Just your Wingman

Running Near a Cliff

I looked behind me to see a boy holding me up. Erick.

[I ran to close to the cliff]

"I'm sorry!" I said apologetically. He rolled his eyes. He pushed me back to my feet and calmly said, "Don't be sorry, be careful." I muttered, "Attitude much."

Ryan looked at Erick in surprise, "Erick, my bud! What're you doing here?" Ryan put his arm around Erick. "I was walking to McMug to get my dad. He works here." Erick said. Ryan looked at the time, "Okay gotta go!"

I sensed something in Erick. It felt as if he was holding back something. I didn't know what so I said, "Your dad doesn't work here does he." Erick jumped. He tensed up as he looked at me in fear, "How'd you know?!"

"You are a full on stalker aren't you?!" I accused him. Erick softened and looked to the floor, "Don't tell Ryan, okay?" I raised an eyebrow, "Tell him what?" Erick looked to the floor shyly as he always does. He muttered, "I worry about him sometimes okay? I've just been...so protective since that accident..."

I was confused in what he was saying, "What accident?" He began to walk away, "Forget it." I felt this weird thing in heart. It felt weird, like something crawling onto it. Knowing their was an accident that involved Ryan made me feel weird. Made me feel a little annoyed that I didn't know about it sooner. I started to breath heavily. "Not again..." I thought urgently to myself.

I urgently grabbed Erick's arm. I didn't know what I was doing. As if I was moving by myself. "Wait... Tell me about the accident." I said being controlled by my own heart. I tried to let go of his arm but something held me back from stopping.

Erick started to turn red, "Why are you touching me?! Let go!" My hand gripped harder, "Just tell me." Erick shouted, "Okay, okay! Let me go I'll tell you." My hand finally let go.

Erick looked to the cars on the street as they passed by
His eyes seemed dreary, "He...he hasn't been the same since the third grade." I rolled my eyes, "Cut the dramatic look just tell me the what happened." Erick huffed, "Fine, whatever." He looked up at me. I then realized I was an inch taller than Erick. He looked up at me with his green eyes. It looked dreary and saddened.

"When he was in the third grade he was walking home from school. I don't know the exact story but his mom told me a man in a black suit grabbed him and pushed him into a white van. He was unconscious the whole time due to the man choking him till he fainted. Once the cops got there he finally gained conscious. Now he has a small bruise on his neck. He now always seems so alert now." Erick said. I was enraged. I didn't know why, it felt weird. Like my whole body suddenly wanted to jump into the story and punch the man. I played it off and said,
"A bruise? Psh whatever."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Wake up dear, time for school." My grandma said. I threw a pillow to the floor, "Five more minutes." All my grandma did was smile, "Come on sweetie, I made breakfast." I smelled the scent of toast.

I bursted up onto my feet and ran to my closet. I quickly got ready then ran to the kitchen. Laying on the table was fresh beautiful toast. "Yes!" I exclaimed.

Then I heard a grunt from the halls. I went to the halls to see what happened. I saw my grandma on the floor struggling to get up. "Gram!" I shouted in concern. I helped her up to her feet. My grandma coughed hoarsely, "I'm fine dear."

"Gram are you sure?" She nodded weakly. I heard a honk from the outside. "Gram I have to go. You'll be fine right?" My grandma shooed me, gesturing me to go.

I ran into the bus and sat at my usual seat. There Mayla sat near me. Mayla yawned, "Morning!" I tapped my foot impatiently. I breathed heavily. I held onto my chest. It felt hard to breath again.

Mayla then looked alert, "Hey woah, you okay?" I breathed heavily, "Yeah...I..I...just need air." Mayla opened the window of the bus, "What happened?! Why are you stressed?!" I breathed heavily catching my breath. My heart beated fast, "Gram...she fell....nervous....concerned." I breathed harder.

My breaths were weak. Mayla got out the inhaler in my bag. She gave it to me quickly. I breathed into it taking in two puffs. After I took a few more deep breaths and I was back to normal.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. Thanks May. You really had me there." I breathed normally. "That's what friends do!" She exclaimed, "Now that I helped you, about that homework." I chuckled at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I ran quickly on the track. I've already done my first lap. I had two more to go until my mile was over. By now, Charlotte was probably on her third. I kept running keeping my breathing steady.

I never told my teacher about my condition. I wanted to be just like the other kids. I didn't want any special treatment. I wanted a fair game.

I was running out of stamina but I kept pushing myself. "Just a little more. Just a little more!" I kept telling myself. I growled at myself, "I'm not gonna lose this time! I'm not gonna fail this mile like last time! This is different!" I kept pushing and pushing. My breathing became ragged. "Don't you dare give up!" I kept running.

I remember the times I've failed. The times I didn't make it in time. The times I could never make it. I set all those thoughts aside. I knew I could make it this time. I knew I was ready.

I could have made it that time. If their hadn't been that rock there...

BAAAM!!

I tripped. I fell. I failed.

This wasn't a simple fail like the last times. This was a fail where I hit my head on the concrete.

BAAAM!!!