Free Settle the Score by Alex Morgan

stood up and started clapping her hands. “ P is for ‘party,’ and A is for ‘all right,’ ” she chanted, and soon some of the other girls joined in on the cheer.
    â€œ R is for ‘rowdy,’ and T is for ‘tonight.’ Y is for ‘you,’ and you know what to do.” At this part, Kristin pointed at all of us.
    â€œParty!” we yelled as we jumped to our feet, cheering.
    We were getting some weird looks from the other people eating at the Burrito Bowl. I smiled apologetically at the couple sitting closest to us.
    â€œSorry,” I said. “We’re just super-excited. Our soccer team made it to the winter league championship game!”
    They smiled at me. “Congratulations, sweetie,” the woman said.
    â€œAnd we’re not the only ones!” Jessi announced. She was holding her cell phone in her hand. “The Gators beat the Gazelles. We’ll be facing the Gators in the championship game!”
    The room grew quiet for a second as everyone thought back to our last game against the Gators and how it had ended in defeat. Then the silence was broken.
    â€œWe’ll beat them this time!” Tracey said encouragingly.
    â€œWe’ve got this!” Kelly added.
    Courtney chimed in. “We will not be defeated!”
    For everyone else on the team, it was Griffons versus Gators for the title of winter league champs. But for me and Jessi, it was also Kicks versus Kicks!

After our celebratory meal, my family picked me and Jamie up in front of the Burrito Bowl. Maisie was sitting in her usual chair behind the driver’s seat, with a smear of ketchup on her cheek.
    â€œHey, Devin, can I listen to the new Brady McCoy song on your phone?” she asked as we climbed into the van.
    Jamie looked at me. “You’re a Real McCoy?” she asked in a way that instantly made me feel embarrassed for liking Brady McCoy. I was no mega fan like Emma, but I had downloaded all his songs.
    â€œHis latest single, ‘Beat of My Heart,’ is great to run to,” I explained, trying not to sound too defensive.
    â€œSo can I, Devin, please?” Maisie pleaded.
    I dug my phone and earbuds out of my bag and handed them to her. “Here you go, Maisie.”
    Maisie put the earbuds in and was bouncing in her seat, singing along to herself, while Jamie and I got settled in the back. My mom and dad were in a deep conversation about repainting the dining room, so I knew Jamie and I would have some privacy. I hoped our conversation would go better this time.
    â€œDo you think we can beat the Gators?” I asked, thinking it was a safe bet to talk about soccer.
    Jamie frowned. “Maybe if we can take your friend out, the little one. She’s too fast.”
    What did Jamie mean, take Zoe out? I had heard that sometimes, in more aggressive soccer games, opposing players who were threats were targeted with rough play. If they were injured, they couldn’t cause as much damage on the field. While I wanted to win the championship game, there were some things I would never do. And this was one of them.
    â€œZoe is my friend, but even if she weren’t, I’d never agree to playing dirty like that,” I said, a little heatedly.
    â€œI know. Devin the Girl Scout,” Jamie said in a mocking tone.
    â€œYou know, maybe I am a Girl Scout,” I said. I couldn’t help but get angry. “But if I remember right, the Girl Scout beat the cheater last time the Kicks played the Rams.”
    The words were out of my mouth before I had a chance to stop them. Part of me was glad I’d said them. Jamie had tried a lot of underhanded tricks to undermine the Kicks’ confidence during the play-offs. It hadn’t worked. In fact, it had made the Kicks even more determined to beat the Rams on the field, fair and square.
    I braced myself, ready for a nasty retort, or at the very least the silent treatment for the rest of