chapter 8

*Revival and Rivalry*

I arrived at the field, where Joshua and Liam were practicing. Coach Jefferson shook his head. "It's no use; we need a midfielder."

I surveyed the team's discouraged faces and pulled out my phone. "That's it," I said, texting everyone.

Stella arrived, followed by the rest of the team. "Amy, we got your message," she said.

"Just because we lost one game doesn't mean our lives are over," I urged.

Isaac spoke up, "The band can't decide on music."

Zoe added, "Chloe's in the hospital."

Frank chimed in, "And our midfielder's gone."

I stood firm. "That doesn't mean our spirit has to be low."

Nora looked concerned. "Amy, we've never lost a game before. Everything's falling apart. The pep rally for homecoming's tomorrow, but I don't think it's happening."

I countered, "We can't give up. We're having this pep rally tomorrow."

Joshua and Olivia exchanged curious glances. "What've you got in mind, Amy?" Joshua asked.

I whispered my plan, and their faces lit up.

"For real?" Josh asked.

"Yes, just for tomorrow," I replied.

Stella and Zoe agreed to handle the pom-poms.

As the team dispersed, Nora approached me. "How did you do this?"

I smiled. "Just bribed them with motorcycles."

The next day, Joshua and Olivia rode into the field on motorcycles, balloons waving. Zoe and Stella led the chanting, and soon the entire team joined in.

"Berry High never gives up! We're one! Go, Elephant!"

Ms. Elizabeth appeared, disapproving. "What's going on here? Motorcycles on school premises?"

Principal Alexis intervened, "Good work, everyone. Keep it up."

Nora thanked me, tears in her eyes. "You saved homecoming."

The next morning, I stumbled upon a group gathered around the elephant statue, now painted red with "Berry High Losers" by N.

"Who could do this?" I demanded.

Emily suspected Sattorn.

Joshua confronted Alex and his friends. "You've done enough to our statue."

Linda sneered, "We didn't paint your statue. Maybe one of you did."

Anna chimed in, "We'd never vandalize our own school."

Alex smirked. "Goodbye, losers."

I wondered, if Sattorn didn't paint the statue, who did?

*To Be Continued*