Page 10 of Enemy Games

Sharrie Vega: What are you going to wear, Karly?

“Freshman asked the right question,” Chris said while we watched our phones for the reply. It took a few minutes, but finally, her text came in with an image.

Karly Botts: I think jeans are fine. Anything but sweats or warmups.

The picture was of her wearing dark-washed jeans, a white button-up with a cream sweater over it, and brown ankle boots.

It was simple yet classy and didn’t scream that she was making too much effort.

“Well, that’s not helpful.” Chris ran a hand through her teal pixie haircut. “I don’t have anything like that.”

She was about three inches shorter than me, so I doubted any of my jeans would fit her, not that I was much of a fashionista either.

I tended to wear my team gear to classes and only ever dressed up if I was going to a party, which was rare.

“Okay, we can do this.” I went to my closet and found one of the only pairs of jeans I had without holes and weren’t a super loose-fit, then searched for a top that wasn’t oversized.

“What do you think of this?”

I turned to see Chris holding up a gray flannel and nodded.

She pulled out a pair of black pants and began changing while I went back to my search. I narrowed it down to a white turtleneck sweater my mom got me for Christmas or a thin, navy V-neck sweater that was more fitted than what I usually wore.

I couldn’t decide, so I asked Chris for her opinion.

She pursed her lips. “Hold them up to you.”

I did the white one first, then switched to the navy.

“I like them both, but the navy makes your eyes pop which would be good for pictures.”

“Sounds good to me.” I quickly dressed just as our phones buzzed again.

“Karly says it’s time to go,” Chris announced.

I pulled on boots and a coat before we headed downstairs to meet the rest of the girls, and I was glad to see Chris and I were dressed similarly to them. At least we wouldn’t stick out.

The walk to the administration office in the center of campus took less than ten minutes, and as we stepped inside to the conference room, I wasn’t the only one to groan under their breath. Even though we knew it was coming, no one enjoyed taking pictures. Gold and navy curtains covered the walls, providing the perfect backdrop to pictures taken from any angle, and there were signs welcoming our team to the school.

The men were across from us, looking tense in two rows, like they’d been purposely positioned and hated it.

“Welcome, Bobcats!” Benjamin led the group in a loud greeting.

Cameras went off, memorializing this moment as if it was truly the first time we were meeting.

The coaches shook hands, smiling, while a million pictures were taken of them. Karly and Benjamin joined the coaches to add to the image of forced unity.

I trailed my eyes over the men’s team, recognizing a few faces.

If we had time alone, without the press and cameras, it would be nice to get to know some of them. Maybe some of the juniors shared classes with me. That would make my first day a lot easier. I tried to overcome my shyness over the years, but my natural introverted tendencies came out in new situations. Plus, no one liked being the new kid, and if I got to know a few of the guys, I wouldn’t be as intimidated tomorrow.

An awkward tension spread through the room. It seemed like the moment had arrived for our teams to merge and mingle, but no one was making the first move.

“Come on.” I tugged on Chris’s hand. We were some of the oldest players, and I didn't want the guys thinking we were intimidated by them.

“Fine,” she muttered, and we crossed the open space.

I offered a smile to the guys in the front. “Hi, I’m Presley, and this is Chris.”