FenceStriking Distance - Sarah Rees Brennan Page 0,18
to prove yourselves extraordinarily bad at teamwork,” Coach continued relentlessly.
“Is Seiji the worst?” Nicholas called as he ran by.
“I can do better!” exclaimed Seiji.
Eugene had draped himself on Harvard and was practically weeping. Only the word bropology could be distinguished. Harvard patted Eugene on the back.
“You have to try harder. Take meals together. Sit beside one another. Learn to care if your teammates are in trouble. It is quite rare for there to be a situation in which not only is someone not caught during trust falls, but chaos ensues in which he could be physically harmed! Harvard came close to falling on the wooden floor and could easily have sustained a concussion. Aiden is the only one who was there for his teammate. He showed you all up. Aiden.”
The way Coach said his name suggested she’d observed a great white shark saving a drowning swimmer. Aiden was beginning to feel personally offended. He felt even more offended when Seiji hung his head in shame.
Nicholas tried to argue, panting as he ran by: “Yeah, but Aiden wouldn’t have tried to save anybody else, so it’s not like he really cares about the team—”
“Are you suggesting that I’m biased? I’m totally impartial. It’s not my fault Harvard is awesome and the rest of you suck!” Aiden snapped.
Scholarship Nicholas gave Aiden a vacant stare, then continued running. Aiden considered tripping him.
“You’ve forced my hand,” announced Coach. “I can’t make empty threats or I’ll lose your respect as a coach, and more important, your fear. Tomorrow night I’m sending you out to run suicides through the woods. With raw steak around your necks.”
Amazingly, the freshmen and Eugene seemed to be taking her seriously.
Eugene whimpered. “What if we get eaten by bears?”
“I may have mentioned that our team is in the uniquely fortunate position of having two reserves!” Coach said brightly. “I can spare at least one of you.”
Maybe this day wasn’t turning out so badly, after all. Aiden snickered. He could still feel a ghost of warmth in his arms, but—whatever. He was a world-class champion at compartmentalizing. He had a date tomorrow night, he was pretty sure. With someone hot, no doubt. He could have a date tonight, if he wanted. Everything was fine.
Aiden could’ve mentioned to the idiot freshmen that the manicured woods around Kings Row were conspicuous for cottontail rabbits and columbine, not bears. But why would he do a silly thing like that? This was hilarious. They deserved everything they got, especially Eugene.
“Fortunately for you guys,” Coach announced, “I have, my sister tells me, no life… and that means I have no plans Friday evening! I’ll be supervising your run through the woods. I plan to stand at a safe distance and note your cries of distress with interest. You accompanying me, Captain?”
“Can’t make it, Coach,” Harvard told her cheerfully. “Got a date.”
The sky outside the windows went dark. There was a sudden sour taste in Aiden’s mouth.
Coach whistled. “Good for you, Harvard!”
It was Aiden’s firm opinion that the teaching staff should not be involved in or even aware of their students’ love lives. This was inappropriate. Coach should be ashamed.
“Oh cool,” said Worst Freshman Nicholas, though he looked startled, as though a date was a foreign concept to him. “Hope you have a great time, Captain.”
Freshmen should not interfere with unsolicited opinions about the private lives of upperclassmen. Aiden didn’t know why he was the only person left at Kings Row who knew the basic rules of social interaction.
“Thanks.” Harvard smiled as if he thought Bad Haircut Nicholas was adorable. “I hope so, too.”
Aiden hoped an unexpected hurricane would hit. A hurricane would keep everyone indoors, and Harvard safe at home.
Failing a hurricane, he hoped those freshmen would be eaten by bears.
Aiden turned away and arranged himself a date with lucky Mr. Right There When Aiden Stumbled Out of the Gym.
On his date that night, he had a totally fine time. He’d have a good time tomorrow night, too, he told himself. And every night after that.
Aiden returned to their room late, and threw himself down on the bed, still in his clothes. His mouth ached as though the guy had bitten it a little too hard. He glanced over at the pillow beside his to see Harvard curved toward him as usual, crisp white bedsheet slipping down one strong shoulder. Aiden propped his arm behind his head, glaring up at the darkened ceiling, feeling taut all over as though he might snap.