Promises || Road To Nationals

|19| Provincials (Part 3)

Jordan's POV: 

   "OH MY FUCKING GOD! SHOOT ME IN THE ASS!" 

   "Woah there... Aggressive much?" Angel says to Vex as she frantically scans the semi-final groupings. 

   After the boys' heats, we regrouped in our locker room. A few minutes ago, Coach came in with the semi-final listing. He tries not to show emotion when it comes to these things, but there's an obvious concern in his eyes. 

   Kai and I turn around to face the other bench, the smell of sweat and feet filling my nostrils. "What's the problem?" 

   Vex and Lyric look up from the paper, fists clenched tightly, "We already lost," Lyric says with tired eyes. 

   Dre raises an eyebrow, "Wow, Ladies: love the optimism. Kai just ate shit, and his panties aren't up his ass," he points out, hand on his hip with a smug grin. I hold in a small chuckle. 

   Kai kicks him in the back of the knees, sending him to the ground, "Drop it," he states with a threatening smile.

   Vex shakes her head, handing the paper over to me. When I read its contents, my eyes widen. Vex and Lyric are racing against Emi and Faith, two skaters that are a second faster than them. I look up to see the disappointed looks on their faces. It makes my heart hurt. 

   "We're fucked," Vex buries her head in her hands. 

   I chuckle nervously, "Come on. You're acting like it's already over." 

   "Easy for you to say," Vex pushes her hair out of her face, "You're pretty much guaranteed to qualify for the finals. Then after that, all ya gotta do is beat one person, and boom! Nationals."

   "I don't know..." I say, scratching the back of my head.   

   Coach, who's been silent this whole time, snatches the paper from my hands and walks to the center of the room, "That's enough," he states, rubbing his temples, "Vex, Lyric, if you two are gonna go into that race a losing attitude then you might as well pack your bags and go home." 

   The boys all take a step back, and everyone goes silent. Vex is especially quiet. As shitty as it is, I can understand why Ryder called us a team of losers and quitters. 

   "Jordan." I cringe at the sound of my name. I didn't even say anything. He peers into the depths of my soul. I try to hold eye contact, but I feel my bravado fading fast. "If you look too far ahead, you'll get the rug pulled out from under you. You're not guaranteed nationals, or even the finals. Focus on not just qualifying but winning. If you don't skate like you mean it every time you step onto the ice, then this isn't the sport for you." 

   My eyes travel down to the rubber floors. Vex was the one being all negative, not me. 

   "There isn't a single race you're destined to lose," he looks at Vex and Lyric, "Nor is there a race you're certain to win," he looks at me, "In speed skating, everything is a variable. People stumble and fall," he looks at Kai, which he doesn't appreciate, "And sometimes they make bad calls," he shoots a look in Dre and Angel's direction. We're gonna have to hear about that one later.  "The point is that there are no constants in this sport. That's what makes it so exciting. You don't have to win gold or qualify for nationals: not as long as you skate with passion." 

   "Wow," Vex says with wide eyes as we all stare in awe. It's like watching one of the inspirational speeches back in high school right before finals week. "I appreciate the enthusiasm and all but I need you to take that optimism out of here." 

   Angel covers her mouth with his hand, "You're only making it worse for yourself," he says through gritted teeth. 

   Kai shifts on the bench next to me, "He's right though."