This was too far.
The sugar ban had taken some adjustment.
The curfew, they could handle.
Restricted visits to town were better than nothing.
No one really cared about boys not being allowed in the girls' residence, and vice versa, because they all snuck around anyways.
TV's weren't allowed in dorms, but they all knew things could be worse.
Extensive practices were a bitch, but they knew it was for their own good.
But this? This was too far.
"Due to recent events, the faculty has discussed and revised general rules for students," Adena read aloud to the Top Guns gathered around her. They all knew 'recent events' translated to 'your humiliating loss against Brentwood, in which you brought shame and disgrace to Cascadia's good name, threw away any chance of sponsor deals, and were just generally steamrolled, losers'. And they all knew 'the faculty has discussed and revised…' meant 'Bates is going Nazi on everyone else's ass, pulling rank, and forcing the good staff of Cascadia to partake in his barbaric rituals'.
"As of today," Adena continued reading the very official-looking notice, "dorms will be randomly searched at least once a week for illegal food products," Squib groaned audibly, "visits into town are no longer permitted," Tanis swore loudly, "curfew will be bumped up to eight o'clock on weeknights, nine o'clock on Saturdays and Sundays," Nate picked up the newspaper laying on the table and threw it across the room, "the television will be removed from the Open," Cameron slammed his fist on the table, "and personal computers are no longer allowed in dorms," Cody shrieked and punched a pillow in anger.
"It gets worse," Adena continued reading, "In addition, a new, stricter practice schedule will be set up immediately, resulting in at least one practice per day, per player. Lost matches will result in more practices. All meals will be approved by staff to ensure they fit the new Cascadia Food and Health Guide. Failure to comply will result in consequences including, but not limited to, detention, cafeteria duty, ball boy duty, suspension, and ultimately expulsion."
"He can't do this!" Tanis cried loudly after a moment of silence.
"He's taking away our rights!" Squib added.
"This is totally unfair!" Cody exclaimed, "I'm not even a player!"
"Well, maybe you could talk to your dad?" Cameron asked desperately, "Maybe he can help?"
"No use," she groaned, "he spent all morning telling me that, for the sake of their jobs, all staff had to be behind Bates one hundred percent."
"He's like Stalin!" Nate declared.
"He's like Hitler!" Squib added.
"He's what would happen if Stalin and Hitler somehow procreated, had a son, and then abused him!" Tanis wailed.
"What are we going to do?" Cameron asked, feeling hopeless and falling back onto the couch.
"The only thing we can do," Adena said calmly.
"And that would be…?" Squib asked.
"Fight back."
So, this is my new story. Stating the obvious, I know. I'm planning for it to be a short one, though. Unlike Bend and not Break, which has become freaking…long.
Review, svp!