Mark wins

The gun sounded and they were all off.

Kyle Simpson the favourite was out of the blocks the quickest. He took an early lead with Brandon Flynn just behind him, trying to keep up with that pace.

Just behind them was Mark and another boy from West Hall. Although he was caught behind early, Mark started to speed up.

Without any wind, he had nothing holding him back.

The sound of the students in the grandstand and the announcer over the speaker trying to commentate the race was all a blur to Mark as he started to catch up to the leaders.

With 40 metres to go, Mark was so close to overtaking Brandon.

30 meters to go, he found himself neck and neck with him, Kyle Simpson just ahead. His long muscly legs powered through, making it tough for Mark and Brandon to keep even with him.

Mark used everything he had in the tank, using up all of his ATP in his body to chase down the leader.

20 meters to go. The crowd roared louder, the East Hall students couldn’t believe it, Mark was gaining ground.

With just 10 meters to go, he had overtaking him, just, only just.

Feeling like he was going so quick that he would collapse, Mark held on for the win, crossing the finish line first, with an incredible personal best time.

“HE’S DONE IT! MARK RODGERS HAS WON IT FOR EAST HALL!” the voice over the speaker exclaimed as he crossed the finish line first.

In what was a very surreal next couple of minutes, Mark soaked in the atmosphere. He had won, he had actually beaten everyone in the race, proving he was one of the fastest students on campus.

Mark looked up into the grandstand to see his fellow East Hall peers cheering, all up on their feet. They started to all make their way down to the ground to celebrate with him.

“You sure know how to run kid,” Kyle said to him, giving a light pat on the back.

“Thanks, really appreciate that, you were great too.”

“Respect,” he said before walking off to some of his other senior friends.

He was so overwhelmed by it all as everyone started to make their way down onto the track, the sun setting behind them.

***

Later that night…

Celebrating Mark’s win was the priority of everyone in East Hall that night as they had their own private party.

It was almost like a repeat of the morning except instead of people wishing him luck, they were congratulating him on winning the race. He knew what but if a deal it was when even Paul, the male RA of East Hall actually remembered his name.

“Yooo Mark! You are the man!” he told him, slapping his back as he made his way past him.

Yep. It had been one successful day and he sure couldn’t get enough of being the hero. Anything that hadn’t gone his way before that seemed so insignificant at this moment. This was as closest to a King bed hat he had ever felt like before.

While sitting on one of the couch chairs in the common room, as if it was his throne, Mark was joined by Tiffany for the second time this night.

“So umm I was doing some calculations in my head and I think your win today is going to push us close to another win this year in the tournament,” she explained to him.

“Seriously?” he said, a bottle of beer in one hand as he spread out his arms on the side of the couch, “That’s awesome, glad I could help.”

“I owe you for this, that’s for sure,” she told him.

Mark just smiled, waving his arm, “Forget about it,” he said, not liking the idea that she owed him anything after what had happened to them in the past, “I’m just happy that I was able to help.”

She slowly slid her butt down on the side of the chair, forcing Mark to remove his left hand. This was easily the most amount of attention he had been given from the brunette stunner since they had broken up.

“I spoke to Winter a bit yesterday,” she said in a more hushed toned.

“You did?” he gulped, curious to what she would say in return.

Tiffany nodded, “Just thought it was important for us to build a bridge. Guess that involves you too. Everything that happened… you know… that whole mess. I uhh… I umm.. I just don’t want things to be awkward between us anymore.”

Mark could see her mind moving, trying to piece together the words.

He smiled back at her, “I couldn’t be happier with that Tiff,” he told her, feeling like he was losing part of that guilt that had been holding him back.

“Can I ask you something?” he asked after a bit of silence.

Tiffany nodded, waiting for Mark to continue.

“How do you get over something like that and just move on from it so easily without holding a grudge?”

“Nobody said it was easy,” she replied, “But I don’t know, sometimes things are just not meant to be and I’m not the kind of girl that wants to hold a grudge forever.”

“You’re a gem..” he said, looking up at her.

She smiled back, leaning to her side to give him a bit of a hug and an embrace, “Oh before I forget, don’t drink too much tonight, you’ve got a football game tomorrow,” she cheerfully said, nudging him in the shoulder.

“Oh great, another weekend for us embarrass ourselves again,” Mark said.

“Hey don’t be like that, you’re playing Wakefield, that gives you a huge chance for an upset win,” she replied, talking about another college team that was currently struggling to win games.

Mark finished the rest of the drink from his bottle, “Alright, I promise not to have too many tonight,” he said holding out his little pinkie.

It made Tiffany giggle as she too put out her pinkie letting them connect, making a deal.