arena for the rest of the team to arrive. The next person to arrive was Duke. Donny found it almost hard to believe that Duke was really a sixth year student. Despite his physical appearance, Duke still had the excitement and enthusiasm of a first year, but with the added benefit of experience and a clear, u ntapped leadership potential.
Duke greeted Donny with his hand outstretched. “Good evening captain,” Duke greeted him, evidently enjoying the use of the word captain in reference to Donny, “I expected to see an overexcited group of firs t years here waiting with you.”
“They’re inside explo ring the arena,” Donny replied.
“Smart move, concealing the additional forces to make sure the main players are willing to stick around. First practice and you are already thinking on your feet.”
Donny thought about correcting Duke, and letting him know that it was actually not a plan, but rather a convenient coincidence, but he decided to keep these thoughts in his head. Whether Duke saw these thoughts or not, he made no sign of it.
Jay, Michael, and Zahrah were the 29 th , 30 th , and 31 st students to arrive to practice. Donny could see confusion and almost panic in his brother’s eyes at the number of students there to practice. “Donny,” Jay began quietly, “the team is only supposed to be 21 people total, including yourself ; there are too many people here already , and more are still arriving.”
“Don’t worry bro, I’ve got this under control ,” Donny assured him. Unsure how to respond, Jay remained silent.
By the time practice was ready to begin, there were 36 students there. Donny took a quick look into the arena to make sure all the first years had made their way back out, then he turned to the crowd to begin. “ Hello teammates ,” Donny began.
“Hello Napoleon!” Lenny declared. Whether meant as a joke or not, laughter erupted, and Lenny hung his head in embarrassment.
“Yes,” Donny continued with a laugh, “I guess I am becoming known as Napoleon. Whether that is a complement or an insult seems to be up to those who state it, but I will accept the name either way. Now on to business. I can see from some of your faces that you are surprised to see so many here. I understand that the rules state only 21 may compete on a team, and this rule will be followed here. There is no rule, however, that states that only 21 students may be on a team. With that in mind, I have accepted two groups. I accepted 20 students to join me on the team which will compete, and I accepted an additional 24 students to form a second practice team. The paper I gave you states which of these teams you have been accepted to, so there should not be any confusion as to which team you are on. For this first practice I will be splitting you up into two groups, and we will hold a simulation game of our own. This will be more of a chance for me to see who works well together, as well as getting yo u all familiar with the arena.”
A hand went up from the crowd. Donny felt a little odd being the one of whom questions are being asked, but he knew he had to get used to the role, as he was their leader. He pointed to the person with their hand up.
“Are we allowed to use the arena?” They asked. It was a fifth year student who had previously played for the green team who asked the question. “I thought we were supposed to use the pra ctice rooms for our practices.”
Donny did not know the answer to this question, but he kept his uncertainty hidden behind a screen of false confidence. “I have not been told that it is off limits for practices, and they keep the doors unlocked, so we will use it until I am instructed otherwise ,” Donny responded with finality. Another hand went up, a nd Donny allowed them to speak.
“What is our team color?” They asked.
This was a question Donny was hoping not to encounter. The instructor for Advanced
Duke greeted Donny with his hand outstretched. “Good evening captain,” Duke greeted him, evidently enjoying the use of the word captain in reference to Donny, “I expected to see an overexcited group of firs t years here waiting with you.”
“They’re inside explo ring the arena,” Donny replied.
“Smart move, concealing the additional forces to make sure the main players are willing to stick around. First practice and you are already thinking on your feet.”
Donny thought about correcting Duke, and letting him know that it was actually not a plan, but rather a convenient coincidence, but he decided to keep these thoughts in his head. Whether Duke saw these thoughts or not, he made no sign of it.
Jay, Michael, and Zahrah were the 29 th , 30 th , and 31 st students to arrive to practice. Donny could see confusion and almost panic in his brother’s eyes at the number of students there to practice. “Donny,” Jay began quietly, “the team is only supposed to be 21 people total, including yourself ; there are too many people here already , and more are still arriving.”
“Don’t worry bro, I’ve got this under control ,” Donny assured him. Unsure how to respond, Jay remained silent.
By the time practice was ready to begin, there were 36 students there. Donny took a quick look into the arena to make sure all the first years had made their way back out, then he turned to the crowd to begin. “ Hello teammates ,” Donny began.
“Hello Napoleon!” Lenny declared. Whether meant as a joke or not, laughter erupted, and Lenny hung his head in embarrassment.
“Yes,” Donny continued with a laugh, “I guess I am becoming known as Napoleon. Whether that is a complement or an insult seems to be up to those who state it, but I will accept the name either way. Now on to business. I can see from some of your faces that you are surprised to see so many here. I understand that the rules state only 21 may compete on a team, and this rule will be followed here. There is no rule, however, that states that only 21 students may be on a team. With that in mind, I have accepted two groups. I accepted 20 students to join me on the team which will compete, and I accepted an additional 24 students to form a second practice team. The paper I gave you states which of these teams you have been accepted to, so there should not be any confusion as to which team you are on. For this first practice I will be splitting you up into two groups, and we will hold a simulation game of our own. This will be more of a chance for me to see who works well together, as well as getting yo u all familiar with the arena.”
A hand went up from the crowd. Donny felt a little odd being the one of whom questions are being asked, but he knew he had to get used to the role, as he was their leader. He pointed to the person with their hand up.
“Are we allowed to use the arena?” They asked. It was a fifth year student who had previously played for the green team who asked the question. “I thought we were supposed to use the pra ctice rooms for our practices.”
Donny did not know the answer to this question, but he kept his uncertainty hidden behind a screen of false confidence. “I have not been told that it is off limits for practices, and they keep the doors unlocked, so we will use it until I am instructed otherwise ,” Donny responded with finality. Another hand went up, a nd Donny allowed them to speak.
“What is our team color?” They asked.
This was a question Donny was hoping not to encounter. The instructor for Advanced
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