Chapter 1

"IZZIE! WAKE UP IZZIE!"

Izzie's eyes opened slightly, just enough to see her 8 year old sister about an inch from her face, and her 6 year old brother screaming her name in the background.

"It's the last day of winter break, can you guys please let me sleep?

"It's the last day of break, we want to play!"

Izzie had to admit, the whispering from her sister, was a lot more soothing to her wake up process than Mike's "scream until she moves technique." Slowly, she made her way past her siblings, and to the bathroom.

Her mom wasn't home. She was almost never home, and when she was, she was high. Her grandma, watched over the kids when when she could and kindly took her baby sister Lydia for the evening and day so she could "Enjoy her last day of break." She still didn't have the full freedom of babysitting duties she wanted, but this did open up the possibilities of her day.

"So this means we are going to play right?"

"Yes Gwen. Both of you get dressed, we are going to the club."

While most of her classmates would be headed to a lavish country club, Izzie and her siblings made their way to the local Boys and Girls Club. Unless her mom won the lottery, she would never set foot into one of the snooty clubs. She dropped the kids off at open gym, and they sprinted across the room, to their respective friends as soon as the door opened. I guess running must be a genetic thing in this family She thought.

She was relieved to find her favorite treadmill was available as she entered the weight room. She needed to train for cross-country, but she couldn't drag her siblings into the woods, so this would have to do. Izzy ran for 2 hours with laser focus. Running was her getaway, her way to forget all the responsibilities. Although she knew running would never be a good enough excuse to leave this town, or her family behind, it was a good way to escape for a while.

But these past two weeks, her runs have had a different mindset. She pushed herself to the limit from start to finish. A new girl would be arriving at Clayton Prep in the morning. Izzy had heard things about her both good and bad, but mostly she heard that she was fast. There was no doubt in Izzie's mind that the new girl would be great for the team, but endlessly bad for her.

Izzie slowly got of the car, careful not to slam the door of Nate's car. She swore her boyfriend cared more about his stupid car, more than her. He was one of those rich Clayton Prep kids, with endless money, and a cocky attitude. But he was nice to her from day one, and showed her the ropes of now to navigate this maze like school. She found he was one of the few people she could tolerate. Plus, he knew all about her home life, and how she was only here because she had a scholarship, and never once judged her for it. So, despite knowing something was missing from their relationship, and knowing that they wouldn't spend forever together, Nate was the perfect person to spend now with. However long that might be.

As she approached the courtyard, Izzy saw a tall skinny girl standing alone awkwardly. This was her, the new girl sent her to steal her top runner position. She didn't understand why coach wanted her to show this girl around. Just because she was captain didn't mean she had to be nice.

Izzy tapped the new girl on the shoulder. She was taken aback, even just for a moment. As Casey spun around to meet her, Izzie could see that she was in fact tall, and skinny. Much taller, and much skinnier than herself. A mix of jealously and curiosity filled her.

She forced out a "Hey."

"Hi, you're Izzie, right? I'm Casey. I'm the Sorry, you know that. I'm, like, super nervous."

Obviously Izzie bit her inner lip, to avoid a snarky comment from coming out.

"Oh, I'm the new kid from Newton."

"Look, new kid from Newton."

Izzie was already annoyed at this conversation. She decided to let this girl know just where she stands her.

"Casey is my name, actually."

Not anymore

"I'm sure you were hot shit at your last crappy school, but-"

"Wow, warm welcome. They should put you in the orientation video."

Did she really just interrupt me?

"But I've heard about you."

"Good things?"

Izzie had to do everything in her power not to laugh. No, not good things.

"You punched a girl in the face and got suspended, so, no. I've worked my ass off to build this team and we don't need any drama."

It was true, when Izzie first arrived, this team was a mess. They were good, but filled with drama, to the point where they almost disbanded the team. The last thing she needed was another entitled rich girl coming in here, adding negativity to the team.

"I don't want any drama either."

"Don't care. Just handle yourself."

The conversation was over. Izzie walked past Casey. She was not what Izzie expected. I mean, she didn't know what she expected out of the new girl, but this was not it. Even so, She felt as though this was a victory, she said what she needed to. With this small victory Izzie was certain that by the end of the school year, that she would be on top. She heard the new girls voice behind her, and slowly stopped, and spun around to face Casey.

"Um Coach said you were going to show me around. Is that-"

Happy she got to be the one to interrupt this time. She pointed to the large building behind her.

"Classes are in there. Good luck"