Switching Teams

This is another request from c4reb34r - hope it lives up to your expectations. I actually had a lot of fun with this one, so thanks for requesting it,

My dad is very important to Eden Hall - especially his money. Naturally, my brother and I get everything - but it's how you let it affect you that determines what kind of person you are. I'm the only girl on the Varsity hockey team - even though my age means I should be on the JV team. I hate these guys. Scooter's okay, but a lot of the time he gets lost in the others' antics.

When I heard that the Mighty Ducks would be joining on scholarships, I was actually really excited - despite what everyone around me said. I met Connie at some camp I had to go to last summer. We got on really well in the week we were there, so I've been looking forward to seeing her again. Thankfully, she remembered me, I actually had a friend in this school.

When original members of the team came crashing in on the first day, I thought it was funny and charming. Everyone else seemed mortified. Considering my age, I have some of the Ducks in all of my classes. They were all shocked when they found out that Rick is my brother. I hang out with the Ducks a lot but it doesn't stop him and the rest of the Varsity team from hurling abuse at us. I've tried to tell our dad but nothing comes of it.

If anyone sympathises with me, it's Adam. He's my only friend on the Varsity team - I feel bad that they took him away from the others. Sometimes, I sit with the Ducks at lunch (I've managed to take Adam with me a few times). Other times, I sit with Adam and the Varsity table and suffer with him. Today is not one of those days.

I had to stay back at the end of music class to talk to the teacher about a potential loophole in the next assignment. I'm good enough friends with the Ducks to know they'll leave a seat for me at our usual table. They did offer to wait outside the classroom but I told them to go ahead. When I walk in, I sit at the end of the table by Connie and Luis. Most of them are here, but a few guys are missing.

"Hey guys." I smile as I sit down with my food.

"Hola."

"What'd she say? Does the loophole work?" Connie asks as a few more of the guys turn their attention to us.

"Yep. As long as I can make enough compelling points and turn it into a full essay, they can't fault me."

"Well played." Guy applauds.

I laugh and pretend to bow as others join in. The team quiets down to let me explain how we can cheat the system for the music assignment. Maybe now Goldberg will choose to do the work without us having to remind him that he can't play otherwise.

As I finish my explanation, I see a familiar and frustrating sight. Once again, Rick and Cole are shoving Kenny around and taking his food before pushing him away. They do this every day. Now without lunch, he drags his feet over to the table and sits opposite me.

"Hey, Kenny." Connie greets him Sympathetically.

"Hey." He replies glumly as Connie and I give him some of our food - something we've gotten used to doing. "Thanks."

"Ken, I'm really sorry about them." I apologise for my idiotic brother and his friends.

"It's okay. There's nothing you can do." He shrugs in defeat.

I glare at my insufferable brother as he grins and waves. There has to be something I can do. Although I revert back to random conversations across the table, my mind is occupied by potential ideas to help. I'm snapped out of my thoughts by the commotion at Rick's table in front of me. I can't even process what's happening before the entire table - and then rest of the cafeteria - start chasing Fulton, Charlie and Russ out the doors.

As the Ducks start running, I join Adam in the stampede to find out what the hell happened. Horse turd brownies - genius! They clearly didn't take a liking to it, but it's what they deserve. With everyone crowding around them, Adam and I push past them all to stop the chaos. When I get to them, Rick is gripping Charlie's shirt by the collar - yelling and preparing to beat him up as Cole tries the same with Fulton.

"Hey! Knock it off!"

"Stay out of it, pipsqueak!" Rick shouts at me without loosening his grip.

"I said leave them alone!" I shove Rick and Cole to free my friends.

"Why do you insist on taking these losers' side over your own family?" He questions as the Ducks (including Adam) stand behind me with practically the whole school surrounding us - but no teachers to be seen.

"Because, unlike you, these people actually give a shit about me!" I scream having reached my breaking point. "Why do you insist on ruining their lives?"

"They don't belong here!"

"Well, if they don't belong here, then I certainly don't!"

"You got that damn right!"

"Can't wait for you to rot in hell! I'm done here!" I bite before turning to my friends.

"Yeah, go cry about it, you disappointment!"

"I may be a disappointment, but at least I don't make daddy's money my entire personality." I state without looking back.

Next thing I know, I'm pulled out of the way and Adam hits the floor. I turn around so fast that I can still see Rick's body in motion from swinging. In his childish retaliation, he was gonna punch me in the back of the head.

"Adam!" The others blurt out as they rush to help him up.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I make the screaming match even louder somehow.

"He got in the way! Besides, he's not a real warrior - he's collateral damage!"

"Your whole life is collateral damage, Rick!"

"Then so is yours, dipshit!"

Now having truly lost any slither of patience I once had for his attitude, I storm off with the Ducks and Varsity following me. I burst into the Dean's office where he is convinently have a board meeting with my dad. I air my grievances but get shut down for acting like it's some childish sibling rivalry. The Ducks come to my defence and I double down, wanting to finally end this.

"You don't get to choose. You're a Varsity player and he is your brother. What makes you think you can change how we've done things for decades?"

"Simple. I stop going to practice. You lose more games because I'm the real star player but you don't focus on me because I'm the youngest and a girl. The more you lose, the more your reputation is destroyed and the more you beg me to come back." I detail the plan smugly. "If anything, Rick should be kicked out for his off ice abuse to other students. If it becomes necessary, I'll bring in a lawyer."

"Any legal business involving you requires the family lawyer - you can't do anything." My dad tries to shut me down.

"Actually, that's not true. He's your lawyer, you just use him to get us to a  higher status when others deserve it more. If I need a lawyer, I'll bring in someone who could easily put you in your place. I'll call in Gordon Bombay - the Ducks highly recommend him since he rarely loses a case." Everyone pauses as they try to think of a response - stunned.

"S-Stop rebelling to impress your friends." He stutters as he calls my bluff. "Now, go. We're trying to have a meeting and lunch is almost over."

The Varsity laugh at me as we vacate the room. They think I'm bluffing, but they'll see the truth soon.

3 months later...

Proving them all wrong, I committed to my plan. I stopped going to practice and games. As a result they lost a lot more games. Orion eventually agreed to let me go to the Ducks' practice so that I could keep making progress.

After 11 straight losses, they called both teams in to discuss my terms - wanting to avoid using lawyers. They offered to let Adam and I switch teams (as requested) and give me captaincy. I declined because, if I were to be captain, I want to earn it.

However, I said I'd take the deal under a couple conditions. Rick has to have his Captain title taken away - if he wants it, he must earn it. Also, I wanted my offered Captaincy to go to Charlie with Adam as an alternate. They've certainly proved themselves worthy of those roles. Both Bombay and Orion attested to that.

So, that's what happened. Varsity is still without a captain. Meanwhile, the Ducks are thriving with myself as a proud new addition. We even brought back the other Bash Brother - but that was all Bombay. Needless to say, don't get on my bad side because in the end, I will prevail with the Ducks flying by my side.

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