Zhane & Vitani Go to Camp 3

Chapter 5 Training Time

Zhane and friends were practicing push-ups and sit-ups in the recreation center in preparation for the Braveheart Olympics.

Come on Jose, 10 more pushups and all of us will be 40 even, said Zhane.

Okay…33…34…35.

You have to go all out and be more than just a brainy guy, said Michael.

I could say the same about you when it comes to your schoolwork.

Very funny Jose. Quiet you two we have visitors, said Tommy.

You Blue wolves are so cute training like you actually have a chance of winning, said Katie.

Figures the Red Jaguars would be here. What do you want Katie?

I have a little challenge for you. A 2K Run around the nature trail between you and I. Captain vs Captain. What do you say?

Why do you want to race?

I like to scout the competition. Do you accept or are you scared?

Oh no she didn’t, said Tommy.

Katie’s friends laughed.

I know it's not very classy for a guy to clobber a girl. But I love showing people up. So, you’re on! See you out there.

The Blue Wolves and Red Jaguars met at the starting line on the racetrack.

Don’t lose dude, said Mike.

Not gonna happen, said Zhane.

So, are you ready to get beat? Katie asked.

You’ll try, said Zhane.

The two took their positions at the line and Jose held up his hand.

On your mark…get set…go!

Zhane and Katie took off and ran neck and neck.

Wow you’re pretty fast, said Zhane.

I take gymnastics and to do that you gotta be flexible.

Yeah? Well, I’m a baseball player so hitting home runs builds speed.

Let’s see which one of us benefits the most then.

Zhane and Katie dashed halfway across the trail and ran down the winding hill with their friends watching in the distance.

Neither one of them are letting up, said Michael.

Yeah, they’ve been going full speed since the start. I’m surprised they’re not out of breath yet, said Jose.

Katie hates losing more than any of us. Especially if she lays out a challenge. Your friend is not winning this race, said Katie’s friend Diamond.

You Red Jaguars sure are cocky, said Tommy.

Zhane and Katie made it to the steepest part of the hill with the latter in front.

Whoa, I better take it slow going down this hill, said Katie.

Zhane ran past her and dashed down the hill with no hesitation.

See you at the bottom, he yelled.

Katie clenched her fist and took off, but she made a misstep and lost her balance.

Whoa..whoa..whoa!

Katie fell and rolled down the hill.

Oh no! Everyone screamed.

Zhane stopped and turned to see the girl tumbling towards him.

Oh snap! I got you Katie!

Zhane braced himself and caught Katie. The impact caused him to slide down the hill and hit a boulder back first.

Ow. Man that hurt, said Zhane. You’re good?

Katie looked Zhane in the eyes.

Um..yeah. Just a little scratch on my elbow but I’m good. What about you? That was a bad bump you just took.

I’ll live. I’m tougher than I look.

Zhane and Katie’s friends ran over to check on the two.

Are you guys, okay? That was a nasty fall, said Tommy.

Can you stand up? Zoey asked.

Relax. Katie and I are fine. It’s just a good thing most of this hill is grass.

Zhane helped Katie up to her feet.

Hey thanks for breaking my fall, Zhane. I owe you one, said Katie.

Ah it’s no big deal. I couldn’t just let you fall and get hurt.

Katie smiled at Zhane.

Hahaha. Look at that boys, this is supposed to be our competition!

The Blue Wolves and Red Jaguars turned to see Randy Collins and the Black Lions laughing at the situation.

What’s your problem dude? Katie could have been seriously hurt and you're laughing, asked Zhane.

Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re not laughing at her getting hurt. We’re laughing at the sorry effort you guys call training, said Randy.

Yeah, I’ve never seen anything more pathetic, said Randy’s friend Jim.

Well obviously, you’ve never looked in a mirror, said Michael.

What did you say punk!

Jim and Michael’s team held them back from fighting.

Easy Jim. Save it for the games.

Mike that goes for you too, said Zhane.

Fine.

Anyway, these rookies don’t stand a chance against us, said Randy.

You wanna make a bet?

What did you have in mind?

Losing team has to hand the winning team the trophy and do the chicken dance in front of everyone, said Zhane.

What!? The Blue Wolves yelled.

Randy smirked. You got yourself a deal pal. I can’t wait to see you and little friends do the chicken dance.

Don’t count on it man. Because the Black Lions are going down.

Zhane and Randy shook hands to seal the bet. As the Black Lions walked off, everyone stared at Zhane.

I hope you realize what you just did dude, because we’re in deep trouble, said Tommy.

Chapter 6 The Truce

Vitani and her friends arrived at the camp gym to start their training for the Braveheart Olympics.

Okay ladies what should we do first, the treadmill or the dumbbells, asked Vitani.

Let's try the weights first to get a good warmup, said Ruby.

The girls walked over to the dumbbells and saw Rachel being harassed by two older girls.

Let go of me, she screamed.

One of the older girls was twisting Rachel’s right arm, while the other forced her to hold a 40 pound dumbbell in her hand.

You’re not running that smartmouth now are you?

Ow seriously stop!

Nah this is what you get for calling us dumb amazons, said the second older girl.

Vitani, Ruby and Kimiko watched the situation from a distance.

Whoa I never thought I’d ever see Rachel beg for mercy, said Vitani.You think we should help her?

What?! No…no way. It serves Rachel right if you ask me, said Kimiko.

Yeah and I agree with you. But it looks like they’re about to break her arm.

I don’t know Vee. Have you forgotten about all the times she’s bullied us, Ruby asked.

We have to forgive, don't we? Besides it wouldn’t be right to stand here and watch our teammates arm get broken, and we won’t be in the camp games.

Ruby and Kimiko glanced at each other with reluctance in their eyes.

Well I’m helping her. Vitani walked off.

I hate it when she’s right, Ruby groaned.

Are you in Kim?

Fine but I’m doing this for Vitani not Rachel.

Vitani walked over to the girl twisting Rachel’s arm.

Excuse me might I suggest a better way to settle this.

The bully shrugged Vitani’s hand off of her shoulder.

Beat it kid. We’re teaching this jerk a lesson.

Yes, I agree she is a jerk, but Rachel is also our teammate so back off… please.

Kim and Ruby walked up soon after.

Seriously let her go, said Ruby.

The older girls looked at each other.

Fine. You’re lucky your team showed up when they did, said the first older girl.

She threw Rachel at the Silver Falcons.

The next time you call us Amazons. We’ll break your arm and face.

The older girls walked off.

Are you okay, asked Vitani.

Rachel shoved her away. I could have handled them, you know.

Oh yeah you were trying to snap your arm, said Kimiko.

Watch it Kim! Don’t think this changes anything.

Hey! We just saved you. Vee mostly. The least you can do is say thanks, said Ruby.

Thank you, Rachel said begrudgingly. You can leave now.

She turned her back to the girls. But Vitani grabbed her right arm.

Hold it Rachel. You don’t get to walk away this time. I tried to be nice with you and squash things between us. But obviously that goes through you!

Let go of me that hurts!

Look. Like it or not you’re a part of the Silver Falcons! So, you will be in this tournament because I assure you, if you do anything to screw up our chances of winning. You won’t have to worry about those two goons. You’ll have to worry about the three of us making camp an absolute nightmare for you…got it!

Vitani glared at Rachel and the latter smirked.

Well, I guess you’re not that big of a goody two shoes as I thought. Fine you want me to be a team player…you got it! Besides I want payback on those Amazons for almost breaking my arm. So, we have a truce, Rachel.

Good, then let's get started.

The girls began their training and their reluctant alliance.