Someday, Who Knows?

Chapter 3: The Challenger

 Ellie's eyes narrowed as she fixed a steely gaze on Jeremy, weighing her options. The tension and animosity between them crackled in the air, she bit her lip, momentarily hesitating before deciding to speak her mind.

"Jeremy, let's clear this up right now. I don't like you, and I doubt I ever will. So don't think you can just casually chat with me like we're friends. We're not, and we won't ever be," she asserted firmly.

Jeremy's expression remained composed, his eyes meeting hers with an unsettling calmness that momentarily made Ellie second-guess her boldness. She felt a pang of regret for her blunt words, almost considering apologizing, but his unwavering demeanor kept her resolve intact.

"Is this all because of the ball incident?" he asked calmly, swiftly steering the conversation to the core issue.

Ellie hesitated. Yes, she was still irked by how he had embarrassed her, but her dislike for Jeremy ran deeper—it was about his effortless charm and popularity that seemed to push her nerves more than she cared to admit.

"Yeah, partly," she admitted reluctantly.

"But that was an accident, and I've already apologized," he pointed out.

"Well, I'm not ready to accept your apology," she shot back. "Just leave me alone, okay?"

Instead of backing down, Jeremy surprised her with an unexpected proposition, his voice carrying a challenge.

"Let's make a deal," he said.

Ellie's eyes widened, caught off guard by his sudden change in tone. She wondered what game he was playing now.

"I'll stay out of your way and not invade your space if you can beat me in a race," he suggested, "but if I win, you will join the relay team and give me a chance to be your friend. Deal?"

Her initial skepticism gave way to a flicker of interest. It was tempting, but Ellie sensed a trap beneath his proposal, a challenge designed to test her and perhaps even her skills. She raised a brow.

"Why aren't you confident in your talent?" he prodded, adding fuel to her simmering annoyance. "I thought you were good."

Ellie's nostrils flared in irritation, he knows how to push her buttons. She knew Jeremy was trying to provoke her, but she couldn't resist the challenge.

"Fine," she replied firmly. "Let's settle this in a race."

As Jeremy's smirk widened, doubts briefly flickered through Ellie's mind. Had she just walked into a trap? Despite her misgivings, she steeled herself for the challenge ahead.

Well, Jeremy, she thought to herself. I'll wipe that smugness off your face, I promise.

That night, Ellie lay on her bed, her mind swirling with thoughts of the challenge Jeremy had laid down. Was she diving into something beyond her capabilities? She admitted to herself that she knew nothing about his athletic skills, but she was confident in her strength and speed. She had faced off against boys in competitions before and emerged victorious every time. She had never been bested by any boy her age.

She smiled to herself. If she won, she could finally grasp those elusive days and months of peace. The idea of not having Jeremy around thrilled her. It would be a relief not to deal with his presence anymore.

Lost in these thoughts, she was suddenly jolted by a faint whimper from outside her room. Someone was crying softly, trying not to be heard. Ellie stood at her door, torn between going out to comfort her mother and staying put. It had been months now since that incident. How much longer would her mother be trapped in this state of grief, unable to forgive herself and move forward?