Chapter Text
The students were filing in, lining the bleachers. Scylla nodded her chin to the crowd pointing out a man for Byron to notice. He had just set his water bottle down on the bench, “Come on, Scyl, I’m not even in the mood.”
“Maybe not, but he might be.” She playfully pushed her best friend. He rolled his eyes, stretching his wrists preparing to lift Scylla at the beginning of the game.
“First game always has the best turnout, then we inevitably suck ass.” Byron let out a puff of air, “It’s no fun to show up and cheer when we suck and no one shows.”
“I heard we got some good first years in, who knows.” Scylla turned toward the large soccer field. A group of women, she assumed the first years were stretching with the team. The redhead was wearing bright colors, indicating she was goalkeeper. I wonder if she’s first string? The redhead must have noticed her watching. Then the blonde turned, looking straight at Scylla with a smirk on her face. The brunette’s cheeks colored slightly as she tucked her hair behind her ear, turning back to the crowd developing.
—
The crowd tensed, people no longer watching any of the cheerleaders. Scylla glanced at the field, the blonde got the ball from a pass the new first years team captain made. Most of her hair was braided and out of her face, showing her brows knit in concentration. With a flick of her feet the ball went over her head and forward, the defender left steps behind as she took a shot to the goal.
The crowd erupted, Scylla’s ears almost burnt at the sound. Scylla held her arms perfectly level as Byron lifted her in the air, FSU scored the first goal, first in the game and honesty first in a long time for the university. With a lift upward Scylla closed her arms into herself as she tumbled down into Byron’s arms. “Look who is coming,” Byron spoke just loud enough for her to hear. Scylla saw the blonde running by close to the sideline, she quickly raised her eyebrows at Scylla before speeding off toward the middle of the field.
When the halftime came Scylla pulled her phone out looking up the roster, scrolling to the bottom she saw the first years. C Midfielder -Abigail Bellweather. Goalie -Tally Craven. Center Forward -Raelle Collar. She let the last name ring in her mind, Raelle had to be the blonde. Scylla bit her cheek, the blonde had looked at her more than once since the game started.
Byron cheered a little louder, reminding Scylla to rally the crowd before the players came back to the field. She quickly faced the bleachers, students clearly excited that they were ahead for once.
Moments later the players jogged out from under the concrete steps, Scylla’s cheeks reddened slightly when she noticed the blonde make eye contact with her as she ran past, the goalie seemed to read their minds, smiling at Scylla as she trailed at the rear.
—-
Scylla’s voice was sore for the first time, she cheered so loud after every goal. Raelle scored three herself, all assisted by the team captain. The opposing team hadn’t scored a single goal, it was incredible. As the teams shook hands the crowd filed out, no doubt going to the local bar Beltine. “You going, Scyl?” Byron asked, grabbing his duffel from their bench.
“I think I’ll pass, pretty tired.”
“She’s cute.” Byron gave her a wink as slung his bag over his shoulder. Scylla gave him a tight lipped smile and squinted her eyes at him, with that he left the stadium.
Scylla could hear the team chanting in the locker room through the cinder blocks. She went into their small separate locker room, changing into her clothes. She suddenly was scrutinizing her choice for a simple Fort Salem University shirt and jeans. After fixing her hair she waited outside, sitting in the first row of the bleachers. The loud of the locker room filled the field every time a player exited, until the door eventually swung shut.
After some minutes passed, the blonde exited with the two other freshmen, the redhead had her arms draped over each of them on either side of her. “I’m just saying, we killed it.”
“Teamwork, baby!” The captain, Abigail said as she cleared her throat. Raelle glanced her way, noticing Scylla sitting just past her friend.
“Hey guys, I’ll catch up with you.”
“Remember curfew.” Abigail said with a flat tone.
The blonde just shook her head, walking to Scylla. “Enjoy the game?” The corner of the blonde's mouth pulled up in a smirk.
“I just hung around to thank you, it’s easier to cheer for the winner.” Scylla kept her face neutral as best she could, trying to hide her nerves.
“Welcome, Darlin’.” Raelle adjusted her duffel, “I’m Raelle.”
“Scylla.” The brunette replied as she got up, and turned away from the blonde to walk to her dorm.
Raelle briefly knitted her eyebrows together before quickening her step, “Walk you back?”
“Aren’t you doing that already?” Scylla smirked at the blonde.
“So why cheerleading?” Raelle licked her lips glancing at the brunette.
Scylla let out a puff of air. “Full ride. I don’t hate it, but I wouldn’t be doing it otherwise.”
Raelle nodded, “I get that, we’re here on a full ride too. This was one of the only places that would take all of us.”
Scylla let out a genuine laugh. “Are you serious? Is college too scary?”
Raelle tilted her head, “No, we’re family. We stick together.” Raelle said it so matter of factly. She held out her hand, “Here.” She gestured to Scylla’s small duffel. When Scylla looked confused Raelle gently grabbed the handle, lifting it. “Let me.”
“How chivalrous.” Scylla bumped her shoulder into Raelle.
Raelle shrugged, “Pops would kill me if I didn’t offer, he raised me right.” They approached the tunnel leading under the small highway that ran through Fort Salem. “Which dorms you in?”
“I’m not, I’m actually sharing a house with Byron.”
Raelle nodded, as her demeanor changed. Her body stiffened slightly. “Cool, I’m just up here.”
“You saw him at the game. He calls it the queer house, how crass.”
Raelle lifted an eyebrow, “Crass? Are we fifty?” Raelle chuckled, her spirits lifted knowing Byron was gay.
Scylla playfully swatted her arm, “Maybe you should study more.”
Raelle turned facing Scylla, still in the dim light of the tunnel, “And what should I be studying?”
Scylla rolled her eyes, and continued walking, her body now lit under the street lights for the dorm row. Abigail was standing by a bench just a few yards away. “Curfew!” She pointed to her watch.
“Abs.” Raelle shot her friend a pleading look behind the brunette.
“Keep it in your pants, Collar. Curfew.” Raelle’s cheeks blushed slightly.
Scylla brushed her fingers across the blonde’s as she reached for her duffel. “Hey—“ Raelle meant to ask for her number when Scylla cut her off giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“See you around.”
“Score two goals and think you just need one more huh?” Abigail wore a devilish grin.
“Shut up,” Raelle gave her friend a push on the shoulder as they went into the Cerce dorms.