Page 53 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
At the next mark, I see a thin figure with long, blonde hair, holding another sign with Theo’s face on it.Sunny cups a hand around her mouth to shout, “Your ass looks fantastic in those tiny bottoms, Harkin!”
Her sign reads:DOWN A MILE, I LOVE YOUR SMILE.
Oh, he’s rhyming now. Cheesy but fucking adorable.
Lily chuckles beside me, but we’re not losing focus on what’s important right now, continuing to pass more runners, more bib numbers.
In my head, I start playing my favorite songs from my running playlist, letting the memorized lyrics provide another sense of familiarity.
A guy I’m not certain I remember is up next, his sign reading:KEEP UP THE PACE, YOU’LL WIN THIS RACE.
Great, another rhyme. I’m sensing a theme.
The runners around me are starting to spread out, some unable to keep up with the leading pack while others are already increasing their speed again.
At the halfway mark, my parents are both holding up their Theo signs.
Together, they say:HAVE YOU EVEN BROKEN A SWEAT? IF I GAMBLED, YOU’D HAVE MY BET!
Okay, that was a little more clever but still ridiculous.
Bash’s blonde hair catches my attention off to the side; it’s a shade or two darker than his sister’s in the sunlight. Lily makes a noise beside me but doesn’t say anything.
I assume it’s because this sign reads:I’M ALL OUT OF RHYMES, SET A RECORD TIME!
Fucking cheesy, barely even rhyming on that one.
Between the music I’ve memorized on repeat in my mind and the cute signs, my nerves are long gone. I told the girls to leave it all on the course today, and it’s time for me to do the same.
My next stride increases my pace before I kick into a sprint. I let my body do what feels natural, but I continue to push myself a little more with each distance marker we pass.
I know the finish line is getting close when the sounds of the other runners near me start to disappear. Ahead of me are two girls from different schools, both giving it their all, probably trying to set their own records.
Unfortunately for them, I’m too stubborn to lose.
This is my race. My year. My time.
With every last bit of energy I can muster, I push forward one last time. Every other noise fades away. If my opponents make any sounds of disappointment, I don’t hear them.
My eyes are on the finish line.
Until I see a flash of pink standing a short distance behind it.
Decked out in one of my favorite colors, holding a sign with my face, is Theo.
His sign says:NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RECORD HOLDER HENLEY HARKIN IS MY GIRLFRIEND!
I’ve never doubted there were people on this Earth who supported me: my parents, Coach, Lily.I’ve always felt loved and cared for.
The way Theo shows up for me is different from any of that, though. He never falters from the kind, genuine boy who held my hair after I ruined his shoes. He’s constantly proud of me, no matter how big or small my accomplishments are. He’s not afraid of my hopes or dreams.
Theo just wants to be part of my life, however he can fit.
With tears forming in my eyes as I cross the finish line first, I know I want that with him too.
I want to show up at his baseball games and shout things I don’t even understand. I want to wait for him after the losses so my arms are the first comfort he feels. I want to go on rage runswith him in every city I can and never let him beat me just so I can see how big he smiles when I win.
My body is ready to collapse as I come to a stop, but a strong arm wraps around my waist to hold me up.
