New Haven: Awakening

CHAPTER EIGHT. Harper vs. the Lanzer.

The interior of the indoor track had me shook. It was like a stadium but you know...indoors and way smaller. The track was red and blue with the school’s crest painted on the grass. I looked up at the stands. It was packed. The seats weren’t just occupied by students but teachers, the janitors, cafeteria ladies, some parents and Marty also. Whoa. They all came out to see Lance lose?  What? He is though.  It would take a miracle for Lance to win.

“Is this race that big of a deal?” I questioned. Mika nods.

“Yup. Lanzer is New Haven High’s star runner, he’s never disappoints. Just mention the Lanzer to anyone and you’re bond to see a s**t—“

“Language.” I sighed. He gives Becca a questionable look.

“She hates swearing.”

Mika raises and brow at me. I shrugged.“ Ok.....anyways....when he lost to your brother everyone couldn’t believe it. I for one still can’t believe it. Since then Lance has been training extra hard in hopes to beat Lucas one day.” He continued. Keep dreaming Lance.” I can see three empty seats...let’s go before someone takes them.” Mika says before grabbing our hands and dragging us to the seats.

We say down. These seats aren’t the best, I mean....I can barely see the track.” I can’t see.” I whined.

“Me either.” Becca says.

“Same.” Mika says.” Come with me.” Mika gets up and walks towards a small gate. He opens it and let’s Becca and I go though it first.

We followed him to where Mr. Haddish  and Ms. Gayle, the school’s track and field coach, were standing with Lance and Lucas. They were standing near the starting line, talking and laughing with each other. 

Ms. Gayle looks to be in her mid thirties, copper locker tucked in a French braid, has icy blue eyes and a hooked nose. She was wearing a red Nike tracksuit.” Hey guys, you need any help?” Becca asked. They all turned and looked at us.

I met Mr. Haddish’s graze and he smirked. There’s that pull again. I tore my eyes away from him. Stop staring you hot weirdo.” Sure, if you guys are willing to record the time.”  Ms. Gayle says.

“Sure.” Becca said. Becca nudged my shoulder.

“Yeah.” I replied. Mr. Haddish hands Mika a microphone. Mika beams as soon as he got it. Ms. Gayle hands us stopwatches. She shows me how to use it. I smiled thankfully at her.

“Ok. Who’s taking Lance’s time?” I looked at Becca, she was giving me puppy eyes. I rolled my eyes.

“I’ll do it.” I answered. Becca turns to Lucas. He smirked at her. He was wearing Misfits T-shirt and black basketball shorts that he always carries around in his bag. I’m sure he hasn’t washed that thing in six years. 

“Good luck out here.” Becca gushed. She tucks and strand behind her ear before she gives him a quick peck on the cheek. 

Gags. 

It caught him completely by surprise. He smiles down at her. I rolled my eyes and pulled her away from him.

“Can we start?” I asked, beyond annoyed. Mr. Haddish was laughing behind his hand and so was Ms. Gayle. Mika gags. My thoughts exactly Mika! They’re so cute it’s sickening.

“Go ahead, Mika.” Ms. Gayle says.

“New Haven High!” Mika roared into the microphone after he turns it on. The crowd screamed.” Are you ready!” They screamed again. 

“To the starting line boys.” Mr. Haddish said. Lucas and Lance looked at each other and smirking.

“Ready to lose, Harper.” Lance says, throwing his arms over Lucas’ shoulder as the walked to they starting line. Lucas laughs.

“Lose he says.” Lucas sniggers. 

“Off the track ladies.” Ms. Gayle says. We followed her and Mr. Haddish onto the field. Mika on the other and walked to the middle of the track closer to the stands.

“In lane four: weighting in a 126 pounds, with a mop of greatest, and 6 foot flat. Give it up for the Lanzer!” The crowd when mad.” And in lane five: we have our newest member of your New Haven High family, Lucas Harper.” They screamed then started shouting their names and stomping the feet.

“Woo! Go Lucas!” I screamed. 

“Remember what I told you about your breathing Lance!” Ms. Gayle shouted.

I watched as Mr. Haddish load the starting pistol.” This is the rematch one for the ages. It’s 400m of greatest. Do your best boys and make us proud. Cue the drum!” The school band matches onto the field and marches behind us. The  beat was amazing and they played in absolutely harmony. You couldn’t help but want to dance to the beat. Mika walks over and stands beside us, grinning.” On your marks!”

There was absolute silences. The boys hi-five each other before getting on their knees.” Hold it!” Mika says as Mr. Greenberg rushes over with two starting blocks. He’s just too cute. He was wearing a taupe suit with a black tie. 

”Sorry! I completely forgot.” Mr. Greenberg says as he passes us and runs over to the boys. The boys stood up and takes a starting block.

Mika shook his head.” That’s Mr. Greenberg for ya. He hears that a race is happening and he forgets his senses.” He states. Mr. Greenberg runs back to the stands.” You guys can play.” Mika says to the band while Lance and Lucas set up their blocks. They gave us a thumbs up when they were done.

“On your marks!” Mika said, Mr. Haddish rasies his hand with the pistol in the air. He shuffles away from us.” Get set.....”

Pow!

Becca and I started our stopwatches. They boys shoot ahead. The crowd jumps out of their seats, cheering. At the first 100m mark they were neck and neck.” Come on Luke.” I said under my breath. When they reached the first 200m mark Lucas starts to fall behind a bit.

“I guess all that hard work as being paying off.” Mr. Haddish says, when he rejoins us.

Ms. Gayle grins.” He was being training so hard.”

Mika chuckles.” Damn—“

“Language.” 

“Bleh.” He sticks his tongue out at me. I air clawed him.”—look at him move.” At the third 100m mark Lucas was almost a foot behind.

“You can do this Lucas!” I screamed. Seconds before Lance reached the last 100m stretch Lucas begins to speed up, closing the gap. The crowd starts to go wild, screaming their names.” Woo!” At the 60m mark they were neck and neck. They stayed that way until they reached the finish line. The crowd screamed.

“Guys? You guys see who won?” Mika asked. We shook our heads.

“It looks like a tie to me.” Becca’s says.

“It’s a draw!” Mika announces.” What a splendid performance from our athletes—oh and hear comes Mr. Greenberg!” Marty came running over again. I swear he’s so adorable. He had his iPhone 8 Plus in his hand. He runs to Mika and hand the phone to him. Ms. Gayle looks on the screen and her mouth drops. Mika grins.

He hands the phone back to Mr. Greenberg.” Well forks....thanks to  Mr. Greenberg we can determine a clear winner.” Mika’s says,” And the winner is—no one.” The crowd looked at each other confused. I could see Mika trying to  hide a smile. Becca caught on and folded her hands.

“Mika Tristian Hillock...don’t make me hurt!” Becca spat. Mika sticks his tongue out at her. 

”Jk! The win is.....Lucas Harper!”

“Woo! That’s my twin!” I scream as I ran over to him and hugged him. He grins and spins me around.

“Damn—“

“Language.” I whispered.

“—almost had you.” Lance says, between pants.

Lucas let’s me go and patted his back.” Don’t worry about it you improve from our last race.”

“Thanks. You thinking about joining the team?” Lance asked.

“Without a doubt.” Lucas said.” Remember you have debts to pay.” Lance rolls his eyes but grins.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Harper!” Ms. Gayle says. We all looked at her.” Would please join our track team?” She says, desperately. Lucas grins.

“Without a doubt!” He answers.

“Splendid! Cue the drums!” Mika said. The band starts playing and Mr. Greenberg starts to bust a move. It was so funny and adorable.