Page 5 of Race to Me

Brett scoffs, tugging on Kate’s hair. “Hello? I missed the last game of the season. Coach wouldn’t let me play with a busted face. He had it worse, though.”

“Yeah, you really got him good.” Kate coos, pinching his cheek and turning her face to wink at me.

∞∞∞

During gym, Kate and I both regret eating an entire pizza. “Do you have to stay at the dorms tonight? Can’t you come have a sleepover with me?” I give her my best puppy dog eyes.

She shakes her head. “I can’t. I have a new roommate I have to meet. I wish I would have just stayed with you last night. Mom was all about family time before I went back to the dorms,” She fake yawns. “It consisted of playing monopoly with her and Dax for three hours straight before they finally let me escape to my room.

I sigh in defeat. “Fine, maybe soon?”

“Definitely soon.”

∞∞∞

After a grueling first day of body sculpting in gym class, I head back to the locker room to throw on my new cheer uniform for practice.

Kate walks in, wiping sweat from her brow. “Why did they have to go so hard on us on the first day?” She groans, holding her stomach. “I’m never eating pizza again.”

“I know, and now I have to head to practice.” I sigh, unzipping my duffel bag and tugging out my uniform.

She throws her crimson hair into a bun. “Where are your keys?”

I suddenly remember needing to meet Foster. Hopefully, he’s still here. “I’ll go with you. Just let me get changed,”

She takes in a deep breath, scrunching her nose. “It smells in here. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”

Walking into a private stall, I shudder at the realization of my new uniform; it’s a short skirt with a top that has long sleeves but is cut off, showcasing my midriff. I can’t wear this.

During practice, we’ve always just worn whatever, but they wanted us in our uniforms today since our first game is on Friday, and we need to go through our routine. I have to find my coach immediately ... shit. Foster.

Maybe it won’t be too bad? Slipping on the uniform, I groan, tugging down the tight material to reveal less skin. My old uniform was a knee-length pleated skirt with a long sleeve, full-length top. This ... is much different. I listen for signs of life in the locker room, stepping out slowly when I don’t hear anyone.

I pause when I see a girl standing in front of my stall. She tilts her head to me.

She’s short, with a tired-looking face. I smile at her, and she returns the gesture, but it doesn’t quite reach her dull blue eyes. Her long blonde hair sweeps across her shoulders, exposing skin dotted with deep bruises that travel along each side of her ribs.

I reach out to her, and she reaches out to me.

I step back into the stall, averting my gaze from the reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Ripping off the uniform, I shove it back into my bag and change.

I can’t wear this ... it shows too much.

Hey, I never said my life was perfect ...

Everyone else did.

Three

Irush to the parking lot, meeting Kate near my car.

“Where’s your uniform?” She grabs her suitcase from the back.

My eyes roam the parking lot; Foster’s nowhere in sight.Wonderful.

Thinking quickly, I flash a smile. “It was too small! I have to find the coach to get another one.”

---