Pacer:Chapter I

A Chapter by mirui

“Get ready!" Coach Williams ordered.

All eleven of us, positioned ourselves behind the green line.

“Begin!"

I took off, trying to get to the yellow line before the beep. My brain and heart were both racing in sync. Thoughts invaded my brain, and then it hit me like a stray water ballon. I was sprinting way too fast and it was only the beggining of the race.

“Slow down, Charleston!" The coach yelled, from beside the bleachers.

My feet listened, but my brain and heart didn't. I listened around me and I could hear counting.

One... beep

Two...beep

Three...beep

Four...beep

Five...beep

As the pacer persisted on, three people refrained from running anymore. That only leaves eight more to take out and reach my goal, to be apart of the international pacer team. The counting in the background, continued on.

Ten...beep

Eleven...beep

Twelve...beep

Thirteen...beep

Fourteen...beep

Fifteen...beep

My body was sweating all over, but that was not going to stop me from acheiving the goal I strive for. My chest began to burn like it was on a raging fire. I clutched it tightly, to try and releive the throbbing.

The pacer still continued on. Four people were disqualified on number fifty-eight, for missing two laps. My legs were aching, my head was throbbing, and my chest felt like it was on fire. I did not feel like I was going to succed. The counting continued on.

Sixty...beep

Sixty-one...beep

Sixty-two...beep

To my surprise and great elation, one of the three remaining people who I was running the pacer with, stumbled, which made a tall guy trip, who slid across the smooth spotless floor and tripped the other guy. I was astonished to know that I was the only one who avoided plummeting to the ground.

“Ha-ha!" Everybody bellowed.

I continued to run hoping to get quicker and improved. A soft chant erupted from my peers seated in the stands.

“Go Charleston. Go Charleston."

I felt a rush of confidence overwhelm me, and take over my body. I sprinted down the gym, hoping to make one last count.

Seventy-nine...beep

“Woohoo!" Erupted my peers in the stand.

I did it I really did it. My coach came over to me, with a look of gratitude on his face.

"Charleston, get ready to go international."