Chapter Eight - Winning Streak

By the time recess came around everyone had forgotten about the Trashball game except for Lily. She walked with her head held high, always the perfect model of perfection. But inside she wanted to throw up. She hated Kat not for who she was, but because she was the new Lily.

Lily Ho had won the outstanding academic award at Edgeview Elementary since kindergarten. She always had the highest grades, knew all the answers, and was ready at a moment’s notice to show off all her extra knowledge.

There was one time in the second grade when Oistin Stevenson nearly beat her to the academic award. It came down to one test on animal adaptations. At lunch time, Lily offered Oistin some of her yogurt. Oistin took it eagerly and gulped it down, not taking the time to check the expiration date. Lily giggled as he downed the four month old yogurt.

By the time the test came around, Oistin had only one answer on his test. He threw up so much that he not only did he ruin his own test, but also all his book and Michael’s shoes.

Lily would not be defeated.

Kat was only another challenge. Lily knew that she’d drive her out sooner or later. The question was just when.

Ms. Catarinas’ class made their way outside for recess, excited to be halfway through the school day. Only three more hours and they’d be free. Jacob and Michael zipped to the kickball field and waited for the rest of the class to show up.

“Captains are picking teams,” Jacob called out to the slowpokes.

Lily and Kat lined up with the rest of the class to be picked for kickball.

“Maggie,” Jacob called.

“Kat,” Michael followed.

The calling continued until one last person was left standing.

“Lily,” Jacob grumbled.

The two teams gathered in the field and along the chain link fence that surrounded home plate.
Jacob’s team was up to kick first. Lily stood at the end of the kicking line right beside Oistin Stevenson. Lily turned toward Oistin and smiled.

“Want some yogurt,” she said snidely.

Oistin shuddered.

“I quit Jacob,” he shouted as he ran off the field.

Jacob stared at Lily. Strike Two, he thought. First Kat, now Oistin.

The kickball went on quickly. Jacob kicked a homerun while Michael watched a ladybug crawl up his shoe. Jaclyn tore open her blue jeans after sliding into second base. Within five minutes,

Lily finally was up to kick.

“Kat may have beaten me in the classroom,” she mumbled under her breath, “but there is no way I’ll let her get me now.”

Lily lined up behind home plate and glared at Michael.

“Throw the ball werewolf boy,” she said through her teeth.

The ball bounced wildly down the strip of grass towards Lily, but it didn’t bother her. Lily kicked the ball hard and it rocketed high above the kickball field. While the fourth graders stared dumb founded at the ball, Lily sprinted towards first base. She was within inches of the plate when Kat’s voice rang out.

“Got it!”

“Three outs,” Jacob called from behind home plate. “Teams switch!”

The children moved quickly like this was a practice and perfected drill. Each one knew their places on the field and within five seconds the game was back on with Jacob as pitcher.

Kat waited right behind Michael to kick. She was more than happy to wait and stay off the field. The farther away from Lily, the better.

Michael stepped up to kick and Jacob let the ball go. Michael kicked hard into the air.

Pffh.

“Strike one,” the catcher said.

Jacob laughed at his friend and pitched again.

Pffh.

“Strike two,” the catcher called.

“Come on Mikey,” Jacob called out. “Who strikes out at kickball?”

One more pitch.

Pffh.

“Strike three,” the catcher yelled. “You’re out Mike”

Michael shrugged off the field towards Kat. Hopefully she would bring some glory to the team.

“Big kicker,” Jacob called out to his team. “Keep an eye on her!”

Kat smiled. At least on the kickball field she didn’t mind being a star.

Kat’s whole team began to cheer.

“Get em’ Kat!”

“Kick it hard Kat!”

“No bunt it!”

Kat turned them all out and watched the pitch come slowly to her. Her foot connected with the ball and her team watched the ball soar right between Avery Bryant and Saaf Mohamed into the outfield.

“Run,” everyone screamed.

Kat laughed to herself as the other team scrambled for the ball. She was rounding second by the time they finally had their hands on it.

“I’m open,” Lily screamed from third base. “I’m open!”

All the fourth graders were screaming as Kat streaked past second base on her way to third. In a mad dash, avery lobbed the ball towards Lily. She picked it up quickly and took aim. She knew it was illegal to throw the ball at someone to get them out, but she could care less when it came to Kathryn Westwood.

“I’ll show her,” Lily growled at the ball.

With all the power in her arm, Lily spiked the ball at Kat as she came into third base.

Lily’s aim was dead on. Kat buckled as the ball made contact with her face. Instantly, she crumpled to the ground.

In a flash, Kat was surrounded. Her ears were ringing and she could feel that the air had been knocked out of her.

“Kat! Kat!” Michael yelled. “Are you okay?”

Slowly, Kat looked up and searched the crowd of fourth graders until she found Lily. Forcefully, she stuck her tongue at Lily. Kat lay down and waited for someone to get Ms. Catarinas.

Lily stood back and watched. No one talked to her, no one looked. It was as if they all decided she didn’t exist.

Fine, Lily thought. I’ll just be invisible.