The Race - Chapter 1

June 1, 2013

Will Horton looked at the alarm clock on his nightstand and noticed it read 5:07am.

"Shit", he exclaimed as he bolted out of bed, nearly stubbing his toe on the edge of the bed.

He was gonna be late for the bus that shuttled him to the starting line of the race. The bus took off from downtown at exactly 5:30am. He quickly brushed his teeth and grabbed some running clothes then headed out the door.

Thankfully, there wasn't a single soul out on the road this early Saturday morning. The way he drives, he had no trouble exceeding the speed limit to make up some of the time he used sleeping. He looked down at the speedometer. 60mph may be a tad fast on a 35mph street, but he couldn't miss the bus. He'd trained for weeks for this race and he'd be damned if he was going to miss it.

He pulled into the parking ramp where he worked downtown. A few cars were scattered around, but otherwise the ramp was deserted.

Will's POV

"Hey...you ready for this?", Michelle said. Michelle is my best friend and we also work together.

"I am so ready for this, Michelle." I said.

"Good...because I'm gonna run your ass off today" she stated. I laugh because I know she's right. She can kick my ass if she wants to. She's the epitome of fit. Although we have planned to run together the whole time. I know we'll have a good time together. We always do.

"Run my ass OFF? Please don't. I rather like my ass." I say. She laughs at my statement.

Our company was nice enough to open the wellness center for the runners on a Saturday morning. The company is usually closed on weekends.

When Michelle and I got upstairs to the wellness center, a few of our other work friends were already there.

"Hey Shelley, hey Dave" I said. Shelley was bitching and moaning as usual because she had to get up so early and Dave was just smiling and shaking his head at Shelley's antics.

We all put our personal belongings that we didn't want to take with us in our lockers. Just as we were getting ready to leave for the bus, our friend Jill walked in dressed head to toe in winter-weather running gear.

"What the fuck are you wearing, Jill? You know it's 60 degrees outside, right?" I say as everybody starts laughing.

"Ha ha...very funny, Will." said Jill. "I was cold, so stop giving me shit. I brought some other clothes too." Jill said.

"Fair enough, Jill. It's just that you're the one who starts wearing tank tops when it turns 40 degrees. I'm the one who needs a parka most times." I said.

After Jill got done putting her things away, we made our way to catch the shuttle bus. On the way, several of us were chatting about how our week at work went. Most of us didn't have the best week, so this race would be a chance to unwind and have fun.

The shuttle pick-up was only a few blocks away so the walk was a fairly short one. Once we got there, it literally looked like an entire city school district was lending out their buses for the day. As it turns out, that was the case.

Amidst the plethora of people and school buses, our group made our way to one of the boarding lines.

"So how are you today, Will?" Michelle asked.

"I'm doing alright. I didn't sleep the best. And I woke up late. Probably nervous about today." I say back to her.

"What about that guy you were talking to me about earlier in the week?" she asked.

"Oh AJ?" I say. "He never responded to my messages."

"What a total asshole! You know he doesn't deserve you." Michelle says.

"Yeah, but I really thought he was into me. I mean I was into him. He has the most gorgeous hair." I say.

Michelle looks at me with a genuine smile on her face and says, "Will, sometime you will find the most perfect guy for you. I promise."

I smile at her statement. I want to believe her. She's my best friend. But after AJ not responding to my messages, I feel rejected. However, she's my friend and I trust her.

"Thanks, Michelle. I really appreciate that." I say.

Michelle and I talk back and forth for awhile about her life. She has two little boys who are the cutest things. They look exactly like her.

I was so engaged in our conversation that I didn't notice that we'd boarded the buses and we were nearly at the starting line.

"Oh my god, we're almost here." I say to Michelle.

"Where the hell have you been?" she laughs.

"Sorry...I guess I was just so caught up in our conversation." I say.

That was a partial truth. I really was completely caught up in our conversation, but I was still thinking about AJ. I really like him. And he totally hurt me when he ignored me.

"Fuck him!" I think to myself. "Michelle's right. He doesn't deserve me. So what if he has the most gorgeous hair I've ever seen? And the most perfect body."

AJ works at the company too so I see him working out on a regular basis. I've even caught a glimpse of him naked in the shower.

"OK Will...get your head together. If you keep thinking of AJ, you'll never be able to run single mile." I think.

At the starting line, there were a TON of porta-potties. Well...people have to use the bathroom before a race. I already needed to. I had drank an entire bottle of water on the way.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Shelley yelled to Michelle and I. Shelley ran to catch up to the two of us.

"I've got to pee like a fucking race horse." Shelley exclaimed.

I laugh and respond back to her.

"Race horse, huh? That will be quite the sight." I say.

Shelley responds back with her usual sarcastic self.

"Ha ha ha. You're so funny, Will. What will AJ do with you?" she says.

I frown and look down. Shelley notices.

"Oh I'm sorry, Will. Did I say something wrong?" Shelley says to me.

"No it's ok, Shelley. It's just that AJ didn't respond to the messages I sent him." I say quietly.

"That god damn son of a bitch!" Shelley says with genuine anger. I smile a little inside at her statement. I can always count on her and Michelle to have my back.

"I know right! I was so excited to go out with him. I thought we hit it off the other day at lunch. Apparently he didn't feel the same about me." I say.

This time I'm not so somber and I'm starting to believe what Michelle told me earlier. A wave of contentment comes over me and I smile.

"You know, Shelley...it really is ok. He doesn't deserve me. I'm going to meet the most perfect guy for me." I say as I look at Michelle and give her a wink. She winks back at me.

"Good. You need to get laid soon anyway. You can be grouchy in the mornings." Shelley says.

We all erupt in laughter as we continue our way to the bathrooms. Shelley really does look like she's gonna pee herself.

After waiting in yet another line at the bathrooms, we all make our way towards the starting line. All the training we've done together has led up to this moment. I'm so pumped. Michelle really gave me something to look forward to. She's my best friend and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

After fighting through the massive amount of people while trying to get to our pace time group, we finally settle on a spot behind the starting line. Finally. Jeez, it seemed like it took forever to get up here.

I look around and see some interesting people. I never realized before that some runners are just plain weird. I see some without shoes. I mean, who the hell runs a half marathon without shoes? I see one guy with nothing but a loin cloth on. Really? I think to myself. I mean I wouldn't mind seeing AJ in that, but...I cut my thoughts off. I can't keep thinking about him like this right now.

After the national anthem plays, I know it's only a few seconds from the start of the race.

"On your mark, get set...GO!" the announcer says just as a loud gun blast goes off.

I have a good feeling that this race is going to be a good one...

**to be continued**