Not So Happily Ever After

Tourney and Trouble

(Warning: I literally know nothing about sports. Sorry in advance)

The rest of the school day had gone by pretty well after the disaster that was lunch. Ben was called down to the Fair Queen's office to explain what happened at lunch. With Evie there to help it was understood that for the most part what Ben had done was considered a well-intentioned but poorly executed good deed. While Ben would disagree if it got him out of being in trouble, he would gladly call it anything. While Ben doesn't care about being good entirely, he also doesn't intend on getting into trouble that will get him sent back to the isle. He came here for a chance to be rid of his father and make something of himself, not get sent back to the hell that was his father's home.

Once class was over Chad, Jay, Audrey, and Ben all headed out together to the tourney field. Audrey was trying out for cheerleading and Ben and Chad were trying out for Tourney. While the main tryouts for both had already happened, both agreed to allow them to try out on a special exception considering they are new to Auradon Prep. Audrey went over to the cheerleaders, peppy and ready to cheer. Ben and Chad went with Jay to get changed into tourney practice gear for them to try out.

Once back on the field in the right gear, the coach set them up to do some drills first to test their natural agility, dexterity, endurance, and strength. Chad went first, quite agile and dexterous. He had good stamina but only was average in strength. Running around on the Isle gave him a better work out in his mind than this did but the coach seemed to approve. Ben, however, was the full package, he was a natural in all aspects. His inner beast reveled in the exertion of his pent-up energy. When they set up to run laps was the only part where Ben didn't fully excel, he wasn't the fastest, but he wasn't slow either. With warmups and their prowess tested they split off into two groups to do a mock tourney game for practice.

On Ben's team were Chad and Jay with a couple of others while the jocks from the lunchroom were on the opposite team. The objective was launched into play Ben went in, swiping it with his tourney stick and tossing it to Jay before barreling like a charging bull through two of the opponents, knocking them flat on their backs. Ben charge forward as Chad and Jay passed it between them avoiding opponents before it was tossed across the kill zone to Ben who hard checked the jock he already assaulted earlier, leaping over him and slapping the objective into the goal. He returned to Chad and Jay who were both impressed but Ben was only eager to keep going.

The entire practice was a mix of Jay, Chad, and Ben working in sync to completely demolish the other team. By demolish, it means Ben left every single opponent on the enemy team, and even some teammates, covered in forming bruises. Ben was ruthless on the tourney field. The coach pulled everyone in. "Looks like we have some new star players, you could learn a thing or two from these two boys. Hit the showers boys. Except you Ben. We need to talk." Ben nodded and walked over to the coach, wiping sweat off of his forehead. "You did great out there Ben, but you need to be less physical with the opponents. If you can manage that you are going to really go far with this team." The coach said putting a reassuring hand on Ben's shoulder.

"When we play on the Isle it is full contact and we typically play on asphalt too. I guess I'll try and go easier on the guys." Ben said a little begrudgingly. He enjoyed leaving the opposing team in a complete bloodied and bruised mess. Things were so different here in Auradon, everything was so much less aggressive and cutthroat. It was starting to grind on Ben a little bit, he wasn't going to complain to the coach about it. The coach had headed inside when Audrey came over to Ben beaming a smile.

"I made it on the squad. They really like my perkiness. Things are so different here. We didn't even have cheerleading on the isle but being called perky, would get someone a bloody nose. Did you make the team? You look like you went easy on them." Audrey grinned nudging Ben who sighed heavily nodding.

"Yeah, I made sure I didn't leave any real injuries, but the coach wants me to stop checking the opponents. I know Auradon is all nice and goodness, but Tourney isn't supposed to be gentle. It's supposed to be a rough bloody bash, the best team walks away, and the losers get dragged off the field." Ben lets out a loud growl and Audrey takes a step back. "Everything is so off here in Auradon. I can't claim territory, I can't rough people up, Tourney isn't even full contact, and then there's Carlos. That little fucking ugh..." Ben growls kicking the bench and knocking it over. Audrey takes a deep breath to steady herself.

"I know things are different here, but we will adjust, give it time Ben. Now, what is bothering you about Carlos?" Audrey bends over resetting the bench upright. Ben huffs sitting down on said bench with her kicking the grass quiet for a long minute.

"I don't know Audrey... I really don't. I just really like bullying him I think but when I do, the beast inside me doesn't like it. Back on the Isle bullying little nerds like Carlos would make me feel good, satisfy the beast you know, but the only thing the beast likes with Carlos is... when I protected him or when I've got him pressed up against the lockers. I just want him for myself... I don't understand and it won't go away." Ben's icy exterior completely thawed and his genuine soft warmth came through. Audrey could tell this was really bothering him. She took his hand gripping it comfortingly and looked at Ben.

"You know Ben, that doesn't sound like you want to bully him honestly..." Audrey comments seeming to understand more than she is willing to explain. Ben grumbles looking at her with a look of desperation. "You need to figure this out on your own Ben, but maybe try being friends with Carlos instead of bullying him." He gives her a look of complete surprise and Audrey doesn't falter.

"You know don't you," Ben growls annoyed almost sounding like a bit of a spoiled brat. Audrey gave him a stern look much like a scolding mother.

"Look, Ben, I know you want all the answers, but they aren't my feelings. I have a hunch, but you need to figure this out yourself I can't tell you what you are feeling, only you can figure that out okay?" Audrey and Ben locked eyes before he gets up with a heavy sigh.

"Fine... Good job on making the squad by the way... I'll see you later." Ben trudged to the now deserted locker room alone and peeled off his sweaty gear. He turned on the hot water of the showers and set about washing himself of the sweat and grime from practice. His head spins with thoughts about Carlos. He can't place his feelings and the more he tries the more agitated it makes him. Him and his inner beast at odds about the subject no matter how hard he tries to understand. Ben pounds his fist into the wall with a roar of frustration. Why did this suddenly have to be so complicated?