Just Good Friends?

Chapter 11 - Race time

Bex

Today is the 4 year anniversary. Its s**t.

Oscar left a few days ago, and Joe and Mike haven't left my side. I miss him, but I should miss him more. I just feel like I've lost a really good friend. I could of fallen in love with him given time, but he's gone now, I need to get over it. Dee isn't in Mike's life now either, but he doesn't seem bothered in the slightest which is odd. He did tell me that he loved her. Joe is going out with Ems tonight, so it's just going to be me and Mike. Joe seems a bit reluctant to leave us, but I'm actually looking forward to spending some time with my best mate on our own.

"Are you two going to be ok?" Joe is asking us both but looking directly at Mike.

"Go man, nothings going to happen ok" Mike reassures Joe. Although I'm not sure what would happen, it's not like anyone is going to creep in and attack us. Weird.

"Hmmm, make sure it doesnt" Joe says grumpily. What the hell? "If you need me, call. I just need to get out and forget what day it is, but I'll be here I'm a flash if you need me".

....

"What are we doing tonight?" I ask Mike after Joe left.

"Fancy getting takeaway? Watch a film?" He says from the sofa.

"Hmmm, how about we go out for food, and go to the cinema?"I need to forget the day too. I haven't been out properly all week, I'm getting irritable.

"You sure? With me?" He looks at me unsure.

"Of course with you! Jeez, are we mates or not? Have you been away that long that you've forgotten what it's like to go on a night out with me?"

"How can I ever forget what a night out with you is like?" He laughs, then has this kind of dreamy smile on his face.

"Go get showered and dressed, tidy dressed, and we'll head out" I order him. I jump up and head to my room.

After showering, I look through my drawers and wardrobe for something to wear. What do you wear on a date with your best mate that's male though. It's a lovely warm evening, so I settle on a skate style dress, very pale turquoise in colour, fitting on top with a tiny bit of a flared skirt to it. It has thin straps so I'm showing a bit of tanned skin, and it's thigh length so a lot of leg on show. But I'm confident in my body, I work hard to keep in slim shape. I put a pair of turquoise ankle boots on, and grab a bag. I check myself in the mirror, and happy with my curls hanging loose and wild, I head downstairs. Mike looks up and his jaw drops, he doesn't say anything, just stares. He's looking really good in a simple white fitting t-shirt which shows off his muscles, and a pair of dark denim jeans. He has a black leather jacket thrown on the stool next to him.

"s**t Bex, you look hot!" He finds his voice again, and stands up coming towards me.

"You have this amazing way with words Mike, never change" I laugh "you're not looking too bad yourself though. And you've been working out more, it shows. I'll have all the girls jealous of me tonight" I wink at him smiling. I start heading towards the front door, I'm feeling good about myself tonight, I'm happy. Mike is easy company and I know we'll have fun. This is how I've been hoping I'd feel on this day sooner or later.

....

Mike

Holy s**t, she looks amazing! How does she do it in such little time? Most girls take a couple of hours to get ready to go out, and then they don't look even half as hot as she does. Bex took just as little time as me to look that stunning. She looks stunning in pj's, but tonight she was something special. I need to control myself, act normal.

"Let's go babygirl" I put my leather jacket on and swing my arm over her shoulder and kiss her forehead. We pull the door behind us and start walking out of the drive. It's only a 20 minute walk to all the restaurants and bars, so we normally walk down, but then catch a ride home. Nobody likes to stumble up the hill after a few beers.

....

"Mike, Bex, over here!" We hear someone call us as we walk in to our favorite dive. It's Cal and a few of the guys on the team. I kind of wanted to be alone with Bex, but it wasn't a good idea.

"Hey Cal, you good?" I bump fists with him as we walk over. The owner knows that most of us are underage, but he let's us off providing there's no trouble.

"Yeah, good Mike. What are you two up to?"

"Going to grab some food and a film. Joe's out with Ems tonight, so we were left behind. Thought we'd get out of the house" I'm probably explaining too much, but I can't let on to anyone what she does to me.

"Cool, well we're heading off now, party over the other side of the river. Come by later if you're up for it" we fist bump again, and he gives Bex a quick hug then they're gone. We grab a table and order food.

"Is Joe being a bit odd do you think?" Bex asks when our food has arrived and the girl has left us alone.

"What do you mean, odd?"

"Like earlier, asking if we'd be ok and to make sure nothing happened"

"Ah you know what he's like. Probably worried about you with Oscar going, and it being 4 years today... And you've got the comp in less than a week, he doesn't want you distracted" and he doesn't want me making a move on you when you've just lost Oscar I say in my head.

"OK. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about college. I know you haven't been here, but we are still sticking with our plan Yeah?" She says smiling.

"The one where we don't tell each other until we've both committed?" I really want to know where she's going!

"Yep, that plan"

"Yeah, we're sticking with it"

"Good. I've got my eye on one, but things change don't they" she's so bloody gorgeous!

"Hmmm, yeah, things change" I say quietly, and I'm not talking about college.

......

Bex

So it's competition day. Im so ready for this. Joe and Mike look far more nervous than I do, it's crazy! All the team are here, coach apparently wants them to support me. I've put a training plan together for him, to get the team to do throughout the season.

I start warming up and look over to where they all are. Mike is staring at me with a strange look in his eye, then he smiles when he sees me looking. My stomach does a little flip when I see that smile, it lights up his face. We had a great time on the weekend, we ended up falling asleep on the sofa in the den when we got home. Joe woke us up in the morning and he didn't look too happy for some reason.

I have to concentrate now, the race is going to start any minute. I make my way to the starting blocks and do a few start off runs.

....

Mike

Bex is looking really strong down on the track. I'm getting a bit pissed off hearing the comments around me though. She's wearing those running pants things, and a sports crop top with her number on the front and back. You can see how defined her stomach muscles are, and the strength in those gorgeous long tanned legs... and so can practically every other male here judging by what I'm hearing.

"Bex is looking fit as f**k boys!" I glare at Tom and he backs off.

"f**k off Tom, that's my sister you're gawping at" Joe looks at me when he says that, silently telling me not to blow it. I smile slightly showing my thanks. "Here they go. You ok? She's going to smash this mind, no worries" Joe sounds nervous though when he says that.

"I know, she's been training so hard, she deserves this so much" Bex hasn't slowed down at all and she's on the 4th lap. I'm not sure what lap the others are on but I don't think they've kept up with her.

"She's going too fast" one of the boys comes over.

"No she's not, this is her pace, this is what she's trained for" I say, not taking my eyes off her.

"Going for a PB isn't she?" He says

"Hmmm" is all I say. Nobody apart from myself, Joe, her dad and her coach know about the record she wants.

"There's my dad, be back in a minute" Joe leaps over the railing and goes to talk to his dad. The relationship between the 3 of them could not be any stronger. I'm so glad he's here for Bex today.

She's coming up to the last bend and I check the clock. Oh my f*****g god she's going to do it. She picks up her speed even more, she hasn't broken pace the whole time, and she still has more to give. I look at Joe and he looks back at me with a grin. There she goes, over the line, and she's f*****g done it! Before I know what I'm doing, I leap over the rail and run towards her. She sees me coming and jumps in to my open arms and I twirl her around.

"You did it. I'm so proud of you, I love you babygirl" I quietly say in her ear. She leans back and looks at me funny, and then she smiles.

"Love you too handsome. I can't believe it! They won't announce anything until they've checked it over though" I put her down and Joe appears out of nowhere.

"You did it you f*****g star!! Come on, dad wants to see you" he drags her away looking at me over his shoulder. I really need to talk to him, I can't hold my feelings in any longer.

....

'So we have an exciting announcement. We have a new record holder, holding the women's under 25s distance run. Bex Holden has beat the record by 3.5 seconds!' Theres a loud cheer and clapping all around the track, and the football team are whistling loudly.

"Thats for you babygirl" I pull her in to my side, kiss her cheek, then step back so Joe can be next to her. I can see the look of pride radiating from him. I saw Bex chatting with an older guy earlier. He had on sport clothing, so I'm guessing it was someone from one of the colleges. Bex looked shocked but happy. I hope she gets what she wants.

I'll be chatting with college reps after tomorrow's game. I'll be commiting then. I think I know where, but me and Bex agreed not to tell each other, as we don't want to influence the other in where to go. Joe is going nuts though, he just wants us all to be together.

"Joe, I need a word a minute" Bex pulls Joe away, and I know this is about college, as she wouldn't hide anything else from me.

....

Bex

"I can't believe it, are you serious!? I'm going to have to put on a f*****g awesome show tomorrow then if I want to come with you to college. I'm not having Dad pay my way" Joe is so happy for me. I was approached by the Athletics coach at UoA after the race, and I've finally commited. Not sure what Mike is going to think, but I need him to do what's right for him, we would both regret following each other rather than our own paths. I'd love to go away to college with him, but now that I'm off to UoA, that might not be the case. That college wasn't even on the cards, I've never spoken of it with Mike, never mentioned it, so it will be a small chance that we both pick it. I just hope Joe comes with me, I can't lose him too.