Attention What If

Chapter 56

POV: Skylar

The sound of a whistle has me kicking off from start. My shoes dig into the turf as I push myself one leg in front of the other. I stay focused. My eyes narrowing in on the finish line. All is silent around me. I breathe through my nose, out of my mouth, sweat dripping down my forehead.

I cross the finish line first, only stopping when it's done. I turn to see everyone else on the track far behind me.

"Nice work, that's a new personal best." My trainer comes up to me.

I try to catch my breath, wiping sweat from my face.

"Skylar, with these times, you could qualify," He says.

"It's not good enough," I shake my head in denial.

"You've been saying that for the past two weeks, and every day since then you've set a new personal best. You've shaved seconds off your initial time. Any better and you'll be setting world records." He says in disbelief.

I swallow the spit in my mouth and turn to him.

"Skylar," he meets my eyes. "You're ready."

"It doesn't even matter," I throw my hands down at my side. "I'm nearly too old. Some high schoolers will just show me up anyway. What's even the point of trying now?"

"Some runners run until they are in their late 30s. You are still in your prime! Trust me! You could win. Look, you hired me because I'm the best of the best. I don't tell losers they can win, I tell winners they can win. Did you come here to waste my time and your money? Or did you come here because you have something to prove to yourself?"

I sigh and sit down on the bench.

"Why are you holding yourself back? You've been pushing yourself since you got here, and after a year of hard work, I'm telling you. You are ready."

"Alright," I relent. "Let's do it."

"Yeah?" he smiles.

"Yes." I giggle.

"Yeah! Woo! We got a winner, girls!" He announces to the others on the track.

They all cheer and clap for me.

I groan in embarrassment.

"Nice work, Conrad," The coach walks over to me.

"Told you I'd convince her," Conrad, my trainer, says.

"Coach, are you sure about this?" I meet his eyes.

"When you came back here with your tail tucked, begging to get back on the team, what did I tell you?"

"You said I had to earn it. That I had to put in the work and prove that I really wanted it." I recall.

"And since then, you've been in here every day busting your ass, proving to me and everyone in here just how much you want it. You've earned it, and I think you are ready too."

"What if I just fuck it up again? Embarrass myself again?" I look down in fear.

"Then at least you can say you went down swinging. Don't you want to at least try?"

I take a deep breath and nod.

"Good, qualifiers are soon, and before them, world championships. Those qualifiers are next week. So get rested and ready."

I nod and stand.

"Don't worry about it, Skylar, you got this." He assures me.

I walk to the locker rooms and shower before changing into my work uniform and heading to the rec center. After leaving Darleen's house, I was able to get my old job back. Darleen stayed in town and transferred schools to my school. She also helped Kenzie get it so she could finish college.