CHAPTER EIGHT — COLLEGE SCOUTS NOTICE
Saturday morning sunlight crept through Jaden's bedroom blinds as his phone vibrated nonstop. He barely had time to wipe the sleep from his eyes before Malik burst into the room shouting:
"Bro, check your phone. Check your phone right now."
Jaden blinked, confused."What happened? Another meme of me?"
Malik shook his head so hard his chain almost flew off."No, fool. You are everywhere. Every scout page. Every highlight reel. ESPN High School Spotlight posted you."
Jaden sat up fast.His heart kicked once, hard.This was the moment every young quarterback dreamed of.
The Viral Clip
Malik shoved his phone in Jaden's face.
It was the game winning throw, replayed in slow motion and already nicknamed the Ironheart Spiral. The caption read:
Is West Haven's sophomore quarterback the next big thing
The comments flew past the screen.
"Kid has NFL arm talent already.""Who trains this monster""Ironheart is insane"
Another clip showed him getting blindsided by Cole Jackson but staying upright like a tank. That one alone had nearly a million views.
Jaden exhaled slowly."Coach is gonna flip," he murmured.
First Caller: University of Miami
At noon, Coach Daniels called an emergency meeting.When Jaden arrived, Daniels was pacing with his phone to his ear.
"Yes, Coach Rivera, he is here… Yes, I will put him on."
Daniels handed the phone to Jaden."Play it cool."
Jaden swallowed."Hello"
A deep voice boomed back at him."Jaden Brooks. I am Coach Rivera, quarterback coach at Miami. Son, what you did last night is Division One material. We want to keep a close eye on you. How would you feel about visiting our campus next semester"
Jaden's pulse thumped hard."Sir, that would be an honor."
"Good. Stay healthy and keep competing. We are watching."
The call ended, but Jaden's legs felt like jelly.
More Calls Roll In
By Monday, everything exploded.
Letters.Emails.Phone calls.Reporters waiting at the school gates.
Ohio State.USC.LSU.Clemson.
Every powerhouse program wanted a piece of the Ironheart phenomenon.
Most quarterbacks spent years trying to get noticed.Jaden had blown up in three weeks.
His serum level nudged quietly to fourteen percent, sharpening his processing and emotional discipline.He handled interviews calmly, answering questions with a cool, confident tone.Scouts walked away whispering to each other.
This kid is different.
Pressure Sets In
That evening, Jaden sat on the porch steps with his helmet beside him, staring at the neighborhood street lights.He felt bigger than West Haven now, but also trapped beneath the rising expectations.
His mother stepped outside, wiping her hands on a dish towel."Baby, you alright"
"Mom… what if this is too much"
She rested a gentle hand on his shoulder."Jaden, pressure is not your enemy. It is proof that you are rising. Let it shape you, not crush you."
Her words settled into him slowly, deeply.
The Figures in the Shadows
Later that night, Coach Daniels sent a short message.
We need to talk tomorrow. Something strange came in.
When Jaden arrived at his office the next morning, Daniels had a brown envelope on his desk with no return address.
Inside were photos.Scouts following Jaden.Elite recruitment personnel watching from a distance.Every move documented.
There was a note.
He has potential beyond normal. He is not like other prospects. Watch him closely.
Daniels looked at him, uneasy."Kid, scouts do not send anonymous warnings. Something is going on."
Jaden lowered his eyes.He could feel it.The serum buzzed faintly under his skin, as if it understood the threat… as if it was preparing him.
The Rumor Begins
By the next school day, whispers filled the hallways.
"That quarterback? The one who survived Cole Jackson's hit? He might be superhuman.""Dude reacts like a machine.""He is not normal."
Malik grinned when he heard it."They think you are a robot, bro."
But Jaden did not laugh.
He knew the truth was far more complicated, and far more dangerous.
The serum was growing inside him, slowly and steadily…and scouts were not the only ones paying attention.