Just Another Teenager

Chapter 11: Running the Track

Awesome cover by lilminx13! Thank you!

I watched as the gym doors opened, revealing a boy with golden locks and blue eyes. He looked around the gymnasium, utterly confused. I could understand why. A girl named Eliza and her friend Brianna were on top of a few kids who were holding them up. They kicked and jumped down. That is not a dance routine. 

After doing a few minutes of weights to get our body "pumped" as our teacher said it, we got into our dance groups. We were competing for the best routine. What they did was cheerleading- not dancing. At this point, I felt like keeping the nurse's note with me forever. It got me out of this... whatever this was.

I heard panting and steps from behind me and I snapped out of my daze.

Turning around, I saw a tomato version of my friend, Julica.

"Damn. You get sunburned really quick." She sat down on the bench next to me.

"Stop it. I was out there for twenty minutes straight." She countered, pointing at the doors she came out of. 

I couldn't help but think: Mhm. And you still got sunburned like that(*snaps*).

"Hey."

Julica and I whipped our heads around extremely fast that I think I pulled a neck muscle.

In front of us stood the "pretty boy". Liam. 

"H- hi." I stammered. I still hadn't gotten used to seeing him. Calm. Calm.  I reminded myself. You can do it. "What's up Liam?"

He seemed confused with my sudden friendliness, recalling the other times I ignored or yelled at him. He just went with the flow. "Nothing much. I'm just not sure what to do?" He asked, signalling to the awkward dancing a different group had started.

We didn't say anything. That was until Julica punched me in the ribs. I cursed at her and turned back to Liam with a sickening-sweet smile. "Just talk to Mr. Lax." I pointed at the gym teacher. "He should be able to help you."

He nodded and walked off. I kept the smile on my face before I knew he couldn't see us clearly. I turned back to Julica and glared at her. "What was that for?!" I threw my hands up in exasperation. 

"I dunno." She stroked her chin as if she was in deep thought. "Maybe to get you used to talking to him."

"Is that all?" I asked, knowing there was most likely more to her explanation.

"Well there's much more than that..." She wiggled her eyebrows. 

I jumped out of my seat, about to scream a curse word at her. "I am going to kill you." I stated. I then pounced on her and we fell on the floor. She got up and ran around the gym. I chased after her.

"Mmm." Someone cleared their throat. We looked at the originator of the sound. Mr. Lax. "Seems like you can run?" He asked- more like stated. I gulped in response.

"Laps till class is over!" He claimed and pointed towards the doors to the track.

We grunted in response and headed towards the track.

"Ms. Julica!" Julica stopped. "You have done your share of runs. You will have to dance with your group to receive an A today."

She grinned. "See you later sucker!" She whispered into my ear before she ran off to join her group.

I groaned. Now I'm going to be running the track alone.

I turned to face the double doors and headed outside. I passed a group of teens hanging out near the gym. The turned to me and nodded.

Aren't they supposed to be in class?

I got my question answered when the scrambled when they saw a teacher coming their way.

 I rolled my eyes and stopped as I reached the track field.

I scanned the field and started to run.

"Alison!"

I skidded to a halt. I turned around to glare at the person who startled me. I was surprised, however, realizing that I was staring at my old best friend. I unconsciously smiled.

"Hey Liam." I walked towards him.

"Hey Alison." There was an awkward silence between us until Liam broke it with a wide grin. "Like old times?"

I couldn't help the continuously growing smile conquering my face. I flexed my hand (which showed no muscles at all) and responded. "Like old times."

We faced each other and glared into each other's eyes. "It's on." He replied, smugly. "I've been practicing."

"Doesn't mean I didn't."

We clasped our right hands together and I couldn't help but feel a tingle running along my hand.

We narrowed our eyes at each other.

"One, two, three, four. I declare a thumb-war!" We said in-sync.

We wrestled each other's thumb and I had a feeling I was going to win.

Well that was until...

"Hey! You two lovebirds! Stop doing whatever you are with your hands." He gestured at our interlocked hands. "And start running!" Mr. Lax frowned at us.

I instantly flushed a light pink color. And that was Liam's chance. He took my thumb and gabbed it into my pointer finger. "One. Two. Three." He released my hand and I felt the warmth fade away. "Ha! I won! In your face! Boom!"

I pout. "You cheated." I argued.

"Did not. You just got distracted." He huffed.

Thanks again @lilminx13! I love it!

Here's her cover (if it didn't show at the top)