My Demons

Chapter One

BANG! The starting gun fired with a distinct pop. Tess watched as the first runner in the four by one took off. She waited patiently at her spot in lane three. She was always put on the last leg since she had proven herself one of the fastest runners on the track team. Tess smoothed her sticky blonde hair back out of her eyes as the third runner pelted toward her.
Come on Chelsie, pick it up! Pick it up! She yelled to herself knowing she shouldn't out loud. Chelsie had cost them the 400 earlier today and Tess's team needed this win. She held out her hand stretching her fingers for the baton, but Chelsie stumbled making the hand-off slower than it should have been. Tess took off with the baton, legs pumping; an aggravated determination could be seen on her features. She had never lost the four by one since the track season started and she didn't plan on losing today. Her lungs started to scream as she closed in on the head runner.
Breathe... She coached herself trying to focus on the finish line. Her legs were shot from the days earlier events and were trying to give in. In her ears rang cheers from the stand as everyone cheered her on, but Tess knew she couldn't risk a glance at the stands. Tess managed to get herself beside the lead runner just as the finish line approached. Leaning forward, she crossed the finish line almost falling on her face. Tess coughed bending over and gasping for air in short hefty breaths.The teammates that had waited at the finish line for her came over asking how she felt and giving her healthy pats on the back. Not helping her breathing much,
"Did....we...," She gasped, "win?" Everyone laughed,
"Never thinking about your own well-being," Levi said,
"Typical Tess," He teased. Tess sat up and punched him in the arm halfheartedly. Levi and Tess had always grown up as best friends together. His blonde hair and grey eyes matched her own, and if you didn't know who they were you'd think they were siblings. Tess looked around at the field scattered with runners everywhere. Stark County Wolverines, Tess's school, was hosting this track meet. Tess began walking across the soft grass in the middle of the field making sure her legs didn't cramp up as per usual after she ran. Levi walked beside her his height one of the only differences between them. She looked up at him,
"Did I win?" Tess repeated. Levi shook his head,
"I think you did, but only by about this much," He answered holding out his thumb and pointer finger, making them about an inch apart,
"A win's a win," Tess answered him quickly. There was an awful screech as the loudspeaker came on,
"The winners of the girls four by one are...In Fourth place, Orange County. In third place, Union Pike," Tess grabbed Levi's arm in anticipation. He chuckled.
"Second place, Oak Ridge. And in first place, your Stark County Wolverines!" Tess gave a happy squeal and hugged her teammates around her jumping up and down. Winning that race now gave them the lead for points at the meet. After the moment of celebration went away Tess walked over to the team's tent getting a water bottle out of the cooler. She opened the cap with a twist, and took a healthy gulp out of it. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to see her mom and dad standing there with big smiles on their faces. Tess walked over to them,
"Good job, Honey," Her mom congratulated, brown eyes dancing with happiness,
"You almost lost it there at the end," Her dad said less cheerfully, his grey eyes held no sparkle. Tess rolled her eyes, if there was always something expositive to find in anything her dad would find it,
"Thanks," Tess mumbled to her dad. Her dad didn't say anything, but turned to watch the boy's four by one. Tess walked toward the infield straining to see Levi. He had just got the baton for the third leg and was meters ahead of the second place runner. Tess let out a cheer as he passed the baton on. Unfortunately the last leg runner was a fill in for a sick teammate and quickly lost all the ground Levi gained, finishing third. Tess fanned herself with her shirt,
"Well that's disappointing," She sighed.
"You bet," Her dad answered which made her regret even making the comment,
"Christian don't be such a Debby-downer," Tess's mom said gently. Tess put a hand on her hip. That was her mom's favorite phrase. Debby-downer? What did that even mean? Tess really didn't care; she walked over to the breathless Levi,
"All that work, just so he could blow it like that," Levi complained. Unlike the girl's team, the boys didn't have many runners and needed all the points they could get,
"Maybe next time," Tess said even though she knew Levi had heard those words hundreds of times.
"Sure," Levi responded grudgingly. Tess touched his arm in a comforting gesture. Levi had been working hard at the track meets; no doubt he would take the loss personally,
"You want to go watch the last races?" Tess suggested,
"Sure" Levi responded again,
"You need to learn to expand your vocabulary," Tess joked. Levi's lips twitched with a small smile in response,
"Let's just get this meet over with," He began walking to the middle of the field, his feet noiseless in the grass. Trotting, Tess walked ahead of him a small challenge for him to speed up. Levi sauntered up beside her easily, his long legs giving him a small advantage. They both watched as the girls lined up for the two-mile race.

~

As always the two-mile lulled by boringly with not much action. The Wolverines finished second, and the same was repeated with the boys only they finished first. Celebration was short lived as the loudspeaker came on again. An obvious frown tugged at Levi's lips as the announcer said the boy's team got third. Tess gave him a small tap on the shoulder,
"Hey it's better than last time," She said encouragingly,
"But still not as good as it should be," Levi sighed. Tess knew he was still mad about the four by one. The loudspeaker screeched as the results came out for the girl's team. Tess's heart jumped in excitement. In all her years of running she always found herself getting excited when that annoying loudspeaker came on with the results,
"First place by one point is the Stark County-"The announcer didn't get Wolverines out as loud cheers broke out. Tess's grey eyes sparkled with happiness and she hugged Levi jumping up and down. Levi laughed,
"Hey Tess, we won," He said grinning sheepishly. Tess stuck her tongue out,
"Hey don't go catching flies," Tess's mom said behind them. Tess laughed and hugged her mom,
"That was too close for comfort," Her father said. Tess watched Levi's gaze narrow at her father. Tess mouthed 'don't' to him and he let out a sigh. Tess waved to her parents as she ran over to help the team pack up all the track equipment. Levi was quiet as they collapsed the track tent putting the tent in its bag.
"What's wrong?" Tess asked walking beside him,
"One day someone's going to show up your father," He started. Tess frowned as she looked at his expression. Levi did not like Tess's father, the only reason there had never been an argument was because of Levi's respect for Tess,
"Levi please don't," She groaned. Levi's jaw was set,
"I hope it's me," He said flatly.