Beyond the Lesson (TXS)

Good Conversation

Coach Henry is a great coach don't get me wrong but as I lean my body against the cold wall, sweating and breathing heavy contemplating my life choice to join this god forsaken team, I'm sure she enjoys torturing us more then she enjoys us winning. "Last lap!" She calls and blows her whistle and everyone pushes off the wall to run to the other end. And then we fight the need to collapse. She watches us closely and we hold each other up to not let the other touch the ground. "Alright hit the showers! We do this again Wednesday!" She blows the whistle and we all drop feeling like walking is now something we no longer know how to do.

"I'm quitting!" Kai says breathing hard looking up at the ceiling.

"Yeah right! You're my co captain bitch you can't quit!" I say and she groans.

"I hate you so much." She says and we all eventually rise up and go to the lockers room excited to take showers. I let the water wash down on me. "Talia! Your girl is here!" She yells out and I chuckle shaking my head.

"She's still not my girl Kai. We've talked about this." I say and she shrugs it off. I get dressed in basic black shorts and a black tee. I get out the locker room and turn to my right slightly to sneak up on Maira. "Boo!" I yell grabbing her shoulders and she yells. I laugh hysterically and she pouts.

"You know I scare easily ass! I hope coach makes you guys run the track next practice." She threatens and my mouth flies open .

"Great idea, president." Coach yells walking past us and I groan as she laughs.

"Nice job." I say and walk away and she runs after me. We get outside and I walk her to her car now that it's dark.

"Need a ride?" She asks and I shake my head.

"Nah Tyson is coming." She nods and gets in her car and then drives off. I go back to the front of the school to sit at the bench to wait for Tyson. I text him telling him I'm out and he doesn't reply after 15 minutes. I groan wanting nothing more than to be in my bed asleep right now. I should've just rode with Maira and texted him telling him not to worry about it.

"Waiting on your ride still?" I hear the familiar accent and look up from my phone. She's in a black trench coat that's tied at the front so all I can see is her heels.

"Yeah my brother. He told me not to keep him waiting and yet he's not here." I say and she nods.

"But he is coming, right?" She asks and I shrug.

"At this point I'm not sure to be honest. He probably got caught up with work later than he thought and can't text me. It happens a lot." I say and she nods scratching her head. "You can go Ms. Romano. I'll be fine."

She sighs. "Yeah I'm sure you will." She looks back and I see just one car, a black Mercedes Benz. Nice. "It's just-

"I'm a big girl ma'am. If a big scary monster tries to get me I'll kick his ass." I say confidently and she rolls her eyes. "Seriously I'll be fine. He's just running behind." I say and she nods.

"Ok. But come sit in my car." I raise a brow. "It's freezing out here and you're shaking in those shorts." She says and she's not lying it is cold.

"Wouldn't you get in trouble?"

She shakes her head. "I'm not taking you off campus. Besides I'm not just going to let you die from hypothermia. So come on." She says and starts walking away before I even get up. I watch her walk away and sigh getting up to follow her. She unlocks the door and we get in and she immediately turns on the seat warmers and heat. I release a relaxed breath. "Better?" I nod with my eyes closed. "Good." She says and then silence fills the car.