Chapter 5 The Beginning (5)

When Ms. Sorantario said it was time for relays I got into a group with Monica, Mady, Liz, and Ashley. We then sit on the bleachers and wait for Ms Sorantario to call our group to run.

When we run relays in Gym Ms. Sorantario does two races where it is just boy groups that are running, then two races of just girl groups that are running, then to end it, she does a race with the winners of each race. The goal is to be the winner of the very last race, that is the all time winner. (At least till next time we do relays) Right now my team are the all time winners for two races in a row. If we win this time we will be the first group to have ever been all time winners three times in a row. As you can see, our school is really competitive about this kind of stuff.

Finally it is our time to run a relay. We got lucky and are the first girl group meaning we will get a break after our race before the final relay. So far the boy winners have been a group of track team boys and the new kid's group, apparently the new kid is really fast. So we go up and get in line. I have a feeling that I'm being stared at, and I'm not an idiot so I have a feeling I know who is staring (along with all the normal people watching expecting a good race). I just ignore that feeling and get ready to run. I am the last person to run for my team as I am the second fastest and we have the fastest people in the front and back. Our first runner is Monica and when Ms. Sorantario yells to start, Monica takes the baton and runs to the wall then back and hands the baton to Mady. Then the process repeats. We end up winning and then go sit down waiting for the last race.

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As we get up to the line I concentrate and wipe my shoes for traction. We always keep our lines the same order for the final race because this is our order that we are comfortable with. This is the way that we win. I go to the end of the line and get ready, no distractions. Then Ms. Sorantario yells to start and I zone in on the race. Finally it is Lizzie's turn, she is the person in front of me and I get into my running position. She comes near me and I reach out to grab the baton from her. I take the baton and start running, my steps and breath synchronizing. I glance to my left side and notice the new kid is completely equal to me. For a split second he glances over at me and I feel myself slip into another trance-like state. All of a sudden, Ashley yells out to me.

"Stop being lazy! Get moving and let's win the race!"

It was as if someone slapped me across my face, I came out of my daze in seconds. I started running harder, faster than I think I've ever run. I throw the baton back to Monica as I am trying to stop myself while coming in to the wall where my team sits waiting for me. I brace myself and run into the wrestling mat hanging on the wall to stop myself. As I stand leaning on the wall I look to my side and see the new boy is doing the same. All of a sudden I don't hear my surroundings and everything else becomes a blur. The world stops for a moment as he turns and looks at me quizzically. It's as if he is trying to figure me out. I look at him similarly for a while until Mady tries to get my attention and suddenly the world starts "spinning again".

"Hey, what happened there for a moment?" She asks, then looks at the new boy and says, "Never mind, we won! We finally beat a record in this stupid school."

"Yeah, we did. That's cool, I mean it's honestly about time." I say.

Mady and I are always talking about how this school has old rules, traditions, and records because people don't care about changing them. Things have always been this way and most don't necessarily care or want to change things.

"Congrats Monica, Mady, Ashley, Lizzie, and Emily. You guys beat the old record of having the most all time race wins for girls as well as boys. Now we have about 35 minutes left before it is time to change and I decided that I was gonna let you guys have free gym. You can go outside because it is warm out and can go in the supply shed. Just don't get out the Badminton, Volleyball, Soccer, and Hockey nets out, use the ones already up outside if you want. Other than that... Have fun!" Ms. Sorantario says.

"Oh, yeah. Um be safe and don't die, other than that you can do whatever." She adds

We laugh and I run out to the softball field where Ty and Monica are waiting. Soon Mady, Ashley, Lizzie, and some other girls join us with the balls and equipment (we have to use baseballs because all the old softballs had been thrown away and new balls were not at the island yet). We pick teams then go to our normal positions.