The sun shined, illuminating the sky like a beacon of hope.
Clouds slowly and leisurely drifted across the blue sky.
A fresh and uplifting scent spread outside, being lifted by faint winds.
And in that world, was a school.
That school was hosting a track and field competition with a multitude of different schools. The students present preached their skills with the utmost precision.
Their talent was extraordinary.
Among those students, I was found practicing with the rest of my team.
Actually, it was more like a warm up, since we didn't want to tire ourselves out before the competition.
'Gotta do well this time.'
It was our last competition, at least for this year. That's why I had no choice but to win.
"You scared, El? You're looking a little nervous," Austin commented as he jogged next to me.
I raised my eyebrow.
"Me? Nervous? Nah. I'm sure you are though. I mean you are pretty slow," I replied snarkly.
Austin laughed and patted my back.
"Whatever you say, bud," he said before jogging off.
Soon after, our team's warm up ended and the competition began.
'Finally…'
Heading to the bleachers', I was finally able to talk with the person I cared for most.
"Hey Soriel."
Soriel, who was humming as she glanced around, smiled at me.
"Hi. Is the competition starting?"
"Yup. It's gonna start with the Boys Shot put relay."
Sitting down next to Soriel, I smiled.
Since it was the last competition of the year, she decided to come watch me run.
Honestly, the fact that she chose to watch me over practicing the piano made my heart flutter a bit.
"Now that I think about it, you haven't grown at all since I met you."
Soriel's face reddened slightly and she glared at me.
"I did! A bit…"
Her defense was weak, almost as if she didn't believe it herself.
"Don't stress about it. I like you just the way you are."
To my surprise, Soriel's face got even redder and she turned away slightly.
'Is she actually blushing?'
"Um. Anyway, have you always liked running, Elliot?" She asked, changing the topic.
"Hmm, good question."
Thoughtfully, I tried to recall memories from my youth.
Unfortunately, my memory was still terrible.
"No idea," I replied with a shrug.
Soriel nodded softly.
"I'm sure you did. I can just feel it."
**
The different events passed by quickly. The field events all the way to the running events.
Soriel and I commented on each one with interest.
And with every event, the anxiousness in my heart grew.
I'd have to run in front of Soriel; with no second chances.
Yet, a part of me tingled with excitement.
"Welp. You're up, Elliot," Austin said, walking towards the bleachers.
He wiped a small bit of sweat from his forehead.
"Alright," I said, standing up.
I waved to Soriel and began walking to the track.
As Austin and I crossed paths, he whispered something in my ear.
"Try your best, your girlfriend's watching."
My eyebrow twitched in annoyance but I kept walking.
This time I was running in the 200m dash.
I, along with other runners, got in our respective positions.
With a few stretches, we all got ready.
"On your marks," the announcer started.
I flexed all the muscles in my body, pressing my feet against the ground.
"Set."
I inhaled, taking in as much air as possible.
Pow!
All the runners, including me, dashed from our previous spots.
My legs cut through the wind, even faster than 3 others.
One foot after the other I moved faster and faster.
Acceleration, that was a key part of racing.
I passed another racer, then another.
Now I was catching up to the next runner.
Every feeling, every sensation, every shock, I savored it all.
My heart raced, just like I did.
I felt everything.
Yet, I saw nothing.
I couldn't look around. My vision narrowed, focused only on what was in front of me.
The other runners disappeared.
I ran.
I ran.
And I ran some more.
I felt a smile appear on my face.
Joy ran through every vein in my body, speeding me up.
There was no way to describe what I was doing now.
Heat from my core spread while the chill from the wind countered it.
My heart, my very soul, worked together.
Both were intertwined for one singular action:
Running.
At that moment, I knew.
'I truly…love running.'
Soon, the race ended.
My vision cleared up.
And that's when I realized…
A person had gotten there before me.
I was second.
I had lost.
Dropping down to the ground, I laid flat there for a few moments.
My chest heaved up and down.
'Was it all worth it?'
Without a doubt, I had lost. I had not surpassed the boy in front of me.
Even still, I couldn't stop smiling.
After all, running…
Running was so much fun!