Playing Detective
After coming out of their dorm bedrooms in their tourney uniforms, Rafael, Phil, and Liam ran out to the tourney field.
"We are ready for practice, Coach Jenkins." Phil said.
A tall muscular man with some of his long hair tied back in a messy man bun appeared.
"So sorry to be the bearer of bad news here," the man said. "but Coach Jenkins has retired."
Liam, Phil, and Rafael exchanged a surprised look.
"Who are you?" Liam asked.
"My name is Jay," the young man replied. "Coach Jenkins named me as his replacement before he retired, now, lets get started with the basic drills."
Just then, there was an exaggerated snoring sound followed by snickering.
Jay turned and shot a glare at Alex Windom, Chad Charming's cousin, and his two friends.
Fortunately, Fairy Godmother had the presence of mind to warn Jay when he accepted the job that these three smug troublemakers would test him.
Alex had flopped down in a chair and was pretending to snore.
"Alex," Jay growled. "you and your friends can either cut the crap right now or you can go to Fairy Godmother's office, it's your choice."
This warning took some of the smugness but not all of it out of the three boys.
"Well," Phil said. "my friends and I will do our best, Coach Jay!"
Jay immediately smiled, "That's all I ask." he said.
"This will be fun." Rafael said simply.
Alex looked like he was about to make a snide remark, but a sharp look from Jay, and he thought better of it.
"Everybody to your positions," Jay said. "I want you to do drill 101 A!"
"Yes, Sir!" Liam, Rafael, and Phil said.
Alex just stood there looking insulted, "That's a newbie drill." he snorted.
"Yeah, I know," Jay said. "you and your friends need to go back to basics if you're going to play the game correctly."
"What," Alex cried. "we play the game just fine."
"Not really." Jay replied, shaking his head.
"What do you mean by that?" Alex snapped.
Liam spoke up.
"We've seen you guys play," Liam said. "even in practice, you're a ball hog, Alex! In the last practice, your friends single-handedly fouled up your defensive line because they don't know how to be team players anymore!"
"Liam's right," Jay said. "you three have all picked up bad habits, so I'm sending you back to basics to learn how to be team again."
Alex hung his head, "Yes, Coach Jay." he sighed.
While tourney practice was going on, Carole was in chemestry class.
Carole was surprised to see Evie at the Mister Deley's old desk.
Evie placed her books and papers on the desk, then she turned and faced the class.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Evie said in a clear authoritative voice. "I'm Miss Evie, your new teacher and it's time to start!"
"So, you're Mister Deley's replacement?" Carole asked, surprised as she and most of the students came to order.
Evie nodded, "It turned out, I was actually good at chemistry." she said.
Just then, their conversation was interrupted by chattering at the back of the room.
Evie looked toward the noise of voices and scowled, three uppity students in the back row were still talking to each other and completely ignoring everyone else in the room.
These must be the three that Fairy Godmother warned me about. Evie thought to herself aloud.
"Did you see that Roma boy," the leader of the three giggled. "what an l-o-s-e-r!"
"Margot, Selma, and Blair," Evie said warningly. "class has begun, put down the magic mirror and focus, the fashion world will have to do without you until class is over."
"How dare you talk to me like that," the smug girl snapped, her friends looking on with equally smug expressions. "my daddy will..."
Evie interrupted, "According to Mister Deley's records, you and your friends have already failed this class twice, and your daddy as well as their daddies have instructed me to tell you that if you fail one more time your allowances and Auradon Platinum Cards with the unlimited line of credit go bye-bye!" she said.
The three material girls blanched at the thought of being cut off financially and sank into there seats without another word.
"Now," Evie said. "once again, my name is Miss Evie, and it is time to start!"
After school let out that day, Ben, Lisa, Carole, and Stevie sat in the living room of the castle's private living quarters.
"What was it you wanted to ask me?" Ben asked as Cogsworth served them their drinks.
"It's about the riding competitions between Auradon Prep and Wonderland high." Stevie replied. "Carlos is highly suspicious of their victory last year."
"Right," Lisa agreed. "and, according to Carlos, the Wonderland High team barely practiced before the competition last year but their riding team still beat Auradon Prep easily."
Ben nodded listening carefully.
"Carlos is suspicious that they hired a ringer to avoid losing to their biggest rival," Stevie said. "we wanted to ask if you could ask around and find out if anyone at Wonderland High has connections with the professional riding circuit?"
Ben was silent for a moment before answering.
"These are serious accusations," Ben said. "the Wonderland High equestrian program could be in serious trouble if this proves true."
"We know," said Stevie. "and Carlos knows too, that's why he's hasn't said anything to you about his suspicions, he doesn't want to make accusations, and neither to we, until we have actual proof."
"I see," Ben said, nodding. "I'll work my sources and see what I can find out."
"Thanks, Cuz." Lisa said.
In the lounge of their dormitory that evening, Rafael had fallen into the arms of Morpheus while reading his magical history book.
"Golly! Rafael can sleep through anything!" Liam observed in a whisper.
"Some guys have all the luck," Phil complained. "how does he do that? How does Rafael fall asleep so easily?"
"Take it easy on him, you guys." Carole chided Phil and Liam.
"That's right," Stevie whispered in agreement. "Rafael has had a long day today."
Rafael began to jerk awake, so Lisa decided to sing to him.
Lisa: Listen to my lullaby;
Let a sleeping roma lie;
Dancing through dreams;
Let him fly;
To the stars;
Across the sky;
In the heart of hope and light;
Let a sleeping roma lie.
That got Rafael sleeping once more.
"Hmmm... Li... sa... hmmm..." Rafael sighed in his sleep.
"Sleep on, Rafa Darling." Lisa said in a serene whisper.
