Captain of Nothing

A former team captain who doesn't make the team this year must face jealousy, embarrassment, and the scary question: who are you when the thing you were known for is gone?

Jordan laced up a pair of old sneakers and stared at the trophy shelf above the desk. Last year's soccer captain badge sat right in the middle, gleaming under the lamplight. Every kid at Maplewood Elementary knew Jordan as 'the captain' -- the one who led the Wildcats to the district championship.

'Captain Jordan,' Jordan whispered, touching the badge. It still felt warm. Like it still meant something.

Today was the first day of a brand new school year, and tryouts for this season's team were posted on the bulletin board outside the gym. 'Same team, same badge, same me,' Jordan thought, grabbing a backpack. 'Nothing is going to change.'