Free nowhere by Marysue Hobika

I’d really fucked things up this time.
    “Team, line up in the end zone.  You can thank your three friends later for this next drill.  We’re running suicides,” he yelled into his megaphone.
    I heard moans and groans from the rest of the team as we took our positions. This wasn’t going to be easy. “Just so there are no doubts, you’re all running until you puke.”
    Coach blew his whistle, signaling the first round. We sprinted to the 10-yard line, touched the line with our hand, and then raced back to the goal line. “Hustle,” Coach shouted angrily. Without pause, he blew his whistle again. This time we ran to the 20-yard line and back. We continued running, adding ten yards each time. By the time we completed one full round of suicides, most of the team wasn’t looking good. They were slowing down and everyone was sweaty and winded. I was to blame. I shouldn’t have let Tyler get to me. 
    Coach blew his whistle again. The team moaned even louder. I had to try to make this right. The guys had suffered enough due to my stupidity. “Coach, I’ll stay and run as long as you want me to. Let the other guys go. It’s not their fault.” 
    “Not a chance, Dooner. You guys win as a team, you lose as a team, and you pay for each other’s mistakes as a team,” Coach bellowed. He waved his arm at me. “Now, get back out there.”
    We were sluggishly making our way back from the 50-yard line, when I looked back and saw Tank lagging far behind. He was clutching his side and looked like he was about to throw up. His face was the strangest shade of purplish-red I’d ever seen, reminding me of a plate full of overcooked beets.
    “Dooner, Tyler, and Casey, stay,” Coach announced. I felt relieved, and wondered if he’d seen the look on Tank’s face too. “The rest of you can go. Practice is over. But I must warn you, just because this morning was unnecessarily rough, I won’t be taking it easy on you this afternoon. You better go home and rest up. You’re to be back here at three o’clock sharp and not one minute later. Do I make myself clear?”
    “Yes, sir,” the team responded. I could hear in their voices how angry they all were at the three of us.
    “Now get on outta here, before I change my mind.” He waved his hand, dismissing them.
    The team slumped off the field. No one bothered to turn around to see what further punishment Coach had planned. I didn’t blame them.
    Coach had us line up on the end zone again. We continued with the suicide drills. I hated every second of it, but there was no way I was going down before Tyler or Casey. I’d rather drop dead than give either of them the satisfaction of beating me. Probably realizing no one was going to give up any time soon, he finally shouted, “Alright boys, bring it in.” 
    The three of us could barely stand. Coach gave us a disgusted look. The physical punishment was over, but I sensed the worst was yet to come. I braced myself for bad news. “Do you know what it means to be part of this team?”
    “Yes,” we answered, our voices filled with shame. 
    “As it stands right now, the three of you are benched for our first game.” My mouth hung open and I heard Tyler gasp. Coach ignored our distress and continued. “You should consider yourselves lucky that I’m not throwing your stupid asses off this team. You know that I have a zero tolerance policy for fighting.”
    “We’re sorry,” we mumbled in unison. I wanted to plead our case and convince him to reverse his decision, but I knew he wouldn’t. Tyler and Casey also remained silent. We’d have to prove ourselves.
    “What the hell were you three thinking? You’re supposed to be my dream team!” He lamented. “Go. I’m sick of looking at you.” He turned and walked slowly toward the school.
    I watched his retreating figure, trying to muster the strength to move. I felt frozen in place. The news was even worse than I’d imagined. Tyler and Casey also seemed to be in