“Here? Now?” Seth looked around at the packed exhibition. It wasn’t exactly a subtle place to execute my plan. Not that I really had one yet.
“Why not? Tryouts are tomorrow, and we’ve got another game this weekend. We haven’t got time to waste.”
I looked back down at the activity in front of me beforeslowly picking up one of the foam balls. I tossed it up and down in my hand a few times, as an idea formed. “In fact, why don’t we check her reflexes right now…”
“Uh, what do you—”
I pulled back my arm and then launched the ball toward Mackenzie before Seth could convince me otherwise. Almost instantly, I regretted the decision. I’d thrown the ball just a little too enthusiastically, and she wasn’t even looking this way. My aim was too good. It was flying straight toward her head. There was no way she’d see it coming and this time she really would kill me.
As the moment of impact approached, I wanted to turn, run from the museum, pack my bags and find a new town to live in. Maybe a new country? But then Mackenzie’s arm darted out, and she snatched the ball from the air. She’d caught it. My mouth dropped open.
“Whoa,” Seth whispered in awe. “That was some realSpider-Manshit.”
I felt a little awed, too. But it quickly dissipated as her eyes flashed in my direction. I was dead.So dead.All I could think as she stormed across the room toward us was that I’d messed with the wrong girl. But I also knew I’d found the right one…
“What is thematterwith you?” she fumed.
I was asking myself the same question. She emphasized her point by launching the ball directly at me from close range. I didn’t even try to deflect it, letting it bounce off my forehead and onto the floor.
“You’ve still got it,” I said, not taking my eyes off her.
“Uh, I think what he means to say is, sorry,” Seth added.
I ignored him. I wasn’t sorry in the slightest. “Was that a lucky catch? Or are you really that good?”
“You’re a psycho, you know that, right?”
“And you’re fast,” I continued. “Really fast. You can catch a ball without even looking, and you don’t back down.Ever. We need you.”
She started to frown. “Did I hit you too hard with the ball just now?” Turning to Seth she asked, “Is he okay? Should we call a teacher over?”
Seth smirked. “Just hear him out.”
“Fine, I’ll play along.” She slowly returned her gaze to mine. “Need me for what?”
I suddenly felt nervous. I didn’t think she’d listen to me even for a second. But now I had a chance. What if she said no?
“We need you to be the Ransom Devils’ new goalie.”
She stared at me for several moments, remaining silent and still, but confusion was clearly swirling in her eyes. Doubt gathered in my gut. She was going to refuse.
“Look, I know we’ve had our differences…” I said.
“Is that what we’re calling it? Differences?”
“But our team needs someone who can defend the net, and I think you might just be the only person at our school who’s capable. The way you caught that ball… You’re perfect.”
“Perfect?” she scoffed. “You know I’m a girl, right?”
“Right.”
“And you play for a boys’ team.”
“Yes, and?”
She crossed her arms. “I’d say no just to ruin your day.”
“This isn’t just about me, though,” I pointed out. “This isabout the whole team. You saw the game on Friday. We can’t win this season without you.”
