Chapter 2: The race track

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Maggie's POV

"This isn't exactly what I had in mind for a graduation lunch" I say while looking down at the takeaway tray in my hands. "Hey I sprung for the churros" my dad replies with as we join the stands to watch Ray practice at the track. I look up to see Sally who is my dad's friend, "Hey, is Sally still sponsoring you?" I ask curiously, because I've been at college I don't really know much about the team anymore.

Dad sighs, "one of the proud few" I knew that the team was struggling but I didn't know it was this bad. "Congrats on graduating, Maggie!" Sally says energetically I smile back and say, "thank you"
"Maybe you could help find a job for Maggie with us" dad chirps in and Sally turns to look at dad with a smirk, "the only thing team Peyton needs right now is to win" my dad smiles and starts to walk off whilst saying, "we're turning this thing around, I know it!"

Almost in perfect timing Ray comes to take the corner, "Aw, come on Ray, what are you doing?" I mumble to myself looking at the poor form my brother has while racing, he is just slipping all over the track! I go to shout louder, "Ray what are you-" I am cut off by my brother slamming against the wall violetly. I start to panic although I see my brother climb out of the car angrily reassuring me that he was fine, "you were just pushing the right front" I yell to him from the stands. He looks over at me pissed off and a glare in his eyes, "is that what you learned in college? THANKS!" He yells sarcastically back at me and I let out a scoff in response.

I walk into the families living room with my certificate looking at the family wall. There are newspaper articles, pictures and little cut outs of my grandpa when he was racing, "now you gramps had style" I mutter to myself utterly inspired by him. "He sure did" my dad replies from the door frame giving a little jump scare but smiling back at my dad. "I'm sorry I didn't pull out all the stops for graduation" my dad confesses guiltily I reassure him with a loving smile, "it's ok, that's always been mums department anyways" I reply with a hint of sadness at the mention of my mum.

"Yeah, but it's been ten years I should of had more of a clue" my dad blurts out, almost scalding himself and we remain in silence for a moment. "I didn't know the team was doing so badly" I break the silence with something that had been on my mind all afternoon, "it's a bad streak we'll pull out of it" I had never seen my dad so exhausted, this 'bad streak' has been straining my dad for a while and it shows on his face, he has big bags under his eyes.

"I do think it's time to find somewhere for you up on that wall" he says happily pointing to the family wall then taking the certificate out of my hands. He pulls a news article off the wall of my grandpa and replaces it with my certificate, "that ought to do it justice" my dad says proudly making me feel warm and happy. "Night dad" I say while walking out of the room. "Night baby" my dad replies not long after. "Hey Maggie" He says bringing me back into the room, "tomorrow morning I'm getting you a graduation present" he says in a satisfied tone.
"You don't have to" I reply with a hint of guilt, I won't even be here for very long because I will move to find a job interviewing people at a news station. "I want to" he replies with, we smile at each other and I exit the room once again but excited for what tomorrow will bring.

What do you think the graduation present is going to be? Read to find out!
- Author

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