In The Long Run

In The Long Run (4)

My coach was walking up to me in the hall just before last period.

 "Jamie, you need to be at practice a little earlier this afternoon. I need to talk to everybody on the track team, but I'd like to see you earlier so I can talk to you in private."

"Got it coach, but why? Is there something wrong?" Why do I get the feeling Dean had something to do with this?

"No, on the contrary, it's actually good news, but I did hear about you running out of class today. When I said you needed to take your training more seriously, I didn't mean it like that."

"No, it wasn't like that. I felt kind of sick so I bolted for the bathroom before... you know, I had to clean up my own mess."

"Oh, are you alright with practicing this afternoon?"

"Yes, of course, I'm fine now."

"Okay, I want to see you before practice, so be there about twenty minutes earlier. That okay with you?"

"Yeah, coach. I'll be there."

She smiled at me and walked away. That was a relief. I really thought she found out.

On my way to last period, I ran into Curly. I took her by her arm and pulled her away from the people. "Curls, I really have to talk to you."

"But I'm on my way to class right now."

"I know. Can I meet you at the coffee shop later or something? After practice?"

"Yeah sure, that could work. See you there." she bounced away, off to class, with her red curls following her lead.

I showed up for practice half an hour earlier than I was supposed to. Maybe I should just do it now. Maybe I should just tell her now. Coach wasn't even here yet, so I took out my cell phone and dialed her number.

"Hello, Eliza speaking?" It felt so scary to be talking to my sister for the first time in 8 months.

"Liz?" my voice sounded shaky.

"Jamie? Hey little sis! What's up? I haven't heard your voice in ages!"

"Yeah, 8 months is a long time. How's DC?"

"Pretty cool actually. I can just feel the history around me."

She's a history major, loved it ever since we were kids.

"That's good, that's good . . ."

"What's going on? Why aren't you talking? Usually you don't shut up when we're talking."

"It's just . . . I don't know how to tell you. It's something really bad and I don't want mom and dad finding out yet. I'm..." I just couldn't get it out.

"Jamie, what's wrong? You know you can always talk to me."

"Liz . . . Liz I'm pregnant."

She was silent.

"Liz? Come one, please say something."

She sighed. "Is it Wayne's?"

"Yes, of course. Who else's would it be?"

"No one, I'm just asking, but then it's fine. I was just afraid you got drunk and knocked up by some random loser. Wayne's a good guy, so its fine."

It was quiet again.

"Liz?"

"I'm coming home."

"What?! No, you have to finish college! You can't drop out now!"

"I'll catch up and I won't be completely dropping out, just taking some time off.  You need me right now."

"No, I don't. I can handle it on my own." I tried saying it with confidence, but my voice shook like an earthquake.

"See? You can't even talk properly without my help. You need me, so I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Fine. I guess I can't stop you."

"Great. Bye sis, love you."

"Love you too." I put away the phone just as the coach came up to me.

"Jamie." she said my name with a smile.

"Yes coach?" I stood up, in front of her and looked her in the eye.

"You know the Zephyrus tournament is coming up, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, you're my star runner, so you're our best shot at winning the tournament."

[A/N: I know it's short and pretty stupid, but I promise the next chapter will be better. It already is, so I just need to finish editing and then it's up!"