Genius Rivals (Ongoing)

5 - THE VISIBLE STIGMA

We succumbed to the heat of this day for the focus is Physical Education. Their loud cheers of support filled my ears as someone try to hurriedly get past to the finishing line in 40 meter sprint. As someone who do not excel in physicality and erratically tries to get involved with it, it's going to be one hell of a horrid experience waiting to be encountered once my name is called and requested to be at the starting line. It's going to be worse if I am matched up with students who run as if injected by the finest of PED's. The whole event would turn into an ordeal of shame and indignity if happened in the past times, but today's society offers power beyond literal strength. Modernity made an easier place for ones never gifted of physical dominance but only for a little and it sure took a turn for worse and complex problems rose from the failures. But perhaps the reason why flaws in civilization exists is because of the popularization of weak men who never thought of importance of self discipline. They starved their selves of willingness to overcome weakness and settled to pleasure that can be grasped easily. A balance is needed.

But that's gonna be another story to tell.

I wear this boring tracksuit consisting of blue and white color combination. I watch them cheering while I sit in the ladder. Girls support the guys they like which will definitely cause a confidence boost to that said guys. Good for them. I stood up and did my warm ups just to be ready when it's my turn. I stretched my hamstring and lower back by doing the corresponding exercises needed for it. The body isn't the only one needing to be readied, but also the mind. Sugar is known to give temporary energy needed for a short time and so I swallowed candies prior to the event. I feel so relaxed, my body feels so lightweight that felt like flying above the clouds. Did I just ate a hallucination candy? Nevermind it. This way I feel more assured, assured of making to the second last at best.

"Astraea..." uttered by the instructor who holds the class. Wearing a white shirt and black jogger with a whistle in his neck.He has fit frame and good physique. Well, he should be. That's gonna be quite ironic if he wasn't.

I walked into the starting line for the 40 meter sprint. Their eyes set on us. The pressure is on and I try to ignore it. I just want this to be over already.

"Ready..."

"Get set..."

This is it. My mind went exploring just before the GO mark and happened to receive some flashbacks. Back in grade school, the first time I got to join a sprint.
Long story short, I tripped my feet. Everybody are laughing at me including Tristan, who was already the biggest kid back then. Tristan used that event to tease me every other day for the whole year. I shouldn't be remembering that embarrasment. My mind wandering for a split second made me lose focus and before I realized it, the signal has been given.

"GO!"

I started bad. My form awkward and dysfunctional. But fortunately kept it all together and ran as fast as I could. Putting all the energy in my legs. My muscles tense and my heartbeat beating harder every second. Sweat forms in my forehead. Forcing against the searing heat of the Sun and crushing pressure of the audiences. I felt the grip of the concrete each step. Their eyes watching me. Running as fast as I could while bearing their piercing sight. I crossed the line, a sense of relief catches me. It was over, I'm not sure if it was over.

Catching my breathe harder than I ran. Maybe it ran faster than me. I took a sit on the ladder, again. Resting to cool down my body. Lurking beneath the shade and begin cooling process. Well, I'm not gonna be so relaxed for at least a short time since Raine somehow found a way to interrupt the scene.

"Didn't know you can run. First time I saw you do it. "

She wears the same tracksuit like mine but having the combination of red and white color that were designated for females. I see that she tied her hair, a slight difference to her hairstyle everyday.