When Melina walked into Delano Middle School on Monday morning, Nora and Prissy were already waiting for her at her locker.
“Mel,” Prissy said. “We have to talk.”
“About what?” Melina asked.
“About what?” Nora repeated. “Were you at the same game I was on Saturday? You had an open goal. Twice!”
Melina nodded as she put her coat away. “I know. If I were the team captain, I’d tell those tenth graders a few things about playing as a team.”
Prissy sighed. “Too bad you’re not captain,” she said. “I’d prefer you over Rose Torrence any day.”
“Well, captain or not,” Melina said, “I’ve been thinking about it all weekend.”
“Wait, are you going to say something to Rose and her crew?” Nora asked eagerly.
Melina didn’t say anything. She just grinned.
“Ooh, you are!” Prissy exclaimed, clasping her hands together. “Can I be there?”
“Me too!” Nora said with a bright smile.
“I’m not looking for drama,” Melina said. “I just want to remind her we’re all on the same team.”
“Aw, fine,” Nora said as the two-minute warning buzzer sounded. “But after, I want to hear all about it.”
* * *
Melina hurried from their last-hour class. Nora caught her eye as she flew out the door and flashed a thumbs-up and encouraging grin. Melina skipped the stop at her locker and went straight across the athletic field to the Bulloch Bulls locker rooms.
She scooted past Coach Naranjo’s office, waving as she passed. The coach hardly looked up. She just threw up one hand to acknowledge Melina.
But Melina didn’t mind. She wasn’t there to see the coach. She was there to see the captain.
Stopping just outside of the locker room, Melina took a deep breath. Then she pushed the door open.
She found Rose Torrence standing by the first row of lockers. Jana and Kayla were with her. They sat on a bench, laughing as Rose cracked jokes.
Melina strode right up to them. “Hi,” she said.
“What do you want?” the captain asked.
Melina sat down next to Kayla. “Too bad we couldn’t pull out the win on Saturday, huh?” she said, glancing at each of the girls.
“Yeah, too bad,” Rose said, dropping her eyes to the ground. Her face went red. Melina couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed or angry. Maybe both.
“The tenth-grade girls play a tight game,” Melina went on. “Your teamwork is really solid.”
“Thanks,” Kayla said, shifting on the bench.
“Wait a minute,” Rose said, dropping onto the bench between Kayla and Melina. “Are you admitting that we lost because of you middle school girls?”
Melina smiled. “I wouldn’t say that,” she said. “I’m more saying half the work is done. The other half will be getting you high school girls to work better with us middle school girls.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jana asked.
“It means that our team might be great,” Melina said, standing up to face all three girls on the bench. “But right now, it’s not.”
“Yeah,” Rose huffed, “because you middle schoolers came along and dropped the skill curve.”
“Or,” Melina countered, “it’s because you haven’t accepted us as members of the team.”
“Of course we haven’t,” Rose said with a sneer. “Would you in our place?”
Melina shrugged. “I’m not sure. I haven’t been in your place. But to be honest, sometimes last year I’d look at the sixth grade girls and wish they could pick it up a little, you know?”
Kayla laughed, but Rose elbowed her in the ribs.
“But that doesn’t mean I didn’t pass to them during games,” Melina continued. “It doesn’t mean I treated them badly or made them feel unwanted. Because no matter what, they were still my teammates.”
Rose didn’t say anything. Jana sniffed and kicked her toe against the open locker door in front of her. “Whatever,” she mumbled.
“She’s right,” said Coach Naranjo as she stepped into view from around the corner. “And I’m as guilty as you three have been.”
“Oh, Coach, I didn’t mean —” Melina said, but the coach cut her off with a wave of her hand.
“No, you didn’t,” Coach said, “but I’ve been letting the ninth and tenth graders get away with a lot of rude behavior. Not only is it unfair to you and the other middle schoolers, but it cost us the game on Saturday. That’s not how I want to run my team.”
She looked at the high school girls. “I will not be allowing any more childish behavior. You’re all on the same team. I expect you to act like it. Now, get out to the pitch and start running laps.”
Rose and her friends hopped to it. Melina stood alone with Coach Naranjo.
“Coach,” Melina started, “I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet, but I’m a big fan of yours.”
“Yeah?” Coach said.
Melina nodded. “I saw you play for the varsity team when I was seven,” she said. “I’ve wanted to play for the varsity Bulls ever since.”
“I’m flattered. Thanks, Melina,” Coach Naranjo replied. “And I’ve been thinking. You’re right — the middle school girls aren’t really feeling like part of the team yet.”
“What should we do about it?” Melina asked. “I can talk to the girls from Delano.”
“I’m sure you will,” Coach Naranjo said, smiling, “which is how I know I’ve made the right choice for vice captain.”
Melina squinted at the coach. “What’s that?” she asked. “Is that a thing?”
“It is now,” Coach Naranjo answered. “Look, Rose is captain because she’s tough, loud, and can really perform on the pitch. But that doesn’t mean she couldn’t use a little help from you.”
“Me?” Melina said.
“It’s only fair,” the coach said with a shrug. “The middle school team voted for you. Who am I to question election results?”
Melina laughed. “I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right,” said Coach Naranjo. “I’m the coach!”