As the younger sister of Mack, the school’s rugby captain, Peggy spent much of her life on the sideline of a rugby field. Rain, wind, sleet, their dad made the whole family go to every one of Mack’s rugby games for the last five years. 

 Five years of rugby games and Peggy still didn’t understand the rules. 

Someone passed the ball backwards to Mack (she still didn’t get why they couldn’t pass the ball forwards) and Mack charged across the pitch. The other boys started to chase him, but one figure was bigger than the rest. 

Attis appeared over Mack’s shoulder, Peggy’s heart pounded in her ears as he closed in. 

Launching forward, Attis tackled Mack bulldozing him into the mud. 

“This is brilliant.” Vivienne cackled watching as the boys sprawled into the mud, Mack disappearing beneath Attis’ form. “Attis just knocked your brother into next week.”

“Shut up.” Fiddling with her necklace, Peggy waited for Mack to move. Attis clambered to his feet running his hands through his sandy hair streaking it with mud. Chest heaving, he also watched Mack waiting for him to move.

Finally, Mack moved. 

Groaning, Mack sat and Peggy resisted the temptation to run over and check he was alright as the whistle blew. Mack fumbled to his feet, batting away the hand Attis’ offered to help him  and snatched the ball. 

The PE teacher, Mr Harrrison trudged towards them and began a lecture which the wind droned out. Mack snapped at something, throwing the ball into the mud and stormed towards the sidelines to grab his water bottle.  

“Your brother is a sore loser.” 

“He’s just really passionate about rugby, is all.” Peggy frowned. “Sometimes he forgets it's a game.” 

The team filed towards the sidelines, noticing Peggy and Viv for the first time. 

“Oi Vivienne come to congratulate me?” Dustin bellowed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s go have a snog behind the bike sheds.” 

“I’d rather shit in my hands and clap.” Ducking beneath his arm, Vivienne strode towards Attis. 

The boys all howled with laughter behind her and Peggy could feel her brother’s eyes watching the exchange with his disapproving glare. 

“What are you doing here?” Attis scowled, took a gulp from his water bottle. 

“We can’t win the contest without you.” Peggy stated, trying to ignore everyone’s stares. 

“Not my problem. I don’t want to work with her.” Turning on his heels he set a brisk pace towards the changing rooms. Peggy did an awkward jog beside him to keep up. 

“I need this to help me get into university, so please give her the chance to apologise.”

“I never said anything about apologising.” Vivienne called from behind them. 

“Then I’m not doing the project.” 

“Then I’ll tell Mrs Maddison and she’ll give you a zero on your coursework.” Said Vivienne strolled towards them. Only a few boys lingered on the field now, namely Mack, and his gaze burned holes into Peggy’s back. “And we both know you don’t do well with failing.”

“You ratting on me Viv?” 

“I prefer to call it blackmail, you should know a thing or two about that.” 

“Fuck off.” Attis spat. “Mrs Maddison won’t believe a word you say anyway.” 

Mack steps forward and Peggy knows he’s about to intervene. Him intervening would confirm what Attis and Vivienne and everyone else thought about her. That she was too weak to work with people like Attis and Vivienne. That she needed protecting. That she didn’t have a spine. 

“If you don’t contribute I’ll tell Mrs Maddison and she’ll believe me.” Peggy rushed the words out before she could stop herself. “I want to win this and I’m not letting whatever beef the two of you have stop me. So we are going to the art block and we are going to come up with our design. Now.”