Something New

11

Meghan's POV:
"I don't really understand how this sport works but are you ready to kick butt?!" Luke asked me. My race was coming up and I was getting nervous.

"Yes. Weight was a bust so I'm hoping to come out on top with this." I replied.

"You don't know if it was a bust. The results haven't been posted yet." Andrea added." Get that out of your head. Let's get going." We walked away from Luke and stood near the track waiting for our heat.

"Did you think he was coming today? Maybe he makes you nervous." Andrea asked.

"If anything he makes me better; I constantly want to impress him." I answered." Where's your boy toy?"

"At home. First meet of the season is already nerve racking enough, I don't need to add to it with Mark being here." Andrea explained. When they called our Heat, we got our numbers and got into our lanes.

I took a look at Luke as girls were getting situated and blocked up. He shot me a thumbs up and smiled. I smiled back before getting into position.

There was absolute silence before the gun blasted and all of a sudden my legs took over my body. I didn't pay attention to who was in front of me or who was conning up behind but I kept going. Once's i finished the first six-hundred meters, I began to kick it up a notch. The last two hundred meters were a blur and once I crossed the finish line I collapsed onto the turf in a pool of sweat. I didn't even look at my time but assumed my coach had them written down somewhere.

"You did very well." Coach Travis said as I walked up to him." Probably the best I've seen you compete since state two years ago. Where was all this last season?" He asked me.

"Hiding out in a cheerleading uniform." I answered as I took a sip of water.

"Regardless of your placement you should be proud; there was a lot of fierce competition today." Coach explained. He then continued with the run down for next week to get me prepared for another meet in a few weeks. Once the other heats finished competing, they moved on to awards.

I sat nervously with Luke and Andrea waiting for them to announce the winners. When they got to third place and I hadn't heard my name, I became more anxious.

"If you win first, I won't be upset. You deserve it." Andrea said." Same here but you deserve it more. You worked a lot harder than me last season." I replied.

She smiled as they began to announce second place." From Birmingham High School-" Andrea and I held hands tightly." Andrea Gonzales!"

She jumped and I gave her a hug before she got up onto the podium. I covered my mouth as Luke hugged me from behind as I waited for first place.

"And your overall winner also from Birmingham High School is Meghan Irwin!" I jumped and squealed before jumping up the podium by Andrea. They placed the medal on around my neck and handed me a plaque. A few tears fell from my eyes as the crowd cheered. Coach Travis took a picture of our podium before everyone got down.

When Coach Travis went over to Luke, I got kinda worried. Before I could step in, a few people came up to talk to me.

"Miss Irwin." A woman said." Carla Bradford from Stanford Athletic Recruitment Office; mind if I speak with you?"

"Elijah Sacrell, Coastal Carolina." A man added as he shook my hand.

"Very impressive race out there today. How would you feel about giving some consideration to run for us next year?" Ms. Bradford asked.

"Or us." Mr. Sacrell added annoyingly. To be fair, I had never heard of Coastal Carolina or considered any East Coast schools." We're willing to give you whatever you want."

"Oh my goodness, that's a very generous offer." I told them. I was star struck; never had I considered running in college but to have a full ride would help when medical school comes around." I would definitely have to think about it as well as hear out from other schools."

"Totally fine, give my office a call for anything and ask for me." Ms. Bradford told me as she handed me her card before shaking my hand one more time and walking away.

Luke's POV:
When she got down, I was prepared to give her a hug before a few adults approached her.

"Excuse me." I turned around and her coach was standing behind me." You're Meghan's boyfriend right?"

"Yes sir." He stuck his hand out and I gladly shook it.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Her Coach asked. I agreed and we stepped off to the side, I occasionally looked over to my shoulder to see if she saw us talking." This is going to sound very weird especially since you're not from here but would you mind trying to make it a priority to come to her meets?"

"What?" I asked confusedly.

"I have never seen her race like this. The last time I saw her make times like this was the first time her brother and friends watched her freshman year. I think you being here subconsciously made her want to impress you. I think if you're here at all her meets, she'll be able to break another school record." He explained." I'm not asking for much and I know you want to see her succeed as much as I do but if at all possible just try to be there."

I felt like Ashton was talking to me from the way this guy sounded. I mean he wasn't that much older than I was and he looked much like the guys you see running in the olympics.

"Will do sir." I replied.

"Thank you, Luke." He turned to walk away but stopped." And if you ever cheat on her again, so help me god I will rip out your throat."

Oh good, another person that knows. The only thing different about him is that he very well could. I nodded frantically before he smiled, lightly hit my shoulder and walked away.

Meghan ran up to me and jumped into my arms." I am so proud of you!" I said.

"Thank you for being here. I couldn't have done it without you calming my nerves. What did Coach Travis say to you?" She asked somewhat worriedly.

"Oh nothing important. He introduced himself and said hello. Thanked me for being here before leaving." I replied. I didn't want to tell her about him asking for me to be here at all times because it'll defeat the purpose of her trying to impress me.

She smiled and hugged me again." I'm going to throw some pants on but I'll be back before they announce the field awards.

She came back a few minutes later and sat down with her friends on the turf waiting for them to announce the weight throw awards.

***

"How did it go?" Jack asked when we walked into the house. She held up a first place trophy and showed off her medal." Congrats!"

"Thank you. In addition to these awards, a few college scouts approached me at the meet and told me to start considering them. One offered me whatever I wanted so I could very well get a full ride." Meghan explained." That'll come in handy when medical school comes around."

"Medical school? How much of college were you thinking about?" I asked her, trying to hide my nerves." I thought you were going to UCLA."

"I mean they didn't offer me any scholarships and Stanford is a good school. Plans are changing and I need seize every opportunity given." Meghan explained. Internally, I was trying to convince myself that proposing at Michael's wedding was still the best bet to avoid waiting till she's done with school but externally, I kept a smile like nothing was wrong.