Free Making the Cut by David Skuy

His teammates gave him a huge cheer.
    “Team 2 is True,” Jake chanted, as a few others joined in.
    “I need Team 1 and 2 on the line for the run off. Let’s go,” Jen said.
    “Same order as last time,” Zane ordered.
    No one questioned him. Charlie wondered when he became captain, but didn’t say anything. He lined up behind Savard.
    “Let me in here,” Charlie heard Jake say. “We’re old friends. It’ll be nifty to run against him. Don’t you think, Charles?”
    Charlie didn’t take the bait and pretended he hadn’t heard. He clenched his fists and readied himself. He’d show Jake what Charlie Joyce could do.
    Jen’s “Go!” brought his attention back to the race.Team 1 got off to a quick start. When Savard returned Charlie had a ten metre lead. He knew Jake was fast, so he pushed himself hard. He made it through the tires and over the water jump in good order, and then raced to the wall.
    His rope was gone! He looked around frantically. He couldn’t climb a four metre wall without a rope. He reached for the Team 2 rope.
    “Get lost, Joyce. That’s mine.” Jake was steaming towards him.
    “Where’s my rope?”
    Jake screwed his eyes shut and shook his head. “Not my problem,” he snarled.
    Jake tried to pull the rope away, but Charlie held firm.
    “Let go, Joyce, and get out of my way,” Jake threatened.
    “Since when is it your rope,” Charlie said.
    “Since it’s on my side.”
    “But there’s only one rope. Where’s the other one?”
    Trevor came running over. “What’s going on, guys?” he asked.
    “Nothing, other than he’s cheating,” Jake said, nodding towards Charlie. “He cut me off and took my rope.” He tugged on it again.
    “Charlie, what’s up?” Trevor asked.
    “I was in the lead, and when I got to the wall there was only one rope, so I figured that was the one I had to use. Then Jake came and tried to rip the rope out of my hands …”
    “You’re such a liar it hurts,” Jake interrupted.
    Trevor looked at them both, and then went behind the wall. The other rope came flying over. “I think I found it,” Trevor said.
    By this time, Jen and a few other players had come down from the starting line to see what the yelling was about.
    “Trevor, why did you end the race?” she demanded.
    “I didn’t. These two were wrestling over the rope.”
    Charlie suddenly realized he was still holding on to it. He let go as if it was burning his hands.
    “Why’d you do that?” she asked them both.
    “Ask him,” Jake said. “This is my rope. It’s on Team 2’s side. He cut me off and wouldn’t let me climb the wall.”
    Charlie tilted his head to one side. “Yes, Jake. I deliberately threw myself in front of you.”
    Scott and Nick laughed openly. Corey pushed his way to the front.
    Jake’s eyes were blazing now. “The guy took my rope because I was totally gaining on him. I was about to pass him — and he pulls this junk.” He threw the rope against the wall. “I know it’s just a stupid race — but it’s bogus when someone cheats.”
    “This was supposed to be fun,” Jen said. She sounded irritated. “Why did you take Team 2’s rope?” she asked Charlie.
    “When I got here there was only one rope.”
    “Team 1’s rope got flipped to the back of the wall,” Trevor explained.
    Jen pointed at Charlie. “Who went ahead of you?” she asked.
    The entire camp was now crowded around.
    “That was me,” Savard said. “I’m positive the rope was on the right side. Positive. I remember throwing it back. I was paranoid about it so I made sure.”
    Everyone started to talk at once. Jake crossed his arms and stared with a cocky grin at Charlie.
    That was the Jake he knew — the Mister Friendly act didn’t fool him. He was lying to get him in trouble, and he thought it was funny. While Charlie fumed, Jen and Trevor moved off to the side.
    “I think Team 2 has to be the winner,” Jake said. “Joyce took our rope. Open and shut case.” Charlie