The Academy II: The Journey Continues (The Academy Series Book 2) by Layton T.Z

Author:Layton, T.Z.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: First Touch Books for Young Readers
Published: 2023-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

Three weeks passed, and we lost two more games.

We were dangerously, dangerously close to finishing last place in the league no matter what happened the rest of the season. It had gotten so bad that our backup goalie and another field player had quit the team. Maybe they thought it was best to leave a sinking ship before it capsized.

Even these departures didn’t seem to faze Coach Purcell. In fact, he started making us do extra conditioning, as if we were responsible for our teammates quitting. After practice on Monday, when we were all lying on our backs and sucking in breaths after our umpteenth Carolina, I called an emergency team meeting. Even though I was barely playing in the games and might not be the best choice for team leader, someone had to do it, and I figured my mom’s advice on winning applied to being a leader as well.

That a true leader stepped up no matter what the situation.

Later that day, before dinner, we met in the basement lounge in our building. To my surprise, all of the new players showed up, as well as John and Eddy and Sami. There was no sign of Caden, Logan, and their allies. I’d been counting on this and was relieved, because they wouldn’t like the plan I had in mind.

“Hear ye, hear ye,” I said in a solemn voice, standing in front of the TV on the wall while the other players lounged on leather sofas, chairs, and beanbags. “I am now calling this first ever meeting of the Lewisham Knights Under 14 youth development team—”

“Cut the crap, Yank,” Brock said with a snarl. “We know who we are. What do you have to say?”

“Okay,” I said in a sheepish voice. I had never done anything like this before. “Let’s get to it. Listen, I know I’m not even a starter yet—”

“Should be,” Brock interrupted.

“Truth,” John added.

“Hundred percent,” Eddy said.

Otto nodded wisely. “Grave crime against humanity.”

“Thanks,” I said, touched by their show of support. “Anyway, this isn’t about me. Or not only about me. I called this meeting because I’m sick of losing.”

“Yeah, bruv,” John said. He was sitting with his hands behind his head in a beanbag. “Me too.”

There was a clamor as all of the players spoke up at once, agreeing with my words and calling for action.

Otto threw his hands in the air. “But what is going to change? What can we do about it?”

“Coach isn’t gonna change,” Patrick said. He took a long drink of carbonated water and belched. “You know that’s a fact.”

“But it’s our futures at stake,” Ajay said, his long and narrow face pinched with worry. “So we have to do something.”

“I agree,” I said. “And that’s why we’re here.”

Brock shook a fist in the air. “Let’s plan a walkout. Refuse to play until he makes some changes. Make him listen.”

Because he was still the coach’s favorite, I was impressed Brock had shown up. But I didn’t agree with his suggestion.

Patrick crushed his can in his fist.

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