04 | Luke Hemmings

10 | Luke

"So, what did you guys want to talk about?" I walked onto the football field to see the rest of the team stood in a slightly curved line opposite me. I kind of knew what was coming.

"We hate to do this but you broke the rule"

"Guys, I'm the captain"

"We know, Luke. You're also our strongest player. That's why you're captain but-"

"If you're kicking me off the team, at least do it the right way"

"Luke, we really don't want to do this. It's just this has happened twice before and both times the person got kicked off the team. It only seems fair"

"Guys, are we seriously going to do this?" Calum asked, stepping forward and walking over to me. He placed a hand on my shoulder and looked at our team mates. "He's our captain. Our star player. The best chance we've got at winning the championship. It's not like they're together. They're just friends. Believe me. I've seen them together. I've been with them. None of us agree with the rule so why are we all pushing it?"

"But the handbook-"

"Fuck the handbook" Calum cut Kyle off. "The handbook's from fucking 1984. That's over 30 years ago. Don't you think it's time for a change?" There were mumbles.

"Calum, don't worry" I told him. Well, whispered. "You've done your best. That's all I could ask for. You're such a good friend"

"Luke, you need this. What about university?"

"I'll figure it out"

"As I was saying, since it's the captain that we're deciding on, it falls to a vote. Vice captain does not have an overruling vote" Jordan said and Calum rolled his eyes.

"Fucking shit rules" Calum mumbled and I suppressed a laugh.

"All in favour of Luke being kicked off the team, raise your hand" Everyone minus Calum, Kyle and James. Good to know someone has my back.

"Then it's final" Jordan said, a slight smirk showing. I bet Chelsea put him up to this. She's got both Maddie and I gone now.

"Sorry, Luke" Kyle said as I turned around and walked towards the field exit.

"Don't worry about it" I shouted. I sighed and walked over to a deserted part of school. Fuck this shit.

**********

"Hey, Luke?" I looked up to see Calum. I was sat on the far side of the field on a small bench that had been there for years. "I'm really sorry about everything"

"It's not your fault. You can't help that my loyal team aren't so loyal anymore. And don't say that it's not my team anymore, I already know"

"Have you spoke to Maddie yet?"

"No, why?"

"Just wondered" He paused. "Just to let you know, I'm not giving up. You're getting back on the team. We need you"

"Good luck with that"

"Anyway, I wanted to ask you if anything has progressed with Maddie?"

"What? No! We're just friends. I mean Maddie's great, she really is. She's beautiful. It's just that- I don't know"

"You don't know what?" We both looked up to see Maddie stood in front of us.

"Nothing, don't worry"

"I've gotta go, football practice and everything" Calum said, getting up to leave. "I'll see you later, Luke. Bye, Maddie" With that he walked off. Maddie took Calum's seat and turned to face me.

"I heard. I'm sorry"

"It's not your fault"

"It kind of is"

"Whatever, I don't feel like arguing"

"Good, because I don't want to"

"How are you? I didn't see you around at lunch"

"Well, I don't really have anyone to sit with now"

"You can sit with me. Calum might join too. He's pretty pissed off with the football team"

"I'll take you up on that offer, Hemmings"

"I'm glad to hear it, Carter"

******

"Number four, I heard what happened. What a load of bullshit! In all my years of teaching I've never heard of something so stupid" Coach said to me as I walked past him on my way to Spanish from the field. I shrugged. "I need to get you back on that team though. You won't get into UCLA without it"

"I know"

"So, you and the girl. What's her name again?"

"Madison"

"What's going on with you two? Is it all true?"

"No. We're just friends"

"Well, I better let you get to class. I'll try my best, Luke"

"Coach, say I wanted to get rid of the rule, what would I do?"

"You'd have to make sure that Chelsea wasn't head cheerleader. Then get the football team captain to agree with whoever the new head cheerleader is and go from there. Good luck, Hemmings"