It Started With A Cigarette|✓|

Chapter-20: RUN!

~One month later~

I stared at myself in the mirror.
My legs had become toned from all the running and exercise. I picked up my water bottle and put it to my lips for the third time, taking in a long sip.

I was in my gym clothes. I had bought a pair of running shoes which I had worn. My arms and legs looked like that of an athlete's. I had lost a lot of body fat. My old clothes fit me better.
I was healthier and stronger.

Just then, I heard my phone ring. I nervously picked it up.
"Drew?", I said, putting the phone to my ear.

"You ready? I'll come and pick you up in ten. The marathon starts at eleven. Be ready, kiddo.", I heard Drew's voice.

"Hmm yeah ok.", I said before cutting the call. I had trained hard for this the whole month. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I drank some more water.

I quickly grabbed my bag and made my way to the front door. I checked for my phone and my water bottle inside the bag.

Soon enough, I saw Drew on his bike.
I gave him a nervous smile and sat behind him.

"You'll do well, don't worry.", Drew said reassuringly.

I nodded and looked straight ahead as the bike zoomed on the roads.

I had to win the marathon. Not for the prize, but for myself and for Drew.

---×---

"You are lucky. We had two spots left. What's the name of the contestant?", the lady behind the desk asked, checking out Drew. She was probably in her early twenties. Way too old for Drew.

I glared at her.
"Dina.", I said, intertwining my hand with Drew's.

She looked at me as if I was a box of mouldy pizza.

She scribbled my name on a paper and gave me a batch kind of thing.
Drew thanked her before I dragged him with me to the greenroom.

He hooked the batch to my dress and patted my back.

I looked at the clock. There were ten minutes left for the marathon to start.

"Focus on the path in front of you. Don't look at others to see how fast or slow they are going. Take a deep breath every ten seconds. It will help you. Don't be conscious. Everyone's running, not only you. And lastly..", Drew said.

He moved closer to me and pecked my lips.

"You'll do great.", he said.

I gave him a lovestruck grin and we both immediately turned when we heard someone clear their throat.

It was the school coach. He was not very interested in PDAs.

"The contestant can head to the ground if you both are done.", he said sternly, giving us the stink eye.

We both nodded, trying to suppress our laughter.

He gave us one last look before leaving the room, as if to make sure that we didn't do anything more than kissing.

As soon as he left, we broke out into laughter.

I wiped a tear and looked at the clock.

Sure enough, panic gripped me again.

"Hey! I told you! You'll do great.", Drew said, pushing me towards the exit.

I nervously walked towards the ground. A hundred sets of eyes fell on me as I walked into the ground. I heard a collective gasp from the audience.