Finding a Rhythm

Thursday's practice hit different. Two weeks into indoor season, and Miles was starting to understand the rhythm of track life—the alternating hard and easy days, the specialized drills, the constant focus on form and technique that made soccer training seem almost primitive by comparison.

"Block starts again today," Coach Dormer announced as the team finished their warm-up laps. "Wilson, Rodriguez, and Carter—I want you three working together on the sixty. Everyone else, Coach Lin has your assignments."

Miles tried not to show his surprise at being grouped with Andre and Trey, two of the fastest guys on the team. He'd been improving quickly, but working directly with the team captain was a step up he hadn't expected so soon.

"Don't look so shocked," Andre said as they walked toward the starting blocks. "Your times yesterday were legit."

Miles remembered the 150-meter repeats from Wednesday's practice. The Velocity System had guided him through each one, subtle blue highlights showing him exactly where to position his feet, how to drive his arms, when to transition from acceleration to top-end speed. He'd clocked times that had raised Coach Dormer's eyebrows.

"I got lucky," Miles said.

Trey snorted. "Nobody 'gets lucky' four times in a row, my guy."

They set up three lanes of blocks, and Miles watched carefully as Andre demonstrated proper positioning again. Despite two weeks of practice, Miles still felt awkward in the blocks compared to the veterans.

"Carter, you're still popping up too early," Coach Dormer called, moving behind Miles's lane. "Keep your head down through the first five steps. Drive forward, not up."

Miles nodded, settling into position.

DING

The System activated as it always did during technical work. A translucent blue overlay appeared in Miles's vision, highlighting the angles of his limbs and comparing them to an ideal model.

*****

BLOCK START IMPROVEMENT: +12%

Form efficiency increasing

New mission available: Maintain sub-11.0 in upcoming 100m sprints

Reward: +15 Velocity Points

Accept? [YES] [NO]

*****

Miles made the subtle shifts, feeling the difference immediately. When Coach Dormer's whistle blew, he exploded forward with improved mechanics. His first three steps felt powerful, his drive phase stronger than before. By ten meters, he was still a step behind Andre but level with Trey.

"Better!" Coach Dormer called. "But keep your head down longer, Carter. I need to see that back flat through the first five steps."

They ran through ten starts, with Coach filming several on his tablet for later review. By the eighth repetition, Miles was consistently matching Trey stride for stride off the blocks, though Andre still maintained his edge.

"Take five, then we'll move to speed endurance," Coach announced.

Miles grabbed his water bottle and dropped onto the grass beside the track, letting his breathing settle. The System flickered in his peripheral vision.

*****

BLOCK START IMPROVEMENT: +12%

Form efficiency increasing

New mission available: Maintain sub-7.2 in upcoming 60m sprints

Reward: +15 Velocity Points

Accept? [YES] [NO]

*****

"Yes," Miles whispered, glancing around to make sure no one noticed him seemingly talking to himself.

"You good?" Andre asked, dropping down beside him.

"Yeah, why?"

"You've got this weird thing you do sometimes. Like you're focusing on something nobody else can see." Andre's gaze was curious, not accusatory. "Some kind of visualization technique?"

Miles's heart skipped. He hadn't realized his interactions with the System were so noticeable.

"Something like that," he said, trying to sound casual. "Just a focus thing."

Andre nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Whatever works. You're picking this up faster than anyone I've seen."

Before Miles could respond, Coach Dormer called them back to the track.

"Alright, four 60-meter sprints at 90% effort. Two minutes rest between. Focus on maintaining form through the finish."

Miles settled into the blocks once more. The System highlighted his start position, now much closer to ideal than it had been just twenty minutes earlier. When the whistle blew, Miles drove forward, focusing on keeping his head down as instructed.

This time, his transition from drive phase to upright running felt smoother. By forty meters, he was running nearly even with Andre, his form holding together despite the increasing fatigue in his legs.

He crossed the line just a step behind the team captain, breathing hard but not devastated.

"7.12," Coach Dormer called out, looking at his stopwatch. "Carter, that's excellent for a freshman. Good work."

Miles tried not to look too pleased, but warmth spread through his chest. A 7.12 in the 60m was impressive for his experience level.

*****

MISSION 1 OF 4 COMPLETE

60m time: 7.12

+15 Velocity Points awarded

Current total: 35 VP

Unlock available at 50 VP: Enhanced Form Analysis

*****

The remaining sprints were tougher as fatigue set in, but Miles managed to maintain his form if not his time, finishing with an average just under 7.2 seconds.

As they walked to the cooldown area, Andre bumped Miles's shoulder. "You know, when you first showed up, I thought you were just another kid with some natural speed but no technique. But you're actually putting in the work."

Miles wasn't sure how to respond to the half-compliment. "Thanks, I guess?"

Andre laughed. "It's a good thing, Carter. Most people with your kind of raw talent think they don't need to learn the technical stuff. They plateau fast."

"Speaking from experience?" Miles asked before he could stop himself.

Andre's expression flickered with something—respect, maybe. "Yeah, actually. Freshman year, I thought I was hot shit because I was faster than the seniors. Then I hit a wall sophomore year when everyone else improved and I didn't." He shrugged. "Had to humble myself and start listening to Coach."

Miles nodded, suddenly seeing the team captain in a different light. He wasn't just naturally talented—he had worked for his position, learned from mistakes.

After cooldown, Coach Dormer gathered the team for announcements.

"Dual meet with Central High is in two weeks. Today's times will help determine our lineup. Wilson, Rodriguez, Carter, and Jackson for the 60 and 4x200. Distance squad, Coach Lin will post your events tomorrow."

Miles felt a jolt. He was actually going to compete. The reality of it hit him suddenly—in two weeks, he would be wearing a Westridge uniform, representing the school in the very sport he'd sworn to avoid.

His phone buzzed in his bag. Probably Zoe asking when he'd be home. But when he checked it after practice, he found a text from his mother instead:

"Coach Dormer called. Told me about your times today. So proud of you, baby. I'm working late, but we'll celebrate this weekend. Love you."

Miles stared at the message. His mother had never pushed him toward track, had respected his reluctance all these years. But the simple pride in her text made his throat tighten unexpectedly.

"You heading home?" Andre asked as they left the locker room.

"Yeah. You?"

"Nah, study session at the library. AP Chem is kicking my ass."

Miles hesitated, then asked, "You ever, uh, get people who think you're just about track? Like, that's your whole identity?"

Andre considered this. "All the time. People see a Black guy who runs fast and think that's all there is." He adjusted his backpack. "That's why I'm killing myself over AP classes. Not letting anyone put me in that box."

Miles nodded, thinking about his own box—the one he'd put himself in by defining himself as "not his father." Maybe that was just as limiting as the stereotypes Andre was fighting against.

"See you tomorrow, Carter," Andre said as they reached the school parking lot. "Ice those legs tonight. Coach is definitely putting you in the relay."

Miles watched him walk away, then started his own trek home. The System had been quiet since practice ended, but as he cut through the park, it flickered back to life.

*****

PHYSICAL RECOVERY: 72%

Recommended:

- Protein intake within 30 minutes

- Cold therapy for quads and hamstrings

- 8+ hours sleep

PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS:

Identity reconsideration in progress

Pattern break from previous resistance

Emotional response: Mixed (pride/anxiety)

NEW QUERY: Will competing trigger family trauma?

Insufficient data. Monitoring ongoing.

*****

Miles stopped walking, startled by the System's psychological assessment. It wasn't wrong—he was proud of his progress but anxious about actually competing, about fully embracing the sport his father had abandoned them for.

"How do you know this stuff?" he whispered to the empty air.

*****

VELOCITY SYSTEM integrates physical, psychological, and environmental factors for optimal user development.

Current integration: 38%

Full capabilities unlocked at 100%

*****

Whatever that meant. Miles resumed walking, pondering the implications. The System wasn't just tracking his physical performance—it was analyzing his emotional state, his family history, his identity struggles. It was both impressive and slightly unnerving.

His phone buzzed again. This time it was Dami:

"yo heard you're actually on the track team now? shelly said coach was hyping you up in the hallway"

Miles sighed. News traveled fast at Westridge. He typed back quickly:

"just trying it out. not a big deal"

Dami's response came almost immediately:

"bro you've been skipping fifa matches for two weeks. it's definitely a big deal 💀"

Miles smiled despite himself. His friends had noticed his absence from their usual gaming sessions, but neither had given him a hard time about it. Yet.

As he approached his apartment building, Miles made a decision. He would stop downplaying this. He was good at track—potentially very good—and pretending otherwise wasn't helping anyone, least of all himself.

The System pulsed once more before fading:

*****

IDENTITY INTEGRATION IN PROGRESS

Mile Carter: Runner

Current acceptance: 57%

*****

Miles Carter, runner. It didn't sound so bad after all.