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But that doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t that wear him out even more? Doesn’t he need all his energy for the marathon?
“Hey, Hunter.”
I turn, finding Rachel holding a sign. She lifts to her tiptoes, trying to peak over my shoulder.
“Is Seth there?” she whispers.
I shake my head while slowly striding towards her. “No, I don’t know where he is.”
Rachel frowns and returns inside her room. I follow her, pausing at the threshold. My gaze searches the room, landing on the large sign resting on her bed reading: GO SETH!!! Several red and pink hearts circle around his name, making it appear absolutely gaudy. Any other dude would probably find it absolutely embarrassing.
I think it’s cute.
Now I kinda wish I’m participating in the race. It would be nice having Rachel cheer for me, making me cute signs with hearts all around my name. Maybe she’ll do it for me when the football season starts again.
My gaze turns to Rachel, watching her pace back and forth while holding her cell to her ear. I can hear the ringing on the other line. After several minutes, she pulls the phone away from her, scowling at it before pressing the red hang up symbol. She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose.
“I will call him again later.”
I grimace. “Do you think he’s okay? He’s been looking a bit skinny these days.”
Rachel shakes her head. “I don’t know. I tried talking to him about it, but he got all defensive.”
I lean against the doorframe, my stomach twisting in worry. “I don’t know if he’s going to be able to finish. I think he’s been overtraining.”
Rachel nods and dials her cell again, pressing her ear against it while continuing her pacing.
“You’re not ready?”
I glance over my shoulder, finding Lucas standing on the other side of the hall wearing a white t-shirt with the Aurora University logo in the front. I clench my jaw to keep myself bursting into a fit of giggles as I stare at his face, painted in the school colors.
“I see you went all out,” I say between clenched teeth.
Lucas’s eyes narrow and he looks me up and down. “And I see you’ve decided to go in your towel.”
I roll my eyes. Someone woke up in a bad mood. Is this how my day is going to be? Worrying about Seth and his crazy OCD-ness with Lucas being an absolute asshole? Part of me wants to dump my body back into bed, throw the blankets over my head, and return to sweet dreams.
Of course, I won’t.
Rachel will probably ensure I actually go to the race.
“Seth?”
I whip around at the sound of Rachel’s voice. She’s no longer pacing, yet her brows are pinched together in worry and confusion.
“Hey, where are you? We’re still at the apartment getting ready.” Her frown deepens while she bobs her head up and down. “Oh, ok.” I inch towards her, wondering what Seth is saying on the other line. “Well, I guess we’ll just meet you there then. Is everything okay?” Her nose wrinkles. I hear the exasperated tone in Seth’s voice, but can’t make out the words. “Alright, alright. We’ll see you soon, ok?” Rachel sighs and shakes her head while hanging up the phone. “Well, he’s cranky.”
“Where is he?” Lucas asks, now standing over my shoulder. “Why isn’t he here? I thought we would go together.”
Rachel crosses her arms. Her gaze slides to the cute sign she made for him. I notice the sadness gleaming in her gaze. Her jaw clenches, as if she’s trying to keep it together.
“Rachel,” I say while stepping towards her, wondering if she needs a hug.
She sniffs and blinks back the tears brimming in her eyes. “It’s fine,” she says, her voice quivering. “He’s already there.” She inhales deeply while rolling back her shoulders as if trying to roll the tension away. “He wanted to get there early to stretch. I told him we would meet him there.”
I nod. “Alright, well, let me change and I’ll get going.”
Turning around, my gaze lands on Lucas, who is still watching Rachel. I see the pain in his eyes, notice the way his hands fist as he looks at her. He looks like he wants to offer some sort of support, yet he remains rooted to the ground, fighting himself. I sigh and shake my head, brushing past him.
