Write, Wrote, Written discussion

America's money is all going towards the dozens of wars the country is fighting abroad. One place the money is not going is the educational system. Every year, thirty American high schools were randomly selected from a list of eligible high schools. In order for a school to be eligible, it had to offer football, basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, track and swimming. They would provide a team for each sport to compete in a championship that involved multiple rounds and competitions. A school won points everytime they won a round. The school with the most points in the end would win multiple prizes, including a complete remodeling, which was needed in most schools due to the devastating quality of educational infrastructures, a raise for all of the employees at the school and a $1,000 check for every student that attended the school. But what if it's more than a game? What if it's more than a scouting opportunity?

The students of James Lee High School filled up the gym, not leaving an inch uncovered. The school was huge, but it was almost filled to capacity, having 4,000 students in attendance. Each student at Lee is different. They look different, they follow different religions and they act differently. One thing that unites them all is athletics. Even more so, the chance of entering the US High School Athletics Championship.
Every year, thirty American high schools were randomly selected from a list of eligible high schools. In order for a school to be eligible, it had to offer football, basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, track and swimming. That was rare in the country after the budget cuts on funding schools. Only 6,000 schools in the US offered all of those sports. Lee was one of them.
After the thirty schools were selected, they would provide a team for each sport to compete in a championship that involved multiple rounds and competitions. A school won points every time they won a round. The school with the most points in the end would win multiple prizes, including a complete remodeling, which was needed in most schools due to the devastating quality of educational infrastructures, a raise for all of the employees at the school and a $1,000 check for every student that attended the school.
The students of Lee were excited to learn if their school had been selected. They had a .5% chance of getting a spot, which isn’t that bad. Everyone liked their chances. So on September 25th, with the gym packed and the spotlight on Principal Chase, who held a list in his hand. Principal Chase was a short, pudgy man with short dark hair with bits of gray in it. He looked slightly nervous as he opened the letter, almost as nervous as the student athletes, who sat in a roped off section. After everyone had quieted down and the letter was out, Principal Chase began to speak.
“I regret to inform you guys,” the principal started and everyone let out a sigh, “that Lee High School has to compete in United States High School Athletics Competition!” Suddenly the gym erupted in cheering. Kids who hardly knew each other were hugging like they were best friends. Some of the coaches were crying. Chase attempted to read the details, but everyone was too busy celebrating. James Lee High School had a chance to become better. James Lee High School had a chance to win.
***
“So, Nyla, Andre’s throwing this wicked party tonight to celebrate our school going to the championship,” Matt Schaeffer said. “We were planning to throw a party anyway, but now we have something to party about. It’s gonna be sick. You in?”
Nyla nodded, but inside she felt sick. She was on the varsity track team. She was the best runner. She would be seen on national TV. There would be scouts. There would be eyes on her. “Sure Matt,” she said. He smiled. “But it’s not a date.” Matt's smile lessened.

Nyla was undoubtedly the most beautiful girl at James Lee Middle School, but it wasn’t stereotypical beauty. Nyla had a Middle-Eastern look, dark hair and olive skin along with beautiful eyebrows. She was enchanting in many different ways. Her humanitarian personality proved she was beautiful both inside and out. Her ability to run a four and a half minute mile was something beautiful in itself.
“Okay,” Matt said, letting out a sigh, “but can I at least drive you there. I just got this new car.”
“No thanks,” Nyla said. “I’m not driving around with you until you’ve had at least six months experience with that car.”
“You’re no fun,” Matt said, looking into her hazel eyes. “But I like you anyway. See you there, bae.” Nyla rolled her eyes at the boy as he walked away from her locker. Except it didn’t lock. Or close. To sum it up, her locker didn’t have a door. It wasn’t abnormal for that to be the case at James Lee. The broken locker was only a minor issue compared to the leaky toilets and holes in the walls. All of the orange paint that once brought the high school to life was faded and washed out.
Nyla ran to the locker room as quickly as possible. By the time she got there, her teammates were already leaving. One girl, a short girl with dark brown hair named Alina, rolled her eyes at Nyla. She was ignored. Nyla threw on her blue dri-fit shirt with gray shorts and ran down to the track. By the time she got there, everyone was already stretching. Coach Bailey gave her a disappointed look and then continued to coach the team.
“As you now know, we are competing at the USHSAC,” Bailey said, “and that competition is no longer separated by gender due to the country’s desire to scout all athletes for each sport at the same time. That means those of you who hardly made the team for your gender will most likely be cut.” The team’s attention turned to Adam, a chubbier boy with thick framed glasses. “I get ten spots on my roster. You’ve got to earn them. Now, to warm up, everyone run two laps please.” Adam stared at the coach like she was crazy.
It was seldom the two track teams ran together, but when they did, Nyla loved it, mainly because she got to compete with Corey Wilson, a senior who held the school record for fastest 3,200 meters, which is eight laps around the track. It was no real surprise. Corey spent all of his free time running laps around the track. But so did Nyla. She was only a sophomore, but she was determined to beat him.
As the runners for the track teams lined up at the starting line, Corey winked at Nyla. It wasn’t in a flirtatious way, like how Matt would do it. The wink was more like a challenge. Run against me. If you dare. Nyla dared. Once Coach Bailey blew the whistle, the runners were off. It was ridiculous how much better Corey and Nyla were compared to everyone else. The two were at least two meters of head of the people behind them at all times. Corey and Nyla were neck and neck after the first lap and the sophomore girl felt pretty good about herself.

“Ready to start racing?” Corey asked. With that, he ran at an unrealistically fast speed, Nyla struggled to remain close behind him. All of Nyla’s confidence was shattered as Corey crossed the line five seconds before her.
“Good time, Wilson!” Bailey shouted with excitement. “That was beautiful.” Nyla crossed the line with a look of dread on your face. “Cheer up, Everwell,” the coach said. “You may be as good as Corey by your senior year.” Nyla cursed under her breath and Bailey let out a chuckle, as if Nyla’s humiliation was funny.
After the practice, everyone got changed and met in the courtyard to name those who made the roster. As was expected, Corey and Nyla made the roster. Not surprisingly, Adam didn’t. To Nyla’s dismay, Alina did make the team. It left a scowl on her face when she learned this. Once the names were called, everyone began to leave until Corey and Alina alone were left in the courtyard.
They sat at a rickety park bench near an old, dying tree. Corey stared a Nyla for a second, making her uncomfortable. After a while, Corey finally spoke. “You know you’re not bad right?” he asked her. She nodded. “You’re just not nearly as good as me.” Nyla gasped as Corey hopped out of his seat and left the courtyard.