Suspended by Robert Rayner Page B

weaved around two defenders, then twisted and turned as the other backs swarmed frantically around him. Suddenly he straightened out and raced towards the side of the penalty area. The defenders went with him — but the ball didn’t. Brandon had left it behind him for Magic, who’d been standing to one side watching Brandon’s dribbling antics. Magic calmly walked the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
    We scored twice more in the second half — one each from Brandon and Magic — and won 4–0.
    Ice was scribbling on a scrap of paper as we left the field. He greeted us, “I’m figuring out points in the league table. You’re gaining.”
    We’d started at the bottom, of course, because we hadn’t played any games, while the other teams had played at least four. It was lucky for us that there had been lots of ties, with teams earning only one point instead of the three points they would have earned for a win; otherwise, we’d have been hopelessly behind.
    â€œI got the positions from the Westfield Ridge coach,” Ice went on. “You’re in the middle. If you win the next game, you could be second from the top.”
    â€œWho’s top?” I asked.
    Ice shrugged. “St. Croix Middle School.”
    I groaned.
    * * *
    We were doing a newspaper project in Language Arts a few days later when Betsy, who sits behind Toby, said, “This doesn’t look good on Brunswick Valley.”
    We had to discover how many times the community was mentioned in the different newspapers we’d brought from home, and how it was presented through the media.
    â€œWhat have you found?” our language arts teacher, Mr. Swanson, asked.
    â€œThe headline is ‘Brunswick Valley School Gives Up.’”
    â€œWhat does it say?” Mr. Swanson asked.
    Betsy read, “Student suspensions have forced Brunswick Valley School to drop out of the Fundy Schools Soccer League. The team has been replaced by the Cemetery Road Wanderers, from Cemetery Road School. The Wanderers have made an impressive start, winning their first two games.”
    â€œI’ve never heard of Cemetery Road School,” commented James.
    â€œMy cousin in Westfield Ridge played against them,” said Josh. “He thought some of the players were from Brunswick Valley.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” I asked nervously.
    â€œHe’s seen them around.”
    â€œWell, whoever they are — they’ve got a good soccer team,” said Michelle. “My cousin was in that game, too, and he says they were awesome.”
    I glanced at Julie. She caught my eye and smiled slowly.
    â€œThat’s enough,” said Mr. Swanson. “Time to log off your computers.”
    At the end of class, Brian asked Michelle, “Did your cousin say anything about the goalkeeper?”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBrian,” I said. “I think Julie wants you.”
    Julie was talking to Linh-Mai on the other side of the room.
    â€œJust curious,” Brian told Michelle.
    â€œBrian,” I said more loudly. “Julie wants you.”
    Michelle was deep in thought. “He did say something about the goalkeeper.”
    â€œJulie,” I called. “Didn’t you want Brian to help you with … with your language arts homework?”
    Julie looked up and frowned. “You think I want help from Brian ?”
    I nodded frantically, pointing surreptitiously to Brian and Michelle.
    â€œI remember,” said Michelle. “He said the goalkeeper was brilliant.”
    â€œOh — yes,” said Julie. She called, “Brian …”
    â€œAre you sure he said brilliant?” said Brian.
    â€œBRIAN,” Julie yelled.
    Brian jumped. “What?”
    â€œCome here.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI want help with my language arts homework.”
    â€œYou’re asking me for help? You must be joking.”
    â€œCome here or I’ll