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drains and Jake doesn’t move. Luke sighs, pulling himself off the bench and walking toward the South Gym’s door, where four pieces of paper hang.
    A huddle forms in front of him; he’s forced to wait. He’s not super patient though, straining on his tiptoes for a view.
    I clasp Alex on the shoulder. “Ready to go look?”
    “No way, I can’t. Can you check for me?”
    “Do you really think that’s going to work on me?” I yank him up by the back of his t-shirt. “Be a man, go see.”
    Alex huffs, dragging himself toward the huddled group of guys. Jake still hasn’t lifted his head. “You too, Jake. Up you go.”
    “I sucked. Don’t make me look.”
    “It’s part of the deal, dude. Get up. I’ve got to look too.” He reluctantly stands, already looking defeated. I probably should be nice and do it for him. But sitting down and taking the news from me, whether good or bad, is just going to make him feel like a wimp. He’s got to own it and do it himself.
    I walk next to him though. He doesn’t have to do it alone.
    Luke pumps his fist in the air. Solid. I’ve got my forward.
    Alex stands a few guys ahead of us in line, not even attempting to peek. Wow. Never knew he had such restraint. A few moments pass and it’s finally his turn. He glances up, reading the freshman list and I see his shoulders slump. Come on, don’t be an idiot. Read the other lists too. Finally, his shoulders straighten and that dorky grin plasters his face. Good.
    I push Jake in front of me; together we scan the list. There, smack in the middle, he lands the freshman team. He breathes a huge sigh of relief as I check out who the coach took this year. Alex’s name is at the bottom of JV. Sweet! I glance at the varsity list, my name listed on top with a star. Captain again, like last year.
    I feign excitement because the freshmen are watching. Really, all I care about is what’s going on with Lucy on the other side of that wall. Then I hear it, the high-pitched squeals as the East Gym’s door opens. Girls flood out, some smiling and others with swollen, red eyes. I’ve never NOT made the team. That’s seriously got to suck.
    I search for Lucy, catching sight of her hanging back in the gym, having a word with the evil coach. He better not be lecturing her or giving her any crap. She nods sternly before exiting.
    I meet her at the door. “How’d it go?”
    “Eh,” she says.
    “What? He cut you!”
    “Calm down. I’m starting point guard. He just, um, lectured me about how he invested his time into me my freshman year and how he didn’t appreciate it when I ‘ditched’ the team.”
    “He seriously said that?” Oh my God. I’m telling our coach. That guy needs to be out of here, forever.
    “Don’t worry. I knew it was coming. It’s not like I hadn’t practiced what I’d say to him.” She winks at me.
    “Whoa. Really?” I stand back, amazed at the force that stands before me. Just five months ago, she couldn’t stand up for herself. Now? She’s stone.
    “Yup.”
    “So you guys are good?”
    “Ha, no way. Not good. But we’re in agreement. If I ever see him look the other way while a teammate trashes someone, I’m out. If he actually coaches and cares, I’m in. He wasn’t pleased that I worded it like that,” she shrugs, “but he agreed. He knows he’d be fired if I ever shared the crap he knew about but didn’t act on.”
    “So.” I wrap my arms around her waist. “You’re doing it? You’re in?”
    “Yes. Absolutely.” She nods to the girls waiting at the table on the other side of the gym. “I’ve got to go actually. Captain’s talk.”
    “Oh, who’s speaking?”
    “Jaclyn.”
    Right. I’d forgotten she was captain. I should’ve known that. The school’s so big, it’s hard to keep everyone on my radar.
    “And me.” Lucy’s eyes fill with excitement. “Co-captains. Jaclyn says she’s cool with it.”
    “What!” I say in an Alex-like whoop. I scoop her near, kissing her