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Seth groans. “Will you please just leave me the fuck alone? I’m already having a miserable day. I don’t need you adding to it.”
“Well, someone has to remind you how lucky you are.”
Seth’s gaze moves to the sky, and he shakes his head. “What did I do to deserve this kind of torture?”
I chuckle. “Do you want me to help?”
“No,” Seth says angrily. “I want you to leave me the fuck alone.”
I open my mouth to retort, but stop when I hear Coach shout, “Hey, Goode! Those laps aren’t going to run themselves.”
I sigh and turn on my heel, moving into a slow jog to warm-up my legs. Seth will eventually have to accept me onto the team. It might take him time to get used to the idea, but I’m here to stay. I glance at him, watching him do pushups with his injured foot slightly up. The pushups are harder, but at least he won’t put too much pressure on his foot.
My pace quickens, and I run past the freshmen who are lagging behind. I have no clue what lap everyone else is on, but I run my first and second easily. With each lap I run, my legs move faster, my arms pumping up and down. I enjoy the burn seeping into my muscles. My nostrils flare as I suck in each breath. I’m on my fifth lap now. I feel like I’m flying as I pass by each and every one of my teammates. I glance in Seth’s direction, finding him taking a break from his pushups. He’s frowning at me, looking concerned. Coach stands behind him, smiling as if he’s just won a million dollars.
I hope Seth gets better soon so we can race against each other again. I really want to know who would have won that marathon. Maybe we can place bets. If he wins, I will give him whatever he wants. If I win, he gives me Rachel’s phone number.
*****
After practice, I hit the locker rooms, taking a quick shower to rinse off the sweat sticking to my skin. Seth has already left. I had wanted to ask him where the language department is, but I suppose I’m on my own. The other teammates seem quiet. Several cast me curious glances, yet none have bothered introducing themselves to me.
I kinda feel like the black sheep. Then again, I am the outsider here and it’s not like everyone gets to keep their spot. Whomever has the slowest score at the end of January gets ousted from the team. It’s a hard life being a track star, but everyone has to prove running is in their blood in order to stay.
I change into my jeans and Puma shirt, moving quickly so I can make it to my next class. Running out of the locker room, I trudge up the small hill towards campus. My legs still burn from running. It’s been a while since I’ve run that fast, but I wanted to make a good impression. Coach definitely seemed impressed.
All thoughts of running leave me as I arrive at the quad, watching several students rushing between classes, carrying backpacks. I see two guys throwing a football back and forth in the grass and some girls dressed in black sitting around a bench with their sketchbooks. If I remember correctly, the language department should be near the art school. I find a marble looking building in the corner and start walking towards it but stop when I feel my phone buzzing in my pants.
“Hello,” I say, irritation filling my voice. I already know exactly who it is sitting on the other line.
“Good morning, honey,” comes my mom’s sweet voice. “How is my little boy today?”
“Busy, Mom,” I say while trudging towards the marble building. I really hope that’s where my next class is or else I’m a bit screwed.
“Did you meet your new teammates?”
“Yep.” My gaze shifts towards the girls on the bench, wondering if I can ask them where I should be going. I shift my body towards them, but anxiety twisting within me. My hands shake, wondering if I will be bothering them for asking. Instead, I turn back towards the building. I will just have to figure this out on my own.
“Well, are they nice?”
“Yep.”
“Did you make any friends?”
I roll my eyes. “Sure.”
“Sure? That’s not a good enough answer. I think you should come home.”
“Mom!” I shout into the receiver, feeling frustrated. When are they ever going to let this go? I’ve made my decision. “I’m fine here. Everything is fine.”
“Are you sure? You sound frustrated.”
I sigh in frustration, my gaze shifting skyward. Now I know exactly how Seth feels every time I taunt him. Maybe this is karma for this morning. “Well, maybe it’s because you and Dad won’t leave me alone about the whole moving to Colorado thing.”
“We just want what’s best for you, honey. You can’t blame us for being worried. The last few years you were all on board with the whole medical school on the east coast. You kinda pulled the rug out from underneath us when you announced you were switching schools.”
“I know,” I say, sounding almost like a whine. I pause mid-step, watching as a beautiful girl with bright green eyes and curly blonde hair walks into the building.Rachel?I ask myself, my feet stepping towards her before I stop myself again. I don’t want our first time meeting to be like this; with my mom pestering me on the phone and me being all frustrated.
It has to be Rachel, though. I would recognize those eyes from a mile away. She’s wearing minimal makeup and displaying the sprinkle of freckles on her nose. Her lavender dress clings to her thin frame and showcases her curvy thighs.
