by Ruby Vincent
For the next hour and a half, the only sounds in the room were the occasional cough and the scratching of our pencils. Our English topic was an interesting one. It asked us to compare the knowledge gained from books to knowledge gained from experience, and argue why one was better than the other.
I wrote a detailed essay in favor of knowledge gained from experience and referenced my own life learning around the world. When Argyle called time, I placed my pencil down with confidence. Everything was going to be fine.
Students trickled in for lunch but we were shuffled off to our classrooms to eat. This was serious business and they wouldn’t risk cheating of any kind.
“How do you think you did?” Adam asked. “It’s hard to study for English other than reading books and learning grammar.”
“I did well,” I said. “I know it.”
After lunch, we returned to an empty dining room for the critical writing test. It was another essay that I walked away feeling good about. Day one of the tournament was complete.
Day two, I woke up early and shuffled to the bathroom to shower and get ready. We had Geometry and Networking today. I had no idea how we were going to be tested in Networking, but I stayed up most of the night cramming my least favorite branch of mathematics into my already stuffed head. Planes, angles, proofs, quadrilaterals, and triangles swirled in my brain like the steamy water pooling at my feet. I walked out of the showers pink, fresh, and dripping math.
“A conditional statement is false if the hypothesis is true but the conclusion is false...” My muttering trailed off as I saw something waiting for me in front of my door. A tiny purple box with a blue bow. A smile tugged at my lips as I bent and unwrapped the gift.
Nestled on an ivory pillow was a small pin that glimmered with blue and purple gemstones. The pin was a butterfly of course. I picked it up and noticed a note underneath.
I’d say this was a good luck charm, but you don’t need luck. You’re going to win, Z, and we’ll be together like we should have been from the start.
-Michael
A butterfly was appropriate. The little buggers fluttered in my stomach as I read the note again, and then one more time. I had to keep reminding myself that he must have meant us being together as classmates.
Adam was awake when I walked in.
“You ready to do this?”
My smile vanished. I reached inside my shirt and pinned the butterfly to my bindings, tucking my tiny charm away.
“I’m ready.”
Whittaker, Argyle, and our Elite opponents met us in the dining room. Argyle put us in the same seats as the day before. Zach on the far end. Me two seats down. Rhys two seats away from me, and then Adam took up the other end of the table.
“You have two hours for the advanced geometry exam,” Argyle said as she set them before us. “There will be no talking. You may use the blank sheet of paper and testing calculator to work out problems. We will break in one hour to allow you to go to the bathroom or have a drink of water. Do not ask to leave the testing room at any other time. Understood?”
We all nodded.
“You may begin.”
We passed the two hours in almost absolute silence. No one so much as coughed. All I heard were our pencils and the tap, tap, tap on the calculators. When Argyle called time, I closed my book with a smile. Of course to get into the Elite Class, we had to prove we could handle the coursework. Advanced geometry wasn’t easy and I had to use all of my time to get through the problems, but nothing stumped me. I trusted in the skills my mom taught me and everything I learned from the boys.
I caught movement at the edge of my vision. Zach was looking at me. I turned and gave him the full force of my grin. His lips twisted into such a feral snarl it didn’t go unnoticed.
“Mr. Fields?” Argyle said as she collected his test. “Are you alright?”
“I will be, Mrs. Argyle. It’s going to be fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” she replied.
The vice principal moved off but our gazes remained locked. In one look, Zach and I said more to each other than we had all year. It wasn’t a polite conversation.
THE NEXT FEW DAYS OF the tournament passed in a haze of late-night sessions, bubble answer sheets, and cramped hands. We finished Tuesday with a networking test on what alternatives we considered for our future other than going to college, and how we will or will not be able to achieve our goals if we go down those routes.
Wednesday, we had the World History and Spanish II exams. To say I breezed through those tests sounded cocky, but that’s exactly what I did. I finished both with time to spare and Zach shot me a mix of angry, incredulous looks as I sat there twiddling my pencil.
“He’s getting scared.”
Adam and I were in the classroom, eating our turkey bacon and egg sandwiches while Dr. O’Quinn graded papers at her desk. We had survived to Thursday and the final day of the academic exams.
“You’re not sweating it as much as you should be and it bugs him,” Adam went on. “I can tell Zach is cracking.”
I pressed my fingers to my temple. A late night studying with Cole saw my bedtime moved from ten to two in the morning, and a pounding headache was my gift when I woke that morning. The boy knew his chemistry and he didn’t let me go to bed until I knew it too. I appreciated it though. Chemistry was our final academic test and the hardest one for me.
“I’m cracking too,” I said. “I know I’m doing well, but Zach is Elite. I doubt he’s walking away from the test room with anything less than an A. Getting a tie in the academic tests won’t help me if he beats me at the physical ones.”
“You’ve trained harder than anyone this year, Battle Doctor.” Adam took my hand. “We’re going to win, Zee.”
I rested my aching forehead on our hands. “You’re going to have to carry the confidence for both of us this time.”
He chuckled. “I can do that.”
“Alright, boys.” O’Quinn put away her grading. “Let’s go down to the testing room.”
Our morning exam was for debate class. I wasn’t sure how they expected to test us on debating in a no-talking zone until Argyle explained the format.
“You and Zachary will be given the same issue and you will write an essay on it,” she said to me. “You will make a case for the affirmative while Zachary argues the negative. The resulting score will come down to who makes the most compelling argument for either side. Understand?”
“Yes, Mrs. Argyle,” we replied.
When I walked in, I believed that this would be my easiest exam of the day. One look at the question and my confidence took a hit.
Single-sex schools are better for students.
Was I being paranoid or was there an underlying motive for choosing this question? How was I—the girl forced to stuff her breasts in tight wrappings and hide who she truly is—supposed to argue that any of this has been better for us?
I didn’t finish early this time. I wrote up to the very last second trying to form solid arguments to support everything I was raised not to believe.
Argyle collected my paper and then moved down the table. A soft noise to my left drew my attention. Zach laughed—a harsh, mocking noise.
“How did you do on the exam... Zela?”
“Shut up.” I snapped my eyes to Argyle but she didn’t seem to have heard. “I’m not playing with you.”
“Oh, I know that.” He rose from his seat. “I’m not playing anymore either.”
THE SUN ROSE ON A COOL, crisp morning the next day. The seeking rays made the dewdrops shimmer in the light and I got to see it happen as I sprinted down the track alongside Michael.
I called to him. “Couldn’t the argument be made that I shouldn’t tire myself out before the race?”
He wasn’t too far ahead of me, but that was because he was being nice and not leaving me in the dust.
“Nope,” he shouted back. “One more lap and then we’ll cool down.”
I might have sighed if
I wasn’t conserving my breath for keeping pace with him.
If we do get together, I’ll be signing up for a boyfriend and a taskmaster.
My eyes drifted down to his ass. Michael’s track shorts stretched and pulled taut as he moved.
And I will happily complete whatever tasks he gives me.
I bit my lip to hold back a giggle. My change in relationship status with Landon and the subsequent changes to the rules had me thinking of sex all the time. I was approaching ready faster than I thought.
We finished the lap and then went through our cool-down routine. I was a bit tired, but the run felt good.
“How are you feeling about today?” Michael picked my water bottle off the bleachers and handed it to me.
I gulped down a refreshing swig. “I’m not sure. I’ve trained as hard as I could. I know I can hold my own on the court, mat, and field, but if Zach’s better than he’s better. We’ll find out today if my best is good enough.”
Michael took my towel and dabbed the sweat from my face. I warmed as he slowly moved down my neck and then to my chest.
“It is good enough, Zela,” he said.” I know Zach and I know you. Even your worst is better than him.”
“I just wish we didn’t have to do all five physical tests in one day. We have track first, then swimming, wrestling, soccer, and finally basketball. They’re using the girls’ side for Adam and Rhys, so I won’t be able to cheer him on either.”
“But I’ll be here to cheer you on.”
“Of course you will.” I pulled down the collar of my jersey until the little butterfly was exposed.
Michael’s smile made my stomach somersault. “And I’ll have something else for you when you win.”
“Can I get a hint?”
He winked. “Nope.”
Michael didn’t give me a reason to blush, but I did it anyway as I followed him back inside.
Our seclusion from the student body was over. There wasn’t much help my friends could give me on the physical test beside slipping me steroids, so Adam and I were allowed to join everyone for breakfast.
“Where’s your food, Zeke?” Justin asked. “You can’t go in this on an empty stomach.”
I clutched my belly. “I think I’m nervous. I feel a bit queasy. I’m going to stick to water for now and then grab a snack after the race.”
“No reason to be nervous. You’re going to win, Zee.” Derek placed his chocolate scone on my plate and urged me to eat it. I ate a few bites until he was satisfied.
After breakfast, our group tramped out to the track. Classes weren’t canceled but Whittaker had shortened the periods from half an hour to an hour so they could watch us. Cole, Michael, Landon, and Derek sat front row to watch me. Melody, Justin, Owen and the rest went to the other side with Adam.
“Alright, boys. We’ll begin shortly,” said Coach. He pulled me and Zach to the side as the bleachers filled up. “Do your stretches, warm up, and be ready to race in five minutes. You feeling okay, Manning?”
He squinted at me as I fixed my face into a neutral expression. The scone was a mistake. My stomach was writhing more than ever. “I’m fine, Coach.”
“Are you?” asked Zach. “Maybe you should sit this out.”
“Nope, I’m fine.”
I turned my back on them and found a place on the track to stretch. I bent forward to grab my ankles.
The world turned on its side. I tipped over and my body smacked the turf—hard.
“Manning!”
I struggled upright as Coach ran over to me. “I’m cool,” I said quickly. “I just lost my balance.”
“Are you sure?”
Forcing a laugh, I spoke in Coach’s direction. “I’m ready.”
“Okay,” he said slowly. “Step up to the line.”
I felt his eyes on me as I carefully stood and moved over to my place. My dizzy spell cleared as I got into position.
What is wrong with me?
“Ready?”
Coach blew the first whistle and I braced myself on the block. Second whistle we raised our backsides. On the sounding of the gun, we were off.
I knew instantly that something was wrong. My stomach hurt so much. My breathing labored, expelling ragged, harsh pants as my gut twisted and knotted. Through a fog, I saw Zach pull ahead.
Come on, Zela. You can do this! He is not going to win. Not like this.
The surge of courage gave me a burst of speed. Closing the distance, I drew nearer to Zach until I could reach out and touch his jersey. A proud number one covered his back... or was it a seven?
I stumbled over my feet. Zach was growing fuzzy around the edges. The shouts from the stands and the smacking of our feet against the turf faded.
“Are you okay, little one?”
“N-no.”
I whipped my head around. A red sweater made him look presentable and harmless. Just another person enjoying the holiday events. His thin-framed glasses reflected in the light, obscuring his eyes as he bent and grabbed my wrist.
“I’ll help you find your daddy.”
Pure, naked terror blotted out my mind as my heart shot into my throat. A strangled scream tore from my lips as I ran—harder and faster than I ever had in my life.
“Mom!”
His hand was on my wrist. Tightening. Squeezing. Promising I would never be free.
I screamed. Tears soaked my face and blurred reality as my nightmares swallowed me whole.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
“Winner! Manning!”
The stands went wild. The thunderous applause ripped me out of the hallucination and I staggered off the track as Michael, Cole, Landon, and Derek ran to me.
“Zee, you fucking did it! That was—”
I shoved Landon out of the way and bolted around the bleachers. The metal and bodies shielded me as I dropped to the ground and vomited.
My stomach viciously contracted, ejecting everything in my system.
“Zee— Shit!”
The boys surrounded me.
“What’s wrong?” Michael cried. “Zela?”
“Someone... did something... to me,” I gasped. “The water bottle. Something in the water... bottle.”
“Fields.” Derek said the word like it burned his tongue. A look of hatred twisted his face. He lurched to his feet and I grabbed him.
“No,” I rasped. “If you do anything, the coaches will find out and they’ll... cancel the matches.” I held tight to his legs and tried to stand up. The others were at my side in a flash to help me.
“That must be what he wants,” I forced out. “If the tournament is canceled, I’ll never be able to challenge him to another one. There will be no winner and his spot as Elite is safe.”
“He’s not getting away with this!”
I cupped Derek’s face in shaky hands. “He’s not... because I’m going to beat him. Just get me inside and help me. Please, I need you.”
My final sentence cooled the blazing heat in his eyes. “Ugh! Fuck!” He pushed aside the others and put my arm around his shoulder. “Fine. Let’s go.”
The boys carried me up to Derek’s room. I was granted a seventy-minute break to rest and prepare for the next match. I spent the first half of it puking up my guts and then the next half downing painkillers and electrolytes.
The boys flanked me as I headed downstairs.
“Are you sure about this?” Michael asked.
“Yes,” I said, a bit hoarsely. “I got whatever was in my system out. I should be okay.”
“But you’re not a hundred percent,” Cole argued. “How do you expect to beat Zach when you’re barely walking down these stairs?”
“I’m doing this, Cole. After everything he’s done, I’m not stopping until I’ve seen this through.”
The guys waited outside the door while I went in and changed into my swimsuit. The natatorium was packed by the time we arrived. I stepped to Zach’s side and didn’t miss for a second the smirk as he looked me up and do
wn. I looked like crap and that pleased him like someone who knew why.
“You feeling alright, Manning?” Coach Nelson asked.
I lifted my chin. “Feeling great, Coach.”
“Good. Then, let’s run through how this will work. This will be much like orientation. Freestyle swim to the other end of the pool. Whoever gets there first is the winner. Take your places.”
I stepped onto the platform to cheers and encouragement from my friends. The sound infused my achy limbs with strength.
I can do this. Zach is pathetic and insecure and he knows the only way he can win is to result to dirty, underhanded tactics. I’m not losing to a guy like this.
I lost.
“Yes!” Zach’s shout echoed off the beams as he burst out of the water. He was jumping up and down and pumping his fists by the time I touched my pad.
It wasn’t too surprising. I never was a strong swimmer and I was still shaking off the effects of what he slipped me. Still, it burned enduring that shit-eating grin.
The boys walked me back to the dorm to change and rest before the wrestling match. Their presence soothed me even though they didn’t let up. They gave me tips and advice the whole time while I rested in Derek’s bed and fought not to fall asleep.
“It’s time, Zela.” Landon rubbed my arm. “You got this, baby. You’re almost as good a wrestler as me. No way you won’t win.”
I chuckled as I got myself up. A quick change into my singlet and I was ready to go. We got into the wrestling gym first this time. Coach Franklin beckoned me over.
“You ready for this, boy?”
“I am, Coach.”
“You’ve come far this year. I’ve never seen a student improve as fast as you.” He straightened to his full height, peering at me over the tip of his nose. “Whatever class you’re in, it’s been a privilege to train you.”
I smiled. That was the nicest thing Coach had ever said to me. It was the only thing he ever said to me that wasn’t barked tips and instructions. “Thank you, Coach.”
“Warm up. Clapping push-ups. Now.”
And he was back.
Zach came in and began his warm-ups on the other side of the mat. The stands filled up and I noticed Justin, Owen, and Hunter had switched it up and came to watch me. They were not the only ones. Sitting a few rows up was Cameron and Santiago. My mind flashed to the first day of orientation.
