Free Making the Cut by David Skuy Page B

dudes.”
    He accelerated, with his friends hot on his heels.
    “Curse everyone who’s faster than me,” Scott said, breathing heavily.
    Charlie heard a few disses as he sped along the trail.
    “Why didn’t he run like that in the race?”
    “Showing off for Jen?”
    They actually passed Jen on the path leading to the cafeteria.
    “I’m impressed by the effort, gentlemen,” she said. “Save some food for me.”
    “I’d like to,” Scott said, “but that’s not possible.”
    Jen laughed and wished them luck.
    Together they barged into the cafeteria. Charlie grabbed a pile of trays.
    “We won the race that mattered,” he said dramatically, tossing the trays Frisbee-style.
    “One tray?” Scott said incredulously. “You trying to starve me?” Scott helped himself to three bananas, some cheese and crackers, two pieces of bread, and two yogurt containers — and then added a bunch of grapes and an orange.
    “You had breakfast, right?” Slogger asked.
    Scott put his forefinger on his chin. “I don’t rightly know,” he said, as if deep in thought. “I think it would be prudent to eat this in case I forgot.”
    Charlie was surprised by how hungry he was, and he piled the food on. A nagging feeling bothered him as he ate, however. Dealing with Jake alone was one thing. IfJake had a bunch of guys on his side, they could mess him up in a hundred ways.
    He finished his banana. If only Pudge were here. He’d know what to do. Pudge was great at figuring stuff like this out. It would also be cool to have another friend in his corner. He could always count on Scott and Nick. Slogger seemed to be a cool guy too, and Charlie couldn’t help but like Corey even though he rubbed those guys the wrong way. Sure he was way too serious about everything, but Charlie could tell he was under intense pressure from his dad to do well at camp. Add in scouts and scholarships, he could understand why he pushed himself so hard.
    Which meant Charlie had four guys on his side, against Jake and his gang, and a Team 1 that wasn’t very happy with Charlie Joyce at the moment.
    Very, very not good — and it could mean serious trouble.

10

DEAD WEIGHT
    Charlie pushed his tray away and leaned back. “If I eat any more I’m gonna die.”
    “So you’re not going to finish that apple?” Scott asked.
    He rolled it over to Scott. His friend bowed before crunching into it.
    Trevor banged a spoon on a table. “Time to award the prize to Team 2 for winning the obstacle course race,” he announced.
    Charlie’s uneasy feeling got a bit worse. He didn’t need to be reminded of the race.
    “I bet Team 2 doesn’t have to go for a run tomorrow,” Nick said to Scott.
    “Maybe they get to sleep in,” Slogger said.
    The room quieted down. “Maybe it wasn’t the longest race,” he said, which got a reaction, “but there was a winner and the prize is amusing, so whatever … The grand prize is that each Team 2 member will be piggy-backed to practice. Team 2 now has to decidewhich team will do the piggy-backing.”
    A huge cheer went up from some of the guys at Jake’s table, all high-fiving, and the hooting and hollering got louder and louder. Jake began chanting, “Team 2! Team 2! Team 2 will destroy you!” and soon all his teammates joined in.
    “Huddle up, boys, and pick your team,” Trevor said with a laugh. He seemed to think it was all in fun. Charlie had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
    Jake called out, “Give us Team 1,” and began chanting “Team 1! Team 1! Team 1!” Soon the cafeteria was in a total uproar.
    If they didn’t already, the Team 1 players would really hate him now. He honestly thought he’d be sick.
    “Gentlemen, before you go, please check the bulletin board,” Jen said. “A few players will be moving teams. Think of it as a slight rebalancing. The coaches wanted me to stress that no one is being demoted or punished. They just think a few guys will flourish more on different