A Dream I Used To LOVE

Chapter 3

I enjoyed leadership roles some would even say I was remarkable at them. A week into school and I already found activities to keep myself engaged. For starters, I had already given my name for the soccer and athletics team, I saw a poster on the bulletin board asking for volunteers for a fest. I immediately signed up for that as well. I also miraculously managed to persuade Rose to sign up for it. Luckily we were getting along well and had the same classes except for biology and algebra.

There was a meeting after school to help the volunteers understand more about the event. It was a science fest and it was being organized on a sizable scale as well. This meant that a lot of effort had to be put in and we were ready for it.

To our surprise, we had become really good friends within a week, almost inseparable.

I was helping out with posters after school. They needed somebody to climb up the ladder to put up the poster and I never liked taking a back seat. Nana always told me "It starts by taking a back seat in a small activity and soon enough you take up a back seat in your own life"

I hung up the poster and with a feeling of triumph missed a step on the ladder while coming down, and fell on the ground. Luckily I didn't break any bones, just a twisted ankle. Clumsy was my second name. 

Rose came running to help me but all I ever said was "I'm perfectly alright"
I managed to dodge the pain for precisely five minutes after which I realized that I wasn't all that fine. I limped my way to class with Rose by my side.
"Audrey you don't look fine. Your ankle looks a bit swollen"
"Don't worry I'll be alright"
"By the way did you hear about the athletics team selection. It's in the upcoming week"

I had never felt this horrible about an injury. The athletics team selection was due in less than a week and there was no way I would be able to participate.
Rose was an exceptional athlete and was looking forward to the selections. She needed an athletic scholarship, she wasn't particularly a book nerd, and this was an easy way for her to get into her dream college.

The next day when we were in P.E. class the teacher decided to start selections for the boys' team. Rose, Ben, and I sat there wondering how long we will have to act amused. We were certain that the alpha males would disappoint us yet again. When they ran it felt like a herd of cattle was left freely. 

There were a lot of new faces. The race started and our jaws dropped. An unknown guy finished the 200m race in 22.35 seconds and broke the previous school record of 22.65 seconds. Normally such things didn't bother me but I was restless. I wanted to know who the guy was. The guy was six-foot-tall, had a lean physique and a chiseled face. I hadn't liked a guy in a long time, the last I liked somebody was in 9th grade. After dating just one guy I realized dating wasn't for me. I was way too awkward to date anybody but that didn't stop me from liking people. Did it? 

I knew that a guy who looked like that screamed trouble. He looked perfect and people who looked like him were either dumb, self-obsessed, or their emotional capability was nil.

Thankfully the teacher called out his name and we both heard intently.
"Chris has set the new school record. A round of applause everybody." 

I acted all cool about it as if I wasn't interested in knowing his name or even seeing him but internally I was like an art enthusiast and he was the art. I kept staring thinking that he didn't notice it. Soon enough our eyes met and I immediately looked away trying to keep up with the I'm too cool to stare at you act.

Ben whispered in my ear "Do you have X-ray eyes? Stop staring at him, it's quite evident"

I rolled my eyes at Ben, it wasn't that obvious. "I'm not staring"