Chapter 3

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height


After yearbook and AP psychics, I only have track and field left. I was made captain last year, and I've been given the honor to continue. We have six captains in total: three girls and three guys. Tyler and I are focusing on the runners, while seniors Felix Castillo and Jordyn Daniels are the captains of jumpers for the second year in a row, and Mason Myers, a senior, and Leah Gibson, our only junior captain this year, are in charge of the throwers.

Since we're currently in the pre-season, we're doing a lot of skill-specific technical drills alongside some conditioning. The guys and girls train separately during the off-season, but during pre-season we do a lot together, and during season everyone's at the track at the same time. We're not a big school, so we all fit just fine.

Since it's the end of February, we're only a few weeks short of the season beginning.

After I've gotten changed into my running clothes, I make my way to the field, where students are all scattered and babbling with their friends.

"Okay, warm-ups, everyone!" I yell loudly to get everyone's attention. As the captains, we're supposed to get the athletes warming up before the coaches arrive, so that they can then start the actual workout. "Follow me!"

I take the lead and start jogging around the track, Tyler soon appearing beside me. Jordyn and Felix keep up the rear, making sure no one falls behind. After ten minutes, I start doing high knees, everyone following. After thirty seconds we continue jogging, then do another thirty seconds of lateral shuffles. We continue in the same way, doing butt kicks and high kicks, along with arm circles, leg swings, and lunging.

"Okay good!" I slow to a slow jog, then to a walk, and we meet our four coaches by the bleachers.

Coach Wheeler, our head coach, specializes in sprints and hurdles, making him the one I work closest with. Then we have coach Vasquez, who is officially the girls' coach, but during pre-season and season she mostly trains the jumpers. Our two other assistant coaches are Patterson and Herrera, who train the long distance runners and throwers, respectively.

We all separate into our fields. I specialize in the 400 meters, which is considered a long sprint, and the 800 meters, which is middle-distance, but I usually train with the sprinters. I do some miles a few times a week to help my endurance, but speed is more my thing.

I wave at Olive and Michelle who start running their miles around the school, and take my position on the track. We're doing 200 meter repeats at sixty percent speed today, resting a few minutes between each set.

I line up with my teammates and we set off.

The guys reach the 200 meter line first, with Zoe and Ximena, our best girl sprinters, close behind. I make it as third of all the girls. I'm fast, but not fast enough to compete in the hundred. But then again, I have more endurance for the four hundred than any of my teammates. That's my event, the one I excel at.

After an hour, we end the training with a cool-down, which consists of light jogging and stretching. The jumpers and throwers join us.

"Who do you think will make the 1600 meter relay team this year?" Hailey asks me.

I was the anchor last year and I'm confident I'll take the spot this year as well. Our problem is, the other three of our relay team graduated last year, so we'll have a brand new team this year. We got all the way to states, and I want to make it this year too, and win this time.

But it's not looking good. We have a lot of sprinters and long distance runners, but not many who do the four hundred. I'm probably going to be the only girl running the dash at the competitions, so we have to gather our relay team from people who're fast but don't have the endurance, and vice versa.

"I don't know," I say truthfully. "But I'm guessing you and Nia, at least." They are our three hundred meter hurdlers, so they're probably our best bet.

"Yeah, I agree," she says. "But I have no idea for the fourth."

"Me either," I admit. We'll just have to see who can do it in a good time.

"Well, it won't be me, that's for sure," Michelle joins us. She's a pure distance runner, competing in the mile and two miles.

I smirk, "You sure you don't want to join us in the fun training?"

She shudders, "No way in hell. Sprinting is pure torture. I don't get how you all can do it day after day."

Zoe laughs, "Running mile after mile, that, if something, is boring."

"Couldn't agree more" Nia catches up to us.

"Alright guys, practice is over" Coach Wheeler yells and we all slow to a walk and make our way to the locker rooms.

After a quick shower, I hurry to the parking lot. I hope Mads got a ride home, since the last period ended an hour ago. The sports all run an hour extra.

I throw my training bag to the back and start the car, driving over to Evan's. And yes, I know where he lives. His little brother just happens to be one of Mads' best friends.

I park on a driveway only seven blocks from my house. I don't see his car, so I turn the music louder and wait.

He arrives twenty minutes later, parking his red Mercedes behind me.

"Took you long enough," I turn off the engine and get out, crossing my arms.

"Chill," he rolls his eyes. "Got held up."

"Doing what?" I raise a brow. We got off training at the same time. No way he took longer to shower and get ready than me.

"None of your business," he says rudely and starts walking to the enormous house, not much unlike mine. I follow him, huffing.

"It's my time you're wasting, so it kind of is my business."

"Whatever," he sneers and lets me in.

I look around. The interior is decorated in whites and beige, with splashes of red here and there. Cool.

"Wanna see my bedroom?" he wiggles his brows suggestively.

I almost barf. "Not in a million years."

"Your loss," he winks and leads me to a room at the end of the house. A music room, my brows shoot up as I take in the acoustics and various instruments.

"Nice," I touch the beautiful piano gently. "So, I guess your family is quite musical, then?"

He nods, "Everybody plays something."

I wish my family was like that. But no, I'm the only one musically inclined.

"So..." he swings his hands in front of him, "where do we start?"

"I have no idea," I admit, having only composed a few pieces on the piano. And doing it with someone I don't even like... this is going to be interesting.

He scratches the back of his neck. "I guess we should start with deciding if we're gonna have an instrumental piece only, or if we're doing lyrics."

"Well, I like to sing, so I'm all for lyrics," I sit down on the piano. "You any good? We could sing a duet." I cringe a little saying it. A duet with him? Oh gahd.

"I'm alright," he shrugs. "So, what are we singing about?"

I don't answer, having no idea.

Evan sighs and picks up an acoustic guitar. "This isn't going to be easy."

"No, it's not," I agree.

He plays some chords absent-mindedly. "We're not doing a cheesy love song, that's for sure," he suddenly says, as if the possibility just crossed his mind.

I make a face, "Wasn't planning on it, buddy." A love song with him? Hah, let me laugh. But coming up with a topic is kind of hard when you don't know the other person that well. And I'm not really willing to pour my heart out to him, either.

"Hey Evan— " the door opens and Elliot, Evan's fifteen-year-old brother, walks in. He doesn't resemble his brother much; Elliot is short and skinny and has deep dimples that show when he smiles. His hair is light and his big blue eyes are set on a round face. He's kind of cute, whereas Evan is all muscle and hard lines. "—oh, sorry. I didn't know you have company. Hi Nora," he smiles at me.

I can't help but smile back at the sweet kid. "Hi Elliot."

"What's up?" Evan asks.

"Oh, I was just going to ask a ride to Hunter's. But if you're busy, I'll just take the bus."

"You sure?" Evan asks, seeming concerned. I raise a brow, surprised. He's never struck me as the caring big-brother-type.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," he waves it off and retreats, closing the door behind him.

"So..." I play a few notes on the piano, "any song ideas? Troubled life? Traumatic childhood? Secret life I don't know about?"

"Nah," he grins. "What about you, little miss perfect?"

I scowl at the name but answer anyway," Nope." A lie. But I'm not about to tell him about dad. Well, a sperm-donor more like, since he hasn't been much of a father for the past four years. "My parents are divorced and dad lives is Arizona, but no drama there." Another lie.

He nods, thinking it over. "We could always write a happy-go-lucky song."

"Ugh, I guess." I kind of want to write something meaningful. But I guess that's out of the realm of possibilities.

Ding dong! the doorbell rings.

"Hold on" Evan tells me and hurries out of the room, leaving the door open after him.

I hear the front door open and then muffled voices.

"Hey Nora! Come here for a minute!" Evan calls me. Baffled, I get up and head to the door, surprised to see Tyler standing there with a little girl maybe five or six years of age at his feet. She's really cute with chubby cheeks and her brown hair up on two pigtails. Her brown eyes go round when she notices me.

"Tyler? What are you doing here?" I ask, confused. I'm pretty sure he knew I'd be here working with Evan today.

Tyler looks really uncomfortable. "I, uh, was hoping I could drop Bella off for a few hours."

I look from him to the little girl, who I now recognize as his little sister. I used to help babysit her when she was still in diapers. She's grown to look a lot like her brother.

"Uh, can I ask why?"

Tyler switches his weight from one foot to another and says, "Dad had to go to work and my shift starts in twenty."

I know he works at a local diner, but I had no idea Evan does some babysitting. I wonder where Tyler's mom is. Now that I think of it, I haven't seen her for a long time. His dad sometimes comes to the track meets but his mom hasn't shown up for a few years.

Evan sees my expression and explains, "Bella and I are good friends, aren't we, little pumpkin?" He smiles sweetly at Bella, who giggles and runs to hug his leg. Awe, adorable, the jock has a soft side. He looks at me, "You cool with it? We can still brainstorm, she likes listening to me play."

"Uh, yeah, sure," I smile tightly, not knowing what else to say. I mean, Tyler clearly needs the help and I'm not bitchy enough to not help out when it comes to a child.

"Thanks" Tyler clears his throat. He clearly doesn't like needing my help. "Dad will pick her up when he gets off work."

"No problem, dude, Bella's always welcome here, you know that" Evan slaps his friend on the back and Tyler nods.

"Be good, Bells," he tells her and then turns around and starts running down the street.

"Did you walk here?" I crouch down to Bella's level. I actually don't know where the Chambers family lives nowadays, but I know not in this neighborhood.

"No, we took the bus," she grins. "I'm Bella," she thrusts out her little hand. I take it and shake it gently.

"I'm Nora."

"Ooooh!" her eyes light up in recognition. "I've heard about you."

My brows shoot up in surprise. "You have?"

She nods, looking all important knowing something I don't. "You run track, like Ty-Ty." Ty-Ty? Adorable.

"Yes, I do."

"What are you doing here? I've never seen you at Evan's before."

"Well, that's because we don't really usually hang out," I explain. "But we have a school protect we are doing together."

"What is it?"

"We have to write a song."

"Oooooh! I like music," she claps excitedly. "Come on, I can help you," she takes my hand and leads me inside and to the music room. Evan chuckles and follows behind.

"Do you play anything?" she asks me. "Evan plays the guitar. And drums. And..." she puckers her lips in thought.

"Bass" Evan supplies and she nods, smiling.

"Yeah, he's pretty good. Are you any good?"

I chuckle. "I think so. I play the guitar, as well. And piano."

"I like the piano," she says. "I want to take lessons, but dad won't let me."

"Oh?" I don't know what to say. Piano lessons aren't cheap, but I don't know if that's the reason.

"Can you play me something?" she pleads, her eyes round.

"Sure," I sit down at the piano. As if I could say no to that face. "Any requests?"

She climbs to come sit down next to me and thinks for a moment. "Do you know the Little Mermaid?"

"Of course I know it!" I act shocked. "I'm not a dinosaur."

She giggles, swinging her legs. "Can you play 'Under the Sea', please?"

I frown, "Not out of memory."

A disappointed look is starting to fall on her face before Evan points out he can print me the sheets. Bella's eyes immediately brighten.

Evan disappears for a moment and returns with a small stack of sheet music in his hands. He gives them to me and I place them in front of me, looking them over quickly. Pretty simple.

"Alright, here goes," I push up my sleeves and start playing.

"Can you sing with me?" Bella asks, looking a little shy. I nod, and I cue her when Sebastian starts singing.

"The seaweed is always greener, in somebody else's lake. You dream about going up there, but that is a big mistake. Just look at the world around you, right here on the ocean floor. Such wonderful things surround you, what more is you looking for?" we sing together, her high little voice quiet. She seems to get more confident as we continue, her voice growing louder.

"Under the sea, under the seaaa!" she belts out and Evan and I exchange a grin. "Darling it's better, down where it's wetter, take it from meeeee!"

"Up on the shore they work all day, out in the sun they slave away" Evan joins us, earning a huge smile from Bella. "While we devotin', full time to floatin', under the seaaaaa!"

We sing the whole song and after I play the last note, Bella claps her hands. "You did good," she gives me a high-five.

"Thank you," I bow, grinning from ear to ear. I can't help but like this kid.

"You have a pretty voice," she compliments me.

"So do you."

"I know," she laughs and Evan shakes his head at her.

"Who's your favorite Disney princess?" she asks me.

"Hmm, I think Mulan," I tell her. Such a badass.

She crunches up her face. "I don't think I've seen that."

"Probably not," I say, thinking how it's probably too violent for a six-year-old.

"Wanna guess who's Ty's favorite?" She smiles at me slyly.

Don't I ever? "Sure."

"Rapunzel."

"Oooh, I like her, too," I grin, thinking about Tyler watching Tangled over and over again, probably singing along to all the songs, too. Priceless.

"What about you, Evan?" Bella turns to him.

"Yeah, Evan, who's the best princess?" I smirk at him.

"I don't know," he frowns. "My favorite Disney movie is the Lion King, but it doesn't have a princess."

"I think you like..." Bella puts her finger to her plump lips, considering him, "Anna."

"You know what, you're right, I do."

"You know Frozen?" I ask, shocked. Who even is this guy anymore?

"Of course I know it," he rolls his eyes. "Bella here has made me watch it like a hundred times. The second one, too."

"You love it," she sticks out her tongue.

"You're right," he grins.

This is so weird, seeing him act like this with her, when at school he's always so... flirty and... the opposite of this.

"Can you play another song?" Bella asks, turning to me. Why does she have to have such big round eyes?

"Nora and I should really get to work, Ellabella" Evan tells her.

"Well, unless you've come up with anything we can sing about, I don't mind playing a few more songs for her," I tell him, shrugging.

"You sure?" he asks, raising his brow.

"Yeah, I mean, if you don't mind."

"Nah, I have no idea what to do about our project, so..."

Bella claps, squealing. "Frozen next!"

Evan groans like he's in some serious pain. "Please not 'Let it Go' again."

Bella gives him a sassy look. "Of course not. That's old news. Duh. I like 'Show Yourself' now."

"Oh my gosh, I love that song!" I squeal.

Evan gives me a funny look.

"What?" I ask defensively.

"You've seen Frozen 2? It just came out and your sister is a little too old to have dragged you to see it."

I scoff. "You're never too old for Frozen fever," I flip my hair. "I went to see it with Olive."

"Are you serious right now?" he looks like he's been hit in the head.

"You just don't understand" Bella tells him, flipping her hair as well. "You're a boy."

"Alright, alright," he raises his hands in surrender. "Sorry. You need the sheets for that, too?"

"Nope," I emphasize the "p." "I know it by heart."

"Of course you do."

"You ready?" I ask Bella, positioning my fingers on the keys.

"Can you sing it? It's too hard for me," she admits.

"I'm sure you can do it," I tell her, trying to encourage her.

She shakes her head. "I want to listen to you."

"Okay," I'm suddenly a little nervous. I know I have a good voice and can sing the song well, having sung it countless times after seeing the movie at the theater, and I've never had stage-fright, always having enjoyed performing. But somehow, with Evan a few feet away listening... awkward.

"Here goes," I take a deep breath and start playing.

Every inch of me is trembling

But not from the cold

Something is familiar

Like a dream I can reach but not quite hold


I let myself get lost in the song, soon forgetting my audience as I get to the pre-chorus.


I have always been a fortress

Cold secrets deep inside

You have secrets, too

But you don't have to hide


I continue on to the chorus, Bella and Evan still and quiet. I close my eyes when I finally come to my absolutely favorite part, the choir part that made me cry at the movies because it was so emotionally charged.

Where the north wind meets the sea

There's a river

Full of memory

Come, my darling, homeward bound

I am found

Show yourself

Step into your power

Grow yourself

Into something new

You are the one I've been waiting for

All of my life (all of your life)

Oh, show yourself

Ah-ah, ah-ah

I play the last note and the room is suddenly very

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net