I shot off my bed, awaken from the banging coming from downstairs. I took a minute to sit there blankly, trying to process what was happening. The knocking and banging on my door only grew louder, and my heart began to do jumping jacks. I approached the stairway quietly and peeked down at the door. The pounding had stopped. For a moment, I was nearly convinced the world had stopped until I heard footsteps fading into the distance. I waited until I was sure whoever it was had left and I made my way downstairs.

The cars outside passed by as I listened carefully for anyone or anything. I peeked out the doorway, only to find a small blue note taped onto the door. I ripped it off the door and began reading.

"Hugo. Please meet us at the 'place' later tonight at 10:00 pm. If you can't make it, call Kyoshi so we won't have to wait. -The Squad"

As soon as I read it, I instantly knew who it was from. Kyoshi, Sophia and I were part of a team. We would always group up during turf wars, and we each had our own strategies. It's changed up a little since Middle School, but each time a strategy or weapon was changed, we would have meetings about a new plan or something different to adapt to the changes. We stopped meeting up since summer started and this is the first meeting since 8th grade. I was both eager and extremely nervous. We were all going to meet in the same place again, but what happened between Sophia and I still lingered in my mind. I decided to suck it up and go.

Later that night, I was getting ready to go to the meeting place, a small temporary shelter with picnic tables and trash cans. It was normally used in case it started storming and some inklings couldn't make it home. My mom still wasn't home from work, so I left her a note assuming she was working overtime. I locked the door and shut it tight, throwing my scarf on and heading to the lake. It was much colder than I expected. Supposedly a light jacket wasn't enough. My boots sunk into the slush on the road and my nose was practically frosted. It was cold enough that the puddles from the rain could freeze, explaining all the icy slush. I watched my breath disappear into the night sky, as the street lights flickered between snow in the distance. A thrust of cold wind flew by me, causing my scarf to wave back to it. I was almost there by now.

As I inched closer with every step, I began to see a small light in the distance. That must be them I thought to myself. The distinct light got closer and closer until I could see three silhouettes. I was too distracted by the cold and the fact I had made it there that I didn't realize there was another inkling there. I ran over to the picnic tables under the 'roof' and greeted Kyoshi and Sophia.

"Glad you could make it tonight." Sophia said, and turned to the other inkling. The inkling's face was darkened, making it hard to see- since the lamp wasn't around her.

"Who's this?" I asked. The inkling giggled.

"You don't recognize me?" She laughed. I shook my head.

"No, I don't. Do I know you from somewhere?" I asked her.

"It's me, Trixie!" She yelled, and broke into laughter. I felt my stomach churn. Why is SHE here? 

"Trixie has kindly offered to join our squad! Now we won't have a random inkling on our team each time we play." Sophia smiled. I didn't want her on our team. Trixie was often very klutzy outside of school, or just outside of gym in general. She seemed like the type who was often careless and she acted like she didn't know what seriousness was. I gave a fake smile back at Sophia and Trixie.

"That's great," I said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as I could have been. Kyoshi looked at me. He knew what I was thinking, and I knew he did. I rolled my eyes at him and found a place to sit down. Trixie slid into the seat next to mine, while Kyoshi and Sophia took the other side of the table. I rested my head on my hand as Sophia began to explain Trixie's tactics and her contribution to the team. As much as I liked rollers, Trixie might just have to be an exception. Maybe if there was more to her than the constant yelling and her lack of paying attention, I'd enjoy her company more.

Why do these things keep happening to me? It's as if my good luck expired yesterday or something. Perhaps if I try hard enough, I'll slowly fade out of existence so I won't have to listen to these inkling's crazy plots and ideas like letting Trixie of all people into the squa-

"Hugo? Helloo? Aren't you listening?" Sophia waved her hand in my face. I perked up and realized I wasn't paying attention to a word she said.

"Uh.. Could you repeat that?" I asked, timidly. Sophia sighed and rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"I said that Trixie's tactic would blend well with yours. You're defense and she covers the ground. Simple." She gave a small nod of approval.

"Wait.. What?! What about our strategy? Your sneak attacks and my defense are perfectly fine!" I argued. Trixie had sort of a strange facial expression after I said that.

"Both of your strategies work much better together in my opinion. If you don't like it, instead of arguing, why don't you come up with something else, or maybe have some information to back up your argument, hmm?" Sophia bickered back. I could already feel the tears well up once more. I remained silent and gave a simple nod.

"Damn my sensitivity,"  I mumbled to myself. My eyes lowered in shame and I sat silently for the remainder of the meeting.

An hour later or so, after many inside-jokes and small laughs, Sophia stood from her seat and declared the meeting was over.

"Thank you, every one of you for attending today's meeting despite the short notice and poor weather. We will likely be meeting again next week at the same place around 4:30 after school. If you can't make it, don't forget to call ahead of time please," She smiled and gathered her belongings. I got up from the bench and threw my scarf on once more, preparing myself for the harsh snow I'd have to walk through to get back home.

"Hey.. Hugo," Kyoshi approached me with a worried look on his face.

"What now?" I sighed, expecting another lecture about our so called team.

"Look.. I'm sorry we didn't tell you ahead of time about Trixie joining our group. I realize you don't really like her but Sophia insisted that we let her into the squad. You should give her a chance, she might surprise you." He shrugged.

"Surprise me?" I looked behind us and saw Trixie and Sophia chatting, just to make sure they weren't listening. "Not to be totally rude, but I kinda doubt that. She's super clumsy- you've seen her in gym, right?" I lowered my voice.

"I thought that was some kind of act she put on. You sure she's always like that?" I paused. He has a good point.

"Who would act klutzy and stupid on purpose?" I remarked, hoping to put the argument to an end.

"Maybe she has a good reason. She could be trying to throw people off by making her seem less intimidating," Kyoshi laughed. I gave a small fake smile.

"You know what's even funnier?" I said. "What if you're completely right?"