Mason slumped heavily in his chair.

He pulled at his expensive navy blazer again, his face red and slick with sweat.

He hadn’t placed in the top three.

Eli and Owen walked up the wooden stairs.

Their worn sneakers squeaked loudly on the polished floorboards of the stage.

They stood next to the tournament director in their cheap blue jackets under the harsh, bright lights.

Daniel stepped slowly toward the edge of the seating area.

“I didn’t know,” Daniel said softly, to no one at all.