The soccer game was rough to say the least.Parkson High was tough. Many of their players did not play fair, either. There were several illegal slide tackles and tugging on shirts. The announcer had to rush to keep up. “Gregory Zlane for Parkson has the ball. He sends a wide pass to Tim Stockton on the wing. Nice trap, and Parkson is heading for the goal. There’s a shot…MISS! Trevor Martin makes a tremendous save. Red High regains possession.” Trevor spun the ball around in his hands and drop-kicked it. The ball sailed through the air in a bell curve before beginning its decent on the far side of the field. Bent dashed before an opposing player and did a dramatic chest trap. The ball fell perfectly at his feet. With a dizzying step-over turn, he maneuvered quickly around two midfielders and took off at a sprint towards the opposite goal. The announcer’s voice was practically a yell. “Bent Prince heads into Parkson territory. He’s gunning fast.” Sarah clenched her hands together as she watched Bent dodge past three Parkson players. At the last instant, Bent passed the ball to his wing-man, George. “George Ryan has the ball. He’s tearing up the sideline. Will he take the shot?” the announcer called.Sarah clamped her hands firmly around her face, her eyes bulging. Just as George was about to cross the ball, a large ferocious Parkson defender flew wildly at him. The boys collided together with a loud THWACK!George crumpled to the ground. The crowd sprang to their feet, gasping. George lay sprawled out on his back. He indicated with his hands that his ankle had been injured. A trainer and the coach ran over to George. They helped him hobble off the field. As Sarah watched with baited breath, the large defender from Parkson who had tripped George, slapped a high five with one of his teammates. He said something to his pal. Unfortunately Bent heard him. His gorgeous face twisted into a stormy rage. Whatever that defender had said, it obviously pushed Bent to the breaking point. He strode over to the Parkson players and spoke angrily to them. The large Parkson defender who had injured George glowered as Bent berated him. Turning away, Bent started to head back to his side of the field. Without warning, the large defender dove at him. Chaos ensued. Bent and the Parkson defender rolled on the ground in a whirlwind of madness. The Parkson defender flung a fist at Bent’s face. Bent blocked him easily with his arm before punched at the guy’s thick jaw. The Parkson defender howled with rage. He attempted to kick Bent in the stomach. But Bent scooted sideways. He tackled the defender in a chokehold, using his knees, and socked him hard in the nose. The Parkson defender let out an excruciating yell. He slammed his shoulder into Bent’s chest.The players and their coaches from both teams came sprinting over to try and break up the fight. Sarah clutched Pam and Erin’s hands tightly, willing herself to not look away. Don’t let him get hurt. He CAN’T get hurt! Sarah prayed. Elly was crying in front of her. While Elly had always been overly dramatic, Sarah felt sorry for her. It was pitiful to feel so helpless in the stands. But Sarah’s fear was short-lived. Before the other teams and coaches could reach Bent, he threw the extremely large Parkson defender off himself. The Parkson player hit the ground hard. He lay still and dazed, as if he’d been hit by a semi. Bent, however, climbed quickly to his feet. He brushed himself off as his teammates crowded around him worriedly. “He looks totally fine,” Erin said. She stuffed more chips into her mouth. “Oh no, there goes Trevor. Ugh, he’s gonna get himself a black eye.” Trevor was headed for the large defender, clearly to give him a piece of his mind. But his teammates pulled him back. Pam laughed, more out of relief than anything else. “Unbelievable. That Parkson defender should have destroyed Bent! That defender looks almost a hundred pounds heavier.”The varsity soccer coach was chatting with Bent now. He appeared to be trying to calm him down.The referee held up a red card to the Parkson defender. The guy limped off the field. His face showed his intense surprise and humiliation. He looked like he’d never lost a fight before in his life. Bent watched the Parkson defender with narrowed eyes. He seemed eager for the defender to retaliate so he could continue the fight.