Home > Escape from the Isle of the Lost(3)

Escape from the Isle of the Lost(3)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz

 

ay and his opponent battled up and down the mat, crashing against the walls and over every obstacle. Once the slyest thief in all the Isle of the Lost, Jay had found that it was just as much fun to score a goal in tourney or win a battle at R.O.A.R. as it was to swipe a scarf from a merchant on the plaza. Maybe even more fun, since no one chased him around angrily afterward. Whenever he put on his team’s yellow-and-blue face mask or picked up his sword for another round of swords-and-shields practice, he forgot that he had ever spent his childhood in a junk shop on a remote island. All he cared about was victory, his world narrowing to the points he scored against his fearsome opponents.

He leaped and attempted a strike, but was deflected. His opponent rushed forward and made a hit. The referee called the score. Now Jay was behind.

They went back to their places on the mat, and this time, Jay waited and let his rival come to him. He didn’t have to wait for long, and was on the defensive again, blocking strikes and cleverly dodging any attack.

At last, he found his advantage, twirled around, and landed a direct hit. The buzzer sounded, signaling that time was up, and the referee blew his whistle. “That’s the game,” the ref called. “It’s a tie!”

“Good one!” said Lonnie as she took off her mask and let her long black hair fall on her shoulders. She shook his hand.

“Thanks, Captain.” Jay grinned as he removed his mask and gloves.

There was a round of applause from a group lined up along the courtyard, watching them. “Excellent work!” said one. “Brilliant!” said another. “Bravo!” said the third.

Jay squinted in their direction. He hadn’t noticed them at the start of the match. He’d been playing for himself, not to impress anyone. “Who are they?” he asked, as he put his equipment away.

“Coaches,” said Lonnie. “It’s college visiting day, remember?”

Jay did not remember. He never kept track of dates or read announcements or e-mails. Life was too short, and he had too many fun things to do, like play video games and eat pizza.

“Go over there! They definitely want to meet you,” said Lonnie, gently pushing him in their direction.

• • •

The first coach was a muscular gentleman in a black-and-gold vest, voluminous white pants, and gold shoes with curled tips. He wore a grand white turban with a ruby in the middle and a gold stripe running around it. “Jay!” he said heartily, as if they were old friends. “I am Coach Razoul, formerly captain of the guard at the Sultan’s palace. But now I head up the athletics program at ASU—Agrabah State University.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Jay, bowing to the coach.

The coach bowed in return, seemingly pleased that Jay remembered Agrabah’s customs. “You must come and visit us sometime. Have you decided where you will continue your education? Would you consider coming home?”

Jay startled at that. While his father was from Agrabah, Jay’s home was the Isle of the Lost. But he didn’t want to embarrass Coach Razoul. “To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought yet.” Graduation was still a few months away. He didn’t have to decide where to go to college yet, did he? Definitely not.

“Jay!” said the next coach, a big bear of a guy who wore the green livery of Robin Hood’s men. “Coach Little John here, from Sherwood Forest University. We’d love to see you play for the Arrows.” He handed Jay a card. “We’re ranked number one in the league.”

“For archery,” said Coach Razoul, wagging his finger. “Not R.O.A.R.”

“Not yet, maybe,” admitted Little John. “But with players like you, we will be.”

Coach Razoul gave the archer a condescending smile. “In Agrabah, your dormitory will be a palace! Every meal is a feast, and if you rank first in your class, a genie will grant you three wishes!” He pressed a gold-foil-covered catalog into Jay’s hands.

Meanwhile, Little John handed Jay a tote bag filled with Arrows merchandise—a water bottle, a bow and arrow, and a sweatshirt with the school’s motto—STEAL FROM THE RICH; GIVE TO THE POOR—embroidered on the front. The bearlike coach smiled affably. “Stealing was your hobby, wasn’t it? You’ll fit right in!” he said.

“Stealing? Well, in the past maybe. Not anymore. But thank you so much,” said Jay, as he accepted the loot.

Not to be outdone, Coach Razoul presented Jay with a treasure chest of riches—robes with the Agrabah State University crest, new golden slippers, and a genie lamp. “It’s just an oil lamp, no genie in it,” said Coach Razoul with a laugh. “Yet!”

“Don’t listen to them,” said the third coach, a cheerful apple-cheeked woman in powder-blue wizard robes with a pink bow that tied the hood under her chin. She looked vaguely familiar. “Hello, Jay! My sister tells me so much about you! You must consider playing for us! Everyone knows MIT is the best college in Auradon. Our alumni include Professor Yen Sid, as well as Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather!”

Magical Institute Training was the top college in the kingdom, taking only the best and brightest from Auradon Prep. Students needed an almost-perfect SAT (Salagadoola Abracadabra Test) to be considered.

“MIT!” said Jay. “I’m not sure I have the grades?”

“Oh, we work miracles at MIT, don’t worry,” said Fairy Godmother’s sister. She waved her wand, and a small white carriage loaded with treats—athletic duffel bags, sneakers, and a new face mask, sword, and gloves—appeared next to the treasure chest and tote bag.

“Think about it.” She winked.

“Come home to Agrabah,” said Coach Razoul, shaking Jay’s hand once more.

“Join our merry band,” said Coach Little John, slapping him on the back. “Come to visiting day and hang out with the team.”

“Visiting day?” asked Jay. “What’s that?”

“Oh, you go on a little adventure with the students, see what Sherwood is like, check out the scene,” said Little John. “I think you might enjoy it.”

“I think I just might,” said Jay with a grin.

“Great! I’ll send you the information,” promised Little John.

At last, the coaches left to talk to other players. Jay gathered his stuff and jogged back to Lonnie. “Do you want any of this?”

“I’m good. I met with them last week,” said Lonnie. “They even spoke to my parents.” She picked up the tote bag. “Let me help.”

They walked out of the training courtyard together, Jay straining under the weight of the treasure chest and the carriage full of treats. “Did you decide where to apply?” he asked.

“I’m not sure yet if I will. I might play R.O.A.R. professionally instead. But if I do decide to go to college, I’ll definitely choose one that would prepare me to join my mother’s army. I’m going to be a general like her one day,” she said proudly.

“Cool,” said Jay. The only inheritance he’d receive from his father was a decrepit junk shop on the Isle of the Lost. But Jafar had been the Sultan’s grand vizier once, the power behind the throne. Perhaps one day Jay could have that same kind of stature, but without the greed and the obsession with Aladdin’s lamp.

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