It's Maggie Brooks's first year at Eden Hall Academy and she can't wait to dive into a school year full of fun. Down to earth and understanding good girl, Maggie finds herself getting into a crowd her brother and his friends don't necessarily want...
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Monday had approached and Maggie walked into her English class with Nevaeh quietly. Both girls had taken their seats, Nevaeh sitting across the room with her partner and Maggie with Adam. He was oddly quiet, keeping to himself and hadn't said a 'hey' when she'd approached. At the back of the room, the Ducks were quiet, none of them speaking to one another.
Maggie realized then the showdown and the events afterwards had affected them. There wasn't anything she could do and she knew that, but she wished there was something she could of done to prevent it. It didn't help her that Charlie and Fulton blamed her for Coach Orion's arrival in the rink, when she didn't know what had gone on to begin with.
Shoving her books forward, she set her elbow onto the desk and rested her hand to the side of her face, glancing over to Adam. She didn't say anything at first and waited for him to speak, but he hadn't. "Let me guess, you're mad about this showdown, too?"
He shook her head slowly, playing with his pencil. "Not exactly. It was terrible, we won, but inside, I didn't feel like we did."
"Why not?"
He shrugged. "Guess I lost the only friends I got." He replied. "I know we weren't buddies since I joined Varsity, but now I really don't got any friends."
"I'm your friend." She cheered him up, and it was true. She was his friend and hoped he saw that she was. She liked working with him on their current project. Maggie thought he was a phenomenal skater and excellent hockey player. He knew his strengths well, but he was still learning the curve of when enough became enough. Which meant at what point hockey didn't need to be his top priority.
"Thanks, Mags."
She nodded with a smile. "Anyway," She quieted down. "Why did the showdown happen?"
"They put ants in Varsity's rooms and it was agreed that a showdown would occur. Thought Scooter would've told you."
She shook her head. "No, hadn't seen him Friday since before he'd gone to dinner."
"That's how the ant thing came up." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't know and I wanted to help them, but Rick wouldn't let me...Thought Scooter or one of the girls would've said something to you."
She shook her head. She didn't know the true intentions of the dinner, but when she came across the group at night on Friday, she had to join in. Maggie though wasn't going to tell Adam she helped and encouraged the team to plot against Varsity. Technically, they had it planned out already and she simply joined for the fun of it. To do something daring and break the rules, it felt good, but she knew it would have consequences.
And it had.
"No," She shook her head once again. "I found out after it all happened." She replied.
He half grinned to the side of his mouth, lips pressed to a thin line. "All right, quiet down you two." Their teacher spoke. Maggie nodded and patted Adam's shoulder, turning in her seat and opened her books.
At lunch, Maggie had realized that Fulton and Charlie hadn't attended lunch, nor any of their morning classes. She had the impression they left the school for either the day or for good, either or wasn't a good option. She knew it would be put on their files, but considering the circumstances, neither boy cared. Maggie and Nevaeh had been greeted at the table by the entire team.
"Wow, never seen anyone more sadder than you guys." Nevaeh said, pulling the wooden chair out and plopped down.
"Guess none of us are very motivated today." Luis told her, pushing the food around his plate.
"Besides, Charlie and Fulton quit." Julie sighed, rubbing her head.
"Quit Saturday." Russ piped. "I was gonna go, but my dad would kill me if I did."
"Mine wouldn't." Connie said.
Maggie looked around the table and stopped on the pair of eyes who'd been looking in her direction. He'd pursed his lip in thought, but looked away quietly. She glanced around the table and listened to the conversation being held. Dwayne felt bad he had let her down when it was his decision for them to hang out around town and hadn't shown up. Maggie wasn't mad about it, she was upset they were losing themselves to a preppy school filled with people like her.
That they were losing who they truly were because they weren't good enough or remaining together.
"Well, Nev and I know of a great arcade a few blocks from here. You guys should come." Maggie invited, wanting them to loosen up about the fact everything seemed to be going downhill.
"Sounds like fun, but we got hockey to focus on." Guy said.
"Yeah, we have practices and games." Ken agreed.
"You should come, it'll relax your minds." Nevaeh told them.
Dwayne shifted in his seat, looking at his pals. "Guys, I think the girls are right. We ain't done nothin' too fun around here in a long while."
Everyone kept quiet in a ponder before speaking their answers and opinions. "I say let's do it." Goldberg said. "Arcades got good food, eh, Julie?"
She rolled her eyes. "I'm up for it." She nods.
"Me too."
"So am I."
"Let's do it."
"All right!" Nevaeh threw a hand into the air. "Let's go after school."
Maggie smiled to the group, nudging Nevaeh's side. "This will be fun."
