“Here’s for a qualifying relay,” Chase announced and let the applause soak in. Eniola focused forward as she was on her bike. NeonWorld was where it took place. The track was black divided by neon light lines that held other teams’ spaced far apart from one another. There was neon yellow sunshine at the front of everything. If they won this, they’d be on their way to the championships. The qualifiers were purely a relay race and the top 10 teams that came first would advance.

“There are 17 teams this year in the running for the Championships but only the top 10 teams will automatically go to the Championships!”

Eniola looked behind her and saw Rogue’s starting line with Theo, Lucia, and then Iris. She looked in front, as they decided Jay would be the fastest to finish on. She put her SCOPElenses on to let herself get carried into the immersive NeonWorld. A black landscape with green lines running over the place and a technicolour sunset took its place.

The alarm went off. Eniola peered at Theo through the camera in her SCOPElenses, and he had taken off with speed. He whipped around the corner, quickly passing teams that fell behind and catching up with Lucia.

The landscape shifted to a green colour and Eniola sped forward at the signal. Eniola rammed through the race like everyone else did, and was surprised to find there was no one in front of her. A member of Inferno came near her and rammed into her wheels, sending her skidding slightly. She regained her balance. There were now 3 people in front of her. Eniola sighed. Just as long as she wasn’t in 10th place.

Eniola caught up to Iris, who now raced forward, while most teams were barely getting to their third member. Someone else rammed into her spot.

“Do the same Iris,” Lucia whispered into the team communication.

“Come on, Iris,” Eniola muttered nervously. She regained balance on her bike and sped forward, losing her spot. Eniola held her breath. Iris picked up speed, and soon she was gaining on Eniola. Eniola saw the green flash in her vision and she blasted forward, adrenaline rushing through her veins. Suddenly, clear blocks fell into the pathway. Iris gasped but then swerved before they could fully fall.

Suddenly, Iris lurched forward as another wheel rammed into her front wheel, and sent her flying into the air.

She just barely landed back on her bike with a thud and raced forward again. She wasn’t the fastest, but now Iris needed to be. Players began gaining on her. Finally, she caught up with Jay.

It was like something in him had exploded because he took on that track like no one’s business. Eniola crossed her fingers and said a prayer because if Jay wasn’t one of the first ten people there, they’d be done for. He raced along the track, engine roaring as he approached the finish line.

Then more blocks fell from the sky and Eniola cursed. But then, he diverted from the track, and the arena gasped. She felt her heart sink as he began ripping from the sides through other teams’ lanes.

“What’s he doing?” Eniola asked her teammates through her helmet mic.

“I’m winning,” he replied, smugly. Jay rode off the track and practically disappeared off course, much to their surprise. Eniola couldn’t see where he had gone and didn’t know what he was doing.

Eniola knew he couldn’t be trusted. He had already screwed up on his first round, and at this rate, they’d never make it to LA. She began emotionally preparing herself for loss.

“We’re going to get disqualified,” she mumbled to herself.

“Not necessarily,” Theo began. “There’s no rule saying you can’t go off course in a relay race. He actually might not be breaking anything.”

The teams were already approaching the finish line, and Eniola knew they would lose.

Until a speck of black whooshed from the bottom of the crowd and sped directly over into the finish line, other teams close behind.

The simulation ended, and she took off her SCOPElenses to see Rogues’ name high and mighty on the scoreboard. It took a moment for her to register.

They were in first place in a qualifier.

And it was because of Jay.

Eniola called her bike in and met up with her teammates. They were in some hype huddle. Jay was there, and he quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her into the huddle, sending her heart beating obnoxiously fast.

Chill, Eniola cautioned to herself in her head. He touched your arm once, Get it together!

It all sunk in. Rogue was going to the finals.

“Congratulations to the finalists,” Chase announced, as the boards shifted into scoreboards. Rogue was right at the top for the qualifiers. Eniola was suddenly crushed into hugs by her team.

“Now it’s time to find out where the California SCOPE Championships will be held!” Chase announced. The board shifted once again and formed glowing spirals before an image burst out.

Eniola would recognize the glowing skyline anywhere.

“See you in Los Angeles!” Chase revealed.