Read Online The Reality Bug by D.J. MacHale - Free Book Online

ran down the sidelines she’d see the faces of kids she had dominated in years past. Some looked disappointed. Others stunned. Still others had smug smiles that said: “Payback is sweet.” She tried not to look into anyone’s eyes, friend or foe. They all hurt the same.
    The crowd didn’t hang around long. They saw all they needed early on. The rest was like staring at a car wreck long after the dust settled. But the worst indignity was yet to come. When practice was mercifully over, Courtney ran toward the school locker room.
    â€œCourtney! Hang on!” It was the coach, Ms. Horkey. She jogged up to Courtney and the two walked toward the school together. “Tough day,” Ms. Horkey said with sympathy.
    Courtney could only shrug.
    â€œLook,” Horkey said. “I know this is hard for you. I’ve watched you play since you were barely old enough to kick a ball. I know how good you are. Don’t get discouraged.”
    â€œI won’t,” Courtney said, feeling totally discouraged.
    Then Horkey dropped the bomb. “I think it would do you a world of good to start playing with the junior varsity team.”
    Courtney stopped short. “You’re cutting me?” she said, barely able to say the words.
    â€œNo,” Horkey assured her. “But you need to work on fundamentals. It’s not a horrible thing. It’s rare for a sophomore to be on varsity anyway.”
    â€œThere are two other sophomores on varsity,” Courtney pointed out. “Look, Ms. Horkey. I just had a slow start.”
    â€œI know. But look at the big picture. You’re not up to the level of the varsity players. If you stayed here, you’d be working to keep up, rather than getting better. On the JV level you’ll be more competitive. Then next year you can—”
    â€œNext year! I’d have to wait a whole year to get back on the team?”
    â€œYou’re still on the team, Courtney. You’re just playing at a level that’s better for you.”
    â€œOn the loser level, you mean,” Courtney snapped at her.
    â€œNo,” the coach corrected. “On the level that is going to help you improve. You’re not a quitter, Courtney. You’re going to get better, but you’re going to have to work at it. Maybe you’re not used to that.”
    Courtney wanted to scream. But the truth was, the coach was right. Courtney had never had to work all that hard to be good. Maybe she didn’t know how to.
    â€œIt’s really for the best,” Horkey concluded.
    â€œYeah, sure,” Courtney said under her breath. Horkey then jogged ahead toward the school.
    Courtney wanted to run home. She didn’t want to go into that locker room and get changed with all those girls who looked at her like a loser. She wasn’t a loser. But at that moment, she sure felt like one.
    â€œCourtney!” Mark yelled as he ran up to her. “The most amazing thing happened! I got asked to join Sci-Clops!”
    â€œCyclops? Like the monster with one eye?”
    â€œNo,” Mark laughed. “Sci-Clops with an s-c-i like in science. It’s only the most respected science club in the state. Is that incredible or what?”
    â€œYeah, that’s great, Mark,” Courtney said, not sounding as if she meant it. She continued walking toward the school.
    â€œUh-oh. Bad practice again?”
    â€œI just got cut.”
    â€œWhat!”
    â€œNot really. I’ve been demoted to JV.”
    Mark didn’t know what to say. This was alien territory. He wasn’t used to boosting Courtney’s confidence.
    â€œYou know you’re better than that,” Mark said sincerely.
    â€œAm I?” she said softly.
    Courtney had never admitted defeat before. Mark glanced around quickly to make sure he was the only one who heard it. “Don’t say that,” he chastised. “You just had a slow start.” Then a thought hit him