Anne bent over and stretched her legs.
In five minutes she'd be starting the Spring 5k for the area food bank. She'd tried to convince Lisa or Ben to run with her, but they resisted.
"I don't remember the last time I ran a mile put together." Lisa said shaking her head.
She even asked Charlie, who she ran into earlier that week, but he had plans out of town that weekend.
Ben had only said, "Running? Are you kidding me Anne?"
So there she was alone. Still, she was excited. She used to play field hockey in middle and high school and was looking for an excuse to get back in shape. She always felt happier when she ran.
She positioned herself in the middle of the crowd when it was about to begin.
"Anne?"
She turned to her left to see the source of the voice. It was Rick.
She completely forgot that the ROTC students usually ran in these races. She hadn't spoken to Rick since they drank together nearly a month ago.
"Oh. Hello."
"Nice day for a run." he said politely.
"Yup." Anne answered. His niceness felt odd. She was still searching for an excuse to dislike him. "It's a good cause."
"Yeah. It's a good way for me to stay in shape"
The whistle sounded and Rick was already off before Anne noticed it had begun at all. She collected herself and started running. She never had good reflexes.
About a mile in she noticed that Rick was 50 yards in front of her. She picked up the pace slightly and caught up with him shortly. Rick looked sideways and saw her running next to him. He sped up a bit.
So did Anne.
Rick couldn't help but be impressed.
Anne would never admit it, but she was dying. Keeping up with a guy like Rick wasn't the easiest thing on earth. It was as if an obsessively competitive force was inhabiting her body and making it pass limits she never knew she could. She picked up the pace even more and after a minute or two passed Rick again.
Rick saw her go, her shorter legs making long strides and her long pony tail swinging behind her. What was she doing?
Anne couldn't really explain where this intense desire to beat Rick was coming from, all she knew was that she couldn't slow down.
She was in the last quarter mile now and could see the end.
All of a sudden, a tall figure appeared at her right side. Rick was running fast for his finish. Anne had to quicken her stride and they were neck and neck then each started sprinting until-
Anne, who was so focused on the finish line, didn't see the pot hole in her path. She hit the pavement hard, but not before rolling her ankle.
"Ugh!" she cried. She didn't know what hurt more- her foot or her pride.
She sat there pathetically for a while and saw people's legs pass her. A hand extended out to help her
It was Rick's.
"Thanks." she said. "I think I'm ok." She tried to limp a few steps, but Rick saw the pained look on her face.
"Anne, I think you need help."
"No!" she insisted, putting a smile on her face. "I'm good, really."
She stumbled after that and Rick caught her. With one swift movement he picked her up and began carrying her to the finish line.
"Rick! Put me down I'm fine!" she said.
"No you're not. Stop lying."
She realized that her arms were around his neck and for a second she felt tempted to bury her face into his chest Thankfully, she resisted the impulse.
"Thanks." she said softly as he reached a chair near the finish line.
"I'll go call Ben." he said. "He has a car and can drive you back."
She nodded.
A few minutes later Rick picked her up again and sat her down in the car.
"You coming?" Ben asked from the driver's seat.
Rick shook his head. "I have to meet someone." Anne had a sinking feeling that the "someone" was female.
"See you back at the dorm." Ben said, driving away. "So..." he said to Anne. "I assume you at least had a graceful fall?"
"Shut up." Anne said, leaning back.
"That'll teach you." Ben said. "You should've slept in like me."