“He, um, he had to go,” Derek said. Then he turned to the audience. “Sam couldn’t be here to accept the trophy, but, believe me, we’re going to share it with him at school, first thing Monday morning!”

Chapter Sixteen JUST REWARDS

When the tie for first place had been announced, Derek wasn’t the only one who was shocked. But once the initial buzz of shock passed, everyone had clapped and cheered for the winners.

Everyone, that is, except for one person. There, slouched in his seat in the front row, sat Gary—who looked as if he had just swallowed a huge helping of turtle guts.

He didn’t get up to go—probably because he would have stood out like a sore thumb. He’d chosen to sit in the first row, just so he could enjoy himself to the max watching Derek and Vijay go down in flames.

And now the joke was on him.

But Derek wasn’t mad. Not anymore. In fact, he felt kind of sorry for Gary as he watched him squirm in his seat.

“Not bad for a pair of newbies and a last-minute walk-on, huh?” Vijay said, clapping Derek on the arm. “Hi, Momma! Hi, Poppy!” he yelled, waving to his parents—who still looked shell-shocked, but also happy and proud.

Derek guessed that Vijay had kept things a total surprise for them until now—after all, the rehearsals had all been at Derek’s place.

Vijay went over to greet them, and Derek stepped off the stage, only to find himself facing Gary.

“Well, Jeter,” he said, offering his hand. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Gary,” Derek said, stunned.

“I guess there’s just no accounting for taste.”

Derek laughed as he shook his rival’s hand. “I guess not. Sorry you decided to quit. You could have been the star of the show.”

“Oh, I don’t care,” said Gary—who obviously did. “I’ve learned from this experience, and that’s what counts.”

“Oh yeah? Good! What did you learn?”

“I learned that I was right—being onstage is totally lame. Almost as lame as playing sports.”

“Oooh-kay… ,” said Derek, backing away slowly. “Well, I’ll see you in school on Monday, Gar. I’ve… got to go say hi to my folks.”

Poor Gary, he thought as he made his way across the aisle. This has to be a hard night for him.

Derek’s parents were standing next to Vijay’s, hugging each other and shaking hands.

When he got off the stage and reached them, his dad announced, “We’re all going over to Jahn’s for ice cream sundaes to celebrate. Great job, boys. We’re all proud of you!”