My heart dropped at the news. Stanlee was stable earlier. Mrs. Brown knew what she was doing. Could there have been an even deeper wound she couldn't bandage? I glanced at Keisha. Her face went pale, and she looked gray from the horrible lighting in the corridor. Her hands trembled at her sides.
I glanced over my shoulder. The twins were bickering again. "Let's talk further away..." I said, helping Jessica to her feet, and we walked closer to the entrance of the corridor, back near the hallway.
"What happened!" Keisha demanded, resting her hands on Jessica's shoulders.
She took her hands away from me and hugged herself. "He started shaking like he was having a seizure. Mrs. Brown came and stabilized him and told us to call 911."
"Then?"
She shook her head. "I don't know, Marcus went with them."
The corridor went silent. The sound of laughter and rubber balls filled the air.
Jessica wiped her face. "So...what will you do now?"
Keisha and I shared a glance and looked back towards the gym. The twins, Alicia, Luke, and Margaret, were somehow having fun despite the deathmatch that awaited us.
I turned my head back to face Jessica, "We can't tell them right now."
"Agreed," Keisha growled, a single tear rolling down the side of her face.
Jessica fidgeted with her taped wrist. "Let me help. I still owe Jonas for what he did to me."
I took her hands and looked firmly into her brown eyes, "Jessica, stop it. Mrs. Brown already called Coach K; he knows you aren't play-ready."
Jessica stared at the floor. "Kevin and Keisha, promise me one thing?"
"Yeah," we said simultaneously.
The tears resumed in her brown eyes. "Be careful, please."
Keisha hugged Jessica, "We will. The wall stands together, isn't that right, Kevin?"
I nodded. "That's what we do."
Coach K's whistle pierced the air. "30 seconds till game start."
"That's our cue, we gotta go, Jess," I said.
She managed a smile and bumped my chest with her fist, "Go get 'em, tiger. I'm gonna go back to the infirmary."
Keisha hugged her, "Make sure you stop by the bathroom and clean your face up."
Jessica nodded, "I will." With that, she left.
Keisha turned around, clenching her teeth in rage, "C'mon, Kevin, we've got a game to win."
I exhaled, "Right, don't let them see your face like that, Keisha. I'm pissed too, but we gotta keep that stuff in check. You remember what happened with Marcus?"
Keisha stopped and shot me a grin, "Thanks for worrying about me, Kevin. But..." She turned back to the gym, her voice hardening, clenching her fists, "I can't play the strategic game today. That's always been Stanlee, Jason, and your thing, not mine. I'm gonna go out there and whup ass."
We walked out of the corridor and back to the gym. The lighting was flickering again. Connor, Barry, and Alicia ran up to us as we came back.
"Why was Jessica here?" Alicia asked.
I hesitated; I didn't want to lie to their faces. But it needed to be done, for now at least.
"I'll tell you—"
"Why else, to wish her boyfriend good luck?" Keisha cut in.
Connor smacked Barry's left shoulder, "I told you, bruh, Kevin is like that."
I shot a glance at Keisha, "Chill, y'all, Jessica and I are just friends."
"That's what they all say," Alicia muses.
I facepalmed. "You know what? I don't care what fantasies you guys have going on in your heads. We've got a game to win."
Keisha started stretching, "Damn straight."
"Guys."
We all gave our attention to Barry. He had his left hand in a fist, shaking, and his right hand holding it as if to calm it.
Barry looked up remorsefully, "I'm sorry about how I was acting earlier. Seeing Stanlee all messed up like that...I was tripping."
Obviously, I know the twins have a history with Jackal as well. But they never opened up about it. I mean, when you're friends with someone, you don't force them to open up about their wounds. You let them be brought up by the person...eventually.
I wrapped my arm around Barry's shoulder. "We're straight, Bare. You're still my dawg."
Barry smirked. "So, am I invited to the wedding?"
Everybody laughed, even Margaret and Luke, the loners.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm keeping the mic as far away from you as possible."
Coach K walked up to half-court with his whistle in hand, glancing at the clock.
"Is this everyone?"
The metallic door creaked. Leaving the corridor and entering the gym was Maxie. He glanced over at us and walked across.
"Why's he so late?" I thought.
As he got over to his side, Wade pressed the red jersey to Maxie's chest, then wrapped his shoulder around his neck. They walked off to the locker room.
"Make it snappy, boys." Coach K barked.
***
Five minutes later, Wade and Maxie returned. Maxie was in his matching red shorts and red jersey. Wade was in suit with his arm still around Maxie's neck; he had the biggest grin on his face.
Keisha exhaled for the 5th time, "About damn time."
Coach looked at both sides, "Now that everybody's here, I'll keep it simple. No hits below the belt and no face shots."
Coach ran back to his seat and blew the whistle.
FWEET!
Movement broke out instantly. Everybody in the red squad made a mad dash for the balls. Except Jackal, he sat down in the back observing his prey, like a jaguar in the bushes. While we stood back to back near the glossy wood wall.
Jonas fired first, his fastball cutting through the air straight to Luke. He sidestepped to avoid the ball as it slammed into the concrete wall. I quickly scanned the red squad. Manuel and Maxie were without a ball in hand. Jonas had picked up one by Maxie, then shot a thumbs-up at Carlos.
Carlos nodded, "Guaranteed, out, incoming losers!"
I gritted my teeth, "Guys, jump!"
He threw his low sweeper curve shot. Everybody jumped, except Keisha. Her eyes were locked onto the ball like a falcon swooping on its prey. She bent down into a crouch and caught the ball. The force sent her rolling into a somersault. Carlos's face was in disbelief.
7-on-6
Jonas fired his shot while we were mid-air. It slammed into Luke's frail, skinny body, and then he crashed into the wooden wall.
6-on-6
Coach's whistle pierced the air, "You're out, Luke. You as well, Carlos. Amazing catch, Keisha."
I scratched my head, "My bad, Luke. I made the wrong call on that one. "
Luke sighed as he walked back to the bleachers. 'I'm such an idiot, they ran this same play yesterday, a diversion.' I thought while shaking my head. The back of his neck was red from slamming into the glossy wood wall. I examined it, and a small crack had formed. Hopefully, that would be the only victim to be slammed into a wall today...hopefully.
Carlos started fist-bumping everyone on his team on his way to the bleachers like he had won the MVP award. He went up to Jackal for a bump.
Jackal glared at him in disgust, "I don't celebrate failure, Carlos. You should be ashamed of yourself. Go sit your butt down and let the capable ones handle this."Carlos walked away, hanging his head low.
Barry snickered, "Oi, Carlo, you're a one-trick pony; everybody knows your throws now."
Carlos glared at Barry, "Joke all you want, clown. I'mma enjoy seeing y'all get blown out and the look on your face when you get crushed!"
Keisha hugged the rubber ball and shot a grin at Carlos, "Big words coming from someone on the bench."
Carlos was seething; his face was red. But he stayed quiet.
Coach K yawned, "Alright, play on."
Wade fired immediately at Keisha. Keisha, however, was ready; she used the ball in her hand to parry Wade's. Then she spun and fired her ball at Wade. At least, that's what it looked like. The ball was spinning in the air. It curved at the last second and slammed into Jonas's chest. Jonas fell onto his back, dazed.
The gym went quiet... for what felt like a full minute before Coach blew his whistle.
"Jonas... you're out!" he said in astonishment.
I stared at Keisha's back; she seemed to be at the top of her game despite everything. Her words to me in the corridor replayed in my head."I can't play the strategic game today. That's always been Stanlee, Jason, and your thing, not mine. I'm gonna go out there and whoop ass." She was in... the zone.
Alicia looked Keisha up and down in amazement, like she wasn't even from this world. "Holy cow, Keisha, that was-"
"Badass!" The twins cut in simultaneously.
Keisha hadn't turned around yet; her eyes were locked onto Jonas. He clutched his chest and stood back up, faltering. He sneered at Keisha.
Keisha held her gaze, "That was for Jessica and Stanlee."
Barry came by my side and whispered, "Look at her go, she stood up for your wifey."
I punch his arm, "Keep yapping, I'll tell Alicia you love her."
He blanched, "Jeez, guy, can't crack a joke."
My expression hardened. Keisha was hurting; she wasn't there for Stanlee twice. She'd been swallowing her pain and anger and releasing it all here, rightfully so, onto the red team. Just like that, we were up 6 to 5. Margaret, Keisha, the twins, and I were against Wade, Maxie, Manuel, Charlie and Jackal, who had been sitting in the far back just observing with a straight face. His eyes looked soulless. It felt like he was staring beyond our team and the wall behind us as if he had X-ray vision. A cold chill ran up my spine. We couldn't let up now.
"Guys, we outnumber them," I said, my fist outstretched to the five remaining red members, "Let's end this now!"
Connor nodded, "You heard the man! Let's wrap this up and get to lunch."
Everybody grabbed a nearby dodgeball, then stared at me, waiting for the command.
I glanced at Keisha, and she nodded, "Say the word, Commando."
I turned my head back. The only person with a dodgeball was Jackal, so there was nothing to fear. At the end of the day, Jackal was one person against many.
I inhaled deeply, "Fire!"
We all ran from the back of our side of the gym to the half-court line for maximum power fastballs. The volley of five dodgeballs streamed towards Charlie.
WHOOSH!
BANG!
Charlie tried to show off and gain style points. He backflipped to dodge Margaret's ball. However, it backfired as he stepped on Connor's ball, which had rolled across after it ricocheted with Barry's. Charlie fell to a knee and ate my dodgeball in the gut. Charlie was out.
6-on-5
Keisha fired last-a straightaway missile aimed for Wade. Wade went for a dodge. However, Barry's ball was also closing on him at an awkward angle from the ricochet off Connor's ball.
PING
BAM
I couldn't believe my eyes. Maxie caught Barry's ball and then attempted to parry Keisha's; however, the force of her fastball proved too much for Maxie, and he dropped his dodgeball on impact.
5-on-4
Coach K blew his whistle, "Barry and Maxie, you're both out!"
Maxie started to protest.
Coach K shook his head, "When parrying or blocking a throw with a rubber ball, you mustn't drop the ball in your hand when it makes contact with it, otherwise you will be out."
Wade patted Maxie's back. "It's alright, nephew, you did your part. More than you know."
Maxie stared quizzically at Wade as he walked off, holding his wrist.
Barry exhaled, "This is some BS. Of all the ways to go out, I went out like this."
Alicia giggled, "Coulda been worse, silly. She hugged his arm, "Thanks."
Barry's eyebrow furrowed. "For what?"
Alicia's brown eyes met his. "For finding the courage to stand with me and the wall. To be honest..." she glanced down, "Had you not played, I probably wouldn't play today at all."
Barry blushed, "C'mon, Alicia, you know me, couldn't let my homies outshine me."
Alicia smiled, "The class clown has a modest side to his act."
Barry peeled himself off of Alicia, "Maybe, y'all better win. Don't sell our big lead."
Connor shot him a thumbs up, "You got it, bro."
Barry stared at us for a moment longer before walking off to the bleachers.
"Aww, that was cute." Wade's voice cut in.
The four of us turned our attention back to the loudmouth wannabe.
"Ya know, I'll admit, you guys were impressive. Kiki-."
Keisha bared her teeth. "Don't call me that."
Wade raised his hands innocently, "Sheesh, okay, hothead, but seriously, I forgot you had that dawg in you. But Kevin, my guy, you've been mad disappointing. You're letting yourself get outshined by a hotheaded dynamite."
I narrowed my eyes. "You're one to talk about hotheads or dynamites. You haven't done anything the entire game either. You'll be out soon anyway, just like yesterday."
Wade laughed, "You mean like your boy Stanlee?"
My heart was pounding in my chest like a hammer. I glanced at Keisha. Her face was in shock.
"What the hell do you mean by that, Wade?" Barry shouted from the bleachers.
Wade turned to face him, "Aww, poor Bawwy, Kevin and Keisha didn't tell you? Your friend's fighting for his life right now at the ER. Maxie told me he saw him get rolled into the ambulance on a stretcher."
Barry froze as if he had just been shot in the chest. He slowly turned to Keisha and me.
"Kevin... Is it true?"
I sighed, "Yes, it's true."
I glanced around. Margaret covered her mouth, her face in horror. Alicia was trembling.
Connor exhaled, "Is this why Jessica was here earlier?"
Keisha nodded slowly, defeated.
Alicia spoke next, "Why couldn't you tell us?"
Before I could answer, Coach blew his whistle.
"Hey, I love a good drama as much as the next guy, but lunch is in ten minutes, so save it for after the match. Game resumed."
Wade and Manuel immediately sniped at Alicia and Margaret. Margaret wasn't ready, and she ate it in the gut. She crumpled to the floor. Connor tried to catch Wade's ball, barreling towards Alicia.
CRACK
Connor yelled out in agony. His index finger was in a locked position, bending so much that it looked like a pretzel. He immediately fell into the fetal position, balled up.
Coach blew his whistle, and he stormed onto the court, though not faster than Barry.
Barry slid onto the floor. "Connor, Connor! It's okay, bro, breathe! Man up, bro, man up!"
Connor barely forced out through gritted teeth, "Shut up!"
Alicia wailed, "It's my fault."
Coach K handed a blue pass to Barry. "Take him to the infirmary, twin. Luke, come help!"
Barry put the pass in his pocket. Luke dashed over. They took both his arms and put them over their necks. Connor yelled out when Barry took his arm. He was going hysterical. Alicia recoiled at the sight of Connor. Tears overflowed in her eyes.
"Oh my god...I'm so sorry Connor."
Barry patted Alicia's head. "It's not your fault, Alice." He glared at Keisha and me. "We shouldn't have played today at all."
With that, the three of them walked out. Barry's words left a huge hole in my chest. My heartbeat was resounding within me... I could barely hear...The lights flickered above. My eyesight zoomed in on the red jerseys left.
Keisha touched my arm, "Kevin, I know it's hard right now, but focus. We were always going to tell them after the game."
Alicia wiped her tears. "Really?"
She scowled, "Yes, buttercup, Wade is just a childish opportunist and took advantage of that moment to rattle us."
Coach K stepped off the court and blew his whistle. I grabbed a dodgeball, feigned a throw at Wade, and then fired at full power at Manuel's shoulder. Unbeknownst to me, Keisha had also thrown her ball in that direction. Our balls collided and ricocheted in opposite directions.
WHAM
POP
Our two balls had given him a double dose of pain. My ball bounced upwards and hit his nose. While Keishas bounced downwards and hit him in the gut. Manuel grunted as he collapsed to the floor. When he got back to his feet, his nose was bleeding.
Manuel's eyes gleamed with rage, "I'mma remember this" he said as he walked off.
Keisha and I shrugged cause we both knew it wasn't intentional compared to what Manuel had done today. It was just the icing on top of getting another out closer to victory.
Alicia stared at us in amazement. She slapped her face twice, "C'mon, Alicia, they need you." She picked up her dodgeball and threw it not at Wade but at Jackal, who was still sitting down.
POOMF
Jackal caught Alicia's ball one-handed. Jackal laughed out as he rose to his feet, "Just like a young lion challenging the established king, your foolish confidence has been your undoing."
Alicia hung her head low, "I'm sorry, guys. I was... I was just so angry."
Keisha rolled her eyes, "It's fine, go sit down."
Alicia looked hurt by Keisha's sharp words. She went and joined Margaret on the bench.
Jackal glanced at us, "And then there were two."
Coach K blew his whistle, "Two catch rule, two people can come back!"
Carlos and Charlie were on their way back to court. Jackal held a hand up in their direction. They skidded to a halt.
"Stay on the bleachers, I don't need a handicap to beat Keisha or Kevin." He growled.
Like dogs to their owners, they sat back down on the bleachers, not happy.
Coach K shrugged, "Play on!"
The lighting was flickering erratically on our side. It was a stark contrast to the constant brightness on Wade and Jackal's side. 'Of the two, Wade is the weaker one; we should target him first,' I thought. The gym was silent; we were having a four-way cowboy standoff. The lighting above flickered slowly, the hum of the lighting system switching on and off.
Wade broke the silence. He charged up his throw windmill style like a softball pitcher. His signature torpedo throw.
However, at that exact moment, I ran up and spun into a crouch and pitched a low ball of my own with no curve, just my full strength. It met Wade's pitch.
PI-PING
My ball overpowered Wade's, knocking it to the floor, rolling, and continued on its path to Wade's legs. Wade jumped, but late; he wasn't expecting me to go low or to overpower his ball. My ball slammed into his foot while he was mid-air. Wade fell on his ribcage with a satisfying crunch.
BAM
PING
Alicia screamed, "Keisha!"
I immediately turn to Keisha. She was covering her right eye with her right hand. She dropped the dodgeball in her left hand.
"Damn... DAMN IT!!!"
She kicked a dodgeball, and it went soaring, bouncing off the wall and hitting Coach K's desk.
Coach K shook his head wistfully, "Keisha and Wade, you're both out."
Alicia rose from her spot in the bleachers, "Coach, that isn't fair; the ball hit her in the face!"
Coach looked at her incredulously, "Did you not see Keisha try to parry the ball with her own dodgeball? "
"But-" Alicia continued.
Keisha growled, "Alicia, drop it, I'm out. I messed up. If you really cared, you woulda made yourself useful and not gotten out in the stupidest way possible!"
Alicia teared up, "I hate you! I always tried to be close with every single one of Barry's friends, but you guys always treat me like I'm a nuisance! Barry was right, we shouldn't have played today at all!"
Alicia took off her blue jersey and slammed it in the bin. She made her way to the corridor and out of the gym, slamming the door. The slam echoed in the gym, reverberating off the walls and feeling heavier for what felt like a minute. 'How did it all unravel to this?'
"Good riddance." Keisha retorted, as she walked away, she glanced at me, "You got this, Kevin."
I glare at Jackal, 'Of course it's all his fault, he initiated the attack on Stanlee! He's the reason Jason is suspended! He's the reason everything is breaking apart!'
"Why?" I roared, "What did Stanlee ever do to you!"
Jackal stood there for a second, then shrugged, "Nothing, I just wanted to exert my dominance on an ant that didn't remember his place."
I could feel my veins popping in my forehead; I was fuming. The lighting on my side dropped to almost dim lighting.
Jackal chuckled, "But ya know what, it was worth it, Kevi! Look at you now, you're so much stronger than when we were kids. That look on your face, amazing!"
Then his voice went quiet, almost to a whisper, "But you're not ready to beat me, not by yourself anyway."
I grabbed 2 dodgeballs. I threw one aimed at his chest and spun into a low, fast ball. Jackal kicked a dodgeball that was on the floor to stop my low ball and parried the next with the dodgeball in hand.
He wound up in a pitcher stance and brought his arm so far back.
FWOOSH
His throw literally whipped through the air itself. The ball whistled as it beamed toward me. I got into a defensive stance. 'I caught Wade's ball yesterday, I can do it today too!"
I focused on the ball. "We shouldn't have played today at all! I hate you! I was just so angry! My wall has layers! Shut up! But you're not ready to beat me, not by yourself anyway.' All the moments of today replayed in my head. The ball didn't slow down; it was somehow moving faster. I wasn't in the zone.
BAMM
CRUNCH
Jackal's ball slammed into my gut and lifted me off my feet. My back then slammed into the glossy wood wall so hard that as I fell to the floor, wooden debris and shrapnel came down with me as I fell face first. I was lying on my chest. I tried to get back on my feet, but it hurt everywhere like needles. I fell to one knee and crumpled back down. The flickering lights finally went out and stayed out. A high-pitched ringing filled my ears. Keisha and Coach rushed toward me. Keisha was saying something. Now that I looked at her face, her right eye was swollen. It was starting to go black and blue. Wade was covering his face, celebrating. The rest of the red team went as well to celebrate the win. Jackal, however, stared at me, and even though I couldn't hear at the moment, I could make out what he was saying.
"You're not ready, Kevi."
The bell rang three times, but for the first time in a while, I wasn't eager for lunch.