by Ruby Vincent
A flash of anger surged through me. I tore my hand free. “Or maybe it had nothing to do with you,” I hissed, holding back a shout. “There isn’t a chapter about playing guys but there is one on the fact that you never listen!”
That probably wasn’t true but it silenced him. He snapped his mouth shut and his stubble jaw ticked.
I took a deep breath. We couldn’t keep fighting or we would attract the librarian. I’m sure she would love a reason to kick me out.
When I spoke, my tone was much softer. “I’m not going to do this with you anymore, Landon. I told you the truth.”
He threw up his hands. “How am I supposed to believe you?” Landon’s voice wasn’t nearly as soft as mine. “I thought that you were— That you—”
He shoved away, turning his back on me. He didn’t say anything for a while. So long, I lifted my hand and touched his back.
“You were the first guy I ever tried to be with,” he whispered, “and you weren’t even a guy. You have no idea what it took for me to kiss you.”
My hand traveled across his back and gripped his arm. I made him face me. The battle raged within his eyes and although I didn’t know which side was winning, I knew it was tearing him apart.
“You know what makes you a great wrestler,” I began.
He blinked. I could hear the “What is she talking about?” go through his mind like he said it out loud.
“You never give up.” My eyes moved down and I didn’t hold myself back anymore. I pressed my hand to his cheek, feeling the stubble press into my palm. Goosebumps popped all over my skin. I held my breath as I waited for him to pull away.
He didn’t.
“No matter what’s holding you down,” I continued, “you keep fighting until you get to the top. Your stubbornness is one of the things I like about you.” I stroked his cheek, heady on what he was letting me get away with. “But right now... it’s making you act like a complete idiot.”
Landon made a choked noise. “What?”
My gaze sharpened. “I told you I was framed, Landon, and that should have been easy for you to believe. You know exactly who would hate me enough to try to get me kicked out of school. You know who would be angry enough at you for training me when he was using you to bring me down.”
Landon’s jaw went slack beneath my palm. “C-Cameron?”
I nodded.
“But— But he— My contacts. Michael and Cole and the Elites. Why would he do that to—”
“Why would he take advantage of weaknesses to get what he wants? Who knows? It’s just so unlike him.” I loaded that with a heavy dose of sarcasm and he winced.
He said nothing for a moment. We gazed at each other as my hand continued to stroke his cheek, almost on autopilot. I broke out of my trance when he reached up and curled around my fingers.
His eyes weren’t stormy now. They were clear—serious. “How am I supposed to know you’re telling the truth?”
I tugged until my hand slipped free, then I backed away. “You don’t, Landon. You can’t fight me on this one. You can’t keep pushing ahead until you win. You just have to let go... and trust me.”
I reached behind me, pulled the book I wanted out of the shelf, and walked away, leaving him standing among the tomes.
Cole and Michael’s eyes followed me out of the library but this time I avoided them. I hurried out with five hours left on my pass. Someone grabbed my arm.
“Wow. Chill, man. It’s only me.” Tanner straightened me and then let go. “It’s lucky you came out. We were about to risk detention busting in there looking for you.”
“We?” I twisted around and got a good look at “we.” Four guys from my class nodded at me. “What’s up, guys?”
“Here’s the thing,” Tanner said. “I did what you taught me during practice and Coach went on about how I improved my straight shot and that the other guys needed to work as hard as me. They asked me how I did it and I said it was all you.” He flashed me a chipped-tooth, but endearing smile. “So...”
I didn’t need to ask where he was going with this. “So... you want me to practice with you again,” I finished.
He pointed over my head. “With all of us. I told them you were a good guy and would be down to help. What do you think?”
I glanced at my watch. “When do you want to practice?”
“After dinner.”
I shook my head. “I’m studying with Nico after dinner.”
“Before dinner then,” he said quickly. “Or now. Or tomorrow morning. Please, dude. Coach barely talks up anyone other than the Elites. One practice with you and I impressed him. You’re my secret weapon.”
I smiled despite myself. He was laying it on plenty thick but I got it. It was rare for Fs to be acknowledged. This was his chance to be one of the best and that mattered a lot in a place like this.
I looked down at my watch again. I could do an hour or two with Tanner and the guys. After, I start my homework, have dinner, and then finish the rest with Nico. I can make this work.
“Okay,” I said, “but only for an—”
“Yes! Guys, he said yes.” Tanner threw his arm around my shoulder and dragged me off to the field. Like always, it wasn’t empty. A couple of boys from the Elite class were kicking the ball around.
Sullivan was the first to spot me. He pulled up short and Rhys’s kick went sailing over his head. Sullivan pointed me out and the next thing I knew Jose, Rhys, Wyatt and Sullivan had stopped what they were doing to stare me down as we walked past for the other goal.
“Fuck them,” Tanner said under his breath. “We all know you didn’t do it.”
My head snapped up. “Know I didn’t do it? Do what?”
“There’s no way you’re For All.”
My eyes flared. “You know about that?”
Tanner snorted. “Everyone knows about that, Zeke. All those Evergreen silver-spoon babies are friends with each other. They tell each other everything and eventually it spreads to us Chesterfield kids. They think you attacked them and got away with it, but that’s not your style.”
“It’s not?”
“Nope. You face people head on.” There wasn’t a trace of uncertainty in his voice. “When you wanted that Cameron shit to back off, you challenged him to a battle even if it meant dropping out of school. You’re not afraid to stand up for yourself. Sneaking around in the shadows isn’t what you would do.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. I liked Tanner. We hung out, studied together, cursed being Fs together, but Nico was his best friend, not me. It wasn’t until now that I sensed that he may be more perceptive than I gave him credit for.
“Thanks, T,” I finally said.
“Uh huh.” He dropped his hand and jogged onto the field. Our bonding moment was over. “Come on, Zeke. I’m working on bicycle kicks today.”
“I still need help with the straight kick,” one of the other guys said.
“Coach says I have to practice my corner kick,” said another one.
I held up my hands. “Okay, okay. One at a time.” I set my things down on the grass and pulled out my notebook. “Let’s run through the straight kick first.”
What was supposed to be a one-hour practice turned into three before I knew it. The setting sun, and my grumbling stomach, eventually clued me in to the fact that I had gone way over time.
I stood and dusted the grass from my backside. “I’m starving, guys. Let’s call it for today.”
Tanner wiped his sweaty forehead on his sleeve. “Cool with me.”
We packed it up and filed out once again to an audience. The Elites were still there but at some point, they had moved from the field to the bleachers, silently watching us practice. I tried not to look at them as I headed for the cafeteria.
My timing was good. I reached the dining room just as Adam stepped onto the line and pulled a tray.
“Hey, Adam.”
He saw me and picked up another one, handing it to me. “Hey. It’s your favorite
today. Baked spaghetti.”
“Finally. Good news.”
He laughed. “How was studying?”
“There was precious little of that. I helped some of the boys in our class with their game.”
“That was cool of you. We can finish our homework together after this.”
I followed behind him, holding up my tray for goodies as we went. “I’ll have to.”
“I was much more productive than you,” he said. “I doled out a few more challenges. I’ll make them official tomorrow.”
“Great.” I attempted to reach for my notebook one-handed. “Who was it? I’ll cross their names off and challenge the others to—”
My tray wobbled and a hand flashed out before I could yelp. Adam caught my food with a chuckle. “Put your plans for domination on hold for a minute, yeah?”
I giggled. “I guess it could keep until I get to the table.”
“Want to get out of the way?” A voice snapped.
Jerking, I spun on Cole. His eyes narrowed into slits. “Move.”
I bristled. “You—”
“You have to work on that attitude, Reed,” Adam said in a voice that was almost friendly. “Isn’t that what Coach Nelson said? Or you’ll never be swim team captain.”
Bright spots of color stained Cole’s cheeks. “And you think you will, Moon? Coach will never pick your lazy ass. At the end of the day, it’s the one who wants it the most that will win.”
Adam said something back, but I didn’t hear it as I glanced over his shoulder at Landon. I couldn’t read his expression as he gazed at me. I had no way of knowing if the battle raged on.
Not unless he talks to me. Say something, Landon. Tell me you believe me.
A hand gripped my shoulder and dragged me away. Probably a good thing, Cole looked ready to blow. We got our dessert and stepped off the line. I turned to walk to our table and Landon caught my eye. I stopped dead when he stepped forward.
“Oh, Zee,” someone said, but it wasn’t him. Landon paused as Adam came to my side. “You have something. Let me get it.”
“What?”
Adam’s fingers tangled in my hair and pulled something free. He held the blade of grass up to me and I chuckled. “How did I get so messy and I wasn’t even the one playing?” I looked down at my uniform. “I must be covered in grass and dirt.”
“No, you’re good. Here.” He flicked my nose, making me giggle, and then gently brushed off my left cheek. “There. Perfect.”
“Thanks,” I called as he continued on. I turned back to Landon and my smile faded. The vein in his jaw was throbbing hardcore now. He looked from me to Adam’s retreating back and in that second, I realized he made a choice.
Landon stepped back in line. He, Michael, and Cole got their dinner without sparing me another glance.
Chapter Five
“Zeke? Zeke? Zeke!”
I shot up, eyes tearing open. The momentum knocked me off balance and I fell off the bench and hit the pavement face first.
“Ow.”
Hands grabbed me under the arm and lifted. Nico and Tanner dusted me off. “Dude, you fell asleep.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Tanner gave me a look. “There’s a puddle of drool on that bench.”
I flushed hot. “There is not,” I snapped. Tanner’s raised brow told me I did so with more force than was necessary. “Sorry,” I said in a better tone.
I pressed the heel of my palms to my eyes and willed myself not to be tired. “I might have closed my eyes for a second, but I was up till three in the morning studying.”
“Studying for what?” Nico asked. “We did all of our homework before dinner.”
I shook my head. “I have two battles today for a spot in the Future Leaders Club and the Science Club. Tomorrow, it’s the Archimedean Club. This is the final week to join so if I get in, I’m in for good.”
“Zeke, why are you doing this? I get the math club, but you’ve never said a thing about wanting to be in those other clubs before.”
“I have to step up my game this year,” I said simply.
Tanner shoved me. It wasn’t hard, but I almost ended up on my face again. “You can’t even stay upright,” he deadpanned.
“I can when people aren’t scaring and shoving me!”
The boys laughed. “Let’s go, Zeke. They’re serving pancakes today.”
“Chocolate chip,” Nico added.
I perked up. I was committed to my new healthy way of life to the point of opting for salads and fruit for my meals, but I hadn’t kicked my love of pancakes yet and I didn’t plan to.
“I’m coming,” I called after them. I quickly peeled off my damp track shirt and put it in my gym bag. Going to bed at three meant I only got three hours of sleep. I had to wake up at six this morning to shower and get on the track after Michael’s usual time, but three hours last night was better than the two I got the nights before.
It’s embarrassing being found passed out on a bench but it will all be worth it. These last few weeks won’t have been for nothing.
The first month of school was nearing its end and every day brought me closer to putting my plans into action.
Most of our friends were seated when the three of us sat down, except for Derek. I found him with his breakfast buddies giggling near the front table. On the plus side, I’d get to keep my chocolate chip pancakes, but on the other, it had been a while since we hung out. All my running, training, and studying didn’t leave a lot of time for chilling in Derek’s room reading books.
“Guys.” Owen nudged me. “Check it out.”
I followed his gaze to the door. Cameron and a girl I had seen around the cafeteria a few times grabbed the knobs and pulled open the double doors. A hush fell on the room as the principal, vice principal, Miss Val, and a couple of the teachers streamed in.
“Another announcement,” Adam said.
Melody spoke up from his other side. “But we know what it’s about.”
No one denied it.
“Morning, students. Attention.”
I cut my pancakes into two, four, eight pieces. The task didn’t distract me enough to prevent me from hearing what he was saying.
“Tomorrow morning, members of the board of education will be arriving to tour the school,” Whittaker announced. He pointed to the students on either side of him. “They will be escorted by members of staff and our two student representatives: Cameron Dupre and Macy Long.”
I peeked at them through my lashes. Both students smiled pleasantly at the crowd, the image of intelligence, handsomeness, and perfection Whittaker wanted associated with this school. So far, Cameron had been just that. I hadn’t dealt with him or his friends in weeks. None of them so much as looked in my direction.
“The board members will be our guests for the week,” Whittaker went on. “They need time to sit in on the classes, speak with the staff, and get to know all of you. It goes without saying that you will be on your best behavior this week. If you’re thinking of testing me on this, know that any infractions made during their stay will carry double the penalty.
“Tardiness will result in two detentions, not one. Disrespecting your teacher will grant you a punishment of two weeks of no privileges. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Principal Whittaker,” we chorused.
He nodded sharply. “Although, I’m certain we will have no problems. You are good, talented, hardworking students and you strive for excellence in the Breakbattle way. Let’s be sure the board sees that. We will revolutionize the education system in this state, and one day, the entire nation.”
“Whoo!” The Elites kicked it off and cheers went up around the room. My table didn’t join in.
“Now what?” Nico asked. “If the members are being stalked by the Elites, they’ll make sure they only see and hear the good stuff.”
“And rat us out if we try to tell them what this place is really like,” Tanner added. “Not to mention O’Quinn would be more than happy
to load us up with double the detention if we piss her off.”
I thought as I chewed a piece of sweet, fluffy pancake. “Maybe we won’t have to risk detention,” I said. “If they’re staying here and walking all over the place. They’ll see the state of the F dorms, how stuffed our classes are, and that we’re kept out of everything unless we battle for it. They’ll see for themselves this system is too harsh.”
“We can’t risk that.”
All eyes flew to Melody. She dabbed the corners of her mouth and neatly folded her napkin. “F students still get everything they require to pass and no more. The board members might see that as perfectly acceptable.”
“So what do we do?” asked Owen.
“I know exactly what to do.” She pushed back her chair. “But I can’t say it here. I’m sending a text to everyone in the group tonight with instructions.”
Melody walked over to another table, probably to tell them the same thing. I didn’t bother to listen to the rest of Whittaker’s speech after that.
The boys and I packed it up and headed to class. We arrived at the door the same time the teachers, staff, and principals were filing out. Miss Val paused to kiss Adam’s cheek. Cameron stopped to throw me a wink.
“He’s been more smug than usual,” Adam said under his breath as he returned to my side.
“Who? Cameron?”
He nodded. “Something’s up.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
Dr. O’Quinn stood at attention in front of her desk as she did every morning. “Hello, boys. Take your seats and read silently to yourselves as we wait for the class to begin. Oh, and Zeke?”
I stopped and let the others go on ahead of me. “Yes, Dr. O’Quinn.”
She smiled. The wide-toothed grin looked out of place among her loose, gray pantsuit, tight bun, and piercing eyes, but it was a pleasant one nonetheless.
“There is something I need to speak with you about after class. Don’t let me forget.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I sat down and pulled out the book she assigned us for English homework. The class slowly filled up as I read and wrote notes.