Possessed

Chapter 8

Joanna called my Mum and I (eventually) slept on her sofa that night. It was Friday tomorrow but Mum insisted I go to school. Even once I told her I didn't feel well. And even still when I told her it was sports day tomorrow.

You must be wondering what I mean. Sports day in December? Well yes. Our school thought it was a good idea to host a sort of 'Winter Olympics'. Obviously, we don't do bob sledding and skiing and all that. We do the normal summer sports aswell as ice skating in the local ice rink. Mum brought over everything in the morning after a panicky phone call from me five minutes before we had to leave.

"What are you doing for sports day?" Javan asked once I was organized, on our way to school.

"Oh, um, I think I went for ice skating. You?"

"Two hundred meter sprint. I'm not really bothered though. I'm just gonna fall over half way through and be a laughing stock until year ten. Well, more of a laughing stock that I already am."

"Come on, lighten up. Anyway at least your actually doing it this year. You didn't even bother to turn up before now."

Not once did we bring up the subject that Javan nearly died just hours before. Or that an evil spirit was now after both of us. We just moaned our way to school like every other day.

And we carried on moaning up until we got to tutor where we got in trouble for being late. Miss Amble has never been the most forgiving teacher in the world - although Emmy managed to wrap her around her little finger - so we got a lunch detention. This day couldn't be more normal so far. Great.

On sports days, we spend the morning doing the field events and we go to the rink after lunch. So we all had to get changed first thing. Without Javan in there, all there was to listen to was girls worrying about how Chelsea will get caught by Miss in her push-up bra that pushes up far too much, how Holly's mascara was barely noticeable and how Hailey will never be good enough for Jackson. That could've been me if I'd have stayed with them. What a typical life.

Although it must be nice to have that innocence that they have. All they care about is gossip. And that's all they need to care about. It would just be great not to have all the pressure that comes with a friend like Javan.

When we were out on the field I was already worn out in the warm up. I guess I did ten push ups too many...

"I'm up." Javan patted my back and jogged up to the track.

"Good luck!"

Up he went. I'd never seen him run before. He's not particularly sporty but who knows?

Also on the track is... (I feel like one of those cheesy commentators in soccer games) ... George Higgins - short, stocky, easily beatable -, Rob Durnham - taller, stronger and probably faster -, John Stone - average build but great scented shampoo -, and Josh Hardy (Emmy's boyfriend) - fastest guy in school and about to win this race third year in a row.

"Ok boys. You ready?"... They got up to their positions... "Take your marks," ... Javan got ready ... "Get set," ... he took a deep breath and stretched out his legs ... "Go!"

They took off in a flash. And of course, Josh was in the lead, then... Javan! I never knew he could run! "Come on Javan!" I shouted at the top of my voice. They turned a corner and they were halfway to the finish line. The others were far behind and eating Javan's dust.

Then Josh and Javan were neck and neck. At one point Javan lead, then Josh gained speed, swishing from first to second. And with one last strain, Javan stretched every muscle in his body and dived forward. And by less than an inch, he won the race!