A- B Disconnect

The roads were busier than usual as the barriers kept rising. The metal vehicles buzzed all over as the barriers rose and fell. Built for collision, not comfort, the full-metal vehicles rattled along the roads to the city of Altronia. Elizabeth could feel her stomach shift as the vehicle sped past the barriers, and the traffic without humans was as bad as when they drove. The A-B competition was the one thing Elizabeth had selected for the event, hoping to make the A team, the best team, but playing for the B team if necessary. The yearly multi-sport event that teens would compete for dominance in physical sports. Elizabeth was running late. The event of the year was running on time. The ride there jolted as she grabbed the vomit bag in the back, emptying her stomach for the second time. The competition was only miles away, and yet the traffic was crazy between all the other cars. A stream of light flashed as the car came to a sudden stop. The wall stood up as Elizabeth flung forward. The wall lowered as the car sped to the event center. Looking at her watch, she saw the time had gone by quickly, and she was going to be late. This could cost her a chance to make the A team despite leaving so early. As the large building came into view, Elizabeth hoped she could finally check in. Another slam on the brakes left her holding on for her life.

"You have arrived at your destination," the AI voice announced.

"Thanks, I could not have done it without you," Elizabeth replied as she stumbled out of the car.

She grabbed her bags and sprinted into the event center, looking for the registration table. Elizabeth ran to the workers as they packed their materials.

"Elizabeth Quarly, for the A-B team competition," Elizabeth said.

"You are late to the event, contestant Quarly," the worker said as she took the list out and dug for her packet.

"The traffic was horrendous, and I even left early," Elizabeth replied.

"Leave your luggage at the room registration, and here are your materials for the competition. Be quick; the event in the atrium has already started," the worker said.

"Thank you so much for the chance," Elizabeth replied and ran off to drop off her bags at the desk.

Elizabeth hurried to the atrium, where the speaker was already giving his greeting. The place was full, with no seats available in the back sections. The room was huge, with easily over 1,000 seats, filled with athletes stronger than she was. The majestic feeling of even seeing a show here stayed with her despite feeling so small among the many others. Yet Elizabeth could not find an open seat among the eager youth waiting for their turn in this competition. A host came over and guided her to one of the last spaces available. Another contestant was still trying to find a seat, and the annoyed glare that followed made the room feel tighter. Elizabeth quietly asked those who were moving to sit down as she took her seat, trying to catch up to the speaker. She smiled as if she was not the latest one. He seemed to be rambling on as he told his story of his time on the A team. Most were starting to fall asleep as this was the grand welcome of the place. Another speaker came onto the stage and passed a note to the one speaking.

The speech had stopped with a change of subject. Elizabeth's headache was not helping after the rough ride. It was long, and the events were the main part anyway, aside from the team announcements. Words were only so useful without some action. The team selection had to be coming up soon, as she rifled through her papers for any new information. There was only general information. It felt more like a regular school day as they droned on with a different speaker. Still, the information was mundane, and the teams needed to be presented with no end to the welcome ceremony in sight. As the words continued, Elizabeth started to fall asleep until the announcer stated the chosen teams.  

“This year's event of many sporting events will be great, but first we must reveal the teams in this fight. Team A will be announced before B,” the announcer said.

"A team has been the best of the teenagers; as head coach of this team, you will show your greatness as athletes in these games," Head Coach Evert said.

"The B team are the underdogs but willing to fight; as head coach, I will guide you to victory, no doubt," Head Coach Jackson said.

The whole atrium erupted in cheers as the moment had finally come. Elizabeth stood up, putting her papers in her bag as the team selection would begin. The long morning was now worth everything, including the long drive.  

"All of your skills have been analyzed to determine which team you belong to, and the head coaches have made their selections, with the A team going first," the announcer explained.

Head Coach Evert stood with his mysterious list of names as a box of shirts was placed on the stage. He looked proud as he prepared for another year of many victories. On the other side was Head Coach Jackson, who had his own shirts and looked equally proud to prove the underdog cause was victory. The room went silent as Head Coach Evert took center stage.

"I will name the players who have been accepted on this team, and each player will come up to the front to accept a team shirt," Evert announced.

As the first names were read off the list, each player celebrated as they hurried to the front to pick up their shirt. Louis Holmes was chosen, and Elizabeth could only feel that her classmate was such a superstar. Her heart beat more heavily as more names were called, but she still held hope for the best team. The lists were growing longer as so many had shirts. The end had to be coming, and it seemed increasingly hopeless when it was announced that the last five players were now being called. Elizabeth closed her eyes, hoping and praying to hear her name.

"Julius Boxter, Allison Pax, Marcus Vanderburgh, Alex Ward, and Elizabeth Quarly may come to the stage," Evert said.

The room went quiet as Elizabeth stood there and, with other teenagers looking at her, started onto the stage. It was the last shirt, and Evert handed it to her with a glance. Elizabeth then headed back to her seat. All the others stared at the one wearing an A-shirt. The rest knew their fate as they went down for Jackson to announce the remaining names. Each was slowly called and picked up a shirt labeled B. Elizabeth could only hold her shirt with pride, as she had made the team she wanted. As the shirts disappeared, the original announcer started another speech.

"Remember, you can always be traded by consensus of the coaches, but best of luck to you all on this endeavor. Also, the team meeting for A will be held in Blackburn Hall, room 106, and B will be held in Ashbury Hall, room 115," the announcer said.  

As the teenagers left the atrium, they carried their shirts and hurried to the meeting room. Excitement hung in the air as Elizabeth joined a small group heading there. They looked at her, scoffed, and walked off. Elizabeth walked alone the rest of the way and saw all the A players gathering and sitting in the chairs. She sat down as they all waited for the coaches. The tiredness had set in after a hectic morning, and she tried to enjoy the win as attention faded fast.

Thaddius Krill bumped into Elizabeth, making her wide awake. Elizabeth fell out of her seat in disbelief.

"Look at the runt being the last one chosen; better to be placed on the B team than a runt," Thaddius said.

Elizabeth could only hold her tears as the room started to laugh. She even wished to be on the underdog team, which seemed more accepting in theory. Elizabeth stood up, not shedding tears as she looked into Thaddius’s grey eyes. Giving every last ounce of courage to confront him.

"I was chosen for this team like anybody else despite being the runt, but I will prove myself an asset in the end," Elizabeth pronounced.

The laughs never stopped as she went back to her seat, waiting for all the coaches to come. It would be an uphill battle, but she would be chosen for the different teams to defend the undefeated A teams of the past. The others formed their cliques, while Elizabeth ignored them all until Carter Prist joined her, since he was also in the last ten. He was much kinder than ever and even called over some of the last chosen. The battle to avoid being traded had begun. The minutes seemed to never end, as Head Coach Evert finally entered alongside a slew of other coaches. They set up efficiently at the front of the room. A whistle was blown as all the team members took their seats to listen to the next phase of the games.

"Congratulations on making the A team, though holding it will be more difficult. Let us go over the basics first," Evert announced.

As the team basics started, along with all the coaches from soccer to track and field, they stood proud as they handed out the tryout schedule for the many sports. The arenas had to be shared for events. Each team was excited as the tryouts would begin the next day. So many teams would be full without her. Others were of no interest at all. The selection was real. Near the end of the long speech, an envelope was given to each team member, with instructions to open it in private. Elizabeth was the last to return to her seat. The day had been long enough to endure, and yet the battle had not yet begun. With the last farewells, the students were left to settle in their rooms before dinner and look at the funny envelopes. Elizabeth went to the front desk to retrieve her bags, but they had already been placed in her room.

The key was handed to her by the staff as she was directed to the right place. The long hall had never seemed to end, just to lead to an elevator. As it opened, some of the B team came out to mock the lonely A team member. Elizabeth could flash her A team shirt and then head into the elevator alone, ready to cry now. She had always been alone except for the last picks. This was supposed to be the best day and only disappointment. The runt, the last one chosen, was not what she expected, but the ride seemed to take hours, even as minutes passed, to reach her floor. She could not even exit the elevator as some A team members got on, and she looked for her room number after leaving the metal box.  It was down the shorter hall, as the many doors led to the other team members. Near the end was her room on the door, as if it was done hastily, but it was her room.

The room was kept with some uniforms in her size in the closet. The bed was made with a welcome gift of a challenge coin. Elizabeth could only cry and could not hold it back anymore. The whole ride in was a mess, and so was a day of rejection by both.  It was all too much. Elizabeth wiped her tears away to see her bags in the room near the bed. It was nice to have some of her own clothes. She gathered herself to clean up before dinner. Her own shirt was replaced with her new team shirt. She then opened her letter from earlier. It led with the sports for tryout locations and times: softball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis (sports with some strength), and lastly hockey. Elizabeth could only think she could not ice skate and was definitely going to fail. The tryouts will be difficult, but Elizabeth will give it everything. Then, there was a knock at the door.   Char was at it with a grin and an attitude.

"The A team members must stand together at least publicly; it is time for dinner, runt," Char commented.

"Anyway, I heard the coaches talking before selection that one of their primaries dropped out and you were originally going to be first pick for B team," Annie announced, coming from around the corner.

Elizabeth pulled it together, smiled, and left her room as if nothing were offensive. Elizabeth walked with the other girls to the elevator, all wearing their A shirts.

"Do not embarrass us in these games or else I ask for your transfer to your proper team," Char commented.

"I will do my best for my team," Elizabeth answered.

"Remember, we are the A team and will not associate with the underdogs," Annie commented.

The elevator doors opened as the other girls acted like Elizabeth was their friend. They turned their noses up as the B team members walked to the cafeteria. The room was huge, with A shirts gathering on one side while B was on the other. The stares at each other could not be matched, and the games had not yet begun. Elizabeth had always watched the games, but this was more intense than imagined.  The challenge had been sent, and Elizabeth was ready for it. Elizabeth sat down for dinner knowing the competition was going to be epic.