Why we run

Parties and princesses

Parties and Princesses

I give Joey a break and let him run the last 400 metres.

Right as he crosses the finish the school bell rings. Looks like schools out.

I walk to him.

"You're endurance is stronger. Are you doing the breathing exercises as you stretch?"

He takes his water from me, "yes I have. They ease my mind it's weird."

I chuckle, "that's because it's a form of meditation."

Neither of us saw it. Joey is tackled to the ground by a red-headed woman.

She's definitely not a real red head...

"What the heck dude?" Joey groans getting up.

Then his whole body tenses. "H-hey, Valerie..." he stutters.

"Joey I didn't get to see you the other day yesterday." She says.

Joey stands behind me and places his hands on my shoulders, "Princess this is Valerie. Val this is-"

"Oh, I know who she is." She glares at me. What did I do to her?

I remember seeing her yesterday, "Valerie listen here you-" and Joey's hand comes to save the day.

His phone starts ringing. "Hello," he answers.

"Yes, she's right here. I didn't know-stop-okay- here..." he passes me his phone.

"Hello?" I ask.

It's Afi. "This is not what I meant by having the press see more of you. You made the front cover internationally! Isabella Jackson almost drowns after Joey Easterbrook throws her in a lake! Bella that's not all."

"What can be worse than the world knowing I can't swim," I say sarcastically.

"Mari posted a video online. He apologizes publicly, he didn't tell the world what he did but he wants to race Joey for you."

"Like hell, I'm going to let Amarion do this publicity stunt to trap Joey and myself."

"Bella just think about it, I've already got a ton of sponsor offers. De Grasse wants to sponsor you." Oh, she's good. I met Andre at my first Olympics. He told me why we run. That phrase will always stay with me.

"I'll think about it."

I look at Joey who has been watching me intently this whole time. "You saw the video didn't you?"

"Okay I did but I didn't know that you didn't know."

"Whatever."

I really want to know why this girl is still here.

"Princess you blasting her in your head is as loud as you saying it," he whispers in my ear and I begin laughing.

"Joey, you're coming with me to my party tomorrow night right?" She flirtatiously grabs his arm.

"I don't think alcohol is allowed in my diet..." he says glancing at me.

"Joey you can go. I told you that you can do what you'd like as long as there's no running and you stick to your diet. You can drink, just don't blackout." I shrug.

Joey scratches the back of his head, "I'll go if you go princess."

"It's a doubles party you have to bring someone. And since you're coming with me there's no one for her to take." Valerie says smugly.

I feel like she and Olivia get along fantastically.

"I think I got that covered. Joey let's go I want food. Oh, can we go to visit your Abuela again? She's so sweet." I beam walking towards the car.