The bell furiously rang at 2:40 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, meaning that the school day had officially ended … but not for everyone. Most people by that time had prepared for tryouts for either the volleyball team or the badminton team, both of which are extremely competitive at Al Bayan Bilingual School in Kuwait. I oddly told myself, “You know what, what is the harm in just trying? Who knows … maybe you are able to make the team.” So I practically volunteered myself as tribute for the 76th Hunger Games. I know you think I am being really dramatic but think about entering a room filled with 71 people who are all trying to claim a spot on the team. But the thing is … there are only eight spots available.

Once school ended, I attended the Academic Games team weekly meeting along with my friend. During the meeting, we both decided to secretly order food to the school since the tryouts were at 4:10 p.m. and at that time it was just 2:50 p.m. Our food arrived right after the meeting. I ordered a bowl with chicken, rice, potatoes, and caramelized onions topped with spices. Time was passing by before our eyes and before we knew it, it was 4:09 p.m.! We had literally one minute to reach the high school gym. So we devoured our food as fast as we could and sprinted to the gym. By then … we have officially entered the arena.

Immediately, once we entered, the coach took attendance. He also made us rate our skill in badminton: 1 being we are really good, and 2 being that we’re average. I of course said 2 because I did want to seem humble. And after he took everyone’s attendance … We all realized that this system was so unfair.

The coach automatically added the people who rated their skill at a 1 to the final round. Which literally gives them a free pass to the team. While on the other hand, the people that said 2 must go through the whole tournament. So if you said 2, like me, and wanted to make the team, then you would have to win a total of six rounds against six strong players to make the team. Which I see as unfair because most people that have said 1 are not the best badminton players. I mean, I have Physical Education with them, and though I am not trying to throw shade, let me just say this: they cannot even manage to serve the shuttlecock during a match.

Let me be 100% honest, I signed up myself for the tryouts for relaxation and enjoyment, but it gave me the complete opposite. I am laughing incredibly hard right now as I am typing this due to my friend’s and my own reaction to knowing that we messed up when we entered the gym. I mean you could see it on the coach’s face. His reaction was like, “Oh…Hello! I am so excited to see you! But you know, I just have one question. Are you wishing for a death sentence?” And when I tell you how shocked he was when I won the tournament. Ugh, it filled me with pleasure. That scene itself could entertain me for a whole week.

So what did I do? When I knew I won the last round, I just walked over to the coach, handed him my racket, and said “Book me for Tuesday.” If you do not know, Tuesday is for the 12 players that have made it for the second cut. His reaction was just like, “Oh my Lord.” He was definitely not happy with it but I just can’t stop because I find it really hilarious.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Fahad Al Abdullah, 15, is a youth writer for 8-18 Media.