Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 13

I walked home from Rachel's. I walked from the lit up sidewalk to the dark alleyway. I tried to stay alert of my surroundings since it was so dark.

Finally, I got home. There were no cars in the driveway except for my parents'.

I went inside and they were cleaning up glass that was shattered on the floor.

"Everyone leave?" I asked.

"Yeah." Mom said. "Josh was going to stick around until you got here, but he left because he has to work a night shift. He left you something, though. It's in your room."

"Okay, thanks." I said.

I made my way down the hall to my room.

On my bed sat a Nike shoe box with a note taped to it. I tore the note off and read it in my head.

"Kick some ass at your meet tomorrow! Well, not literally... that would hurt." I could almost hear Josh say.

I laughed to myself before I took the lid off and unwrapped the shoes that were inside. The box revealed a brand new pair of black and white track spikes. I instantly fell in love.

I got my phone out to text Josh.

Thank you so much for the spikes!!

He replied so soon and I knew that he had been waiting for me to text.

You're welcome bro! I'm glad you like them

I put my phone down. I took my shoes off to make sure my spikes fit. They did, almost perfectly.

I opened the box of spikes and screwed them into the bottom of the shoes.

When I was done being cool, I took my spikes off and went to go take a shower and get in bed.

After I took a shower, I put boxers on and crawled into bed.

--

The next morning, I was surprisingly able to wake up in a good mood. I woke up excited for the day. That's probably because of the track meet, though. But, I think I know why I woke up in a good mood. I kissed Rachel. I kissed the girl that I'm almost guaranteed I'm in love with.

After I got my jersey, shorts, socks, and my Nike sliders on, I threw a sweatshirt and sweatpants into a bag. I also got deodorant because nobody wants to smell my odors after a day in the sun. I quickly threw water bottles, granola bars, fruit snacks, and a sub sandwich into a lunch sack.

I threw my bag over my shoulder and held my lunch sack with my left hand.

I grabbed my phone and earbuds before heading out the door and to the school.

I got there and dropped my stuff in the locker room before making my way down the hallway to the weight room where we were instructed to wait for our bus.

When I got there, Rachel, Sky, and A.J., were standing in some group.

"There he is!" Sky said.

Rachel shined her bright smile at me and I couldn't do anything but return her contagious smile.

Before I could say anything else, a girl on our team who likes to piss off Rachel by flirting with me called my name.

"Come here." She said, grinning.

Rachel's smile disappeared as I walked over to Kristi.

"Yes?"

"What are you running?" She asked.