Archenemy by Patrick Hueller Read Free Book Online

take a seat. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I just got caught cutting class and—”
    â€œI heard plenty, Williams,” he interrupts.
    Uh-oh.
    He rubs his buzzed head, something he does whenever he’s feeling stressed. Or angry.
    â€œWell, I wanted to warn you that I might be suspended and have to miss a few games. I’m really sorry, Coach, but—”
    â€œYou’re not going to miss a few games.”
    â€œI’m not?”
    â€œNope.”
    More head rubbing. Maybe it’s not anger after all—maybe he’s here to support me. “Thanks, Coach. But I really want to explain why—”
    â€œYou’re through, Addie. You’re off the team for good.”
    The words hit me like a soccer ball to the stomach from close range.
    â€œEva told me everything. You’ve been erratic on the field, and I’ve done my best to tolerate it. But I won’t tolerate this. The situations you put her through off the field…”
    â€œCoach?” The words barely make it out of my mouth. I’m not even sure he heard me.
    â€œWho you’re attracted to is none of my business. But the way you treat my players is. You have no right to harass Eva, no matter how you feel about her. As far as I’m concerned, you’re done.”
    Â . . .

    I walk out of Coach Berg’s office in a daze. I tried and tried to explain what happened, to give him the truth, but he wouldn’t listen.
    You’re through, Addie. You’re off the team for good.
    Nothing makes sense. How did this happen?
    You have no right to harass Eva.
    Me? Harass her?
    I go over the conversation again and again. “She’s lying, Coach,” I tried to tell him. “That’s not what happened,” I tried to say.
    But he wouldn’t listen. He wouldn’t even let me get the words out.
    Save it.
    It doesn’t make sense. This can’t be happening. But I know it is. It already did happen. I’m off the team. Case closed.
    That’s when I realize I’m no longer in the school hallways. I’m not in the principal’s office either. I’m in the parking lot.
    Actually, this
does
make sense. If I’m not going to be a soccer player, then there’s no reason for me to be a student.
    I spot my mom’s car toward the back of the lot. She must be inside right now with my dad, waiting for me to return from Coach Berg’s office. But I’m not going back to the principal’s office. I’m getting out of here.
    When I reach Mom’s car, I dig in my pockets for the spare key she gave me. I click the unlock button. I put the key in the ignition and turn it.
    I don’t know where I’m going. I just know it’s as far away from this school as possible.

I
    don’t decide where I’m headed until I’m well out of town. After unlatching the glove box, I take out my mom’s GPS and plug it in.
    Dad and I gave Mom the GPS this year for Christmas. Dad paid for it, and I entered the addresses to all the schools in Fraser High’s conference. Mom works late hours and often can’t attend my games. But just in case she got out of work early enough to catch the second half, Dad and I wanted to make finding the field as easy as possible for her.
    My first stop is Ironwood, about twenty minutes away, but I only stay long enough to see that the players have started practice. I get back in the car and look up the way to Yeopin Valley. The players there are in their practice gear too. My next destination is Greenridge High, then it’s Cardinal Creek, and then Willow Woods Upper School. I’m surprised by how quickly I arrive at each school. Pregame jitters always made the bus rides seem longer.
    I’m not sure exactly why I’m doing this. Nostalgia? Is this a way for me to say goodbye? Whatever the reason, it feels good. Sad but good.
    By the time I get to my last stop, Woodvine, the