You know that cringy scene from spiderman three where he is dancing down the street and thrusting his hips, that is how I feel. Yes, I am aware of how cringy I am. I am practically glowing. I don’t even care that I have to sit out for this meet, it’s even better because I get to sit with Jade.

“So lame, you would destroy those losers.” She pops a skittle into her mouth.

“It’s not so bad, it’s like a break.” I shrug.

“Still, who am I going to cheer for now?” she pouts.

“Darleen is still in.” I point out.

“Darleen.” She rolls her eyes.

Is she jealous? Why does that thought make me happy? Wait, I am gazeing for too long! Crud.

“What is something on my face?” she asks.

“No, you’re just pretty.” I smile.

“Aw, thanks.” She playfully nudges me.

The crowd gives a collected gasp. I quickly turn to look, what I see causes me to stand to my feet. Darleen is on the ground clutching her leg. Oh no. Everyone stops and medics run out to her.

“I, I have to go look.” I don’t even turn to Jade before hopping over the stands and running onto the track.

The meet hasn’t even started yet, everyone was just stretching and warming up.

“Is she okay?” Alison asks.

“I don’t know,” Mariah says.

I run over to Darleen, right next to coach.

“I think I pulled it.” Darleen grits her teeth.

“Can you walk on it?” The medic asks.

“Yeah, I think so.” Darleen tries to stand.

“No, this can’t be happening. You’re my star girl.” Coach pouts.

“Sorry coach, I don’t think I can.” She says.

Coach turns around and looks at me. A silent understanding passes between us.

“Go get changed.” She says.

I nod.

She knows I am the next best on this team.

“Are you going to be okay?” I ask Darleen.

“Yeah, what are you waiting for, go. You're about to be up.” She says.

I jog off to the locker rooms and quickly change into my uniform. Darleen had two events today, the distance run and the 800. The two races we always lose against Gilmore's school of talent and advancement. The only reason why we beat them last year was because of Darleen. Talk about big shoes to fill.

I run back out onto the track, next to Alison. I look to the stands and see Jade smiling at me, I guess she got what she wanted.

“Runners line up.” The announcer says.

I look at the other school's girls, they are tall, long legs. Very intimidating. I take my spot and start to stretch before digging my shoes into the ground. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before going into the zone, focusing on nothing but the track in front of me.

Then Bam! We were off. I take off strong, but so does everyone else. Alison quickly dies out. It’s not long before I pass up most of the girls from my school. I am neck and neck with the other school.

“Come on Skylar! You can do it!” Jade shouts.

I dig in and push forward, passing most of their girls. I and their leading girl are neck and neck the whole time. My lungs are on fire, I can’t slow down if I do she’ll pull ahead and win. Every stride pains me, still I push through. The girl is looking at me, wondering when I’ll die out. I run harder. I can see the finish line coming up. Almost there.

Everyone is on their feet as we are neck and neck and quickly approaching the finish. I can do this. I may be smaller, but I am fast. I blink and it’s over. We cross the finish line neck and neck.

I have to hunch over to catch my breath. A photo finish. We drastically outran the other girls.

“Nice race.” The girl comes up to me.

I nod and we shake hands.

We walk off to the side and wait to see the announcement.

“You got this, I know you do.” Coach squeezes my shoulders waiting for the word

The officials walk over to us. Then they officially declare I win by a millisecond. I sigh in relief.

“Yes! Atta girl! Go get some rest before the 800.” She shakes me.

I run over to Jade and she hands me her Gatorade. I chug almost the whole thing.

“Save some for me,” she complains.

“Nice work, that was a close one,” Darleen says, now sitting next to Jade.

“God, I’m tired.” I sit and rest.

“You shouldn’t have pushed too hard, now you won’t have anything left for the 800.” Darleen frowns.

“I wanted to win.”

“I saw that.”

“Still not faster than you.” I sigh.

“Getting closer.” She playfully nudges me.

I smile at her.

“So, when are you up again?” Jade buts between us.

“Right now,” Darleen says.

Then they announce for the 800 runners to come and warm up. I sigh. Shortest break ever.

“Good luck,” Jade calls.

I stretch again and line up next to Mariah. Then just like before we are off. I am much slower this time around due to me being tired. Still, I am not the only one and many of the girls are slower.

 I come in second.

When I’m done and I once again take my seat next to Jade, she has ice cream now. Peanut butter, and chocolate, both our favorites.

She holds the spoon up to my mouth and I eat the ice cream.

“Good work today, you smoked them.” Jade praises me.

“Thanks.”

“Here.” She hands me my own spoon.

I take it and start sharing the ice cream with her.

“I should have your clothes back to you by Monday,” Darleen says.

“Clothes?” Jade asks.

“Yeah, she left them after she took a shower, I promised I would get them cleaned for her,” Darleen says.

Why did she word it like that? She makes it sound like something happened between us. Not cool. Is she doing it on purpose? To get to Jade? Is it working?

I look at Jade.

“Oh.” She deadpans.

“Um, thanks,” I say to Darleen.

“No problem, so um, I was thinking that maybe you could come over after the meet. If you want.” Darleen says.

I look to Jade, she is eating her ice cream, acting like she isn’t interested. Unless she really isn’t interested. How can I tell the difference? She’s a good actor. I wish she would just have some type of reaction. Technically we don’t have anything planned but usually, after every meet, we always hang out.

I look back to Darleen who is looking expectantly at me.

“Um, uh. I don’t know, I’m pretty tired.” There a non-answer, answer.

“Then you definitely should come over, I always have a messeuse come by after a meet to help me relax my muscles, you can get a message if you want.”

Crud. She’s isn’t going to take no for answer. Why is she pushing, I already told her I wasn’t interested, but that was before we sort of made out, so maybe she has the wrong idea again. If that’s the case then I got to set her straight again.

“Um maybe another time, I just remembered I’m totally grounded. My mom can get pretty testy if I purposely ignore that.”

“Well, you ignored it yesterday.”

Really? Take the hint!

“Yeah but that was because I could get away with it. Not so lucky today.”

Why hasn’t Jade said anything? Since when is she quiet? Hello! A little help here!

“I’m sure I could convince her.” Darleen moves closer to me.

“Ha, haha.” I laugh nervously.

I look at Jade, she is looking at her phone! Really! Pay attention to me! What the heck! Earth to Jade, I need saving here.

“I’m not taking no for an answer.” Darleen finally admits.

“Okay.” No! grow a backbone! Kill me now.

“Great, then after the meet, you are coming with me.” she purrs.

What happened to her pulled muscle? Is she a faker? Because she should really have a doctor look at that. Maybe she did it on purpose to make me run. Is Darleen that kind of person? For someone who is injured she sure looks perfectly fine to me.

“Great.” I force a smile.

I look to Jade, she is laughing at a text that just came through. Who is she texting? Why hasn’t she told me? She tells me everything, right?