By lunch, Mason was telling friends the school had wanted him gone for months.
By the end of the day, Zaria’s name had entered the explanation.
“She’s been trying to get me kicked off everything.”
Daniel heard it and told her.
Zaria closed her eyes.
“I wasn’t even at the game.”
“I know.”
“Was I remotely controlling Coach Reed?”
Daniel smiled.
“You’ve become extremely powerful.”
“At least somebody recognizes it.”
They laughed.
It was one of the few parts of senior year that still felt normal.
March arrived.
Graduation sat less than three months away.
Zaria had been admitted to the University of Louisville’s exercise-science program and was considering physical therapy after college. She wanted the rest of senior year to become boring.
For twelve days, it did.
Then Sports Leadership began its final project.
Students would organize a Saturday athletic clinic for local middle-school students.
Zaria managed the sports-medicine station.
Mason ran basketball drills.
Other seniors supervised soccer, volleyball, track, and strength activities.
Coach Bishop made both of them stay after class before the project began.
“I do not care whether you like each other.”
Zaria nodded.
Mason nodded.
“I care that you behave professionally.”
They both agreed.
The actual clinic went perfectly.
No argument.
No joke.
No conflict.
Parents thanked them.
Middle-school kids left carrying Westbrook water bottles.
Zaria began thinking maybe everyone really could just finish the year.
The confrontation happened the following afternoon during cleanup.
Coach Bishop was in the gym.
So were dozens of other students.
That was why Mason felt safe enough to believe nothing serious could happen.
Or maybe why he wanted something serious to happen.
Zaria would not learn which until later.
She crossed the gym wearing her varsity jacket.
Parker noticed first.
“Look who brought the badge back.”
Zaria kept walking.
Mason moved into her path.
“Where you going, Sheriff?”
“Move.”
He smiled.
“Why?”
“Because I’m walking.”
Parker moved behind her.
Eli stayed slightly farther away.
Mason looked toward the jacket.
“You really love that thing.”
“It’s mine.”
“Everybody knows.”
He tapped the W.
Zaria caught the jacket.
“Don’t.”
Mason tapped it again.
“Don’t what?”
“Touch me.”
He reached toward the zipper.
Zaria stepped backward.
Parker laughed.
Mason followed.
Students began watching.
Zaria tried going left.
Mason blocked her.
She shifted right.
He moved again.
“Get away from me.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“Nothing.”
“Call Bishop?”
“No.”
“Price?”
Zaria stared at him.
“This is why you keep losing everything.”
The smile disappeared.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
She moved to go around him.