Run Along

1 FRIDAY

Run Along

Written By unicornchaser

Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.

CHAPTER ONE: friday

As I approached the last hundred meters of my run, the shouts of a familiar voice grew louder,
"Run with pain! Run with pain!" I stared straight ahead, focusing on nothing but the orange cones that marked the finish line.

Concentrate.

Inhale.

I can do this.

Exhale.

Nearing the straight away, I gradually picked up my pace, deepening my strides. I pumped my arms until I was in a full sprint, concentrating on keeping deep even breaths.

Fifty meters.

You're nearly there.

Twenty-five meters.

Pain is temporary.

Ten meters.

I continued to ignore the side cramp that'd been growing more intense with every stride.

Push harder.

Only five more meters.

Then it happened.

My shoelace must've come undone sometime during the last fifty meters, because the next thing I knew, I was flying through the air. Before I had any time to process what was happening, my face hit the dirt. The adrenaline that was pumping throughout my body had been too strong for me to feel anything from the initial impact of my fall. At that moment, I could've sworn I was invincible.

As I attempted to push myself off the ground, something bounced off the back of my head. My left shoe landed with a thud— just several inches ahead of where I laid in a heap. Cue the dramatic irony.

For a second, everything was quiet. A stinging slowly resonated throughout my entire body and I winced in response to the pain. The parents and other spectators, who were scattered along the cones, which were set up as barriers for the meet, stared at me in concern. I was so close to finishing one of my best runs yet. It would've been a shame to have someone just carry me off the course. If anyone made an attempt to help me up, I was prepared to start hissing. I placed my palms on the ground, beginning my feeble attempt to get myself back on my feet.

Then, I heard it— fast-paced footsteps and ragged breath. I turned my head, silently pleading for it to be another guy. But I knew I was out of luck once I saw the blonde ponytail waving from side to side as she continued on. There was no way in hell I would allow this chick to beat me.

Her brows were knit together, eyes filled with determination as she advanced in full speed. Our eyes met for a split second, a smirk appearing on her face. I was a deer caught in headlights and this girl was the oncoming truck. If I didn't get my act together soon, she'd be the first female to cross the line. This victory was supposed to be mine. Stupid blonde, getting in the way of all my hopes and dreams. Okay, maybe I was being just a bit dramatic... maybe.

The crowd erupted into chaos. Some shouts were directed my way, urging me to get back up and finish the race. Others were cheering for my opponent, willing her to beat me. I reached for my shoe and fumbled with the laces. There is no way in hell I'm losing today.

I was nearly done with the knot when I felt her whizz by me.

Dammit.

I planted my hands on the ground and pushed myself up, breaking into a sprint. I pumped my arms harder than I ever had before, forcing my legs to follow. But it was too late. She passed the finish line while I was still ten feet behind. I did everything I could to ignore the little voice in my head that was prompting me to give up right then and there. Quitting? Who is she?