Ade's Amazing Ade-ventures Page 6

  “Right,” said Spencer, pointing to the goal Ade had just thrown the ball through. “See you for your total annihilation. Over there, in two minutes.”

  Spencer and his friends walked off to prepare for the match.

  Ade’s shoulders drooped and he breathed for what felt like the first time in ages. Then he turned to Dexter.

  “You idiot.” His voice was trembling.

  “What you worried about, Ade?” said Dexter, putting a calming hand on Ade’s shoulder. “This will be easy.”

  “Yeah, we can take them,” agreed Shed. “We’ve been practising all summer; we’re more than ready for this challenge.”

  Ade looked at the boys and shook his head. “Haven’t you all forgotten something?” he said.

  The boys looked at Ade, bemused. “What?” they said as one.

  “No more football. I can’t play. My mum said I’m not supposed to in case my caliper breaks!”

  Ade’s words hit the boys like a ton of bricks. Dexter went pale, Shed swallowed hard and said in shock, “No Cyborg Cat?” Brian let out a huge sigh and started to fiddle nervously with his smashed glasses.

  “What’s the matter, you freaks, chickening out?” Spencer jeered.

  “Th... there see… see… seems to be a slight problem,” Brian stuttered. “A crucial member of our team,” Brian paused and nodded in Ade’s direction, “can’t play because his Mu… erm, no, because he’s injured.”

  Spencer focused his bulgy eyes on Ade. “You mean he can’t play because he’s a stupid peg leg cripple!”

  More laughter broke out. There were some gasps and squeals as some of the children nearby noticed Ade’s leg and, in particular his hospital boots and the iron rods coming out of the heel. Ade felt sick. It felt like everyone was staring at him.

  “Look,” said Dexter amidst the commotion. “How about we make it three against three?”

  “No way,” spat Spencer. “You challenged us to this match; if you haven’t got enough players on your side that’s not our problem.”

  “But that’s not fair!” shouted Shed.

  “Yeah,” chipped in Brian. “And I can only see out of one eye ’cause you broke my glasses.”

  “Shouldn’t have got your stupid big nose in the way of the ball then, should you?” retorted Spencer. “Now, we gonna start or what?”

  “I’ll play on their team.”

  The voice came from somewhere amongst the kids who had gathered around the two rival groups.

  A tall girl with springy black hair forced her way to the front of the crowd. She looked familiar and Ade realised it was the girl from the bus stop. The boys all stood in silence and stared, open-mouthed. She walked over to Ade and his team.

  “I’m Melody Roberts,” she said. “I’m in the same year as you.”

  Ade and his friends looked at each other, then back at Melody. They seemed unable to speak.

  Melody shook her head, clearly unimpressed, and said, “Are you boys gonna stand there like total idiots or are we going to beat those other idiots over there?”

  Ade and the gang continued to look at each other. Ade knew what was befuddling their brains because it was befuddling his brain, too.

  “She’s a girl,” Shed eventually blurted out.

  “She’s a girl,” Melody responded, mimicking Shed’s voice. “Wow, we’ve got a smart one here.”

  “This is just perfect,” yelled Spencer. “They’ve swapped the cripple for a girl!”

  Melody glowered fiercely in Spencer’s direction then grabbed the football and began doing keepy-uppies.

  When she got to 20, Ade’s brain clicked back in to gear. He’d suddenly realised two things. They had to win this game or end up being the butt of the whole school’s jokes for the rest of their time at Credon, and they had to have Melody on their team.

  “LET’S START,” he shouted. “If I can’t play, I’ll be the manager. Brian, you go in goal; Dexter, up front with Melody.”

  “Hey, Melody,” said Dexter. “I’m just warning you now to cover your eyes, as you’re about to be dazzled by the best right foot in London.”

  “We’ll see about that,” said Melody as the two of them raced off, passing the ball between them as they went.

  “What about me, gaffer?” said Shed, looking at Ade.

  “Midfield, of course, Shed. Make sure nothing gets past you.”

  Shed pounded his chest and gave Ade a determined look. Moments later, it was kick-off.

  CHAPTER 16

  THE MOST IMPORTANT MATCH OF THEIR LIVES

  Ade stood on the sidelines, pacing up and down. The first few exchanges were fast and furious. It was clear that Stuart and John were pretty good, but Shed was doing his job in midfield and, with Dexter and Melody tracking back and helping him out, the two academy trainees weren’t able to break through.

  Brian was also doing well in goal, despite only really being able to see out of one eye, and, after he’d saved a shot from Spencer, he spotted Melody free on the right and threw the ball out to her.

  Melody trapped it and immediately set off. Her close control is fantastic, Ade thought as he watched her dribble round all of Spencer’s team. She approached the goal and Ade held his breath as she skillfully slotted the ball past Spencer’s goalkeeper.

  “GOOOAL!” yelled Ade, whooping in delight. “What an unbelievable goal!”

  Melody high-fived Dexter and just laughed at Shed, who was still speechless and in awe of their new star player.

  “Come on.” Spencer was furious. “We’re not getting beaten by this bunch of weirdos!”

  By now, pretty much the whole school had gathered round to watch the match. Even the teacher on morning playground duty was watching intently from a distance.

  Ade could see that Spencer’s rage, and the fact that they’d gone a goal down, seemed to energise his team. They’re getting it together, he thought, watching a slick passing move between John and Stuart. Then in a flash it happened – an incisive pass from John put Stuart through on goal. Ade knew what was coming. Stuart blasted the ball towards the left-hand corner of the goal.

  Brian looked to have it covered, but as he was about to dive towards the ball, he lost his footing and hit the ground. Once again, his glasses flew off his face.

  “YESSS!” cheered Stuart, punching the air with a clenched fist as the ball flew into the goal to make the score 1–1.

  “That’s more like it, lads,” Spencer screamed, his eyes bulging so much they almost came out of their sockets. He gave Stuart a bear hug and lifted him off the ground in celebration.

  “Looks like luck’s running out for the Pampers Road Gang!” Spencer yelled, pointing at Ade.

  Ade raced over to Brian, flicked the lever on his caliper and knelt down beside him. His friend was looking slightly dazed with his broken glasses in his hands.

  “Are you okay?” Ade asked as Shed, Dexter and Melody came over.

  Brian got to his feet, swayed on the spot and took a step towards the wall. “I feel a bit funny,” he said. “Don’t think I can play any more.” He held up what was left of his glasses. “These have had it.”

  “Er, Brian,” Ade started to say, but before he could finish, Brian raised his hand to interrupt.

  In his best calming voice, he said, “Ade, I know your mum said you’re not allowed to play football but, listen to me, we need you. The Parsons Road Gang needs you!”

  “I will listen to you, Brian,” said Ade. “But first you need to turn around, because you’re talking to a wall. I’m behind you.”

  “Ah!” Brian turned round. “I hit my head harder than I thought.”

  “Come on, Pampers Gang! We haven’t got all day.” Spencer’s voice was loud and mocking.

  Ade looked at Spencer. If we don’t win this game, all the other kids in the school will treat me and my friends the way Spencer is treating us now. He also knew that his parents would kill him if he played football and something happened to his caliper.

  “Com
e on, Cripple Boy,” Spencer taunted. “What are you lot doing?”

  Cripple. Ade hated that word. It was what that horrible man in Queen’s Market had called him. It does not describe me.

  “I’ll go in goal,” Ade said.

  “Yes!” Dexter exclaimed. “Get ready for Cyborg Cat.”

  Ade took up his position. He knew this could all end very badly. What if the teachers tell my parents I played football? Or my caliper breaks again? But he didn’t really have a choice. He wasn’t going to let his friends down and he needed to show everyone what he was capable of.

  The game restarted. Spencer’s team launched wave after wave of attack, but the Parsons Road defence held firm. When a shot did get through, Ade was ready. Cyborg Cat made three spectacular saves and then Shed somehow managed to get the ball off one of the other players. Ade smiled to himself when he saw that Spencer was getting angrier and angrier.

  From the sidelines, Brian, who was holding the one good lens from his glasses to his right eye, hollered, “Through ball, Shed.”

  Shed was not known for his accuracy when it came to passing but, to Brian and everyone else’s surprise, he coolly lofted the perfect pass over Spencer to Melody.

  Melody controlled the ball with one touch and looked up. Dexter was up front screaming, “I’m open. Get it to my right foot!”

  A moment later, Melody had crossed the ball beautifully to Dexter. As it came over he pulled his right foot back, ready to hit the ball sweetly and bury it in the back of the net, even though there was no net. It would probably have been one of the greatest goals ever scored in Credon Primary School playground had it not been for the fact that Dexter missed the ball completely.

  Ade groaned, but then the ball ricocheted off Dexter’s right foot, bounced up and struck him in the face. The goalie had already flung himself towards the shot he was expecting, and Spencer and his team could only watch in horror as the ball rolled across the line, making it 2-1 to the Parsons Road Gang.

  Ade, Shed, Brian and Melody jumped in the air, screaming with delight.

  “Did I score?” said Dexter, rubbing his nose.

  “Of course you did, you sausage,” Brian bellowed, and the whole team huddled together and began to jump on the spot.

  “It’s not over yet!” Spencer hollered. He picked up the ball and restarted the game while the Parsons Road Gang and Melody were still celebrating.

  “Oi,” yelled Ade, trying to get back to his goal.

  “Yeah, wait a minute,” shouted Dexter.

  But it was too late. Spencer had passed the ball to Stuart, who took a shot at the empty goal.

  CHAPTER 17

  CYBORG CAT

  Shed launched himself through the air and made a last-ditch crunching tackle. He didn’t connect with the ball, but he did connect with Stuart’s legs, sending him to the ground in a painful heap.

  “Penalty!” yelled Spencer. “That’s got to be a penalty.”

  Ade nodded. Yeah, that’s fair. Even though the Parson’s Road Gang hadn’t been ready to restart the game, he had to admit, it was a terrible tackle.

  Shed ran over to Stuart who was writhing on the ground clutching his ankle. “Sorry, mate,” he said.

  “No worries.” Stuart jumped to his feet with a grin. “We’ve got a penalty.”

  “I’m taking it.” Spencer picked up the ball and walked over to Ade’s goal. He then counted out 10 paces and put the ball down. “This is the penalty spot,” he announced.

  Ade thought it seemed a bit too close to the goal, but no one else questioned it.

  “You can do it, Ade,” shouted Shed from the sidelines. “Cyborg Cat’s got this.”

  “Yeah,” shouted the others.

  THUDDD! Spencer hammered the ball as hard as he could towards the goal.

  As it hurtled through the air, Ade imagined he really was Cyborg Cat. I’m as fast as a cat and strong as a cyborg. He launched himself to his right, with his arm stretched out as far as it would go.

  CRACK!

  The ball hit Ade’s outstretched fingertips. It was just enough to push it wide of the goal by a centimetre.

  DUMPH! Ade hit the concrete playground floor. Not even the shoulder pads in his pink suit could protect him from the painful landing.

  There was silence. Then the teacher’s whistle. Class was about to start. The match was over.

  Dexter, Shed, Brian and Melody came running over. Ade had sat up but wasn’t ready to stand.

  “Yesss!” screamed Dexter. “The Super Cyborg Cat Adepitan saves the day.”

  “I told you we could do it,” Shed shouted.

  “That’s 2-1 to the Parsons Road Gang!” Brian hollered.

  Melody leapt in the air singing, “Championes, championes, ole ole ole!”

  Ade could see that the whole playground had erupted into celebration.

  “Nice work, new boy,” one of the older pupils yelled over to him. Another gave him a thumbs up.

  Maybe school wasn’t going to be too bad, after all, Ade thought.

  John and Stuart came over. “Good game, guys.”

  Ade noticed that Spencer was nowhere to be seen. He’s gone off to sulk.

  As the crowd dispersed and poured into school, Ade began to dust himself off. Pink did not look good dirty! He froze. “Uh-oh.”

  “What’s wrong?” said Shed.

  Ade looked towards his leg, “I think I’ve broken it.”

  “No!” shouted Brian with a look of dread on his face.

  Ade looked at the gang solemnly. “Yeah, I think I’ve broken a toenail on my left foot.”

  It took a moment for the gang to realise what he’d said. Then they all burst out laughing.

  “You silly sausage!” Brian shouted and with that, the boys all piled on top of Ade and continued celebrating.

  Melody stood and watched, shaking her head and smiling. “You lot are ridiculous,” she said as the teacher blew the whistle again for final warning to get to class.

  For the rest of the school day the Parsons Road Gang and Melody were heroes. Everyone had seen the morning’s events. Ade even heard someone call them ‘The Spencer Slayers!’

  Dexter suggested putting this on T-shirts and selling them.

  “Not so sure about that,” Ade had responded. He had a feeling Spencer was going to be someone they needed to avoid and rubbing his face it in would definitely not be a good idea.

  At the end of school, the boys waved goodbye to Melody as she jumped on her blue Raleigh BMX with white mag wheels.

  “She’s amazing!” Shed said. “Even her bike is supercool.”

  “Yes, she’s quite remarkable,” said Brian. “For a girl.”

  “She’s quite remarkable for a human being,” said Ade. “She’s got to be the best footballer I’ve ever seen.”

  Brian and Shed nodded their heads in agreement.

  Dexter shrugged. “She needs to work on her left foot.”

  Ade grinned. “She’s not the only one.”

  They walked on towards Parsons Road.

  “So, still think school is going to be horrible, Ade?” Shed asked.

  Ade grinned. “Nah, today’s been great. Better than great, actually. I don’t think it could get any bett...”

  He trailed off as he heard the rhythmic sound of a ball bouncing on concrete, followed by another noise, one he’d never heard before.

  “What is that?” Brian said.

  A moment later, Brian’s question was answered when an LA Lakers basketball suddenly appeared in front of them. It bounced on the pavement and then, before it could bounce again, a long, powerful arm reached out and grabbed it.

  It was quite a move. Ade watched as an athletic-looking young boy sped up alongside them. He wasn’t running, though. He was in a bright red wheelchair with white discs in the middle of the wheels. Each disc had been painted with red, yellow and orange flames, which made it look like the wheels were on fire as they whizzed round. The unusual noise Ade and his friends had heard was the
wheelchair’s tyres making a skidding sound as the boy used his hands to control it.

  “WHOA!” Ade, Dexter, Shed and Brian said in unison.

  “All right,” said the boy in the chair as he briskly rolled past, skilfully controlling the basketball and his wheelchair at the same time.

  He didn’t look much older than Ade and his friends, but his muscular physique and powerful arms made him look twice their size. He was wearing a basketball vest with the words ‘Newham Rollers’ on the front.

  “Who was that?” asked Ade as the boy zoomed off and became a dot in the distance.

  Shed shook his head. “I don’t know, but I think that was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Yeah, I suppose so,” Ade muttered under his breath.

  For some reason he felt a bit weird. He’d always thought using a wheelchair meant that a person was helpless. But that boy wasn’t helpless. He wasn’t being pushed. He was moving himself. And the wheelchair wasn’t slowing him down. It was speeding him up.

  It would be amazing to move that fast, Ade thought. But isn’t walking always supposed to be better? He felt confused and guilty thinking this stuff. It made him want to change the subject, and change it quickly.

  “Come on, let’s get home and practise a few shots before dinner time,” Ade said. “Spencer might want a rematch.”

  Dexter put a hand out. Ade, Shed and Brian did the same, and they all performed the Parsons Road Gang handshake.

  “Spencer can do what he likes,” Brian said. “Because, together, we’re invincible.”

  “Yes, we are!” the Parsons Road Gang said as one.

  Look out for more adventures

  from me – the Cyborg Cat and

  the Parsons Road Gang.