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SETH
IseeJacobin front of me. He’s so close. I can taste the sweat in the air, feel the humidity making my skin glisten. My arms pump up and down as I push myself forward. I’m nearly there. I’m nearly upon him. Focus, I tell myself. Don’t use up too much energy. You can catch up to him but what about after? You have to hold that pace for at least two more laps.
I see Coach’s smile out of the corner of my eye. It’s been a week of training, a week of watching what I put into my body. I’ve lowered my carb intake. My diet mainly consists of meat and veggies, which has been expensive. I haven’t been able to buy a new coat and Alex has been pestering me every day to borrow one of his.
Like Hell I will. I don’t need his help. I don’t need anyone’s help.
Gritting my teeth, I push on. I’m right behind Jacob. Just a little further and I will be neck and neck with him. My chest burns. I try to concentrate on anything; anything but the ache in my ribs and the pain in my thighs. Briefly, I close my eyes, putting my attentions on my breath. In. Out. In. Out. My heart calms. The pounding in my chest dies down as I open my eyes. A jolt of energy surfaces and I race forward, running alongside Jacob.
“Go, Seth!” I hear Alex cheering in the distance.
Turning toward him, I can’t hide the smile on my face as I watch Alex pump his fists in the air. He raced earlier with Mike and Scott. Of course, the asshole won. He always wins, but maybe, just maybe, I can pull through.
Jacob and I cross the line together. I hear cheering around me, but I am unable to feel any joy in the run. We tied. So what? That’s not a win. That won’t help me at all at the track meet. I need a win. I need to beat Jacob, or any of the other Freshman.
“That was amazing!” Alex shouts while running toward me.
I brace for impact, but thankfully he stops in front of me, raising his hand for a high-five. Tentatively, I touch my palm to his. His skin feels sweaty. Or perhaps, it’s mine?
“Great job, Garcia,” says Coach while offering me my towel. “I knew you could pull through. Just a bit more practice and I think you’ll be able to keep that scholarship of yours.”
“You really think so?” I ask while wiping my face.
Coach’s nod has me smiling, but it quickly dissipates as we all walk back into the locker rooms to change. I can’t help but notice how everyone speaks with Alex, how they moon over his speed and ask him about his training for the Olympics. The fucking Olympics. Just the thought of him participating has me slamming things around. It should be me, not him. Why didn’t Coach believe in me? Why didn’t he recommend me? I lean against my locker, trying to calm the jealousy brimming within me, but it’s difficult. All I want to do is yell at Alex, make him feel like shit, even though he’s been my cheerleader since we returned.
Why am I so mean to him?
It makes me hate myself even more.
“Are you coming Garcia?”
“Huh?”
I glance up, finding Mike, Alex, and Scott watching me. Mike has this look on his face like he’s a little kid about to go to a candy store, or a water park. He’s rubbing his hands together, looking around at our small group. Makes me wonder if he’s planning something diabolical.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening,” I say while closing the distance between us. “What’s going on?”
“First track party of the year, bro,” says Mike, looking hurt, as if I’ve somehow insulted him. “You’re coming, right?”
I grimace. The last thing I want to be doing now is drinking when I need to worry about the upcoming meet. “I don’t know,” I say, already stepping away.
“Aw, come on!” Mike shouts. “You never miss a party!” He narrows his eyes. “Where’s Seth and what have you done with him?”
“If he doesn’t want to go, he doesn’t have to,” says Alex. I know he’s trying to stick up for me, but it only makes me irritated. I can fight my own battles.
“There will be girls,” says Mike, waggling his eyebrows. “Some of them might even have big titties.”
I start to roll my eyes, but immediately stop myself. Since dating Rachel, partying in order to meet hot chicks with big tits hasn’t really been my thing. However, Mike doesn’t need to know that. He doesn’t need to know I’m dating anyone, especially since I share her with several others, including Alex.
Unfortunately for me, Mike notices my lack of interest. He steps toward me, mouth hanging open in horror, eyes wide as he looks me up and down. I grimace and try to think of some sort of excuse. Sorry man, I got the shits? Will that work? Probably not…
“What the hell, bro?” Mike breathes, pressing a hand onto my shoulder while leaning closer.
I swallow the bile rising in my throat, my senses drowning in the smell of his sweat and whatever else is reeking from him. “Sorry, man,” I choke, unable to get all the words out.
“Seriously, are you some kind of alien?” Mike tilts his head. “Have you beamed Seth up to your spaceship? Are you probing him now?”
I groan and push Mike away. “I’m fine,” I say harshly. “Will you stop hounding me if I go for an hour?”
