Tariq is struggling to accept his disability, which gives cause for concern. When encouraged to join in a fight against pupils of rival school, Havelock High, Tariq rejects the offer, claiming that life is too short. He is further unsettled when he finds out that his friends will attend his kayaking trials, so tries to get Phoenix and Gus to arrange a fight against the rival pupils. It is then a race against time for Tom and Michael when Tariq's true intentions are revealed. Also, rival headmaster, Gerard Findlay is determined to discredit Michael by posting an old article about Michael's past all over the school, but is caught by Grantly.