Falling For The Opponent

Chapter one

Marie's p.o.v:
  My alarm clock cuts through my sleep, and I jerk up, wide awake. Three o'clock. Time to train. I throw on a pair of grey sweat pant leggings and a lime green T-shirt, tying my hair in a ponytail.

  Grabbing an apple downstairs and putting in my ear buds, I jog out the front door and down the sidewalk. The sun is rising above the treetops, which isn't unusual in Cobden, Illinois, even at three o'clock in the morning. Setting a steady pace, I jog to the gym.

  Arriving at the gym, I step up the counter. "Hey Carlos," I say to the young 17 year-old behind the counter. He smiles and waves at me.

  "Mornin' Marie," he says. "You're early today."

  "Well I only have a month until the race, so I need to get fit."

  "Marie, you already have a top speed of 12 miles per hour, you honestly can't get any better."

  "Yes I can, and I will," I say determinedly. Carlos just smiles and shakes his head.

  "Okay," says Carlos, "but I have my other protégée in at the moment, so you two can train together."

  I just nod, and we walk into the bike room. Sitting at the bike right next to the door is a kid, probably around my age, biking like he's already in a race. Sweat is pouring down his face, and his muscles flex with every move.

  "Marie," says Carlos. "Meet Randi." Carlos looks over at Randi, who hasn't even noticed our presence. "Randi!," Carlos calls, even though we're right next to him. Randi jerks up and looks over at us. "Randi," says Carlos with a smile, "this is Marie."

  Randi smiles and stands up, walking over to me. "Hi," says Randi, shaking my hand. I nod at him. He smiles at me. "Don't tell me you're the silent type?"

  "No not really," I say, surprising myself. Randi smiles at me. I turn to Carlos. "Punching bag," I say. He nods and moves away from the door, letting me through. Stepping away from Randi, I open the door and walk through, slamming it in the process.