"So, where do we start? You know these people. How do we get everyone back on track?" Wes looked at me, as if I had all the answers.
I spoke methodically like I had just thought things out at this moment when in actuality, I had been devising my plan during the walk here.
"We talk to everyone, one at a time. We help them sort through what's standing in their way. Let's start with Julian. Everyone looks up to him. Until the two of you are getting along, we don't be able to get the team working together."
Later that day...
"You want to get the team to pull together? You need leadership." Julian declared.
I had buttered him up, talking Wes up so he'd at least give him a chance. Even with his new crush on Autumn, he, like every other student at my school, would do anything for me.
"And you're the guy that's going to teach me all that?" Wes replied.
Julian shook his head. "Not me. For a crash course in leadership, you're gonna need to learn straight from the professionals! How about we go to an NFL game?" Uh-oh. I saw the look in Julian's eyes, and I had a feeling I would soon be maxing out my black AmEx. "You can learn a lot about leadership watching a pro team play. How about it? Think you can spring for some tickets to a game?"
Bam. And there it was. Everyone knew I was loaded and had connections, so they demanded that I pay for everything. Sure, it was unintentional, but was everyone that lacking in manners? They could at least pretend that they were going to pay for themselves. I didn't mind treating everyone if they didn't demand and order me to do so. I bit my lip, holding back a sigh as I pulled out my iPhone to book the tickets.
At the football game...
"See how the quarterback is calling all the plays?" Julian began.
Wes nodded. "Yeah, he's just shouting orders, and everyone listens to him. What's that supposed to teach me? To be louder?"
"I don't think that's the message here." I snickered.
"She's right." Julian agreed. "They're listening 'cause they trust him. They've practiced together. He knows them. He knows what they can do. And more than that... they know him."
"I think I see what you're getting at. I need to get to know my team, and they need to get to know me. That's the big moral, right? I can pull that off." Wes assented.
"Yeah? Well, maybe you're not a hopeless case after all..." Julian replied.
I smiled. "Great! So, Julian, you'll help us take down Hearst High?"
"I'm in... but do we even have a team?" Julian inquired. "Last I checked, everyone else was out. Not to mention that if Mia doesn't agree to this, she can tell her family and blow the whole thing."
"Yeah, we do need to talk to her... but I haven't seen her around. Do you think she's avoiding us?" I frowned. Since she'd transferred to my school, Mia had become my best friend, and it was weird that I hadn't talked to her in days.
"Maybe..." Wes mused, "…but she's got cheerleading practice now. We can talk to her there. She won't be able to get away."
I snickered. "I like the way you think."
