Chapter 27 Eden
Eden
I don’t think I’ll ever be a person who adores all fitness, but I’m okay with the regimen I’ve got going on.
I’ll be continuing after today, that’s for sure.
I think I’ll even continue to participate in gym class.
Mr Porter has given me an out next semester, and there are plenty of other people who would jump at the chance to dump running for extra time on more exhaustive subjects like math.
I, however, am not one of those people. I’m lucky the other subjects aren’t giving me any grief.
Or it’s that I’m not sweating the grades.
I want to paint for a living, not become an accountant.
If I get less than stellar marks in some of my tests, I’m not going to cry about it.
Knowing that, I now understand why Sloane has been so out of sorts.
She is one of those people who needs everything to be perfect.
She wants to be perfect, which we all know is impossible.
Hopefully, the school counsellor she’s been seeing every day is giving her some perspective.
Her mood is certainly better, and she feels present when we are together.
Back to today, though, and the race. I was a little butt hurt at first when Sloane worked with Kiera to organise it, but seeing everything they achieved and the amount of people willing to participate I can’t hold a grudge. Even if my gut feeling about Kiera being a snake proved true.
Whatever. Sloane knows the score with her now and has made her own mind up. Her decision to keep her distance from Kiera made me feel better. I just wanted her to make the choice based on her own feelings, and not mine. I’m pretty sure that’s the case.
Anyway. It’s possible eighty percent of the student body is waiting in the starting line, numbers pinned to their chests.
I’m flabbergasted, really. After I announced the money raised would be split between the local animal shelter and the community centre, I sort of expected people to grumble and drop out.
A few families in the area only see charities that help fund cancer research or some other equally awful disease as a worthy cause.
My bad for being presumptuous, because everyone here is totally on board.
Bryce has even dressed up like a dog, alongside some of his football bros.
In fact, there are plenty of costumes adding to the spectacle.
I’m not-so-secretly over the bloody moon that I’m not the centre of attention.
Before the charity race idea struck me, I had nightmares of being the only one running with the whole school watching me. Ugh, I still shudder at the thought.
I’m not sure how much money we’ve already raised, but it’s significant. A nice little legacy to leave behind, I think.
Laughter pierces my thoughts. Everyone is already having a blast. I wonder if they’ll feel the same after the race. I’m not the only person at Holcroft who doesn’t exactly scream “fit.”
Music is blaring from the sound system, and a stage has been erected on the main field.
It’s the starting point and where the principal will make a speech.
He tried to get me up there, but lost that fight.
Not a fucking chance I’m making a tit of myself in front of everyone. I’m not exactly a natural born speaker.
There are water stands and other stalls lining the field. The day has turned out to be a real spectacle, and we all have Sloane and… ugh, Kiera to thank.
My mum and dad took the day off to get involved. They’re working with Sloane’s parents to sell food to other parents, faculty members, and the public. All proceeds will go into the money pot.
Hearing Pia, I turn and catch a glimpse of my best friend.
She’s dressed in a purple tutu and rave party bangles.
Her tank top is mesh and her hair is massive.
I’m not sure why she chose to look like an 80s party reject, but whatever makes her happy, right?
Plus, it provides me with lots of entertainment.
Especially with Todd looking like he wants to crawl inside a hole.
How the hell did Pia get his hair to stand up like that?
Becca and Bella jog over and pull me towards Pia.
We’ve decided we’ll run the course together as a group.
No person left behind and all that. Like me, Becca and Bella are simply wearing sports gear.
Mum bought me new sneakers last week, and I’ve spent every day breaking them in.
They’re a bit too fancy for a school charity run, but I’ll get plenty of use out of them next semester.
The only person we’re missing is Sloane.
She’s been running around like a headless chicken all morning trying to get everything set up.
Which it already was last night, so this is just her being a perfectionist. I’ll give it another five minutes before I go and drag her away from whichever poor soul she’s bugging.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this,” Pia begins and I instantly know she’s going to insult me somehow. “But I never thought I’d be the one to worry about in a race. I’m pretty sure Eden’s going to smoke the lot of us.”
Okay, not an insult. She’s not wrong.
“Nah, Bella’s going to be the one to watch. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her run. She’s not far off how Eden used to be.”
Bella shrugs. “True. Sports aren’t my thing. But I do yoga and spin on the weekends.”
We all round on her with wide eyes. Little firecracker Bella does yoga and spin?
Becca laughs. “She’s full of surprises.”
“So Pia, then,” I say. “Todd, you’re going to be on piggyback duty if she falls.”
Flexing his arms, Todd puffs out his chest. “I got you, babe.”
Pia rolls her eyes. “And who the fuck is going to piggyback him? Does it look like either of us do regular exercise outside of gym class?”
Pointing in her face, she swats my finger. “I offered to train with you.”
“My parents were away, E. A house to ourselves. As if we were going to give that up for some jogging.”
Knowing how potent sex with Sloane is, I fully understand them now. I too missed out on a training session to stay in bed with her. No regrets.
Speaking of my girlfriend, it’s time to find her.
Telling my friends to stay put, I push through the crowd.
Receiving far too many high-fives and fist bumps, I make it through to where my parents are.
Mum looks at me, laughs and points to the left, where Sloane is animatedly talking at Mr Porter.
The poor guy looks totally harassed. A not so small part of me thinks it’s his karmic reckoning for being up my arse about exercising for the past three-and-a-half years.
Making my way over, I unashamedly check out Sloane in her running gear. Tiny running shorts and a lightweight top covering her sports bra. Hair up in a high ponytail and sweat bands on both wrists. She looks ready to run a full marathon, not a measly 5k.
“Babe, it’s time to go,” I say, in lieu of a greeting.
Cutting her off mid-rant is the best way to save Mr Porter.
It’s not his fault the ribbon for the finishing line is midnight blue instead of sky blue.
I doubt anyone but Sloane really gives a shit.
I certainly won’t be worried about the colour of it when I’m staggering across the finish line.
“Just one minute, Eden,” she says, turning back to Mr Porter who used the distraction to slip away into the crowd.
Frowning, Sloane plants both hands on her hips. “Well, that’s just rude,” she mutters, causing me to laugh.
“Come on, let’s go, Ms Type A.”
She rounds on me with the same look of frustration. “That’s rude too!”
Rolling my lips, I tug her close. “Sorry, baby. Here, let me kiss it better.”
She huffs, but I see the smile curling her lip as I plant tiny kisses all over her face. Sloane Bishop is powerless against my charms.
“You’re a dork.” She giggles.
“And you’re going to be late for the start of this thing if we don’t get a wriggle on. You’ve done all you can, babe. Time to let others take over now, unless you don’t want to run?”
“Of course I’m running. We’re doing it together.”
“So then let’s go. The gang is waiting. Have you seen Pia and Todd?”
Sloane bursts out laughing. “Todd looked shellshocked! How much hairspray did Pia use on him?”
We make our way through the crowd, laughing until we reach our people. Bryce has made his way over, too. It looks like he plans to run with us. The thought kind of warms my heart. I really like how we’ve expanded our group. We’re a complete mash-up of personalities and characters.
A now less harassed Mr Porter makes his way to the main stage. He announces the principal, who receives a raucous welcome. We listen to him praising our efforts and blah blah blah. I’m ready to start this thing already.
Thankfully, Mr Porter gracefully boots the principal out of the way and takes the mic. He has a starting pistol, and a megaphone draped across his chest. The man looks in his element, like this is what he’s been working for all his life.
With everyone crowded close to the start line, the collective energy and excitement hang in the air. People are whooping and fist bumping, jumping up and down, trying to keep their muscles warm. A countdown begins, and everyone joins in. At one Mr Porter pulls the trigger, and the race begins.
I have no interest in winning the thing. Simply getting through it is my goal. I’m confident I’ll make good time. After all, it’s what I’ve been training for. Plus I’ve jogged the route a few times now, so there won’t be any surprise hills or anything.
The crowd shuffles forward and begins to pick up the pace. Everyone is chatting and laughing. Some of the sport nuts zoom off in a bid to take the lead. I can see Sloane’s competitiveness kick in and it makes me laugh at how she’s having to physically stop herself from bolting to the front.
“Babe, you can go for it if you want,” I call. I receive a stern look back. Rolling my eyes, I gently bump her shoulder. “Sloane, it’s okay if you want to actually race rather than lump along with us.”
“We said we were doing this together.”
“And we are. Doesn’t mean you can’t run ahead. I’m only a few minutes from sticking my headphones in anyway.”
I need music to run. I discovered my likes and dislikes quite quickly when doing my Couch to 5k sessions. I need to focus on the beat. If I hear the outside world, I get distracted.
I call to the rest of the group and tell them the same thing.
Bryce sticks up both thumbs and surges ahead.
Becca and Bella wave me off. They’re holding hands while jogging.
Todd is already pulling Pia along, but I suspect it’s got nothing to do with her ability to run the distance and everything to do with the fact she loves it when he takes care of her. Even when she’s putting it on.
Sloane looks at me before sighing. “Are you really sure?”
I’m already popping in my earbuds and queuing up my playlist. “Go for it, babe. I’ll see you at the finish line.”
We share an awkward side hug and kiss, making us both stumble. Laughing, I smack her on the ass as she gains speed. Shooting me a wink over her shoulder, Sloane blows me a kiss and disappears.
Setting my pace, I relax into the run. This is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. The sun is shining, and the air is fresh. My body feels good, and my mind clears as I go. Perfect.
We are over halfway when things go wrong.
Becca and Bella have fallen behind, but they’re still going.
I’ve no idea where Todd and Pia are, so I’m running alone.
That’s when it happens. A searing pain in my right ankle.
The same ankle I rolled not too long ago.
It’s so bad my body crumples to the ground and my hand instinctively reaches for my foot.
My head snaps up and makes eye contact with a snarling Kiera. What the ever-loving fuck? Did she just stomp my ankle? She doesn’t stop but carries on, flipping me the bird as she goes.
I haven’t got time to worry. My ankle is throbbing and I’m causing a blockage. If I’m not careful I’m gonna get trampled. A couple of students stop and help me up. They brush me down as I test my weight. Fuck, I can’t run on it.
I thank them and wave them on. I need a second to collect myself. The field thins out as people pass me. Becca and Bella see me and are by my side in an instant.
“We need to get that looked at,” Bella says.
“I will. You two go on.”
“Eden, we’re clearly not going to leave you.”
By this point, the three of us are the only ones around. Everyone else has disappeared around the corner.
“Please,” I say, almost pleading. “I want you to finish the race. Think of all the sponsors you’ve got.”
“Eden—”
“Bella, please.”
Neither are happy about it, but I can’t be around them right now. The truth is I’m gutted. Of course I can run another 5k, but that’s not the point. This one means something and I’m not going to finish it.
After a few more moments of arguing, they finally take off. Standing in the centre of the road, I rest my hands on my knees and take a few breaths. I hold up my hand to stop one of the faculty who volunteered to be a route chaperone from coming over.
When I feel back in control, I straighten up. Tears sting my eyes as I take in the road ahead. Trying one more time, I put weight on my foot. Wincing, I manage a few steps. It’s hopeless. I can’t jog like this.