Chapter 15: What My Heart Desires.

"Don't tell me you're doing all this to please them? Don't tell me you'd rather put aside your own plans because of them? ''

For him, Carole and the others were responsible for my illogical actions.

''...''

''You see? It's a lot worse than I thought. You have reached a point where you can no longer make your own decisions without being influenced by others. The others, always the others! They always manipulate and voluntarily or involuntarily change the attitude of their peers. If you had respected your own principles, you would be on your way home by now and enjoying some well-deserved rest. ''

He continued on his way.

''But instead, you're running like crazy. You have become a slave to the fragile bonds you are weaving! ''

He didn't want to let me talk under any circumstances. He kept lecturing me without stopping. And yet. This time, his words had difficulty reaching me. I didn't know why.

Usually, I will have completely lost all combativeness. But my heart was boiling more and more.

I looked at him for the first time since his sudden appearance. I could see a change in his appearance and attitude. He had shrunk a lot, he barely passed my shoulder and his gaze lacked confidence.

I felt him scared.

''But it's not yet too late, you can give up now and return to your former solitude. Trust me, you'll be safer this way. I'm you, you would never want to hurt yourself, right? ''

His words shattered and lost all meaning in my ears.

''You are wrong. ''

I said instantly after his last sentence.

'' How ? '' he asked surprised.

''You were wrong when you said that I became a slave...''

He was confused. He didn't expect me to respond and neither did I.

'' Ah good ? So can you tell me why you don't give up? Why are you trying so hard to run when you planned to go no further? ''

"It's because…"

My heart was boiling more and more. The pain on my back, I could feel it. I could also feel warmth coming from there and enveloped my entire body.

'' Because ? ''

The rabbit in my head insisted, putting on the pressure. He was probably trying to make me lose my words. As far as I was concerned, everything seemed to become clearer. I started thinking about trivial things.

What would Adrien and the others say if I managed to cross the finish line? What reaction will they have?

There was also this promise that kept crossing my mind...

''It's because... My heart wants it. ''

Instinctively, this is the answer that came to mind.

'' Eh ? I didn't quite understand. ''

''You're not the only one, even I don't understand. I can only feel it and interpret it depending on the situation. ''

These vibrations that I felt in my chest from the beginning were my heart trying to speak to me. I was too deaf to hear it. But there was a change in me. Or at least someone to bring about this change. Now I can now hear it.

"One day, someone told me that emotions impact men's behavior. This person was right. ''

He let out a little laugh.

"You interpret the signals your heart sends you, right? So tell me. What does your heart tell you? ''

He asked me this question and looked at me with a confident look. To him, this was all nonsense. I had to show him in turn that I was serious.

I gathered up my courage and looked him in the eyes for the first time.

"I want to get a kiss from Carole. ''.

Hearing my words, the rabbit in my head twitched, then disappeared. I expected him to respond, but he didn't. Perhaps he had become aware of the feelings that animated me.

Looking up, I saw the second checkpoint. I passed him and continued to run, surpassing my limits more and more. I then passed the third checkpoint and the fourth a few minutes later.

After minutes of running that could be converted into hours, I was finally able to reach the penultimate checkpoint positioned at the southern entrance to the university. The last checkpoint, which was none other than the finish line, was located in the middle of the football field. I only had 1000 meters left to go.

But unfortunately, I was reaching the end of my efforts and I was starting to slow down.

Once after crossing the university gate, I saw the first supporters. There were huge crowds on both sides of the race track who were cheering for the participants as they struggled to get closer to the finish line. I found myself in the center of attention again but that didn't stop me from moving forward.

However, as I said previously, I was already reaching the end of my efforts. Fatigue had gotten the better of me and right in the middle of the walk, I collapsed on the ground. I no longer had the strength to get up. My muscles seemed to have abandoned me.

Ultimately, despite my efforts, I could not cross this finish line. This prospect left me with a bitter taste, but I could at least be proud of what I had accomplished.

''Hey David, you can do it! ''

Suddenly, I heard one voice among all the other voices encouraging the many participants in this event. I recognized this voice. It was Carole's.

I raised my head and turned my gaze away from the voice.

'' Eh ? ''

I said with wide eyes and a red face.

As I turned my head, I had already made up my mind that I was going to run into Carole. But I didn't think I'd see her in this outfit.

She wore a somewhat short skirt that only covered half of her thighs. Her t-shirt was stuffed into her skirt and she had cheerleader accessories in both hands. The boys and girls around her were under her spell.

What about me? For once, she didn't leave me indifferent.

''You only have a few meters left to go, so get up! I believe in you so I know you can do it! ''

She continued to encourage me while performing the varsity basketball team cheerleading choreography. I could also feel it in her eyes, she was embarrassed but that didn't stop her from continuing.

The others also were quick to make themselves heard.

"We're not here too! ''

Adrien started first.

''We're looking at you David so take courage and move forward! ''

It was Morelle's turn.

"The ultra supporters team transmits all its energy to you. ''

Konny continued in the same vein.

''Since when does a zombie get tired? Get moving! ''

As for Myriam, I couldn't distinguish whether it was an insult or real encouragement.

"David! David! David! ''

They started chanting my name non-stop. It was embarrassing.

At the time, I felt the need not to make their encouragement useless. I used one last breath of energy I thought I had lost and got up.

I resumed my run and crossed the finish line before collapsing again.

I succeeded, I did it...

End of chapter.