The Track and Me

Eleven

*Fast forward*

Senior year came and went. A month and a half was all that was left. Jake and I dominated on the track. Every race that was held, we both finished top 5. I won five races on the all female team and Jake won four on the all male team. We had a blast on the combined teams. Jake and I were always neck and neck. I never won but Jake did once and I finished second. My grandma always attended all of the races. She cheered me and Jake on at every race.

"There she is." Jake said picking me up and spinning me around. "I don't think anyone has had anymore full ride offers than you."

Jake put me back on my feet. "Stop. Like you didn't get a bunch too." I said smacking him on his chest.

I've been a lot better. I went to the doctor and was put on an anti-depressant. It was the best decision I have ever made. I've never been happier.

I have had several offers for college. Belmont, UT, MTSU, and several other colleges have offered me full rides. Same goes for Jake. He hasn't told me where he is going yet but I'm not sure he has even decided.

"I'm so proud of you. You've came so far." He said smiling.

"As have you."

Jake's biological father was released from prison. It was hard on him. He decided to go to trial to try and put him back into prison. The trial is yet to happen.

School has been great. I made a ton of friends through the track team.

"What's your plans?" I said asking Jake.

"For college?"

"Yeah. Where are you going?"

"I haven't decided yet."

He said that every time I asked. It's like he doesn't want me to know or he really doesn't know.

Nothing has happened between us. I'm still hopelessly in love with him. However he did ask me to prom. It was just a hey we should go together. Nothing big. It's next week and I still haven't found my dress.

You're probably wondering why I skipped my whole senior year. I'm not ending my story. This is just the beginning.

"Carrie!" Maddie said running towards me. "I'm signing right after school to go to MTSU! You're coming right?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

Maddie and I became very close. Kate decided not to come back to school. She transferred and I haven't heard anything about her since.

"After my signing we should go find your dress?"

"You haven't picked out your dress yet?" Jake said chuckling.

"It's not that big of a deal. I'm just..... waiting."

One of our teammates yelled for Jake to come over. After he left Maddie gave me a look.

"What?"

"You have him so wrapped."

"No I don't. We are just friends."

"Yeah right." Maddie said rolling her eyes.

"We are."

"Keep telling yourself that." She said laughing as she walked away.

==========================

"What about this one?" Maddie said holding up a dress.

"No. I hate pink and it's too fluffy."

"Eh. You're right."

"Maddie, that's the 22nd dress today. This is hopeless." I said falling onto the large ottoman in the middle of the floor.

"Don't say that!" Maddie said. "I will find you the perfect dress.

She walked outside and I heard her squeal.

"This is it."

She brought a beautiful dress out from behind her.

"Maddie, I think you did it."

=========================

"I need to at least know the color." Jake said after asking to see my dress a million times.

"Fine. A light blue." I finally said.

"Was that so hard, Ryan?"

"Shut up Stanley." I said pushing him slightly in the shoulder as we walked up the step to my house.

"Carrie! The letter! It came!" Grandma said as I walked through the door.

"Really!" I said running over to the mail.

I quickly went through the letter until I found it.

"Sweetie. Remember. No matter what it says you are still an amazing runner."

"It's an acceptance letter?" Jake said walking toward me.

"It's where my parents met." I said looking at the front of the envelope.

"Mars Hill? That's where you want to go?" Jake said looking over my shoulder.

"Yeah. More than anything."

I slowly opened the envelope. I read the contents before setting the letter on my lap.

"I got in. They gave me a full ride!" I said jumping up to hug my grandma and Jake.

"Sweetie! That's amazing!" She said hugging me.

"I knew you could do it Ryan." Jake said with what looked to be a forced smile. "I really should get going. It was great seeing you Margaret."

Jake quickly walked outside and got into his car. I quickly ran over to the door to stop him but he already began pulling out of the driveway.

"Here." My grandma said tossing me the keys. "He needs you."

I quickly ran to the car and jumped in driving to his house. I seen his car in the driveway as I pulled in. I walked up to the door and knocked. Kelley opened the door.

"Carrie! It's been so long." She said pulling me into a hug. "Come in. Jake just got home. Go on up to his room."

I walked up the stairs and knocked on his door. He said nothing so I knocked again.

"Mom I don't want to talk ri-" he looked up opening the door. "Carrie?"

"Hey." I said as he opened the door.

"What are you doing here?"

"What's wrong?" I said following him into his bedroom.

"You came all the way here just to ask me what's wrong? You really are something Ryan." He said chuckling.

"Jake." I said sitting beside him on he bed.

"It's nothing. It's just you know where you're going to school. I have no idea. I eventually just decided to go wherever you go. It would help me not have to make a decision and I wouldn't have to leave you. When you got that letter today I knew there was no way I would be accepted there and I didn't get an acceptance letter to go there. I haven't even gotten a letter to Mars Hill. And now I'm back to square one. No plans. I just don't know what to do."

"You shouldn't go somewhere just because I am."

"I know that but what else can I do? Go somewhere where I know no one. I don't have a connection anywhere. To any school. You know where you want to go. I admire that. So I just decided to follow you."

"Jake. I don't know what to say."

"That I'm an idiot." He said.

"No. That's not it. You should go where you wanna go."

"That's the thing Carrie. I want to be with you. I would follow you to the ends of the earth if I could. You mean everything to me."

"Jake. What are you saying."

"Carrie, I'm in love with you."