At recess Jess was hanging at the Nerd Hangout reading a book Above the sea by Laura Burton she borrowed from the library she spotted Autumn walking with a guy with spiky black hair, he was wearing a green jersey "Hey. Autumn said you're recruiting people."
"Julian's a big football star at Hearst High. But he's been having some problems there. You remember Max? Max joined the team a few weeks ago, and the principal insists that he gets to play Julian's position!" Autumn explained
"That's terrible." Jess remarked
"Look, I didn't sign up for a share circle where we talk about our feelings. This is my problem. No one else's." Julian scowled
Autumn looked at him and said "I just think it's unfair. And you don't have to be treated that way! You can join this school!"
"Well, here's the big question: how's your football team?" Julian asked Jess
"We.. uh... don't exactly have a football team right now. We're just starting out." said Jess. "We could start a football team night."
"Oh yeah? You know a lot about football?" Julian asked
"Football isn't my thing. I'm more of a gamer" Jess sighed
"But you're going to start a team? Well, here's something basic. Think you got anyone here who can go long? And maybe somewhere to practice." Julian asked
The nerd and prep weren't into football, the jocks loved playing sport, Jess rounds up Emily and Danny. Jess has to recruit more jocks Julian winds up and prepares to throw a football. The construction team gather to build a field perfect place to play sport for PE or activities.
"Ready, guys?" Julian asked
"So ready!" The jocks nodded
"I need to know your diet?" Julian
"Veggie smoothie." said Emily
"Salad." said Danny
"Not bad let start football practice."
Football practice begin the football team begin giving push-up, sit up. Julian pauses a moment while Emily runs, and then he throws the football in a perfect spiral!
"Got it!" Emily catches throwing the football back to Julian
"Nice catch."
Emily skids to a halt, colliding with a classroom!
"That last part could use some work. Anyway, I've got to head back. There's a big game today, and there's even going to be a college scout there. Hey, Autumn, are you coming?" Julian asked
"I wasn't planning on it... I mean, I'm not really into football." Autumn looked unsure
"Oh. right your more of a art girl. Yeah, of course." said Julian
"Well, I could make an exception. I mean, maybe I could take some photos there." said Autumn
"Yeah? That would be cool. I mean, if you want to. No big deal." Julian waves to both of you and walks off.
"Sounds like he's out." said Jess
"I guess we better buy tickets to that football game so we can watch Julian. I mean, cheer for Julian. I mean." said Autumn
"I think I get what you mean." said Jess
"I'm just trying to show that this new school will be enthusiastic about sports! We have to go. For the good of your school!" said Autumn
Jess and Autumn reach the Hearst High football field and spot Julian grumbling and pacing in front of the bench. The coach glares at him.
"Come on! Put me in!" said Julian
"What's going on? Why isn't the coach letting him play?" Jess asked
"My guess? The coach wants the spotlight on Max. No chance of that if Julian is playing." said Autumn
"That doesn't look good." Down on the field, the other team's coach calls a timeout. As Max runs back to the bench, he shoulders past Julian.
"Aw, is someone sad cause he's not gonna get to play? Maybe if you cry, Coach will put you in." Max taunted
"That's it!" Julian launches himself at Max, and the two hit the ground, punching and swinging! The crowd in the stands starts shouting!
"We've got to stop this!" Autumn gasped
Jess rushes in "Okay, break it up! That's enough!" Jess dives in between Max and Julian, shoving both of them back.
"No one asked you to get involved! Who do you think you are?" Max asked
"Let's just say I'm a concerned citizen." Jess glared back on the field, the referee blows a whistle. In the stands, the crowd boos!
"You just cost us fifteen yards." said Max
The Hearst High coach looks furious. He points to Julian and yells for him to hit the showers.
"Aww, looks like someone just got thrown out of the game. Gotta watch that temper, buddy." Max taunted
"Come on. Let's get out of here." Jess took Julian back
Back at Berry High
"Julian, how could you do that?" Autumn asked
"Okay, maybe I shouldn't have gone after him, but that was not cool! Coach doesn't play me for the whole game, and then Max wants to laugh in my face about it?" Julian asked
"That doesn't mean you can just attack him." said Autumn
"You're right. I was out of control. Thanks for stepping in, Jess." said Julian
"I'm glad I could help. That was intense." said Autumn
"Yeah. After that, Coach isn't going to give me another chance, not with Max calling the shots." Julian phone buzzes, and he looks down at a text message. "Great. The principal called my dad and told him everything. He's ballistic." said Julian
"That was really scary, Julian. You know, you can't always punch all our problems away." said Autumn
"You don't get it" said Julian
"I'd like to. I know you're a tough guy, and you like to be all gruff and brooding and muscular..." said Autumn
"You think I'm muscular?" Julian asked
"I... um... my point is, I'm worried about you. What happened out there?" Autumn asked
"Look, I'm not some nerd who can make a million dollars on a computer, I'm not artistic the way you are... I know what I'm good at, and it's football. That's the one thing I've got going for me. My only shot at getting into college is a football scholarship. And to get one, I need to impress a scout. Today could have changed everything for me. And Coach didn't even give me a chance to play! I just couldn't take it." Julian explained
"I get it. You lost your temper. I don't think it was right, but I get it." said Autumn
"Anyway, thanks for letting me stay here, Jess. Really decent of you." said Julian
"Hey, you're welcome to stay. Permanently." said Jess
"Yeah! Enroll at Jess's school." said Autumn
"Hey, like I said, I'm a football guy. What am I going to do here if I'm not playing football? I need to be on a team that scouts will consider." said Julian
"You'll be starting the team. We've already got people here who are ready to play. Let them show you what they can do." said Jess
At football field
"Oh yeah? I'll give you a shot. Let's go." said Julian
"I'm ready!" said Emily
"I like the attitude. But I need to see if you guys are all talk." said Julian
"Go, Danny! Catch that ball!" Jess called
"Huff... huff... got it!" Danny caught the ball
"Not bad! I have to admit, I'm impressed. You three managed to keep up with me. Good hustle... and quick thinking. Especially you, Danny. You could be quarterback material." said Julian
"Heh. Thanks." said Danny
"Now, this school's still got a long way to go. A handful of jocks running a few football plays is a long way from a football team that can bring home a win. You've still got to work on your stamina and your speed. Not to mention the footwork. But you know what I see in this group? Teamwork. That's something Hearst High forgot a long time ago. Together, we can get this school a winning team. And we'll take down Hearst High." said Julian
"Is that your way of saying you're enrolling here?" Jess asked
"I'd be honored to join your school." Not long Julian become a student at Berry High