The Second Rate Nanny McPhee

Chapter 3: Dodgeball

When she returned, she smiled at the teacher to mask out the tense atmosphere she had created. The teacher looked at her hesitant for a second afterward ignored it as well and have her join the others. She decided to keep a distance and flag at the corner right side to listen to his instructions.

"Since we have a castaway in our class I thought to have a simple game of dodgeball. You guys know the rule. Divide each other into two teams. Anton and Stacy are the leaders, pick your members and we'll begin after that."

Laurel looked on as two students came forward, both were fit and could easily go for a modeling carrier. The one named Anton was tan, with black hair complimenting his figure and sharp eyes. Stacy was more or less what you call an athlete, not too buff but you can see at a glance that she trains hard. Her skin was a natural cream and her black hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Her face was a natural stoic expression.

Laurel has heard that while Dawn high school always come third, some student are the real deal. Rumors have it there are about 15 top players very beloved by the school and another 20 for their academic achievers. They keep a close eye on them and give them rank, which only makes students want to compete to get first place.

She looked in interest as students were one by one picked on which teams to play. Some high-five each other once they knew they were in the same group while others frowned or glared when they were put on the same side. Anton keeps picking boys, and while Stacy tried to pick guys as well, Anton had managed to snag more so an unbalance group formed with Stacy.

Then it came to her.

Since they were already an even class in the beginning she was the odd one out. With fifteen on both sides, they didn't much care which side she was on since all the classmates they think is important has already been decided upon.

"Hey, Stacy. Why don't you take her?" Anton asked monotonously. He hadn't said it as an insult but the context behind those statements still felt a bit impudent.

Stacy on the other hand turned to assess her. Laurel couldn't tell what impression she had on the athlete. All her facial features were locked, and the only indication that she didn't want her on the team was a sigh.

"Sure. One more for the team." But her heart wasn't on her words.

"Okay," Laurel replied as she saw her leave. The others kept looking at her and began whispering.

She easily ignored them.

Their team was a ratio of 6 males: 10 females. A game of dodgeball is all about flexibility, evasive maneuvers, and accuracy. She usually does extraneous activities with her cane as it calms her down more than she's without it but this kind of thing is not allowed to be taken with her everywhere, dampening her spirits over the whole situation.

She looks at her hands, and already missed it.

"Hey, are you new here?" Laurel was startled when someone popped out from nowhere and started speaking to her.

A girl that is on the same team as her. Her eyes scanned the smaller girl and found her brown hair, average height, and big curious eyes to be cute. The girl was looking her up with child-like wonder, her mouth opened comically. "I haven't seen you before and I practically know almost everyone. I'm Taylor, by the way. You're not a junior, are you?"

The girl continued to speak as she walked around her energetically. "What do you think of the school so far? Did anyone catch your eye? Do you think I'm adorable?"

Laurel had to step back as the girl got closer and closer before someone interjected in the last second and pinched the girl's cheek to get her away from Laurel. "Stop it, Taylor. You're scaring her"

Besides the talkative girl was someone who was a skyscraper. Laurel had to crane her head up just to face the girl, and just like Stacy she was well-toned just from a glance, had good bone structure but seemed like a clutz. The girl stared at her apologetically, bowing while still having a hold on the smaller girl's cheek.

"I'm so sorry. She's just too much sometimes. Please forgive her. She's actually friendly. Too friendly in fact." While giving an awkward laugh. The taller girl finally releases her, as Taylor rubs her cheek in sadness.

Taylor was pouting as her cheek hurt and was going red. "You didn't have to pinch me too hard," she whined.

"Of course I do. She was steps away from running" The girl berated the shorter girl again. Laurel wanted to laugh at the comment.

She's not that overwhelmed. Although, she was prepared to hit her head had she gotten a little closer to her face.

Laurel gave a small smile at the two before she chuckled. "Oh, it's fine. You're friend just surprised me is all. My name's Laurel. Nice to meet you two."

"Wow. Laurel… like the herb?" Taylor looked at her in amazement her pain a forgotten memory.

"Yes. Like the herb." Replying like she was talking to someone younger as the brunette continued to wag her unexistent tail.

"My name's Gen. Short for Genesis and I know what you're going to ask. It's the same spelling." Gen was the opposite of Taylor. She was friendly enough to know her boundaries and still be engaging. Gen reached out her hands for a short greet and not wanting to offend, she reaches out to take it. The two people who decided to approach her first were gleeful in their own way so it wasn't a bad thing to meet them.

In the distance, the teacher in charge yelled at them. "You three, stop chit-chatting. We're going to start the game."

"We're sorry, Coach Julius."

The three quickly huddled up in their respective teams as the teacher explained the rules.

"I want a clean game. No hitting the face or head. If you hit a classmate in the face more than three times— accidental or intentional— your team loses a point." As the teacher gave a pointed look at a guy on the other team as if warning him specifically then resumed his explanation.

"Each hit on a body part has a point system. The back, chest, and abdomen for the guys and only the back and abdomen for the girls count as 5 points. The hands and legs are 3 points while the feet or ankle are 2. We play for 30 minutes this time. The number of players that make it to the 30-minute mark is the same points that will be taken off the other team's score. Does everybody understand?"

"Yes!"

This however was not something she knew. Laurel went to Gen and asked. "So why is there a point base?"

Gen gave a sheepish smile then crossed her arms. "You really are new here. You see, some students in this school are competitive. That goes the same for any activity even with a simple game like dodgeball. Since they often play too well, it reaches the point that they can't beat each other. I can count many instances that a game actually went on for 3 hours. Since we can't go for that long, we have a point base and a timer, so not only does this change the game into an individual skill, but a team game. Try to help your teammates evade and hit the other team wisely."

Seemed to be a straightforward answer. She nodded that she understood.

There are five balls in the court, 3 on the other side and 2 on theirs in the beginning. When the whistle was blown, bodies were moving everywhere. In just the first minute, two of the girls in their team got hit, one on the leg and one on her feet. So that makes 5 points to the other team.

Stacy got control of a ball and connected through two hits in one throw yet because they guarded their chest only their arms were hit. This gained them 4 points.

This game of throwing, hitting and dodging continued for 15 minutes.

Laurel was surprised to see that even after many students got eliminated, they still have 4 people on their side and 6 on their opponents'. Gen was hit a few minutes ago, as Laurel found out she was bad at evading and her height didn't help her in this game.

Surprisingly, Taylor made it. She should have expected it since the girl was fast. She glided easily in the court and pretty much danced her way from being hit. Stacy was a no-brainer. Laurel was right in thinking she was a natural. She was both skilled and precise. Hitting most players and gaining 80% off their score.

Though she could feel something off in her play. As if her sole purpose of winning was simple-minded. Her eyes have never left Anton's direction even now. She was hungry for a win that Laurel could not describe. The best thing to do about it was not minding Stacy, since Laurel was good at ignoring things already.

The last one in their team was a guy on the far side. He was keeping away from the main throwing area and smart to keep his body low and jump if he needs to. As for her, nobody was aiming for her at the moment. The other team was mostly more focused on Stacy. Obviously ganging up on her as best as they can. Which is a good tactic. If they get the strongest out, it would be a sure-fire win. With time still abundant, they can use it on Stacy for as long as they can before they changed their sights on them.

Laurel was thinking of helping Stacy but the girl was harder to approach and even harder to cooperate with.

"Hello there, Laurel." Taylor happily chirped at her while she was crouched down. Just seconds ago, a ball flew past her head, a stray ball meant for their star player.

"Hey, Taylor. You're really good at this." She pointed out.

"Oh yeah. I do ballet in my free time so it's easy to coordinate my body however I like. My mom actually used to throw stuff at me to get me to move faster. Hehehe. I guess I learned a little bit from her."

hmm.

"I… Is your relationship with your mom, okay?" Laurel couldn't help but ask.

"Of course silly." She laughed while throwing a ball at the other side. Because the guy wasn't looking, the ball luckily hit his legs. Now they were down to 5.

"Team A, 41. Team B, 45!"

"Yey!" she pounded her fist in the air, elated for a point. Laurel was happy for her. She didn't even try to throw one since it felt too much. Not getting hit was her only contribution and decided it was enough of a team effort. She thinks.

But she frowned when she saw how Stacy was doing. The raven girl was still being pressured up by the opponent's team. Clearly, with a smaller number compared to their opponents, they were at a disadvantage. Coupled with one girl who isn't throwing back and a guy who's only on the sidelines, their star athlete had to give more for everyone's sake to win. After multiple dodging attempts from five consecutive attacks and still doing her best to retaliate, it was to be expected that she was exhausted. Anyone with eyes could tell. Had this been one on one, maybe she could probably make it double the time but that's beside the point.

Laurel's conscience bugged her until she decided to help.

She ran closer to Stacy and whispered. "Hey. I have a plan. Are you open to hearing it?"

"No." Laurel saw no change in her demeanor... not a look or a question, just straight up rejected her proposition.

"You can't win like this though. Even if we make it until 30 minutes they still beat us in terms of score and number of players. Can you actually handle that?" She ducks when a ball got too close to her arms.

"Says the girl who hasn't made a single score since this all started. I know what I'm doing. I'm going to beat Anton and he's going to recognize me. Don't butt in, New girl" she pushed her away. Laurel has taken back by the hostility in her eyes and felt aggravated.

"Look at them. They're barely holding on and now they're fighting. Just call it quits already!" Another guy spoke up from the bleachers, snickering with his friends.

"Brian. Shut the hell up!" The coach shouted from his position.

Somehow, this got Stacy's attention as she glared at him. Which is reckless, if anyone asks her. She knows better than anyone that looking away is anyone's worst decision.

Inspecting the opponent, she caught a glimpse of Anton throwing a ball directly at Stacy. Laurel quickly reached out to grab her arm. Before the ball could reach Stacy, she made it in time to pull her towards her body. But then she heard Taylor shouting for her back and without looking pushed both their bodies forward as they fell on the ground and the sound of the ball hitting their side of the court.

She got lucky. That was what she thought upon seeing how close it actually was from her back.

"What the hell are you doing?!" She stared down at Stacy and was going to apologize when the shadows moved again and realized they weren't out of the water just yet.

Not wasting time, she grabs Stacy and rolled them over to the left as another ball was hurled at them.

"I apologize for what I'm about to do," She said before pushing Stacy up, putting enough force to propel her standing while Laurel rolled her body up to dodge the last ball. When all five balls were on their court, the two could finally take a breather.

"Wow! You guys were amazing!" Taylor came skipping towards them in joy. "How did you do that?"

Laurel stood up and patted some dirt on her clothes when immediately she felt her collar being gripped and pulled up. She was toe to toe with one angry raven girl, her eyes alone and you'd know that she was pissed. While understandable, it wasn't like she didn't benefit from what she did.

They both remain silent, Laurel waiting and Stacy seething under her breath.

"Put her down, Stacy! I'm warning you. I will cut half your points if you don't." Coach Julius threatened her with a look.

She reeled in her anger before slowly putting her down.

Tilting her head to the side, she noticed her eyes going back to Anton again, her determination to beat him still there. "Do you know why Anton is winning against you in dodgeball?" Laurel suddenly asked Stacy even when she still had a hold of her.

This brought back her sights on Laurel.

"It's because he works with his team. That's what makes the two of you different." The hand holding her got tighter. She knew she hit a sore spot. " I suggest you do the same thing he's doing right now. Work with us and you can beat him."

Laurel gave her a mischievous grin before holding her hands and slowly overpowering Stacy's grip. "I promise you I won't get in your way."

"Stacy. Last call!"

The raven girl finally lets her go. Her glare was still evident. "Fine."

With that, Laurel ushered the other two members of their teams and told her the plan.

...

The group from the other side waited as they started talking to each other. They all gave each other confused looks. "Hey coach, is the timer still going?" Anton inquired.

"Yeah, last 5 minutes."

Anton's teammate chuckled. "We got this in the bag. They're using up all the remaining time and with our score, we'll guarantee of winning"

"I'm not too sure of that," Anton gave his honest opinion. He'd known Stacy since freshman, she wasn't the kind of person who just gives up mid-way and has absolutely never seen her throw a match.

"What are you talking about? They can't hit us with their speed. Besides, 3 of them are girls. They're practically prey for us." Jay continued to arrogantly speak while looking at the others to get them to agree with him.

Anton shifted his eyes on Jay and slightly narrowed his eyes. "If you remember perfectly those girls you're talking about hadn't been hit in the last 15 minutes, even with five of us giving our best. Don't go dissing out other people when you haven't even hit Taylor. Out of all of us, she's the only one not taking this game seriously yet the best one who can dodge a ball faster than a spike." Anton replied haughtily.

Jay glared back at the comment.

"Just concentrate and maybe we'll win"

"You're so full of it."

"Between the two of us, you're the one looking down on our opponent, tell me again who's full of it?" Anton firmly gazed back at him.

"Why you—" A ball passed by Jay, almost hitting his chest. The two were surprised to see that Taylor had started attacking them.

"So close!" She looked disappointed that her throw didn't connect. "You guys should continue talking."

Taylor threw another ball at them while Stacy was just standing beside her and the new girl in the very back.

Taylor didn't manage to hit anyone, as the other team struck back. "Hit the two in front!" Anton called out as the other players started throwing.

As fast as they threw it, the ball quickly came back. Bewildered, they found out that Stacy had gotten a hold of a ball so quickly. As fire filled her eyes, she quickly countered. A guy was hit on the shoulders, getting him out.

"Team A 44 Team B 45"

Now even Taylor was throwing back the ball with ease. Anton asked the other three to continue throwing while he observes. It seems whenever they throw the ball and the opponent evades, the new girl in the back quickly retrieves it passed it to the front who's already targeting them. With how fast they kept countering, it was pushing his teammates in a sort of panic state therefore more likely to make the wrong moves.

Another one was hit on the chest area by Stacy. "Team A 49. Team B, 45"

This was turning 180 real quick. Taking a second to compose themselves was the best choice. "Stop! Don't attack just yet." He insisted on the remaining three.

"Oh come on, Jay. Are you really that bad? You can't even hit little old me." Taylor pouted before wiggling her butt. Anton knows for sure that this was obviously a provocation.

"Jay. Don't listen to her!" Anton screamed but was on deaf ears.

After throwing the ball, Taylor easily dodged. Suddenly out of nowhere the one guy on the opponent's team who hasn't been in the front all of a sudden appeared holding a ball in his hands and closing in on Jay. With a distance of only 2 meters, it was an easy hit.

Anton was too absorbed in what just happened, he didn't have time to register his surroundings. Because of that, he didn't notice something colliding with his rib until it was too late. When he discern what it was, a ball had rolled on the ground stopping a few inches from him.

Realizing he was hit. He slowly faced the direction of the ball's origin and found Stacy staring back at him.

The whistle was blown signifying the time mark has been met.

...

"Team A 59. Team B 45. Team A retained 4 members and Team B with 1. The last score is Team A58. Team B 41. Winner, Team A" Everyone in Team A quickly ran up to the four and cheered.

"We won! We won!" Taylor began jumping up and down while hugging Gen, who was also ecstatic about the result. Everyone else was congratulating Taylor and even the shy kid who took down one of the opponents.

Laurel celebrated the win the farthest from everyone since she didn't know anyone else besides Taylor and Gen. The two were with the others so she didn't dare interfere.

"Was it you?"

Laurel had anticipated him coming. He had been looking at her since Stacy hit him after. His face still had a serious expression, kind of like a reflection of Stacy's but he acted with a calm state, unlike the raven girl. Taking everything that she's has found out about him. Stacy and he seems to have this rivalry going on between them. That is too much of a hassle to be a part of.

So she sighed. "No" she answered what she felt was right even though he didn't even specify what he was asking her.

"You're lying."

"Base on what?"

Slowly, Stacy appeared behind Anton, looking displeased that even now he wasn't even talking to her. This was too obvious even for Laurel. She really doesn't want to be in a middle of a war. So she steps back from Anton.

"Turn around."

"What?"

"Turn around." she gritted out.

He was confused but did what she asked for. Immediately after, she dashed away from the two and steered to the other side of the gym looking for her cane.

Teenagers are fickle things. Pair that with a lot of unspoken words and you have yourself a soap opera in the making. Thinking to herself as she sneaks away after retrieving her phone and cane and went out the door without being seen.