Friendly Game

by Seraphine

Hello everybody! This chapter was born during the chat on Saturday March 27, 2004, during the final of the rugby tournament of six nations, between France and England. I was making so much comments on the chat about how the game was going (24 to 21, 24 for France, we won!), Gerald made the suggestion that writing a chapter mixing Candy and rugby would be fun, and the other participants, were enthusiastic (Gentillefille, Hélène, Elise and Cagla), I bet that I will to do it. This is the result; It’s up to you to judge! Enjoy! Séraphine.

That day, the sun in Scotland, was resplendent. The day was announcing itself magnificent. A light breeze was rustling the leaves on the trees, and allowing thousand scents from the nature to be given out and breathe by everyone. The birds were starting their most beautiful partitions. All of the above mixed formed a real delight for the walkers. Candy was only appreciating more the savour; especially since that same morning she had a Latin class with her friends that was given by Sister Grey. That course that could’ve been interesting, the text had to do with Mary Magdalena, wind up to be boring to death. Sister Grey was not, in the opinion of all, really a good teacher. She just turned the subject plain dull!

Fortunately, it was the Summer vacations, and Sister Grey after lunch, let the girls free. Candy, Patty and Annie had decided to take a walk in the forest right aside from the castle’s park, where all the students from school were residing. Too bad they couldn’t invite the boys, they thought, the stroll would have only been more entertaining.

Candy could resist the temptation, she started climbing trees again. If Annie was looking at her friend a little worried, because she was used to it since childhood, Patty on the contrary was almost having a nervous break down! “Candy, come down! You’re going to kill yourself!” she didn’t stop repeating. And Candy continued climbing, jumping from tree to tree. She arrived on a beautiful oak tree, higher than all the other trees and she decided to climb on the top to see the landscape. Even Annie was starting to get scared…

-Come here, girls! She yelled at them all of a sudden

-Candy, what’s happening?

They thought she was in trouble and that she couldn’t get down.

-I see the boys; they are training in a stadium. But I don’t know the game they are playing. It seems fun. What is it?

-It’s probably rugby, Candy. There’s going to be a friendly game with another school, answered Patty anxious.

Since she already studied at St. Paul for a year, she knew better than her friends the college’s traditions.

-And after the game she continued, there’s a big party that the boys call among themselves, the “third half-time”! We have even more fun than at the May festival.

Candy looked pleased!

-I’d like to go closer to see them. What do you say?

-Yes, they said together, relieved that Candy had decided not to climb trees anymore for the moment and happy to see their respective boyfriends.

During the walk, Annie and Patty were asking Candy if she had seen them play, but she told them that the stadium was too far for her to distinguish the players.

**********

When they arrived in front of the stadium, the guard stopped them. They explained to them, that Sister Grey had gave them the rest of the day free, and while they were walking, they saw the stadium and they wanted to see the players in training.

-You’re not in luck, ladies, they are resting, the training will resume in half an hour

The three of them looked at each other with a pleased look, and answered with one voice “Well we’re going to keep them company!” And they left the guard there who was speechless, and got into the stadium.

Once on tier, they saw the boys lying nonchalantly on the row of seats, sweating, their clothes sticking to their skin, catching their breath. They seemed exhausted, at the end of the tether. Nevertheless, when they saw the girls, they miraculously, had an appropriate countenance and when Archibald and Alistair recognized their friends, they called them. No need to call them twice!

Intrigued, they asked them how they found them. Annie gave the explanations and a sincere laughter followed. However, Candy seemed disappointed during the narrating. Terry wasn’t there. Nevertheless, when Annie was finishing her account of events, someone had an uncalled remark;
“Miss Tarzan didn’t fall this time, she’s improving!”

It was Terry, back from the changing room, who was listening long enough to understand why they were there, and was almost crying, because he was laughing so much. Offended by her supposedly incapacity to climb trees
(Aside from that time, when she had a bad landing in front of Terry’s house), Candy started to scream in front of every body; “ Terrence Grandchester, you’re going to pay for this!” and she would’ve jumped on him, if the fourteen other players hadn’t stopped her.

-Terry is our best player, nothing must happen to him, they explained

-You don’t have a reserve? She asked, surprise by their reaction

-No, unfortunately… they answered

Leaning to her ear, Terry told her so low that nobody else could hear, with the general cacophony that was there, “So you’ll have to be very nice to me, my dear!” Candy felt she was blushing to her ears. He already stole a kiss from her; she didn’t want him to try to still her second one. To change the subject, she asked;

-When is the game?

-Next Saturday, answered Terry

-And I hope that we’re going to win this year, continued another player named Henry. Six years, we didn’t win once against the Royal College Edward. It’s becoming a matter of honour.

-It’s true that they’re starting to become pretentious with time, contested with rage a boy name Colin

The conversation going at a good pace. Candy, who didn’t know anything about rugby, asked the team to explain the rules to her; they did, willingly. However, enthusiastic, when she wanted to try, they answered at the same time, even Archibald and Alistair, that this sport was much too violent for a girl, and they refused. Terry was the only one not t say anything. He knew that Candy was absolutely capable to defend herself, but he didn’t want to see her with a black eye. Not his Candy. And something even worse could happen, no, he was too torn. He won’t say anything.

Candy felt frustrated. She contented herself with her friends to watch the training and encourage the team. But really the boys, what a spoilsport they were, she couldn’t help thinking.

**********

Once the meal was over, and the evening prayer said in the chapel, the reverend mother, Sister Grey, freed the young girls. During the meal, she had told them about the game on Saturday, and she had invited them to go and cheer they players of the team. Candy had looked in her eyes when she was talking, that she wanted the team to win. Maybe the nuns of the Royal College Edward were starting to have the big head like their students. Well, we’ll see on Saturday.

After mass, the conversations were going at a good pace. All the girls couldn’t wait for Saturday! Eliza was even telling who ever wanted to hear, that Terry in person had ask her to come and cheer him, which Candy knew, was absolutely false: Terry couldn’t stand that stuck-up.

Before they separated, the friends were talking for a little while in Candy’s room. Frustrated, because she couldn’t try the game earlier in the day, Patty and Annie had to help her, with a lot of pillows, and made her more determined to pushback a scrum of pillows! They had so much fun, that a 10:30, they had awaken the entire dorm and Sister Grey had to order them to calm down or they won’t go to the game!

During the rest of the week, we could feel the tension that was generated by the wait of the game. That’s all the whole college was talking about. An electrifying atmosphere almost palpable prevailed in classes, hallways and between students. The rare time when the boys saw the college girls, they had only praises and encouragements. Even Eliza was bothering Candy less, to say!

On Friday, the excitement was high. It was impossible for the nun to give lessons. They gave the girls the day off, who at that news, were only thinking to cheer the team, but their dream was broken in a fraction of a second when Sister Grey forbid them to go, so they won’t disturb their last training.

While everybody was looking for the coolness of the library, Annie and Patty followed Candy in her room. It was better to keep an eye on her, in case of, and giving since the demonstration of boy strength, Candy has sworn to do the same. So, she was spending as much time as possible, redoing the training she had saw them have. And if her friends had not been there, she would’ve probably hurt herself! She had made a lot of progress during the week, even though she knew that she would only be able to show it to her cousins and Terry only after the game, when they will see each other. Pity…

**********

Finally, Saturday arrived. After a good night sleep, Candy woke up in excellent mood. The game was supposed to be in the afternoon at 4:30 pm. The time seemed to pass extremely slowly. The hours seemed to have no ending. Seconds felt like years. Everyone was waiting only for the confrontation, and was hoping for a happy outcome, and scratch, with one gulp, six years of humiliation.

The game was going to be in the stadium where the boys were training. The girls were on their way around 3:30 pm. When they arrive, the sat down immediately.

Candy, Patty and Annie decided to sit as close a possible to the bench of their team. At least they were going to be close to them, and they will be able to cheer them and talk with them before the game. From afar, they saw a furious Eliza. She probably wanted to sit there. She had to content herself in looking at Candy with rage, a look that meant to the young girl that she will pay for it, big time, to have sat there. Eliza was only thinking about this revenge ever since she saw Candy and Terry together the day of the white party she’d organized. But for the moment, she had to follow her brother and his friends who went to sit on the other side of the stadium. On their side, the girls were looking at the students of the Royal College Edward who were arriving. They all had winning faces, like the game was already played. The head of their teachers, religious also, was no different. What a nerve! Candy understood now why the boys, the sisters and the brothers had a long face. This year, they had to win, no matter what the cost.

Everybody was almost seated. The players from the two teams entered the field. They were greeted by a thunder of applause. The students of the Royal College Edward, seemed lightly more in muscles than those of St. Paul, which didn’t prevent them from being charming. At least they took the game seriously and didn’t see it like, already won. The students from St. Paul were more concentrate, six years, six defeats, they had to win. It was a quarter of an hour until the beginning of the first half time. That time, allowed them to warm up their muscles. Candy and her friends were making big signs with their hands to their friends so they will know where they are. They were looking at them, so was the whole team, with big smiles. The other students, even the young girls from the Royal College Edward, were green with envy.

The worst arrive a few seconds before the beginning of the match when Terry who had made a sensation entering the field, climbed on the first row of seats (there was no grid!), and in front of all of his fans of the moment, asked Candy for a kiss of encouragement. The young girl, half-flattered, half-surprised, willingly consented to the request and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Eliza was foaming with rage!

The reverend mother and the reverend father, after a discreet prayer, went to shake hands with the players to wish them good luck, but inside, they were blessing them with all their strengths.

The two teams were then in line in the middle of the field, and the two anthem from the schools were sang. After the administrative formalities, at last the two teams went on their camp. The referee, a man from the village that we knew was honest (fortunately for him), blew the whistle for the beginning of the game. The stadium started to vibrate….

The first half time was a real carnage. 16-3, a real disaster. Did they still have any chance to win? The team from the Royal College Edward had dominated all along, breaking their most beautiful attack formation, penetrating their defence; they weren’t leaving them any chance. There was no doubt about their physical and tactics superiority. The students were starting to be down in the dumps, and come on! Another defeat, a seventh defeat…The Edward students gave them the eye from even a higher place than before. Candy was fuming, she wished she could go on the field and show them what she was capable of! Annie and Patty had trouble calming her down!

The coach, noticed their craze, and asked them if they wanted to help him prepare the towels and the beverage for the players, since the half time was nearly over. In compensation they could then stay on the bench. They happily agreed, all three of them with eagerness. The coach was pleased; he would have during the half time, three charming young girls to help boost his troupe! He had also noticed that the young girls had a more than positive effect on his players.

Finally the referee blew the whistles for the half time. 16-3 a real catastrophe! The players arrived in the changing rooms disgusted. They had trained with all their hearts for almost two months, they did their best, and they didn’t accomplish anything. The three points that were marked, was only because of Terry’s fabulous drop, after a player from the other team had let the ball go in front of the goal. Not another occasion showed up to mark any point. Some people started to talk among them, about to withdraw themselves from the competition, which made Terry slightly nervous. Fortunately the girls (and Candy ^___^) arrived at that moment when the atmosphere was degenerating. All three took the immediate duty to bring the calm back among the players. However, once the harmony was restored among the players, Candy together with Terry, redid the game, backing up the coach very well, who was talking to the team to cheer them up. Alistair and Archibald were also part of it. With Terry they formed a strong trio, but they realised that the other players were completely blocked by the Edward’s team. Having tried their best to re-motivate the team, once the 5 minutes half time passed, they went back on the field. Candy, Annie and Patty, as promised, were able to continue to watch the game from the bench, much to their pleasure.

The game resumed. The turn of the game seemed more violent than in the first half-time, the team for St. Paul, keyed up by the words of encouragement from their friends (“Come on! It’s only half time, the game is not over yet, courage!” “You haven’t trained for nothing, show them what you’re worth!” and others words of that kind) redoubled their effort! Unfortunately, what had to happen, happened…while going to flatten the ball behind Edward’s line, an opponent tackled a player from St.Paul, named Harry, and the shock was so rude, that he twisted his left wrist. The referee blew the whistle to stop the game, the time to take Harry in the changing room. This last one, in tears, helped by his teammates, went there. The doctor only confirmed everybody’s fear; Harry couldn’t continue playing. Which was even worse than that, if it was even possible to fall any lower, was that the team had no substitute. There were not more than two solutions. Either withdraw from the competition, or play 14 against 15. The players were disgusted. Candy, Annie and Patty that had came to see if they could help, were really sorry too for the team. As for Terry, who couldn’t get his eyes off Candy, when this one entered a room, realised all of a sudden, that she didn’t have the dumbfounded look all the other players had. She even seemed to look at Harry with insistence. Terry was looking at Harry, and Candy, Candy, and Harry. And all of a sudden, he understood!

-Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Terry? Asked Candy when she saw the interest he had for the two youngsters.

-If you’re thinking you can replace him, yes! He did with a wink amused.

-In addition, I’ve trained everyday ever since I saw you!

Alistair and Archibald, who were following the scene from afar, got interested in the “plot” that was hatching. Patty and Annie too. With one voice they asked: “You’re not really thinking about…”. Terry and Candy looked at them right in the eyes and answered, “Yes!”

-But, said Annie, what about the reverend mother, what is she going to say if she recognizes you on the field?

What Annie didn’t know was that Sister Grey was actually behind the door with the father superior. They were also looking.

-The young Candice is really capable of boosting the team, said the coach who was observing them. I saw her during the training, she stimulates the youngsters.

-But she’s a girl! Answered the reverend father; it’s going to show!

-She’s not formed yet, and with a large band and dressed more full, it shouldn’t show, emphasized the reverend mother. I think it’s time for our colleagues from Edward to learn humility, she added on a neutral tone.

-But, reverend mother, said the father, stuttering…her hair… her hair…

-… hidden under a bandage and well tied.

-And… and… how do we explain to them, she’s not on the game list

-A student volunteered to replace him at the last minute!

The father superior seemed defeated, and convinced. The coach was overjoyed! Entering the room, all three of them told them about their decision to make Candy play. A noise similar to a thunderbolt suddenly came out of the changing room. All went out of the room, leaving Annie and Patty to hide Candy’s nascent breast with the help of a large band, that they usually used to dress the players’ wounds, and getting her into a rugby man uniform, in a way to hide her feminine forms. Finally they succeeded in making an up do with Candy’s abundant long blond hair, an up do they did with the help of bobby pins they had in their hand bags, and they it stuck under with difficulties under the band. In five minutes time, the transformation was total! Candy now looked like a young man ready to go on the field. The reverend mother approached her and shook her hand (and like she did with the boys she did a blessing inside for Candy), and whispered to her: “ Above all, don’t let them recognize you, Miss Andrew, and… don’t make me regret my decision, she concluded with a determined tone.”

Candy answered her with on of her most beautiful smiles:

-No problem reverend mother, we’re going to MASSACRE them! She yelled rising her fist! Which shocked the nun: it was a rugby game, not wrestling!

A small detail was added to Candy’s disguise, at the same time Terry was explaining to her Harry’s role in the scrum (prop forward), and was quickly answering to Candy’s last questions about the game. The boys nevertheless noticed that detail, that didn’t jump to the girls eyes, or the reverend mother, right away when they saw her clothes. As a matter of fact, if Candy had hidden he feminine features, but, she couldn’t create masculine ones! So she had to, like the boys, put on a shell to show the illusion of protecting what should’ve been there to protect if she had been a man! Finally, after 10 minutes of waiting, Candy saw the crowd the students, the villagers from around there, the religious staff, and she was asking herself, for a split of a second, if her idea was that good. A look from Terry chase that thought out of her head. The referee blew the whistle, and the second half time started.

**********

From the rows of seats, Eliza was furious when Harry got hurt. Like all the crowd of the students, she was waiting, in an atmosphere more than tense, the doctor’s verdict, everybody was waiting to know whether Harry was going to continue playing or not. After five interminable minutes, the doctor finally came to make his declaration. The students seemed suspended to his lips, the students from St. Paul, since they had no substitute, were afraid they would have to withdraw from the competition, and the students from Edward hoped that Harry would not be able to continue playing.
The doctor went to the middle of the field, requested silence, and said as loud and as clearly as possible so that everybody could hear: “Harry won’t be able to continue the game… an incomprehensible uproar raised from the row of seats. The doctor didn’t seem upset, which made the students from St.Paul irritated, disappointed because they couldn’t continue the game… however, continued the doctor, when the commotion calmed down a little, a student just volunteered to replace him. New cacophony: screams of joy for the students from St. Paul, displayed deception for the students of Edward. The team was waiting to come on the field. And now, the game continues!”
No one notices that the name of the new player was not pronounced. Everybody was so impatient for the game to resume! The students of St. Paul leaned their neck forward instinctively to see which student had volunteered. He couldn’t be recognized in the agitation from the game resuming. Well….

Eliza, however, recognized him, or rather her. Still she didn’t say anything out loud. Weird, you’re going to tell me! But Eliza wanted the team to win too. But she promised herself to talk to the reverend mother at the end of the game. “Once Candy is expelled from college, I will finally be Terry’s girlfriend” she thought with joy.

**********

Playing against a real team was more difficult than to counter your eiderdown, held by Patty and Annie, but it was so fun! If her two friends were afraid, Candy was in 7th heaven, even if it meant getting a few blows! As a matter of fact, three minutes later, she succeeded a surprising touch down, because, after passing a lot of players brilliantly, a player jumped on her with the intention of tackling her. He succeeded only halfway! Candy, in fact, reduced to see the grass grow, continue crawling, she was only a few metres away from the goal line, the player continued wanting to stop her by holding her waist, and mark the first try of her team. Candy, was however very hot when she realised that to stop her, her opponent had held her so strong on the waist, that her short was starting to slide little by little and that the secret of her anatomy was within a hair of being discovered. When she fixed her shorts, she noticed that the other players of the team were a little pale; they had in fact come close to catastrophe. Fortunately, no one noticed anything.

There was a thunder of applause. In the opinion of all, it was the most beautiful touch down of the game. The touch down was then converted by William, a excellent scorer, which allowed the team to come back to 10-16 for the royal college Edward. The students from St. Paul regain suddenly their vitality from the beginning of the game, alleluia; maybe all wasn’t lost after all. But they had 42 minutes to play, which was nothing, and the players from Edward didn’t seem to appreciate this reversal of situation, they seemed more determined than ever to win the game. But the new recruit didn’t seem to get upset, nor him, or Terry, Archibald and Alistair. All four had determined expression, which as had the effect to boost up the moral of the rest of the team. Come on, the game was not finished yet!

The students’ worries were well founded. As a matter of fact, the players from Edward became more virulent and their game more brutal. But now that the team had a glimpse of hope, it wasn’t going to take this sitting down, and opposed a fierce resistance by opting for a more defensive game, which paid off, because Alistair managed to get the ball back after a bad pass by a player from the opponent team, but unfortunately he was joined in nice bound a few metres from the goal line, by defenders and when he was running to the goal to flatten out, a player tried to tackle to stop him. The referee was far and couldn’t see with precision if yes or no, Alistair was really flattened out. In doubt, a scrum was formed five metres from the line. Taking their time well to go to the other side of the field, Terry reminded Candy the principle of the scrum and most of all the role of the prop forward.

Candy thought the exercise was difficult. In fact, the scrum asked a lot of energy from her, having to face the eight players in front of her, and that she had to push back, or turn. She felt like she became with her seven other scrum friends, a key piece of a powerful machine to go forward. The hooker, Donald was able to pass the ball on their side of the scrum when the game resumed, and thanks to a quick pass, Alistair marked another touch down, and was then converted by Archibald. We were at 17-16, for the first time, St. Paul had the advantage. There was thirty minutes left to play, and the stadium was literally on fire, the supervisors and rulers from both schools had given up, imposing the calm, and themselves were back to being kids and were encouraging their respective teams.

For five more minutes the two teams were disputing the ball. Finally, St.Paul manage to recuperate the ball, more precisely, Candy, who with her little size, manage to sneaked in like a mouse between two players from the other team that were making a pass and charged. Unfortunately, a violent tackle stopped her. The shock was so brutal that once she was tackle, she rolled back before lying on the grass.

The entire stadium was holding its breath: the player was fine; he was going to stand back up, or keep Harry company on the bench. And the player from Edward: card or no card? Terry’s, and her cousins’, so did the rest of the team’s, heart missed a beat. Fortunately, Candy stood up, staggering, not really knowing where north or south was, but she stood up. Phew, not hurt, no card. Meanwhile, the players from the other team had taken advantage of that moment of inattention to mark a touch down, which gave them back their liveliness, because they’ve marked five points. But the young man designed to convert the touch down, saw Terry’s face, strongly annoyed because of what they dared to do, to the one he considered like the only love in his life, he was so flustered and terrified that he missed the space between the two goalpost by at least, eight metres. If his eyes were machine guns, they could’ve pulverized the other team. He really was very irritated. There was a quarter of an hour left for the game, and the other team was leading, 17 to 21, and was withdrawn on their side of the field, so they could stop all attack from St. Paul.

Terry, a few moments later, before the game started again, announced: “we charge in the pile, no quarter!” His teammates were galvanized, and Candy determined, well decided to have her revenge to the fact that she was stopped that way. “ But, and the defence?” dared to ask the youngest member of the team, Andrew, and also the most impression by the other team. Terry’s black look came near him, took him by the shoulder and told him: “ the defence, you sit on it. You see them over there: you’re showing that you’re afraid, and they go and attack. So, if you go forward, and the defence, you put it in the closet, ok?!” Saying that he looked even more frightened. However, he followed his captain. “ Don’t forget, we have to count the stops of the game, so, don’t be discouraged!” The team went back in place; the ball was back and the game restarted.

The intensity doubled. If you’ve never seen a rugby game with your very own eyes, you will have a lot trouble understanding what was happening in this stadium. If people don’t know each other, if they came to see a game between two teams and two schools, and they were a the end of the game, who ever the winner was, to party (the famous third half time), for the moment, it was about knowing, if six year in a row, hell of defeats was going to be broken or not. So, a part of the stadium was on fire supporting its team, six time defeated, while the other half of the stadium was vibrating for the reigning champions. No hate, only the will to win, to make a beautiful game, to give everything, and after to meet and celebrate the event.

For the moment, it had been almost a quarter of an hour since the team was fighting to pass Edward’s defence, without any results. Still they had to hurry, because the referee won’t be long to blow the whistle to mark that they were playing the stopping of the game. But seeing the sea smashing against it all the time, a wall will always surrender, and that’s what happened here. The ball in her hand, Candy, more little and more flexible, managed to nip in and out among the players, and with the support of her team succeeded in making a touchdown, a few moments later, the whistle was blown by the referee. She didn’t hear the cheering of the crowd that was supporting her, when she was running to the end zone, but once she flatten the ball, and she stood up, the face and the clothes full of mud, the volume was loud, and a smile enlighten her face, in the same time, her friends ran to congratulate her, and the students had jumped from their seats screaming with joy. Everything was going to be played on this conversion, if Terry marked, they win. When Terry looked and the goalpost, the public, the players of Edward (with truth be told, a certain cruelty in his look, because of what had happened to Candy), and finally this last one (to whom he gave one his rare smiles), he kicked. The silence reign during the throw and then suddenly the cries rose from all over. They made it! After six years, the Royal College of St.Paul won 24 to 21. The students were ecstatic with bliss, while those from Royal College Edward were kind of… in a bad mood, we’ll have to say! Patty and Annie stood up from the bench and were dancing on the spot. There were still a few minutes to play, during which, Edward really tried in vain to even the scores. When the referee blew the whistle at the end of the game, the two teams shook hands friendly, like those almost two hours, never existed. Then the players took Candy in triumph on their shoulders except Alistair and Archibald, who were being congratulated by their respective girlfriends, who had ran on the field. No cup, the game was friendly. Just a little a lap around the field as champions and the pride to have defended the school’s colours.

Candy went back to her college uniform, a little bruised, with all the blows she had received, but nothing on the face, which was the main thing, because they could’ve, at the party recognized her wounds, and all would’ve been for nothing. She received congratulations from the nuns, especially from Sister Grey, and the brothers. Sister Grey even said, with a big smile, “Congratulations”, which was kind of unusual for her.

**********

On her side, Eliza didn’t forget to wait for Sister Grey. Before the end of the game, she started to get closer to the changing rooms, because she knew that whatever happened, the brothers and the nuns were going to go see the team. If she didn’t succeed in getting Sister Grey’s attention, when she this last one was going to go in changing room, she waited while the row if seat were emptying itself, and all were walking towards the boys’ building, where, taking advantage of the summer heat and the big back yard, where a dance floor was installed, and the tables for the party. After a few minutes, her wait was rewarded and she got the talk she wanted so much.

-Sister, Eliza started to say with a sugary tone, I’m afraid I have a bad news to tell you

-About what, my child? She answered politely

-About one of the players of our team. Precisely the one that came in to replace Harry Oldborn, in the beginning of the second half time.

Le reverend mother looked at her intensely. So she had recognized Candy.

-My child, whatever you recognized, I will beg you to forget it. The ways of the Lord are impenetrable, and it was said that this young girl would lead us to victory.

-But Sister, she participate to a sport she had no right to participate! Eliza getting upset, she felt that the sister knew, and that she even supported it, and that was intolerable to her. But… she said as a last resort.

-My daughter, I would beg you to forget and to shut up. If you talk, the game might be considered invalid. Is that what you want?

-…

-Is that what you want? Answer!

-No, sister she said against her will

-Good. Go now have fun with your friends. And don’t bother me anymore with this story.

On those words, the sister walked away and let Eliza alone on the seats. Everybody else already went to the party. That Candy always won, she was a real demon. “Candy, I already had to suffer the humiliation the day of the white party that I organized, but this, you will way hard for it”. And on those words that she wanted comforting, Eliza went back to the dorm, not really feeling in the mood of seeing her rival in full glory. Secret glory that is, but still a glory.

**********

It was 10 pm went the party was at it’s best, in spite of the religious reprimands that thought that the students were to “close” to each other. Some were going back to their respective dorm, the sun was setting down. The curfew was not far behind. Annie and Archibald, Patty and Alistair, Terry and Candy had danced a lot. The students from the Royal College Edward were fair play and had as much fun as if they had won. They seemed happy that St. Paul finally won a game, promising to come back next year to get their revenge.

They looked for that young blond boy, Harry’s replacement, but they could only get their hand on his twin sister, a certain Candy White Andrew, who had said, laughing, so were her friends, that her brother was tired by the game, and he went directly to bed as soon as he got back from the stadium.

-That’s a shame, said the students of Edward, we wanted to meet him.

-It’s 10:30 pm; it’s time to go back to your dorms. The religious staff of the two schools seemed to think that the party had lasted long enough and that it was time to end it, before starting again next year!

With teeth grinding, protests, backing out, everybody obeyed. Patty and Annie said goodbye to their faithful admirers, and took the road leading to their building, and to their bedrooms, when they realised that Candy was missing. They looked around, no Candy. They had to hurry because the religious only wanted to go back and sleep, and didn’t have a lot of patience in stock, after that day.

In fact, the explanation was simple, it was that Terry took Candy in a grove of trees near by, for about ten minutes now, so he could talk and be alone with her, something he’d been dreaming about for a week now, his attention had been turned to his preparation for the game.

-So, Freckles, how did you find the game?

-I already told you not to call me that anymore, said Candy moving suddenly. Ouch, my back!

-That’s what happened when you’re body is not prepared said Terry with a serious tone. You’re aching all over after a game. Come and sit, I will massage your back.

Terry’s massage was a delight. He was massing the exact places that were making Candy suffer. His hands ere caressing Candy’s body, he had never been so close to her. Under the fabric, he could guess the feminine curves of his beloved and it was starting to drive him crazy, he decided that it was better to stop there, before the situation degenerates.

-Are you feeling better? He asked, imperceptible to the young girl, the disturbances that had come over him.

-Yes. I didn’t know you had masseur’s talent

-So, you didn’t answer me. How did you find the game?

-Fascinating, but I’m aching everywhere

-You had to leave quickly so you wouldn’t be recognised, but we got massages afterwards, and that’s how it was for the whole week. We were physically better prepared than you. For a first time you handle yourself pretty well. I was impressed, Freckles

-Terry! Ouch!

-Ah ah, now I know that you can’t move a muscle of your body without hurting, I can continue teasing you at ease. I never had the occasion to seriously tease my little sister. Let’s see, what can I do to you?

-Terrence Graham Grandchester, don’t think because I’m hurting, that I won’t be able to defend myself or to run after you to avenge myself of what you’re putting me through. And mixing the gesture to the word, she stood up and was in a defence position.

-Really, the Miss thinks that she could escape me. Wait a little. And he stood up, and started to run after her. I’m going to pull your pigtails, and then I’ll cut off all the heads of your dolls in your room he said in a truly mocking tone

-I don’t have any dolls she answered him, turning around. She didn’t see a root coming out of the ground and she tripped. She managed to regain her balance and not fall. But it was too late, Terry had caught up with her, he didn’t seem to want to let her go.

-Well then, I’ll find something else to tease you, he said with one of his smiles that made Candy melt. This last one felt the danger of being alone with him, turned her head away

-All the others are going to be looking for us, we better go back

-No, sweet Juliet. Not without a kiss. A kiss for conquering the laurel of the goddess of Victory. One, and I will give you back to the world

-Terry, she gobble weakly, I’m serious

-And so am I, sweet Juliet

Will she let him have another kiss after he already stole one from her? She closed her eyes softly when Terry came near her. She smelled close to her the sweet lavender scent and he smelled her bewitching perfume of roses. Their lips started to touch one another. Candy, smaller than him, surprised herself by putting her arms around his neck to get at his level, and putting her hands in his hair. Terry’s kisses were so sweet, so good. He was happy too. Enlacing Candy softly on the waist, so he won’t awake her pain from the game. He was the happiest man on earth. Candy and him were kissing; he could only be in paradise.

They were only holding each other for a little while, when they were disturbed by a thicket noise. They separated, asking themselves who could it be, and waited. It was Annie who was looking for Candy.

-I sorry to disturb you, she said smiling, after she quickly understood the scene, and the fact the she had just broke the harmony, but we have to go back. And you know Sister Grey when she gets impatient, Candy. Quick, she said taking her friend by the arm

-Bye Terry said Candy, see you later. When can we see each other?

-Soon, I’m still at my father’s manor. You can come whenever you want, you’re always welcome. Bye Juliet!

The stars were clear; the moon was high and pale. The day was over. In their beds, two beings were thinking about each other, about their future happiness.

THE END

Note: 1- This essay was realised by the prop forward of the French team Califano, during a game of the tournament of six nations.

There, it’s done. I hope I succeed in my bet, Gerald, and that my fic will please who ever reads it. I hope I didn’t abuse too much on the technical terms for those who don’t know a lot about rugby. For those who want to understand better, the few terms used, here are two French sites that explain the rules of rugby, and that help me verify the rules so I won’t make any mistakes on the technical terms during the redaction of the fanfiction: www.francerugby.fr and www.chez.com/spirerugby/.