"

"You seriously think I can play in my state?" Lucas winced as he said it.

Nathan turned his head to the side and squeezed his eyes shut, pinching the bride of his nose as he did so.

"You wanted to help," Lucas reminded him.

Nathan just lifted a hand, making an okay sign.

The coach stopped pacing and the boys before him all tensed visibly as the air seemed to crackle with anticipation.

"Are you all crazy!" Coach Orion exploded.

Everybody, including the assistant coach, visibly flinched.

"First you decide to turn the swim team blue!"

There was a voice of protest, silenced by another player who clamped his hand over the first's mouth.

"Then you decided to kick around a ball indoors and set off the fire alarm!" His smoldering eyes turned on Nathan who shrank back so that Lucas ended up strategically before him.

"What's more, last week two of you were caught out after hours, and we're not even half way through the school year!" Coach Orion resumed his pacing. "I thought we had this nonsense settled last year after the talent show incident."

Someone chuckled.

The coach froze and whirled around, eyes scanning the boys before him for the culprit. His eyes narrowed when none would meet his eyes, all staring at the ground in what looked like shame. Lucas found himself copying his teammates while trying to look as remorseful as possible.

"I should punish all of you right here and now!" Coach Orion cleared his throat. "Unfortunately...we have an important game tomorrow."

The assistant coach nodded in agreement and there were sighs of relief all around.

"Therefore," coach Orion stopped pacing once more to look over the team before him, "I have decided that this is the last time I am letting you off the hook."

The boys lifted their heads.

He's surprisingly forgiving, Lucas thought in surprise.

"However, the next time anyone of you causes trouble again, I will immediately forfeit the next match we have, regardless of what game it is in the season."

The boys exploded.

"What!?"

"Coach!"

"Are you serious?"

Coach Orion held up his hand for silence. "Also," he added, his face stern. "The trouble makers will be banned for the next two games. Now, that shouldn't be a problem, should it?"

There were mutterings all around.

"Should it?" was repeated.

"No," the boys chorused as one.

"Alright then." Coach Orion's face was somewhat less red than before and even his breathing was more regulated. "Now that we have that sorted, let's do five warm up laps and then have us some fun with a short practice game."

No one moved.

"Off you go, before I tan your hides!" the coach barked.

Boys jumped into action at once and began their warm up laps.

Nathan jogged up beside Lucas and the boys ran side by side.

"What's the plan then?"

Lucas shot a glance over at Nathan.

"Can't you just tackle me or something during practice?"

"Coach will kill me! Why don't you just pretend to pull a muscle?"

They rounded the corner of the pitch.

True, pretending to pull a muscle would require no falling and thus less chance of further injury. Lucas shot a glance down at his side and winced. Even with the painkiller he had taken, he could still feel it a good deal. It's to be expected. Wounds don't heal that quickly.

"Fine," Lucas agreed.

Nathan shot him a grin before pulling ahead.

The chance came for Lucas sooner than he could have hoped. They started their warm up game and he made a great show of sprinting ahead, calling for the ball, and then limping to a stop. He twisted his face in pain as he collapsed on the ground and moaned.

Coach Orion was at the scene in a flash.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

Lucas simply clutched his leg and rolled on the grass.

Nathan kneeled down beside him. He turned a worried look to the coach. "I think he pulled a muscle."

Lucas responded with another moan, clutching his leg tighter.

Coach Orion ran a hand through his hair. "You've got to be kidding me." He turned around, as though trying to collect himself. "Take him to the infirmary." He held up a hand and motioned. "Make sure it's nothing serious." He turned away, muttering to himself about the day getting worse and worse.

Nathan put on a great show of helping Lucas to his feet. The two headed towards the infirmary, Lucas limping along the way.

"I think coach is going to have a heart attack if one more thing happens," Nathan murmured as they left the field.

"I don't know. He seems like quite a strong one if you ask me," Lucas replied.

"How's the wound?"

"Painkillers are keeping me going at the moment."

"Dude...if you need someone to ever go on a mission for you. Get into places or stuff..."

Lucas shot a glance at Nathan to see the guy's brown eyes shining with excitement.

"Just say the word and I'm in."

"Do you want to die?" Lucas asked flatly. "It's dangerous."

"No kidding. I mean you took a bullet."

Lucas winced at the reminder.

"It still sounds kinda fun."

"And that's why you'd die within moments," Lucas muttered.

"Not me, man. I come from the land of Taekwondo."

"Do you know any?"

"That's beside the point."

Lucas snorted.

They arrived at the infirmary.

"Back again so soon?" Doctor Jim asked.

Lucas' eyes darted over to where the blood vials stood. Still here, he thought in relief. There were more now than before. "I think I pulled a muscle." Lucas sat down on the bed Nathan helped him to.

"I got to get back or coach will bite my head off," Nathan excused himself. He shot Lucas a thumb up and mouthed Taekwondo before he darted from the room.

"Where's the injury?" Jim asked.

"Calf." Lucas pointed down at his right leg.

"Tell me what happened." Jim pulled a chair up. He began to feel Lucas' leg.

"It felt like my muscles tightened when running. Then pain." Lucas made sure to wince and pull away when Jim reached the area of his so called pain.

"Hmmm..." Jim leaned back in the chair. "Doesn't feel too bad. But we should probably ice it and make sure you stay off it for a day or two." He paused. "You do look pale. You going to be alright?"

"Fine," Lucas replied.

"I'll grab some ice. You stay here a moment."

Lucas felt surprise at that. His eyes darted to the vials. This is proving easier than expected.

As soon as Jim popped out the door Lucas shifted. He wanted nothing more than to change out vials, yet something felt off. Too easy. His eyes turned to the security camera. There's little chance of going over there without being seen. Leaning backwards he tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling, putting on the façade of being bored. If there's a way I could knock them over... He sat back upright, eyes scanning the room. They landed on the small table near him. It had wheels. Perfect.

"Alright." Jim walked back into the room. In one hand he held a plastic bag filled with ice, in the other a roll of tape. "We'll do the good old taping to the leg style."

Lucas didn't reply. He watched as Jim came back and sat before him. In the next few moments, Jim proceeded to tape the ice to Lucas' calf.

"You think you'll need crutches?"

"Would it make me look cool?" Lucas replied.

Jim swatted him playfully over the head. "I think you'll be fine." He leaned back, eyes on Lucas and a thoughtful expression on his face. "Lucas...you sure you're not injured elsewhere?"

Every fiber in Lucas' body was on high alert as the alarms went off. His face showed none of it, instead, he switched to an expression of confusion. "Sir?"

Jim shook his head. "Never mind." He got up. "Rest your leg for a day or two. If it isn't better in three, come see me."

"Yes, sir." Lucas slowly got to his feet. As he did so, he reached for the small table nearby, as though needing support. As soon as he put his weight on it, it slipped to the side. He gave it an extra push.

Jim let out a warning shout, but it was too late. Lucas went crashing to the ground and the table went right towards the vials. It hit and vials went tumbling to the ground. Not one broke, showing just how sturdy they were.

"Ah..." Lucas began from where he lay. "Maybe I should go for those crutches," he said sheepishly.

Jim let out a sigh as he began to pick up vials. Lucas picked up one near him and got to his feet. He hobbled over, holding the vial. While Jim was bent down, Lucas' eyes scanned the table where some bottle of blood still were.

Come on...where is it? His own was nowhere to be seen. He slowly put the vial in his hand on the table before his eyes turned to the vials on the floor. There! He caught his name across one. His brushed his sock, pulling out the hidden vial. Bending down, as though to help, he reached one hand for his vial and the other for a different one.

The fingers of his right hand were just about to close over his target when Jim's hand shot out and grabbed his.

"Don't touch," he demanded.

Lucas looked up, playing the emotion of surprise on his face.

"I'll do it," Jim told him, his eyes suddenly somewhat cold. They darted down to vial Lucas had almost successfully picked up.

Wrong hand, Lucas thought in satisfaction as his left hand easily did the switch with the vial he needed. He got to his feet, old vial disappearing in his pocket and new lying on the floor. "Sorry."

Jim shook his head. "There's a pair of crutches behind the door."

Lucas nodded. He hobbled over, grabbed the crutches, and turned to face Jim. "Thanks."

Jim raised a hand.

Turning, Lucas left, well aware of the doctor's eyes on his back. Lucas hid the grin that threatened to show his success. Instead, he kept a grimace of pain on his face as he headed back to the field. He reported to the coach, who told him it was a shame but he would have to sit out the first game. Lucas looked as remorseful as possible before heading back to the dorm.

Knowing he still needed to recover, he ate dinner early and headed back to his room. He paused to dress his wound and then went to sleep.

"Up, up, up!"

Shouts woke him all too soon.

Lucas sat up. Nathan was dashing around the room, a pair of football shoes in his hands. Even Brian looked somewhat flustered as he picked out one shirt after the other, throwing them in a dissatisfied heap behind him. The sound of running feet and yelling voices drifted from hallway.

Blinking, Lucas brought a hand up to rub his eyes.

"Get up!" a shirt was thrown in his direction. He caught it before it could hit his face.

"What's the occasion?" Lucas asked before yawning. He began to stretch only to regret it as pain shot through his side.

Nathan turned to him. "Game day!" He picked up a football before throwing it at Lucas.

Lucas caught it, wondering why all these objects were coming his way. "I'm not playing, remember?"

"Which makes you all the luckier," Nathan told him.

"Huh?"

Brian turned to stare at him. "Dude, girls are gonna be there."

"Ah." The excitement suddenly made sense. Lucas scratched his head as he watched his roommates scramble about. Even though Nathan was going to be playing, he seemed to be spending some extra time to actually get ready. In fact, for the first time since Lucas had met him, he actually witnessed him combing his hair.

"Don't we have to wear uniforms?" Lucas asked as he watched Brian throw another shirt to the side.

Brian froze. "Shoot."

"You better be getting ready. You may not be playing, but coach wants us all there," Nathan told Lucas. A second later, a pair of pants flew towards him.

Lucas caught the item of clothing, wondering how many more things Nathan could toss in his direction. Suppressing another yawn, Lucas swung his legs over the side of the bed. His eyes landed on the crutches he had thrown on the floor the night before.

He chose to ignore them, making a great scene of hobbling towards the bathroom. On his way he paused, the noise from the hallway piquing his curiosity. He changed direction and made his way to the door.

The moment he jerked it open water drenched him.

"Game day!" a voice yelled.

"Girls, girls, girls!" someone else chanted as they dashed past only wearing pants.

Lucas stood where he was, his soaking hair hanging into his eyes. He reached up and pulled it back to see Jamie standing before him, an empty bucket in his hands.

"W-why?" Jamie stuttered. "Why are you alright?"

"What there...?" Brian came up behind Lucas.

"It was h-holy water!" Jamie dropped the bucket. He took a terrified step back. "No way."

"Where are my pants?" someone yelled.

"Liam!" another voice roared.

Brian looked from the drenched Lucas to Jamie. "Is this how you usually great people in the morning?"

Jamie shook his head, face pale. He dropped the bucket and turned to flee to his room.

"Calm down guys!" Auden yelled as he sprinted past, spraying himself with deodorant along the way leaving a trail behind. "Calvin, stock playing hockey indoors!" his voice faded out.

Brian turned to Lucas who stood rooted to the spot. "You okay?"

Lucas blinked. "Yeah."

"What did you do to Jamie?"

Lucas closed the door. "He thinks I'm a vampire for some reason."

Brian snorted. He turned and headed back to his closet.

"Ready!" Nathan dashed out form the bathroom. He froze when he saw his wet roommate. "Did a pipe burst or something?"

"Jamie," Brian explained as he pulled off his shirt. He grabbed his uniform and began to put it on.

"Whoa, crazy kid is targeting you?" Nathan asked.

Lucas didn't reply as he headed for the bathroom.

"He thinks Lucas is a vampire," Brian added with a grin.

Lucas grabbed a toothbrush and toothpaste. He was tempted to take his wet shirt off, yet he knew the idea wasn't a good one with Brian in the room. Sticking the toothbrush in his mouth and began to brush his teeth. At least his shirt was black, if it was white he was sure it would be see-through by now, giving away the scars that lay beneath.

Nathan popped up behind him. "Better watch it. He can get pretty crazy when he believes something." He paused. "You can only hope he doesn't decide to stake you," he added. His face split into a grin. "Well, I'm off. Don't be late!" He was gone in a flash.

Lucas spat out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth. He just put the toothbrush back in its place when a towel hit the back of his head.

"At least dry yourself off or you'll have to skip another game cause of a cold," Brian said before he began to leave. "See you. I need to go get a good seat."

Lucas picked up the towel and used it to dry his hair. With Brian out of the room he walked normally, getting changed in no time. Grabbing the crutches, he left the room, acting injured once more.

The entire campus was in an uproar. Classes were cancelled for the game and guys were running around like headless chickens and the air crackled with excitement. To Lucas' own surprise, he felt excitement building within himself. It's catchy, he realized.

He was half way to the field when a thought made him pause. He shot a glance back at the dorms where it was still chaos. I could use this chance to look around school some more, almost everyone will be at the field to watch the game. Pausing, his eyes darted to the field. But coach expects me to be there... he also had to admit that something inside him wanted to meet the much talked about Bel girls, maybe then he could understand what all the fuss was about. Lucas hesitated, uncertain.

Options

a) It's the perfect opportunity, go look around school some more.

b) Lucas should go to the game and show support to his teammates and meet the Bel girls.

c) Make an appearance at the start of the game. Sneak out in the middle when everyone will be too engrossed to notice.