C

oach is still in his office when I get there, but there’s no sign of Eva. I’m a bit surprised. I’d gotten so used to the idea of her spinning her lies that I assumed she’d be right where I last saw her, talking crap about me.

I’m so relieved she’s not there that I actually reconsider my theory. Maybe she didn’t stop in to bad-mouth me. Maybe Coach called her into his office. Maybe she’d been on her way to meet me at the soccer field, just like she said she would, when Coach saw her rushing by and pulled her aside to talk strategy.

Maybe—but not likely.

“Hey, Coach,” I tell him as I step inside and take a seat. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I just got caught cutting class and—”

“I heard plenty, Williams,” he interrupts.

Uh-oh.

He rubs his buzzed head, something he does whenever he’s feeling stressed. Or angry.

“Well, I wanted to warn you that I might be suspended and have to miss a few games. I’m really sorry, Coach, but—”

“You’re not going to miss a few games.”

“I’m not?”

“Nope.”

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—”

“You’re through, Addie. You’re off the team for good.”

The words hit me like a soccer ball to the stomach from close range.

“Eva 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…”

“Coach?” The words barely make it out of my mouth. I’m not even sure he heard me.

“Who 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.”

 . . .

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.