I just keep moving forward

Chapter 2: Redemption

Eren POV:

Sweat is running down my face, blocking my vision. My legs are seizing up and I have a stitch. This doesn't matter, mind over matter, I need to beat my score. I'm trying to beat my 3 mile score, for an 11 year old, 28 minutes is pretty impressive but I need to beat it.

Thump. Thump. Thump. My heart beat and footsteps seem in sync.

I round the corner, the final stretch back to the garage, my father with a stop watch. I feel like quitting but there's only 200m left, I go into a sprint, full throttle to the end.

I fall over once I reach the end, gasping for air like it was water and I hadn't drank in a week.

Grisha: "... My God. You've beaten it, 26 minutes 48 seconds, well done son!"

..............................

I'm laying on the bench, about to lift the weight that is resting above me. I pick it up, the heaviest I've tried yet, to beat my 1 rep max. The most I could lift before was 50lbs (23 kg) , which is alot for me as I'm only 83lbs (38 kg) and after that I couldn't lift for another few days. But now, 60lbs (27 kg), I'm not sure if I'll even be able to lift it but here I go.

I see my dad looking at me, determination in the harsh emerald eyes that we both share. I pull the bar down. PUSH. PUSH. PUSH. DO. IT. SHOW THEM. I feel my arms shake under the weight, I'm pushing my arms up, I'm doing it, I've done it. I pull the bar back down. I'M DOING ANOTHER ONE. LETS GO. PUSH!. And I do another one.

I drop the bar on the rack and look at my father, he's absolutely starstruck.

Grisha: "... Son, you've just beaten your record and lifted it twice instead of once, my God. Good work kid" (pride in his voice)

Eren: "Thanks dad, I know I'm ready"

Grisha: "Once you go into secondary school, I'm going to get you a sparring partner because that's the only thing that's missing right now"

1 month timeskip:

My dad is wrapping my hands in the changing room, I'm composed, concentrated. I think of what I've been learning, what I need to prove. Reiner and Marco are in the audience, today is a big event as its also raising money for charity. 600 in the crowd and I actually get a walk out song, this is what it's like to be a pro. This is what Levi does for a living, I want to be like him.

20 minutes until go time...

10 minutes...

5...

2...

Grisha: "Okay kid, let's go"

Eren: "Let's go!" (determination in my voice)

As I walk out I hear the song I chose, reverberating around the room.

I hear the base and the lyrics boom around the room

("Let's get ready to rumble")
"Let's get ready, ready"
"Let's get ready, ready"
"Let's get ready, ready"
"Let's get ready to rumble!"

Cheers sound throughout the room, I didn't expect this but I'm concentrated, focused. I limber up, skipping whilst walking towards the ring.

"Lets get ready, ready"
"Lets get ready, ready"
"Lets get, lets get"
"Lets get ready, ready"
"Lets get ready, ready"
"Lets get ready, ready"
"Lets get ready to rumble!"

"Straight up proovin'"
"We can getcha groovin'"
"This tracks boomin'"
"It ain't no hype!"
"Watch us wreck the mike!"
"Watch us wreck the mike!"
"Watch us wreck the mike!"