Extra Laps
986 Words
Tuesday afternoon started with bad news.
Which, unfortunately, was becoming a trend.
The second practice began, and Coach Daniels marched onto the track carrying his clipboard like he was about to ruin someone’s life.
That should have been my first warning.
“Listen up!”
The team gathered near the starting lanes.
Nobody looked particularly happy.
Coach scanned the group.
“Regionals are six weeks away.”
Immediately, the atmosphere shifted.
Regionals mattered.
College scouts attended regionals.
Scholarship opportunities appeared at regionals.
Careers could change at regionals.
Coach tapped his clipboard.
“And right now, half of you are performing below expectations.”
A collective groan rose from the team.
Coach ignored it.
Naturally.
“Which means we’re increasing training.”
The groans became louder.
“Which means,” Coach continued, looking far too pleased with himself, “additional relay sessions.”
My stomach dropped.
Beside me, Kiara muttered a prayer.
Mason looked ready to fake an injury.
Coach glanced down at his clipboard.
Then said the words I was already dreading.
“Blake. Donovan.”
The entire team immediately started making noises.
Some laughed while some whistled.
One person actually applauded I wanted to disappear.
Coach pointed toward us.
“You two will attend additional sessions three evenings a week.”
“What?” I blurted.
Coach raised an eyebrow and I instantly regretted speaking.
“Problem, Blake?”
Several actually.
But none that I could explain.
Jace sighed beside me.
“Coach—”
“No.”
The answer came before he finished.
Mason nearly collapsed laughing and Coach continued.
“You are our strongest pairing.”
Nobody looked happy about it, least of all me.
“Dismissed.”
Practice started immediately afterward.
Sprints. Acceleration drills. Relay exchanges. The usual torture.
The problem was that now every single athlete knew Jace and me would be spending extra time together.
And judging by the constant looks people kept sending us—
They had lots of opinions.
By the end of practice, I was exhausted, sweaty, and annoyed.
And somehow still being stared at.
I was heading toward the bleachers when Kiara appeared beside me.
“So.”
“No.”
“So.”
I pointed at her.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop.”
She grinned.
“Three extra practices a week.”
I groaned.
“Don’t.”
“This is literally a romance novel.”
“I hate you.”
“I know.”
She skipped away before I could insult her further.
Traitor.
The first additional training session began that evening.
The stadium was nearly empty now, most students had returned to the dorms.
The setting sun painted the track gold. Everything felt strangely quiet I arrived early.
Mostly because being late around Coach Daniels felt dangerous.
A few minutes later, Jace appeared he was right on time.
Because apparently, perfection was his favorite hobby.
“You’re early.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You’re observant.”
“You’re sarcastic.”
“You’re annoying.”
“Consistent.”
I hated that tiny smile threatening the corner of his mouth.
Before either of us could continue, Coach’s whistle cut through the air.
“Enough flirting.”
The entire stadium fell silent.
My soul left my body, Jace looked horrified.
Coach looked completely serious.
“I wasn’t flirting,” I said immediately.
Coach ignored me.
“Warm-up laps.”
The man was absolutely evil.
Twenty minutes later, we were running relay exchanges across an empty track.
Without the rest of the team around, everything felt different.
Quieter, more noticeable.
Every glance, every comment, every moment.
“You’re thinking again.”
I accepted the baton.
“Maybe you’re just predictable.”
“Maybe.”
The easy agreement caught me off guard.
For a second, neither of us spoke then we ran again and again and again.
Until the sky darkened completely.
By the time Coach finally called for a water break, my legs felt like jelly.
I collapsed onto the lowest bleacher.
Jace sat beside me he was too close as usual.
The stadium lights flickered overhead.
The track stretched endlessly before us empty and peaceful for once.
“Can I ask you something?”
I turned toward him.
The question sounded careful.
Which immediately made me suspicious.
“Depends.”
“On?”
“What you’re asking.”
His gaze shifted toward the field.
Then back to me.
“Why track?”
The question surprised me. Of all the things he could have asked that wasn’t what I expected.
I looked toward the lanes.
Toward years of memories, victories, losses, and everything.
“It makes sense.”
Jace frowned slightly.
“What does that mean?”
I searched for the right words.
“When I’m running, everything gets quiet.”
The confession slipped out before I could stop it.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then Jace nodded slowly as he understood.
“Yeah.”
My eyes lifted.
“You get it?”
A small smile appeared.
This one softer than usual.
“More than you think.”
Something strange settled in my chest it was warm and comfortable.
Coach’s whistle shattered the moment instantly.
“Back to work!”
I stood too quickly because suddenly the bleachers felt too small.
The air felt too close and Jace Donovan was becoming a problem I didn’t know how to solve.
The rest of the practice passed in a blur. More drills, more laps, more accidental moments of awareness.
By the time Coach finally dismissed us, the stadium was completely dark.
I grabbed my bag ready to escape then my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
My stomach dropped immediately. I opened the message.
Three words that’s all it took.
Stay away from him.
Cold spread through my chest.
My pulse quickened.
The familiar fear returned instantly.
Whoever was sending these messages—
They weren’t stopping.
And somehow, deep down, I knew things were about to get much worse.
- Writer
