Rainbow Connection, AFTG ✔️

1.11

PORTER
CHAPTER ELEVEN

The southeastern district Christmas banquet was held at Breckenridge that year. Luckily it was scheduled late enough at night the Foxes could sleep off the previous night's end-of-semester party, but it still meant seven hours on the bus. Seven hours where Porter anxiously rocked in his seat and thought of facing the Ravens again.

The Foxes were among the last to show up at Breckenridge's court. Kevin had slept most of the drive, since he'd had as much liquor as he did coffee that morning, but he woke up half an hour out from campus. He was silent as a grave for the remainder of the drive, but Porter moved to sit next to him when he was awake. Kevin was staring out his window at the other buses, and his violent flinch said he'd spotted the Ravens' ride. Porter looked past and shoulder and closed his eyes after just a glimpse of the dominating black and red.

Wymack shooed his Foxes and their dates off the bus and locked it behind them. Kevin, Neil, Porter, Allison, and Matt were still on the bus. When Wymack turned around again he snapped his fingers at Kevin to get his attention. "Look at me."

Kevin dragged his blank stare to Wymack, and Wymack gestured between Neil and Matt. "You see these two? If I look your way tonight and you're not within five feet of at least one of them, I won't let you play a single damn game this spring. Get me? They're your shields. Use them. Use me, if you have to. Now give me a 'yes, Coach'."

"Mm," Kevin managed.

"Don't worry," Matt said. "He can't do anything with so many witnesses."

"He got to Neil at the last banquet," Allison said.

Kevin looked at Neil. Neil somehow look completely in phased, and Porter was sure it was a lie. They gathered their clothes from the undercarriage and followed a security guard inside. Before Porter went to change, Wymack stopped him and said, "That goes for you too, Faye."

Porter nodded, "Yes, Coach."

Nicky had helped Porter get an outfit, and they were both quite satisfied with emerald color they'd found for his suit. Porter had never been to a banquet where he chose what he wore. Green on white; "Christmas-y" had been Nicky's descriptive words.

Christmas-y seemed to be the descriptor for the entire night. The court was decorated for Christmas. Poinsettia followed the walls all the way around, and a massive tree stood in one corner. Heavy blankets under the stand ensured it wouldn't scratch up the court floor, and small presents were piled under it. It got Porter excited for the real holiday. He'd already gotten Nicky and Renee their gifts, but he needed Abby's help to wrap them. He'd do that when he got home.

Whoever organized the seating chart was smart enough to keep the Foxes and Ravens away from each other this time. The Foxes sat down opposite the Wilkes-Meyers Hornets, and Porter between Kevin and Nicky. Porter hadn't played the Hornets this season, but he knew the Foxes' had beat them. It didn't matter, because with the season over the Hornets were laid-back and rowdy.

After all of the teams had arrived, Tetsuji Moriyama tapped on a cordless microphone to call them to attention. Someone cut the cheery Christmas music off and Tetsuji surveyed the collected teams with a stony expression.

"The season rankings have been decided," he said without preamble or inflection. It was old news by now—sportscasters and coaches had been adding up points all season—but everyone perked up to listen. "The following four teams have qualified to represent the southeastern district in spring championship games. I will list them in order of ranking, first to fourth. Edgar Allan, Palmetto State, Breckenridge, Belmonte."

He passed the microphone off to a more personable coach who offered enthusiastic congratulations and seasonal wishes. One of the Hornets didn't wait for him to be finished but leaned across the table and gestured at Kevin and Neil.