Reflections

Part I-Chapter IX

~Zia Meadows~

Classes were passing by faster than any other day in the last few weeks. I sat with Nala and Blaise again for my lunch period, and I think it's for the best to make this my permanent spot from here on. They didn't complain, but rather welcomed me.

"Hey, if you can sit with us as much as you want! After all, it would be nice to know you besides being on the Track team." Nala had said.

Blaise usually kept quiet, but occasionally would join the conversation if the topic was intriguing.

Nonetheless, I felt at ease knowing I had a place to stay.

Track practice soon came to play. I had to quickly reinstall the spikes in my sprinting shoes because it rained yesterday. I didn't bring my regular running sneakers, so I had remove the spikes to be able to use them for our workout. However, I was on a time-crunch. I ended up running our warm-up barefoot. Thankfully, it wasn't blazing hot and the raindrops had already dried up. That's just exquisite.

I finally got my opportunity to put my sprinting spikes on while the others were doing their dashes first. I stood on one foot while I held the other up, so I could tie the laces. My balance was equivalent to a flamingo.

My coach even questioned,

"Zia, how do you manage to keep your balance like that?"

I shrugged.

"I honestly have no clue. Maybe the wind taught me so?"

He laughed then told me to hurry up, so that I'd race with Blaise and Nala. We were divided into our lanes, and positioned ourselves. My pointed daggers were in the ground, one leg stretched out and the other in and took one final deep breath.

On your mark....

My left arm was locked into the proper location and my right arm came behind my waist.

Get set...

My heart raced and fire ignited in my plasma.

SPRINT!

We all blasted into action. The warm, dry wind in my face, the swinging my long ponytailed hair and relief to use my emotions and will as fuel to keep myself going. As we passed the one hundred meter mark, we had to close in on one lane. Blaise was ahead of Nala and me by a foot. I kept pushing till we reached the finish line of two hundred meters. Blaise was the victor, but I came right after.

As we walked back to our base, we caught our air for the next round. The coach says we are the top runners in the sprint team, and our effort clearly shows. Though, I doubt that I'll be able to continue this for another year, but that's a matter for the future.

After a few more rounds and a cool-down, practice was over.

Sweat was dripping from my forehead and I felt completely drained. I sat against the brickwall while I patiently waited for Victor to arrive. I saw Diana walk with her friends, and my memory relapsed.

A few weeks before I confronted her, I went to the counselor for advice. Due to her manipulation and my mental weakness, I had no courage to stand before her and confront reality. I could have gotten away weeks ago, no, months ago. But what kept me from doing so? Was it that she was one of the few childhood friends I had left? Was it because she had been so welcoming before she changed? Or was it that she truly knew my vulnerabilities and knew how to keep me from escaping her spinning web? Nevertheless, I had to do it sooner rather than later.

"What's your name, sweetie?" The frail woman at the front desk asked softly.

"Zia... Zia Meadows."