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Socialmedia law test next week.
Setup a meeting withLaurenandCarynto review her independent study.
Whenher phone rang,Kimrushed to find it.Outof breath, she grabbed it from her bedside table and pressed answer, even though the screen readUnknownCaller.
“Kim, it’sToddAnderson.Sorryto interrupt you.”
“No, that’s okay.What’sup?”
“Spencewith you?”Toddasked.
“No,Ihaven’t heard from him since he left for the meeting earlier.Why?Whathappened?”
Toddexplained the decisions affecting the team, then added, “Coachcalled a meeting to tell the team at five this afternoon.Spencesaid he’d meet us in the locker room.I’venever seen him so frustrated, angry… discouraged.”
“Hedidn’t show?”Kimguessed.
“No, and he didn’t contactCoach…Ihoped he’d gone to your apartment.”Toddsighed. “Icovered for him at practice, but we need to find him.”
“He’snot answering his phone?”Kimasked.
“Didn’ttake it with him.Doyou have any idea where he’d go?”
Kimthought a moment. “Helikes the trail along theRiverwalk.Wewere there when he got the call from the coach.Ican check.”
“Thanks, that would be great.Haveyou been to the student center recently?”
Kimshook her head, then realizedToddcouldn’t see her. “No,Ican check the food trucks and the food court.Haveyou looked for his car?Didhe leave his wallet?"
“Thanks,Kim.Eric'schecking that now.Wewant to keep this off the radar for obvious reasons."
"Ofcourse.Letme know about the car."Kimslipped her phone into her pocket and unclipped her keys and swipe cards from her bag.Wheredid you go,ChathamJohnSpencer?
Shechecked the student center but found it empty and quiet.NoSpenceor any of their friends.Shenext headed for theRiverwalkpath they'd covered earlier that day.
Kimjogged the path, checking out the various benches and overlooks, but saw no sign of him.Asshe neared a bend in the trail,Kimcaught sight of a man seated on a bench.Spence.Hegazed straight ahead, andKimcalled out to him.
Spencejerked at the sound of her voice and then offered a small smile when he saw her.Hemotioned for her to join him, soKimsat beside him and waited forSpenceto speak.Aftera while, he began in a low voice.
“Ihad to get away from everything—we're ineligible for theNationalChampionship, even if wedowin the conference title.Nosecond chance to compete for the title.Torpedoesdreams, goals, and focus."
"Toddjust told me,”Kimsaid. "I'msorry,Spence—you've sacrificed so much for the team.Ican't even begin to imagine what you're going through."
Heshook his head. "It'snot just the championship,Kim.It'severything we've worked for.Playingas a fifth-year senior, prioritizing this season above everything else—all for nothing."Hepaused, taking a deep breath. "Andthe worst part is that people will question the character of every player on the team.Eventhose who had nothing to do with the off-campus… screw up.”
Kimput a hand onSpence'sshoulder, trying to comfort him. "Youdid nothing wrong,Spence.You’vegiven the team everything you had.Howcould you know what three of your teammates planned?Youtrusted them.”
“Still, the entire team's guilty by association.Itcould affect future drafts…”Hepaused. "Iscrewed up,Kim.Ishould've known something was up with the guys—especiallyCarlson.”
“Spence, that wasn't your fault.Youcan't control what other people do."
Spenceshrugged.
Kimcontinued. “Taketime to process things—decide what you want to do next."Shehanded her phone to him. "MaybeletToddandEricknow where you are?"
Spence'slips quirked slightly. "Goodthought.Also,Ishould callCoach.He’llbench me for skipping the meeting and practice.”Spenceclosed his eyes. “Talkabout stupid decisions.”
Kimscooted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "You'renot alone,Spence.Rememberthat.”
