Contronym

Chapter 48

"Principal Gaurino will see you both now." The bitter looking secretary said in a surprisingly sweet voice. Ever since the Olympic team results went public, I feel like people are more likely to smile at us instead of sneer.

For me at least.

Everyone already smiled the Finn. Unless you were a teacher, then it was the other way around. I was the favorite and he wasn't.

"Now or never." I muttered under my breath as the two of us walked towards the all too familiar office. It was beginning to feel like my home away from home, and that wasn't exactly a good thing.

My hand hit the cold metal doorknob as I twisted it and pushed. I held the door for Finn and he passed me in the door way, taking his usual seat across from the desk. I took my designated spot in the blue leather chair closest to the doorway. As always when an issue concerning a sports player came up, Wilson was perched on Gaurino's left, across from me.

"So. We find ourselves here again." Gaurino said with a pause. "Let's get right into it. You are both on the Olympic team. I saw all four of the emails sent to me between you two and your fathers. I went over your grades with your guidance counselors and your credits. You are both eligible for early graduation, and since you are seniors you are not required to take finals because of your grades. Your AP testing finished last week and your colleges already sent you acceptance letters. The only thing left is a few forms and you two will be all set to finish high school a quarter early. I'm sure you know the third quarter just closed, so you are done with high school as soon as these forms get handed in." Gaurino said before handing us each two packets of forms.

It seemed that we both took all our required courses by junior year so we were in luck. Our wealth of AP and Uconn credits also helped the early graduation process.

"Now comes the issue of sports. I know you guys leave next Monday, but we have a game Friday. Problem is, it's against New Canaan. So even if you guys were staying longer, you can't participate just as the other three players on the New Canaan team can't. You're both welcome to come to practice, but it looks like your high school lacrosse careers are over." Wilson said with crossed arms. Had I not known Coach better, I would think he was a little sad that we were leaving. Finn wasted no time in calling him out.

"Going to miss us, big guy?" Finn teased while raising his eyebrows.

Wilson scoffed and rubbed his balled head. "Okay, maybe a little. But damn, I coached two kids into the Olympics. Make me proud."

"We plan on it." We both replied simultaneously.

"Wilson? Thanks for taking a chance on me. I wouldn't be here today if you didn't let me join the team at the beginning of the year." I said sincerely. I wasn't a crier, but if I was I would be bawling right now.

"It wasn't really a choice." He laughed. "I wasn't about to throw out a player like you over something stupid. It was a pleasure spending a year with you. And Griffin? Nice job, Son. I knew you would do great." Damn. Coach was getting really sentimental now. Even Finn was nodding in respect. This must be a dream.

"You two are a pain in the ass and if you were any other student, you both would have been suspended on week one. But I wish you the best." Gaurino said. "You gave me more headaches than I can count and I'm pretty sure there's still a break room pool going around trying to figure out when and we're your next fight will be."

Told you the staff hated us. I fucking told you. They watched us like we were firecrackers about to explode.

"We'll get these back to you by tomorrow morning." Finn replied and stood up from his seat. I followed suit and slung my black bag over my shoulder. "See you guys around."