Chapter 18

I don't think I had ever run faster than I did last night. Finn didn't try and stop me either. I thought we were cold to each other before; that was nothing. We didn't say a word the entire time. Our scrimmages were more aggressive than usual. There were some extra violent checks and a few shoulders thrown. At one point, Finn even knocked me on my ass. I thought I saw something flash through his eyes, but my face shut it down. If anything, I was smiling ruefully to myself when he finally hit me on my ass.





Call me crazy, but I just wanted to be one of the guys. They knock each other on their asses without thought yet they all seem to pause when it comes to me. I hated it.



"Vinalici ancillam cibis da-" Sam was cut off by the sound of the loud speaker cutting through the dull and dreary first period air.



"Griffin Riley and Sylvia Mason, please report to the principles office. Griffin Riley and Sylvia Mason to the principles office."



Shit.



"Quid feci?" Sam raised his eyebrow. I rolled my eyes at him and stood from my seat while slinging my bag over my shoulder. The period was almost over so there was no point in leaving my things here.



The teacher nodded at me and I left the room with the feeling of 20 pairs of eyes on my back. I was reluctant to go to the office. The two of us were most likely in trouble. It was probably for the detention we skipped. I feared that I was in for 'major consequences' as Gaurino so eloquent put it yesterday.



As I left the C hallway, I made eye contact with Finn as he exited No Name. Our school was a box with A, B, C, and No Name hallways on both floors. Outside of the box was the cafeteria, senior lounge, S wing (music, art, and trade classes) and then the gym, auditorium, and front offices.



We didn't utter a word to each other but we still walked side by side. I didn't think Finn and I would recover from our fight like we did the last big one. We were both on thin ice right now and we would benefit from some time away from one another. Once again, that was kind of hard seeing as we were in the same friend group and sport.



Despite our lack of vocal communication, I think we both were thinking the same thing; 'oh shit. This isn't a house office visit so we're in deep trouble'. We weren't supposed to be here for another two weeks minimum. And here we are the next day, at Gaurino's door looking like lost fucking puppies.



Finn was about to open the door when it was pulled open by none other than Coach. He looked at us with a grim smile that told me everything I needed to know. We were in deep shit after all.



I didn't know just how much shit until I looked at the rest of the room to see not only the Principle, but the Superintendent. Oh crap. I'm about to get expelled from a public school and I'll never get to play Lacrosse again. Finn must have shared the same sentiment because his eyes flicked to me for a fleeting moment. I might have even had time to consider if he felt bad for me or not had the Coach not interrupted.



"You two look like helpless animals. Man up. This is a big moment." Despite the criticism, I straightened up a little and crossed my ankles, something I never do when sitting. Finn subtly shifted while squaring it his shoulders. We both sat down while the Superintendent and Coach stood on either side of Gaurino.



"While I was informed of an incident yesterday, that is not why I brought you here. You two can settle your nerves for the time being." Principle Gaurino said with his fingers interlaced on the wooden desk.



We both nodded slightly and the Superintendent continued where Gaurino left off. "As you both know, you two are extraordinary at Lacrosse and many schools across the country have taken notice." He deep voice carried across the room. "Especially since this is such a competitive state. It seems colleges have not been the only ones to take notice. I'm sure you both are aware that for the first time since the 1948 Olympics, Men's Lacrosse will be played. The Olympic coaches have been recruiting all ages from sixteen to thirty from all across the country and both of you have been chosen to participate in the Olympic Trials in a few weeks."



I didn't process what he had just said for multiple seconds. When it finally dawned on me that I was being recruited for the United States Men's Olympic Lacrosse team I almost passed out of joy. A smile bigger than my face appeared and I turned to Finn with a look of surprise. For once the ever so manly Finn Riley looked like a kid on Christmas with his eyes wide and a stupid grin painted on his face.



Our bright eyes met each other's and for a second I think we forgot our brewing resentment. Coaches voice caused us to snap our heads away from each other and back to him. I could hear my heart beating in my chest. My life's goal was to play on the highest stage I could and now it was happening. Holy shit, I had a chance to play in the Olympics at 17.聽



"Obviously this doesn't mean you made the team, but you should know that you are the only high school players invited. Most of them are from various D1 colleges and the small national league." I couldn't even process the words buzzing through my head. "You both turn 18 in the next month so you won't need escorts to the trials. They are in November in Atlanta. You will both be flying and representing not only our school but our state. We have packets with the details and forms. Try and get them back to me as soon as you possibly can." Coach finished and handed us each a hearty packet and a manila envelope filled with forms and lists of things we needed like medical records.



I heard the bell for first period ring but we stayed seated. It seemed like we weren't done here. "This is the first Lacrosse team to participate in the Olympics in almost a hundred years. This is a huge opportunity and just showing up puts you both on even more colleges radars. Not that you two weren't already popular amount colleges." Coach said.



"This year has a had some what of a rocky start for you two, disciplinary wise and in the whole 'getting along' department. It won't come to light as long as you can keep it in check for the remainder of the year. The whole country is looking at us now and we don't need anymore scandals." The Principle sent me a pointed look. I opened my mouth to reply but Finn surprisingly cut in.



In my defense.



Finn must be high on happiness right now.



"I wouldn't exactly call that her fault. If anything you should be finding the people responsible. She is still a minor." He said in a suddenly low voice. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, silently begging him to shut up. They couldn't take away our Olympic invitation but it still made me nervous. Having the school on our side would help a lot. It seemed that even Finn could stand up for someone he hates. The notion surprised me slightly but at the same time I expected it. He did comfort me when the whole ordeal first happened.



The Superintendent cut in again to try and stop an argument from occurring. "This is a matter for another time, Mr. Riley. As we were saying, this is a huge honor and the school is more than willing to sponsor the trip if you two can wear your school jackets and things when the cameras are around. It's not impractical that serious players would move to Groton if they saw the only high school lacrosse Olympians were from Groton."



I almost made a comment about how this was seeming like a sponsorship but I withheld from snarky comments. I wasn't one to talk; I moved here for the lacrosse, after all.



"Thank you so much for sponsoring our trip. This is an incredible opportunity." I praised as the bell for period two rang out.



"We will try not to let you down. That's a promise." Finn assured the three educators. We rose from our seats and shook their hands with huge smiles on both our faces. I don't think I have ever seen Coach or Finn this excited.



"Ms. Mason. The Olympic committee warned us that there might be some reluctance from other countries to let you play, but they assured us that they will do everything they can, should you make the team." Superintendent Nol informed me as he shook my hand. He was a balding man with black and round glasses. I hear that he had a Doctorate and that didn't surprise me. Nol seemed like an esteemed man.



"Thank you, sir." I nodded and stepped back from the desk with Finn.聽 We were about to exit the door when the Principle called out.



"Do not tell anyone quite yet. We plan on making an announcement." Finn and I turned, smiles still on our faces and nodded politely before thanking them again and leaving the Principles office.



The secretary handed us two hall passes without saying a word. She probably assumed we had gotten in trouble and didn't spare us a smile or a second glance. Finn held the wooden door open for me and we walked from the office. Once we were out of site, Finn stopped and turned to me with a grin on his face.



Those damn dimples.



"Congratulations, Mason."



"Same to you, Riley. I'm still shell shocked, to be honest." I said with a stupid smile.



"Holy shit. We're about to be in the Olympic trials." He said like he had just figured out the meaning of life.



"I know!" I squealed like a fan girl. I was practically bouncing up and down. Finn looked like he could barely contain himself either but it still shocked me when he pulled me in for a death hug. It was probably just our state of happy delusion, because I hugged him back equally as tight while we both whispered things to ourselves about our dreams coming true.



After a moment we pulled back and high fived each other. "We could be going to Tokyo, Japan to play in the fucking Olympic Games!" I exclaimed in excitement.



"I'm just excited to even go to trials. Holy cow, I think I need to sit down." He joked.



Before I knew it we were at my second period class. We stopped and I spoke up, a smile still plastered on both our faces. "Well; this is my stop. I'll see you around."



"Likewise." He responded before turning to leave.



"Congrats, Finn." I whispered.



"Congrats, Sylvia." He replied. My cheeks hurt by the time my face relaxed and I turned away. I didn't know where this left us. We still hated each other and I doubted this would mend our toxic relationship. Regardless, I pushed that thought to the back of my mind along with the giddiness that I couldn't show just yet, and opened the door to my second period class.



This would be a long day.