Read Online Interlude- Brandon by Terry Schott - Free Book Online Page A

respect in the short time since they’d been playing. As a team they were a dominating force in the 10 to 12-year-old division. In the individual games, the four of them (they hadn’t filled their last spot yet) all floated at the top of the rankings. Each would hold top ranking for a while and then allow one of the others in their group to claim it. This had been Brandon’s idea, and they accomplished it by playing as a team even in the individual games. For example, Brandon would be in the lead of a race and suddenly slow down to let Tony pass him for the win. Brandon knew it wasn’t exactly in the spirit of the games, but they all enjoyed top status, which was what friends should do for each other.
    “Sorry guys and gal, I think we’re at your table. We can get up and leave if you’d like?”
    Brandon’s group stood and gaped. Brandon smiled and addressed the man reclining in his seat. “Thanks, Cooper, but I’m pretty sure you can sit anywhere you want in this mess hall.”
    Cooper flashed a smile and spread his arm to indicate the free seats around the table. The A’s had positioned themselves so that there was an empty seat between each of them. Brandon and the others exchanged excited looks as they sat down.
    The kids smiled and shook hands with the A’s as Cooper made the introductions. They wouldn’t have guessed a few weeks ago that they’d be sitting with the most popular celebrities in the free world.
    “Your turn,” Cooper said to Brandon. “Introduce us to your Hand.”
    Brandon smiled and pointed to his group, one by one. “The one with the wide shoulders that looks — and is — strong as a bull is Tony. The shortest and the fastest of our group is Alan. I’m Brandon, and this pretty girl is Kay. She’s as fast as any of us, and definitely the most clever when it comes to solving the puzzle games.”
    “Ahh, yes,” Cooper said. “Kay is the number one ranked player in your age group. Congratulations, young lady. That is no small accomplishment.”
    “She’s number one at the moment,” Brandon said. “Tomorrow or the next day it will be someone else in our Hand.”
    Cooper’s mouth twitched at the corners and his eyebrows rose in confusion. “I don’t understand,” Cooper looked around the table. “Kay is the leader of the group, and the refore the best of your group when it comes to Gaming. She should have the number one spot at all times.”
    “We're all equally important in the group,” Brandon explained. “We take turns being number one so each of us can enjoy the perks that come with that  spot.”
    “Really?” Cooper asked with wide eyes. His team mates smiled and shook their heads. “Tell me, who came up with this idea? All of you at the same time?”
    “Well… no.”
    “Who, then? Who had this idea to share the number one spot?”
    Brandon looked at his group uncertainly. Then he looked at each member of the A’s in turn. They looked at him with both interest and amusement. “It was my idea,” he admitted.
    Cooper nodded. He chuckled and folded his arms as he leaned back in his chair. “We’ve been watching you all since day one. Very impressive, for the most part.” The members of Brandon’s Hand grinned with pride. “There’s one flaw that I see, however, and it will soon destroy you if you don’t take care of it.”
    “What’s that?” Brandon asked.
    “This,” Cooper motioned to the group spread out around the table. “No one knows their place. Sharing all the spots will confuse everyone, and ruin the group.”
    Brandon opened his mouth to defend his idea, but Cooper held up his hand to stop him. “Look, I know that you’re trying to make everyone happy, but let me tell you from experience, kid, it won’t work.” He stood up and walked to the head of the table where there was an empty seat. “Who is leader of the A Hand?” he asked.
    Everyone at the table replied instantly. “You are!” 
    Cooper nodded and sat down at the head seat.