Go the Distance

07

The students gathered on the tourney field for the game. "Ohay ohay!" the crowd cried.

"This is a nail-biter, folks," the announcer said. "There's 47 seconds left on the clock. We're all tied up. The Sherwood Falcons, two. The Fighting Knights, two. What a game between Auradon's fiercest rivals."

Jay stood and the announcer said, "The teams get into their huddles and take up positions along the kill zone. Akiho! The dragoneers have been laying down a withering hail of fire." After a moment, he continued, "And now a substitution..."

Jay pulled Carlos up and Maia winced. Carlos was no good on the field, which Maia did feel bad about, but also found it funny. He was given gear and made his way to the field.

The announcer said, "He's bringing that hothead Jay in from the Isle of the Lost and that little guy Carlos can barely hold a shield."

"Break!" the team yelled.

"When they break from their huddles, this is gonna be a big moment here. And the tipoff is ready. Here we go. Long pass goes to Jay. Jay dishes off to Prince Ben. Nice little block by Carlos. He does a little jig in his opponent's face. And now Jay gets the ball back. Here comes Jay! Jay, hurdling maneuver at mid-field."

"I'm open!" Ben cried.

"Jay makes a nice pass to Prince Ben through the kill zone."

"Jay!" Ben called.

"Big block by Chad! Prince Ben moves over wide, gives it back to Jay. He's in the clear! Shot! Oh, what a save by Philip the Falcons' goalkeeper!"

"Come on! All right, all right, let's do it!"

"23 seconds left. You could cut the tension with a sword. The long ball is played into Jay. Jay, great jump, great leap. And a great move by Jay. Big block from Chad. Jay dishes off to Prince Ben. And then Carlos with a big block goes down. Jay, through the killzone, picks up Carlos. Oh, he's being hammered by dragon fire. Still going on. Jay, hurdling maneuver at mid-field. He's in the clear. The ball goes back to Jay."

After a moment, the announcer continued. "He passes to Prince Ben. He scores! Prince Ben has won it! What an unselfish play by Jay! What a team! Incredible! And it's the new guys, Jay and Carlos, who set up the prince for the win here. What a victory! An absolutely wonderful end to one of the best games ever. Here they come, folks. The winners of the first tourn-"

Ben grabbed the mic from the announcer. "Excuse me. Excuse me. Can I have your attention, please?" He stood up on the ball shooter. "There's something I'd like to say. Give me an 'M'!"

"'M'!" the crowd said, excluding Maia and Mal. Maia frowned, wondering what Ben was on about.

"Give me an 'A'!"

"'A'!"

"Give me an 'I'!"

"'I'!"

"Give me an 'A'!"

"What does that spell?"

"Maia!"

"I love you, Maia! Did I mention that?"

Audrey frowned and ran off. Maia's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed bright red.

Ben grinned. "Give me a beat! Whoo!"

"Uno, dos, tres, quatro!" Doug said.

Evie's eyes widened. "Oh, my God! Cookie!"

Mal looked at Evie. "What was in that cookie?"

Evie shook her head. "Maybe magic is stronger than we thought in Auradon."

Maia frowned. "Seriously, what did you two do?"