Never Be •LH•

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Warning: Mild sexual scene.

My feet pound the ground relentlessly. I push myself hard. I will not let them beat me. My breathing settles into a steady rhythm as I go. The familiar burning sensation in my calves come and I welcome it. My heels dig into the ground as I push myself forward. My hair flies and whips around behind me. My strides become longer and my heart beats faster. I run hard until my lungs hurt and then I push myself harder. My chest heaves and it burns when I suck in a breath yet I keep my pace. I slow down when I'm about a hundred yards from the finish. I stop completely and ready myself. I quickly glance over my shoulder and see the other girls behind me. Closing in fast but still not a real threat. I crouch low and my toes of my tennis shoes dig into the grass. I shoot forward and sprint as hard as I can to close the distance between me and the finish. I don't slow down, I barrel strait past the end and then slow down to a jog and then to a walk. I hunch over and heave air into my lungs. It brings pain but its not so bad that I don't relish in the feeling of winning. The coach walks up behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder. I straighten up and she smiles. I easily return it.

I turn around in time to see the other girls finish the run. I get glares from them as they jog in breathing hard. I just smirk. I find their jealousy amusing. My PE class sucks. They are lazy and don't put effort into anything they do. Always being yelled at to stop walking by the coaches. They shouldn't be mad at me because I actually try to get a good work out. It's their fault for half assing the assignments. I'm not an athlete. No, not at all. In fact I hate running. But last year I let my friend sucker me into track and cross country so I at least have some experience. More than these lazy girls. I decided to take PE this year because it's a whole lot easier. Okay, I'll admit it, maybe I'm a little lazy also. It doesn't change the fact that I won.

My friends pat me on the back as they head towards the water stations. When I join them I grab one of the paper cones and fill it with the cool water. I press the edge to my lips and let the cold liquid run over my tongue. I gulp it down greedily and when Im done re-fill it. Drinking that one a little bit slower. Letting it cool me down.

"Alright ladies! Start jogging back to the locker rooms!" Our coach yells. The rest of the girls start to jog while I linger behind. Taking my time I start to leisurely walk. I came in first so I am allowed the luxury of not having to run again. By the time I'm halfway down the sidewalk the boys have caught up with me. Most of them just jog past without saying a word but some of my friends call out "hi" as they go. Someone slings their arm lazily around my shoulder. I turn my head sideways and see Michael walking next to me. A goofy grin finds it way onto my face that only my best friend can bring out.

"Whats up, buttercup?" He asks light heartedly. It's not surprising he won his race. He is very athletic, unlike me, so he can outrun just about anyone. I've come close to catching him before but I never can pass him. Sometimes he slows down and runs next to me when the guys and girls run together. Always teasing me on how slow I am. But the truth is the guys in PE suck too so even slowing down next to me we lap the guys and the girls. I roll my eyes and spin out from under his arm.

"Im walking Mikey, what does it look like." I say.

"So I take it you won your race then?" He asks and I roll my eyes again.

"Yes, and I take it you won yours?" I say.

"Yes." He says in the same mocking tone that I did. "I bet I could win against you too."

"I bet you could." I sass.

"Oh come on Scarlett." He drawls. "Just race me, I might go easy on you." He temps.

I just sigh. Maybe if I sprint now I will get a head start. But I know he will beat me anyway. I give my head a shake. Trying to hide the smile playing on my lips. "Come on Scarlett, just to the locker room." He begs. I just shake my head some more and look in front of me. Everyone is still jogging ahead of us but we arent that close to the locker room yet. "Don't make me kiss you!" He threatens.