Three classes later, 11:14 am
The first three classes in my six-hour schedule went by like a breeze after my hectic morning. After reading "50 Interesting Facts about our fun city, Omaha" in my first hour of Nebraskan History. Fun fact: The name "Omaha" comes from a Native American tribe and means "Those going against the wind or current." I vibed with that quote on a spiritual level, for real, ya know. Next, I had my second hour of Geometry. We had a sub for the rest of the year since our teacher was out on paternity leave, so that was a snoozefest. My third hour was English with Mrs. Pat. Staring at the essay guidelines for the final paper made my eyes droopy. It didn't help that Mrs. Pat's class had metal desks, and she was armed with a judge gavel, so when she banged that gavel on my table where my head was resting... let's just say I should sue her for brain damage.
The bell finally rang, signaling the end of my suffering and the beginning of my fourth hour, gym class.
As I entered the gym, I glanced at the board and groaned. How could I forget? One word could—no, scratch that—would make this day a disaster.
"Dodgeball"
Coach K's favorite way to build "teamwork", I'm starting to believe his secret agenda is to be entertained with the rivalries, especially in our class. Speaking of rivalries, I had this class with my bro Jason. Boy, am I gonna miss his help today. He and Jackal were suspended after their fight last Thursday, right here in the gym(Jason won-of course. However, Wade and his posse made sure word didn't get out of our class.)
As I walked to the bleachers to prep myself for this death match, I glanced at the court. Standing there, spinning a red rubber ball on his fingertips was Wade. You would have thought he was in the NBA finals with how intensely he was staring me down as he kept his spin. With how he was grinning, he might as well have won the Finals already.
I double-tied my shoelaces, couldn't risk falling and getting obliterated by a rubber ball on my way back up. Team captains are chosen "randomly" at the end of our 4th hour by picking teammates at the end of the period. It chose Wade and Stanlee, the smart Japanese kid whom Wade gets all his answers for all the quizzes and tests from all his classes (besides gym, of course).
Naturally, Wade didn't pick me on his team. This was the perfect excuse for him to snipe me like it was a shooting range. Especially after last friday, he had a large black scab on his lower lip, a constant reminder that I rocked his ass and gave him a rude awakening. I could feel the malice in his eyes like Supermans heat vision. Wade is going to attempt to make a statement with me to the entire class, Yippee. The hairs on my arms stood on end. Goosebumps. I'm cooked if my own body is tensing up. Fantastic, this is mad discouraging- my nerves are treating Wade like hes a thunder storm instead of a wannabe thug .
As I slipped on my blue jersey, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Stanlee
He adjusted his Harry Potter round glasses with a calm, relaxed smile. "We'll need you locked out there, Kevin. Wade's already got that look in his eyes."
I glanced at him incredulously. "When doesn't he?"
"Fair," Stanlee said with a light snicker, then leaned in, "FYI, word around the halls is that Wade and Jackal have been getting lessons on throwing curves, spins, velocity, and other pitches from the coach after school." He sighed, "Got them treating this like the World Series, not gym class."
I smirked, "Figures, I gotta treat this like survival of the fittest lock-in, and awaken the eye of the tiger."
Stanlee grinned, "That's the spirit, dude." He waved the other kids over for a quick huddle.
As I joined them, I couldn't shake this weird assuring vibe that Stanlee's presence was emitting. It was calm like a serene lake. It was as if he knew how the entire game would unfold. But something about his presence felt like déjà vu, as if I should know this feeling.
"Alright, listen up, squad, we may be without our star player, Jason. However, Wade doesn't have his partner in crime with him either. It's our time to get payback on Wade and give him a loss on an even playing field. No running, no hiding - just smart plays and a little bravery and determination! He thinks power and techniques win games? I say let's prove him wrong with teamwork! Who's with me!
I felt chills and goosebumps on my arms during his speech. I realized that everyone else on our team had been victims of the missiles that Jackal and Wade launched at their faces. Not just that, but the extreme physicality they brought to any other sport, from football to basketball. We were all united and rallied under a common enemy. We might as well be the Avengers.
Stanlee raised his fist towards the ceiling, "Today we're not just teammates, we're a wall." "For each other on three, Beat Wade on six."
"ONE, TWO, THREE"
"FOR EACH OTHER," We said in unison
"FOUR FIVE SIX"
"BEAT WADE"
"Alright, Red team and Blue team, stand by your sides, wall," Coach K said.
He put four balls on each side of the court. Captains start with a ball in hand, while the rest of us have to run out there and get a ball, or die trying.
Wade slammed his ball into the hardwood with a thunk, glaring at me. My gut tightened, chills flowing all over me like a cold chill in the fall. Maybe I'm imagining things(or the adrenaline), but for half a second, the ball's rotations and bounce seemed to slow. The flickering lights were not helping. I rubbed my eyes.
"Come on, Kevin, eye of the tiger, baby, gameday game face," I said under my breath.
Coach K glanced at both sides," I want a clean game, I don't tolerate hotheads or sore losers." He then took a huge huff and blew into his whistle.
Game on.