The Track and Me

Three

Chapter Three

"Ryan." He repeated.

"Mr. Burns, I was just running."

"That was not just running. Carrie, you have talent that doesn't come up very often."

I said nothing for a while. What was there to say?

"Carrie, I would love for you to join the team."

"Mr. Burns, I- I just- I don't know."

"How about you stay for practice at least."

"Okay."

Mr. Burns walked over to his bag, picked up something and threw it at me.

"It's your practice uniform."

I looked at the green and white colors on the uniform. I could be a part of something.

I walked to the girls locker room to change. Once I had the uniform on, I took in my appearance. Green and white. Go Trojans. I quickly shook my head. Carrie, you don't want this. Get it together.

I walked back on the track and seen that the rest of the team had already arrived.

"What is she doing here?"

I knew that voice from anywhere.

Kate Ashley.

Kate and I were best friends. We did everything together. That was until my parents died. Once I became depressed she didn't want to stay and pick up the pieces. She moved on.

"Everyone, this is Carrie Ryan. She is going to be participating today. Treat her as if she was part of the team. Go ahead and start stretching." Mr. Burns announced.

"Mr. Burns-" I began.

"Coach."

"Coach, I don't really know what you want me to do."

"Just get warmed up. We will run a few drills in a little bit."

Stretching and the drills came and went. Next was something that would be interesting.

"Now we are going to do challenges. Challenges are when one person on the team picks another to challenge them in a competition of my choosing."

Okay... Doesn't sound too bad.

"Jake, since you're captain you choose first."

Jake walked up to coach Jacobs and looked right at me. I was surprised when he picked another boy on the team.

Jake won with ease.

"Great job Jake. Kate, you're up next."

Kate walked up to coach Burns and said her competitors name with confidence.

"Carrie Ryan."

I walked up to coach Burns.

"Okay. You two will be doing the 400m."

One lap. That's easy enough.

We got into position. Coach said go and we took off.

The race was over quick and I won. The members of the track team looked surprised. Well they all did but Jake. Jake was smiling.

Kate was furious.

A couple more competitions were held.

"Okay everyone. Great practice. Same time tomorrow. I need to see Jake and Carrie. Everyone else is free to leave."

"Jake, don't worry about your laps. You were already beat by a girl today."

"No coach. I should have to do them." Jake said.

He walked to the track and began running.

"Yes Mr.- coach."

"What did you think?"

"I just don't know yet. Can I think about it?"

"That's fine." He said as he watched Jake run. "You know, Jake was like you at first."

"What?"

"Timid. Everyone sees him as a cocky runner that has ran his whole life. He actually joined the team last year."

I watched Jake noticing nothing that would lead me to believe that he hasn't been running his whole life.

"Talk to him. See if he can change your mind."

And with that, coach Burns walked away. 

"Carrie." Jake panted after finishing his laps, "nice name."

"We had a deal."

Jake looked confused.

"The race. I won."

Realization and hurt crossed his face.

"You can't be serious."

"Dead serious. Now if you'll excuse me I have places to be."

"Carrie, listen."

I stopped in my tracks and said nothing.

"Good race today. You got talent. Don't waste it."

Jake began walking away. He said that to be nice but I couldn't help but get riled up.

"Waste it? Why does that mean?"

"Gosh, Ryan. I didn't mean it like that. I was just saying scouts watch us run all the time. You run like you have been and you'll have a full ride in no time."

Full ride. College.

"Carrie, you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said shaking my head.

"Want me to drive you home? You look pale."

"I'll be fine."

I forgot about college. Grandma most definitely can't afford it. This could help me a lot.

"Carrie, let me drive you home. I mean you did win the race today."

"Yeah and you were supposed to leave me alone."

"Get in the car."

I hadn't noticed I had been walking until I stopped in front of a Toyota Camry.

"What are you waiting on? An invitation?"

I gave Jake a look of hatred and got into the car.

"Where to, Ryan."

I gave him directions to the house. The car ride was silent.

"So, tell me about yourself."

I looked up out of my daze, "there is nothing to tell."

"There has to be something. Why haven't I noticed you before?"

"Because you only pay attention to the popular people?" I said with an edge to my voice.

"What are you talking about?"

"Jake, I know your type. You hang around people that will benefit your future."

"You don't know anything about me Carrie Ryan."

Jake's voice had turned cold.

"Jake, I didn't mean to offend you. I just-"

"I get it Carrie."

"Jake-"

"Just drop it. We are here."

I looked up and we were. We were in my grandma's drive way.

"Thanks," I said getting out of the car.

Jake said nothing and began driving away.

This is why I don't have friends.