𝑯𝒆𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒉 | ᴹᴰᴳᶜ

TRACK TWENTY-FIVE: Friends

"Welcome to the championship banquet! Two teams! One feast! Yeah!" Marni said excitedly. I didn't want to come, but Jace pulled the, "if you don't go, then I don't go," trick. I avoided looking at Dominate even if the two perpetrators were already gone. I stared down at my lap, fidgeting with my rings.

"So it is my pleasure to introduce the icy center of the elite performance ice center," Marni continued. "I did not mean for it to come out that way." She added. "Coach Colin Cole!" There was scattered applause as Cole stood up and Marni sat down.

"I know there's been some trade talk. None of which panned out." Cole said, looking at each table. "Tomorrow is a big day! It is the final game! One of these two teams will be playing in the summer showcase!"

The showcase used to sound exciting, but now it just all feels dreadful. "For some of you, it'll be the first day of the rest of your lives! A chance to play against the Canadian youth All-stars in front of all the real scouts!" He said. "So tomorrow we're gonna hit it hard, but tonight we're gonna celebrate."

I looked to my left at Jace and rolled my eyes. He let a small laugh slip but was quick to hide it. He leaned over and whispered.

"Seriously. It's just dinner." He said. "We're gonna celebrate you, and all the hard work, all the blood, sweat, and tears that you've put in this summer." Cole continued. "Okay, let's give it up for all of you." Marni stood back up. "Alright, let's hear it for blood and tears!" She said. "Okay, the delicious buffet is open, so everyone, please get in line!"

I went to stand up but stopped myself once my eyes landed on Dominate. I slumped back into my chair before Jace took my hand and pulled me to my feet. He threw his arm around my shoulders and walked with me to the buffet.

Jace went to put pasta on my plate when Evan ran into his arm. "Woah, calm down. We're not gonna run out of penne." Jace said, turning to him.

"Relax, man, I'm just trying to get in line with my team. That's all!" Evan and Jace haven't been the same since finding out they were gonna be traded. Which thankfully didn't happen.

"What's your problem, Ev?" I asked. "Look, I don't have a problem, okay?" He replied. "It seems like Jace over here is the only one who has a problem." "No man. I-I don't have a problem with you," Jace picked up the spoon. "Look here, let me serve you, alright?"

He accidentally got some on Evan's shirt, but Evan didn't take it as an accident. "Really, guy?" Evan exclaimed as he got in Jace's face. "I'm sorry, man. It was an accident." "Yeah, I'm sure." He replied sarcastically.

"It's okay, look, I'm getting really good at laundry, and pesto is a new challenge, but hey, lucky for you! I have a stain stick in the dorm!" Nick said. "Look, I don't know what your problem is with me, man, because you're the one who decided to leave the ducks." Jace told Evan. "Look, I didn't choose to leave the ducks, okay? Your daddy over there is the one that drafted me!" "Yeah, and how did that work out? Huh?" AJ moved Evan out of the way.

"You got pesto on my wingman! Not cool!" I put Jace behind me and got in AJ's face. "Back off, Lawrence." I said. "No, you back off, Parker!" "You first!" "No wonder you're a disgrace." He muttered in a low tone. My face dropped, and I couldn't help but swing and punch AJ hard across the face. I grabbed his collar to hit him some more, but he was pulled away by his team, and I was held back by mine.

The tables with the food got pushed around and knocked over, creating a big mess.

"Alright! Stop it!" Cole yelled as he pulled us apart. "Banquet's over. Clean this up." We started to clean up when Jace and Evan got into another argument that led to Koob and AJ getting into a fight.

"Guys, stop it!" Sofi yelled. "This is crazy! We're in the championship game, and we're all miserable! I have beans in my hair!" She threw it on the ground. "I'm just as competitive as anyone here, but look at what it's doing to us! This isn't right! I mean, we're away from home! We should be having the time of our lives! But instead, we're all enemies! Over what?"