Chapter 29
Evangeline
Monday again. Oh, how fun. There is a silver lining, however. Today is the day where the tryout results will be released.
Asher meets me at the door. I give him a huge grin as I grab my spikes and track shoes, stuffing them into my shoebag.
"Well, good morning to you too." He snorts. I stick out my tongue at him. "You know, I still haven't forgiven you for telling the twins my secret. Now they're gonna use it against me whenever I don't do their bidding!"
"Whose gonna use what against you now?" Chris's dulcet voice. I roll my eyes playfully. "Oh, don't act dumb!"
Max chuckles and pokes my side. "It's too early for you to be mean, Evie." He gives me a stellar smile. My heart skips a beat. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was flirting with me. "Whatever. You big oaf!"
-
School passes by in a flash.
The bell rings, signalled the end of school. Asher slings my bag over his shoulder and walks with me over to the board set up in the main hall. Sheets of paper are pinned to the cork board. One per club. Printed on the flawless white paper is a list of names of chosen candidates for each team.
Time to find out my fate.
There are a few kids crowded around the board too. Sweat pricks the back of my neck. Asher squeezes my hand. "Ready?" I gulp and nod, lacing my fingers with his.
I scan the list, searching for my name in anticipation. Evangeline Rose Whitlock. There it is. My name stark against the paper. I made the team!
I squeal and launch myself at Asher. He stiffens at first, but then relaxes in my embrace. "I take it that you made the team," he gives me an amused smile at my outburst. I nod exuberantly against his chest, arms still wrapped around his waist.
"Judging by your reaction, I assume you have good news?" Lucas and the twins have appeared behind us. I release Asher and bound over to my other stepbrothers. Chris grins, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"Looks like we have afternoon training with you, sis."
-
"Come on! Move your asses!"Daniel hollers, effortlessly keeping pace alongside us. He may have seemed like a softie at the mall, but training turns him into a different person entirely.
Out of the 10-ish candidates, only four people were selected. Landon, Oliver, myself and another boy whom I've never spoken to. He prefers hanging out with the tenth graders. So now the track team for this year is comprised of 4 ninth graders, 3 tenth graders, 2 eleventh graders and 3 twelfth graders (including Jessica and Daniel.), which leaves us with two girls on track out of ten. Wow. Apparently, the third twelfth grade senior is on a break from the club due to an injury of some sort. He'll be back in several weeks.
"Stitches...can't...breathe..." Landon gasps beside me. I give him a pitying look, fully sympathising with him right now. Oliver lags a little further behind. I can hear his heavy breaths from all the way here.
Daniel and Jessica have assigned to us the completion of a gruelling workout meant to enhance our strength and stamina. 2x200m at full sprint, 3x150 high knee run, 3 sets, AND an additional 1.6m run. Jesus.
Just a little more and I'll be done with the session. On the field, I spot Max and Chris with their team. Past the 50m mark. I collapse on the ground next to another two boys who have completed the workout. Landon and Oliver come up soon after, looking half dead.
We high five. My whole body throbs. Damn. I kind of regret joining track.