Miles’ Departure

“All right,” panted Miles. “You win.”

“No, Miles,” replied Coach Dan, also dropping his foil onto the cafeteria floor. “No winner, no loser. Not this time.”

Miles shook his head in disgust. As he turned to leave, he was met by Rex. “Take it easy — ”

“Don’t you all understand?” said Miles, turning quickly to each team member, visibly not turning towards Coach Dan. “You’re just fooling yourselves, just like I was. This isn’t life, isn’t how the world works. Not even this little lesson that Coach has so neatly arranged. This, all of this,” he yelled, spreading his arms wide, expanding his chest to increase the span of his arms, “it’s all a joke. Best to get yourselves ready, while there’s still time.”

“How?” asked Butch, not realizing he was speaking aloud.

Miles shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said, and walked out the cafeteria door.