An Owed Thank You -- Short Story 28

                                    

                                          
An Owed Thank You -- Short Story 28
                          
••••••••••••••••
                          
"Lendal high school, you're in lane 7, heat 2." The organizer of the race pointed to me.
                          
Nodding, I took my place in line. The 100m dash always draws a big crowd; of both racers and an audience.
                          
My heart beat faster as the first heat of grade 11 and 12 girls took off. 
                          
I'm next. 
                          
Taking a look at the girls beside me, I figured I'd have a good chance of placing third.
                          
Shaking off any nerves rushing through my body, I practiced taking off from my block. I had to set and reset it a few times before it felt just right.
                          
The crowd of people watching from the fence beside the track were buzzing with excitement as the announcer started the race.
                          
"On your marks." All noises came to a stop. The other 7 girls and I took our places on our blocks, being careful not to move.
                          
"Get set." The nervousness from everyone floated around me. 
                          
The cap gun shot sent me flying forwards as the race started.
                          
The other girls foot steps thumped behind me, but I didn't dare slow down.
                          
The girl in lane 3 was only a few steps ahead of me. Keeping my focus on her, I almost caught up before the finish line.
                          
The crowd was screaming and cheering for the girls still coming in behind as the winner mouthed 'good race' to me. Smiling, I knew I'd done better than I originally thought.
                          
Handing in my sticker with my name, school, and grade on it, I hoped I beat my fastest time. 
                          
"Chels! You did so good!" One of my school's track team members attacked me in a hug once I was off the track.
                          
Taken off guard, I stumbled and fell as the girl let go of me. 
                          
While I laid on the ground with people staring and other's asking if I was alright, I knew something was wrong with my ankle.
                          
"Holy crap," I sat on my butt still, "I can't get up." Instead of crying, I felt like laughing. 
                          
The girl Amber who gave me the surprise hug instantly was at my side trying to help me up.
                          
"I am so sorry." She kept shaking her head as she said it.
                          
"Don't worry about it. It doesn't hurt that bad." I bit down on my lip to hide the pain I felt.
                          
Once Amber had me standing, the shock and pain that came with hurting your ankle set in and it hurt real bad.
                          
"I'm going to need some help." She looked around for anyone else she knew.
                          
My eyes were shut to focus on staying standing.
                          
"Oh, Terran!" Amber yelled at another boy from our school, "Can you give me a hand?" 
                          
After explaining that I might have just sprained my ankle, Terran helped Amber hold me up as I hopped to the first aid tent. The school hosting the track meet was in charge of first aid.
                          
Amber and Terran sat me down on a chair under the tent before anyone could ask what was wrong.
                          
"Thanks." I squeezed the arm rests of the chair. 
                          
I listened to Amber once again explain to the teacher and two students under the tent what happened.
                          
"Chelsea, is it?" The teacher asked me. I nodded. "I'm Mr.Bell."