Take Me Away | ✓

» 5

P H O E N I X

The line for the track tryouts was longer than I'd expected. It extended from one end of the field to about halfway which was unusual since last year it only reached a quarter of the way. The track team had expanded to letting the younger years try out so that was a logical reason as to why so many people had shown up but then there was the more obvious one.

"Where the hell is Jay?" I paused in mid-stretch to glance over at Elsa who was tapping her foot impatiently.

"I don't think he's coming."

"He said he would."

"He obviously lied. Besides, this isn't really his scene." I gestured around the field to the others who had signed up for tryouts. From the corner of my eye, I saw Kaden sitting on the ground by himself.

Elsa noticed too since she nudged my shoulder.

"Don't start." I warned though she failed to oblige.

"He's hot and he can fight. If that's not sexy then I don't know what is." She fanned herself whilst wiggling her brows at me.

"What he did this morning was stupid." Everyone knew better than to get into an argument with Hampton, the hot-headed, egotistical jock. Though from my earlier encounter it looked like I didn't know either.

"Don't tell me you don't find him attractive."

"Hampton?" I made a face.

"Gosh no. I'm talking about Kaden."

I shrugged, bending down to tie my shoelaces. "He's alright."

"You should go talk to him."

"Nice try. You go."

"I would but I already have a boyfriend."

"And I don't want one." I resumed my stretches, turning my back to where Elsa's current project was sat.

"Is that so? I've seen you with Zach by the bike racks."

My face heated up at that but I brushed it off. "That's nothing."

"Are you sure? You know what he's like."

I did know what Zach was like. With his sandy blonde hair and champagne hued eyes he was definitely a sight for sore eyes. And among other things, a known player as well. It wasn't setting yourself up for heartbreak if you knew what you were getting yourself into. "It'll be fine."

She still looked unsure but decided to change the subject much to my relief. "You're serious about this then. Running, I mean." Elsa enquired.

I shrugged. "Just something to pass the time."

"Come on, Phee. You're here because you want to be. The rest are here because of the pizza."

I shot her a wry smile just as a boy stomped past with an angry scowl. "Some people really like their pizza."

She laughed, "Come on." Then taking hold of my hand she pulling me towards the back of the line and also towards where Kaden was. He looked up as we approached him, impassive as ever. His legs were stretched out in front of him, good arm resting across a raised knee. Except now the knuckles on that good hand were bruised, coloured in a painful looking purple shade.