From Tracktown, With Love

Going places

Dear Jaime,

Remember the times when I used to sleep with a night splint? Well, they're back. My plantar fasciitis is back. To say that I'm frightened would be an understatement. The sharp pain shooting up my inflamed heel tendon with every step I take is barely tolerable when I walk... what more run? The Cascade Half Marathon is in three days and here I am, bogged down with my old nemesis for the past two weeks when I really should be out there perfecting my form. I'm really afraid my effort for the past 5 months will just go down the drain. What if I fall out during the race? What if I don't qualify for the World Half Marathon? Coach reckons I've been pushing myself too hard and has forbidden me from training in the hopes that I'll recover in time for the race. I'm so desperate I've taken to praying to God, though as you know, I'm an atheist...

The past two weeks without training has however, allowed me to catch up with my homework and assignments. I even had time to hang out with my classmates and go for my first house party! It's nothing like the parties we have at home, where there's always a birthday cake and everyone is on their best behaviour. Here, people cut their primal instincts loose and become 'alive' for a few hours in their intoxicated state. House parties are exactly how they portray in that show you used to make me watch with you on rainy nights (Mean Girls?) - There's a shit ton of booze, everyone drinks themselves silly, girls are scantily clad, people grind against each other and make out like there are no consequences, skinny dipping is common, as is sleeping around... I got a huge culture shock when a girl came up to me and asked if I wanted to "get outta here" - which I suppose is an invitation for me to get it on with her. She was cute, but I said no. There's not much stigma attached to sleeping around here. In fact, they seem to associate sleeping around with the notion that one is more desired. It's quite interesting how people of different cultures view sex.  The other thing about house parties is that it's the easiest way to make friends. I got to know my classmates so much better in a 2 hour booze session than 6 months worth of classes. But I guess it's hard not to become close to people you spill your deepest, darkest secrets to under the influence of alcohol. After that experience, I can see the appeal of house parties, but I'm not too sure if it's a luxury I'd like to indulge in frequently.

Talking about luxuries, I bought a second-hand red Mustang in great condition for $3,500 so I can drive to the different trails scattered over town! I know what you're thinking, I can't believe car prices here are 50 times lower compared to that at home too. Wish I had the chance to drive you around in my new car, then we could go places...

From Tracktown,

With Love.

***

Luke had gotten used to life in Tracktown. He had gotten used to the gruelling regime Coach had designed for him, the infuriating imperial system, and the American accent. Above all, he had gotten used to writing unsent letters to the girl he hadn't heard from in 5 months. One time he even bought a postcard. It was a comfortable routine he had fallen into - train, eat, study, write, sleep, repeat.

Then Crystal had to make that panicky WhatsApp video call and mess everything in his mind up. "I saw her holding hands with some boy," she'd bawled, "Isn't she with you?" Luke simply sighed and shook his head. He had refrained from telling Crystal about the break-up for he knew just how much his baby sister adored her. It was cruel for Crystal to have found out she'd moved on in this manner.

It was cruel for him too.

"Jaime? I'm bored with studying."

"Well, take a break then!"

"Would you like to dance?"

"W...What? I don't know how to dance."

"Aw come onnnn."

My thoughts are with you
Holding hands with your heart to see you
Only blue talk and love
Remember, how we knew love was here to stay

Now December found the love that we shared in September
Only blue talk and love
Remember, the true love we share today

I grabbed her off her chair and began to enthral her with my whacky dance moves. She was in a bit of a no-nonsense mood that day and was not impressed. I saw it in her dark, dark eyes. She must have thought I was crazy.

"BA DE YA - SAY DO YOU REMEMBER
BA DE YA - DANCING IN SEPTEMBER
BA DE YA - NEVER WAS A CLOUDY DAY"

The loud off-key chorus did it. She muffled her laughter in my chest and joined in the madness. She pranced happily, singing for the whole world to hear.

"BA DUDA, BA DUDA, BA DUDA, BADU
BA DUDA, BADU, BA DUDA, BADU
BA DUDA, BADU, BA DUDA"

We let it rip like complete whackos, with absolutely no coordination or killer moves. I did an ugly booty shake that scared the cat. She tried a hair flip and smashed a vase. And with her hand in mine, we drank the night in and laughed like never before.

I didn't know the lyrics properly then, but there were times I hated the fact we hadn't dated in September, and perhaps that was why love wasn't here to stay.

***