Perk Mage.

Date: Monday, April 24

Location: YMPA Main Area

Operation: Mage Football, Three Goons (subject to change)

Time: 16:15

The second we stepped into the YMPA, Nikki and Tisiah showed up, grabbing both of my arms and yanking me forward like I was late to a life-or-death appointment.

“What’s the deal?” I asked, stumbling as they dragged me toward the dorm rooms behind the stairs.

“Mage Football. Duh,” Nikki reported.

“But why so forcefully?”

“Because today’s the last day to try out, meaning the line is probably ridiculously long,” Tisiah explained.

I frowned. “Wouldn’t that mean fewer people?”

“Connor, everyone procrastinates. Even spies,” Tisiah said with a shake of his head, like the mere thought disgusted him.

We pushed through a series of rooms, passing open doors where clothes lay scattered on floors or clung desperately to ceiling fans. Then, at the edge of the hall—just as Tisiah predicted—was a massive line of students.

I sighed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s no way.”

“There is…” a voice behind me said, and I yelped in surprise. Nikki clamped a hand over my mouth just in time to muffle the sound. I turned to find Malachi standing there, smirking.

“Everyone procrastinates,” he repeated.

“Like you?” I shot back.

“You’re not innocent either,” he retorted, his tone sharp. A tense moment passed between us.

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “I just found out about this today.”

Malachi stared at me before nodding slowly.

Tisiah, ever the instigator, raised an eyebrow. “Is there something between y’all?”

“I don’t know—maybe,” Malachi admitted. “Let’s just say we have similar interests.”

His words sent a chill down my spine. My legs started shaking as I realized—if I had to go up against him in this game, I’d probably end up knocked out and unconscious in front of the entire line.

“What interests—” I started to ask, but Malachi raised a finger, cutting me off.

Then, to my horror, he smiled.

“You lost weight, didn’t you?”

I lost weight just from sheer fear alone.

“No. Never needed to, I don’t think,” Tisiah replied, glancing down at himself. He had a stockier build, but confidence was key… right?

“Trust me,” Malachi said, flashing another smirk, “when you get to my physique, you’ll see what I mean.”

I swallowed hard. Were we going to spend the next three hours stuck in line with him?

***

Turns out, we only had to endure him for about thirty minutes.

Malachi wasn’t obnoxious, but he had this way of exuding silent intimidation, like a bomb with a very, very short fuse. I quickly decided that the best strategy was: Don’t speak unless spoken to.

Eventually, we reached the front of the line. A man in a blue coach’s hat and tucked-in polo shirt stood before us, clipboard in hand. He wore khaki pants and those weird tennis shoes I had never seen before today.

“All of you trying out?” he asked. Then, his eyes flickered to Nikki. “Coach Mills is on the other side if you’re looking for the women’s team.”

“I’m just here with my friends,” Nikki said quickly.

Tisiah squinted at her. “Friends?”

The coach turned back to us. “So, just you two?” He pointed at me and Tisiah.

We exchanged glances. Tisiah nodded first. Not my fault.

“Names, please?”

***

Later, we sat in the cafeteria, fifteen minutes to spare before class. Across the room, Malachi had rejoined his usual crew—Jamal, Elf, and Maddie.

Me, Tisiah, and Nikki observed from a distance.

“Jamal isn’t too close to Malachi. He’s on the outskirts,” I noted.

“Maybe to avoid suspicion,” Tisiah suggested. “You don’t want to look too friendly with your target.”

I frowned. “Target?”

“He’s just watching,” Tisiah clarified.

Before I could respond, the graceful footsteps of September approached. She wore the usual uniform—white jacket zipped up this time—with a pair of brown boots that gave her an oddly country-girl look.

I watched as she walked past, seemingly unaware of my existence. She was heading toward the bathroom, and I couldn’t blame her—who would want to stay in this cafeteria longer than necessary?

Then, Malachi appeared, and the entire dynamic of his group subtly shifted. His friends suddenly became hyperaware of their surroundings.

“We should hear what they’re saying,” I whispered.

Tisiah shot me an incredulous look. “What’s September gonna do? She’s been at the YMPA longer than me—I’ve been here for five years!”

I ignored him, the pull of curiosity dragging me forward. Not too close, but just enough to hear their conversation.

“Can’t wait to see me in Mage Football?” Malachi asked, rubbing his hands together.

September raised an eyebrow, glancing around. “Not much of a surprise. Every guy is joining.”

“I’m sure most of them just want to impress the girls,” Malachi said, ironically. “I just love the game.”

September gave him a skeptical look. “That’s surprising.”

Malachi chuckled. “Why’s that?”

She smirked. “Why wouldn’t it be? I’m sure you’ve got to keep the girl morale up, don’t ya?”

Malachi turned, and I followed his gaze—straight to a trio of blonde girls who immediately looked away, giggling. He sighed and turned back to September.

“You coming to the game?” he asked.

She paused, then smirked again. “Of course.”

I froze.

Tisiah, on the other hand, shook me violently. “Do you understand what this means?!” he whispered excitedly.

“What?” I asked, dizzy from his shaking.

“This is the opportunity! September’s coming to the game, and Malachi’s gonna try to impress her.”

“She doesn’t care,” I argued. “She was literally questioning his intentions.”

Tisiah sighed. “You really think Malachi sees it that way?”

I frowned. He had a point.

“He’s gonna milk this chance for everything it’s worth. September acts like she’s impossible to impress, but at some point, everyone gains interest—especially when it’s the most popular guy in the academy,” Tisiah explained.

“So what do I do?” I asked.

Nikki crouched beside me, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. I finally noticed she was wearing a uniform—a variation of it at least. White jacket, long but excruciatingly tight dress, and a belt that made it even worse.

“You become the defining factor of your team,” she said. “Two things will happen: either you catch September’s attention directly, or you gain enough fame that everyone starts paying attention—including her. Or both… that’s three.”

I sighed. “So this is my best bet?”

Nikki’s smile widened. “Yeah. This is your chance to get September.”

A long pause followed—almost solemn, like she was gathering her thoughts.

Then, suddenly, agents in black suits stormed into the cafeteria from the entrance and back doors. They swarmed Malachi and immediately escorted him out.

I tried to hear what they were saying, but the murmurs of the cafeteria drowned out their words.

“Oh—” I muttered.

Tisiah turned to me, his face a mix of confusion and annoyance. “It’s like Malachi is Mr. Drails himself. Also, what do you mean by ‘oh’?”

I swallowed. “Just… as confused as you are, Tisiah.”

But my heart was pounding. Malachi had just vanished from the cafeteria, surrounded by agents.

***

17:00

The school day dragged on. Mr. Robbs had just assigned another monstrous DBQ, fifteen pages stapled together like a brick of suffering.

But then, something caught my eye—Jamal.

He walked with urgency, his graffiti-covered jacket shifting as he moved.

And I knew exactly what I had to do.