A Racer's Heart

1: I did it for you

Sasha's P.O.V

"So did you hear?" My friend Elizabeth said taking off her red ballet flats. Elizabeth was known for keeping up with the latest gossip. I on the other hand, was busy keeping up my grades and finishing first every Track meet. I shook my head no wondering what she would tell me today. "Coach is going easy on us because she's getting engaged!"

"Coach René getting married? To who? Who would get involved with someone as cold hearted as her? It was good to have someone cold-hearted for a Coach but for a wife?" I wonder aloud as I close my locker. "The last time someone got involved with Coach René they went to the hospital because apparently she said that they couldn't 'keep up with her physically' so she 'whipped them into shape' and if this new mate can keep up, be my guest."

"Come on Sasha," Elizabeth said putting her hair up. "Have a little hope."

"I hope, we don't have to do suicides today," I said putting on some deodorant.

"You and me both," Amanda said jogging out of the Locker room, signaling practice was about to start.

I jog out to the field to start the group stretches. No need for Coach to start yelling at the beginning of practice. Halfway through the stretches that our bodies no longer need to do, Coach René come blows her whistle for everyone to gather around. She goes over the details about the meet this Friday. I zone out their excited conversation and focus on my grandfather. One day I'll be with you up in the clouds.

I get a head start on our burn out run. It's when we run laps until we can't stand anymore. Jasmine and I usually run together but I didn't feel like running slow today. I felt like running until my ankles collapsed causing me to stop and even then keep pushing through to feel the pain and suffer like my grandfather did and possibly get closer to him. I finished my seventh lap and I felt my legs starting to surrender. Not today. I push through allowing the pain of trying to breathe cascade over me as I finished another lap. He's been through so much and I can't even get to ten laps? I start to slow down only to have flash backs flood my head. I shake it off and run even faster. Two more laps done. One last lap, I can do this. My legs start shaking and my heart is beating in my ears. I slow down into a slower jog and collapse on the ground when i past the marker. Ten laps, I did it for you grandpa. The girls huddle around me and start asking me if I'm okay. Coach René comes over and hands me a bottle of water. I try to gulp it down but the dryness of my throat makes it almost impossible. After the drummer in my head takes a water break I slowly stand up and walk over to the locker room. Coach ended the practice saying something about a new runner. I attempt to drink some more water after the desert in my throat said it wanted to be flooded.

I enter the locker room to see everyone exiting to go home. I change clothes into yellow short shorts and a white crop top. I pull my backpack out of my locker to get my phone and notice Elizabeth texted me.

Hey my mom got here early, come upfront ASAP

I text her back OK and rush out of the locker room.

I was running to the front of campus since the lockers for sports are toward the back when I accidentally run into a girl I haven't seen before. And let me just tell you, she was hella hot.

I stepped back and tried very hard not to check her out. I apologized and went around her. When she kept walking I checked out her backside. Yea I was right. She was hella hot.

I got into the car with Elizabeth to spend the night over at her house but I couldn't get that girl out of my head. Who was she? I look out the window of the car as her mom drove off pondering that question all night.