Chapter 28

THE GREAT RACE

(Elizabeth)

I ran over to Kira and Jasmine.

"Guys look there's a marathon tomorrow we should run in it". I said.

"No offense Elizabeth but I thought you hated sweating". Kira said.

"Yeah, plus don't marathons usually fundraise something"? Jasmine asked.

"Yeah, it's a fundraiser for some children's hospital". I said handing it to her.

"Yeah sponsored by Warren's company". Jasmine said.

"Wow, he must have a lot of money I bet he could buy a lot of food". Kira said making me roll my eyes.

"Anyways we should go come on Kira you love racing". I said.

"Yeah, but I can't I have a date with Kurt tomorrow and I like him more than racing". She said. I gasped at her statement.

"Calm down I didn't say food". Kira said.

"I'll run with you but we're probably going to come in last". Jasmine said.

"Don't be negative". I said.

"Why are you doing this anyway"? Kira asked.

"It's part of me being the new Elizabeth". I said.

"So you're doing it to show Scott you've moved on. How do the two relate"? Jasmine asked.

"Don't question it". I said smiling.

"I miss moody Elizabeth". Jasmine said.

"Yeah and I miss greedy Elizabeth she was a great eating buddy". Kira said.

"You ate half my snacks"! I yelled at her.

"I was just trying to make sure you didn't gain to much weight. You know cause you're a model". Kira said I just glared at her. "Haha I'm just going to go". Kira said before running off.

"Well, let's head home we need ready if we're running a lot tomorrow". Jasmine said.

We walked outside and they're parked in front was Valerie she was leaned against her car, but what threw me off is Scott was talking with her. She pushed him and he walked away. I walked up to her.

"What was that about"? I asked.

"Calm down I know he's yours we're just trying to fix our broken friendship. Anyways, I came to give you two rejects a ride". She said.

"For your information we are popular". I said.

"Yeah, and I didn't skip class in high school get in". Valerie said. After she dropped us off Jasmine read books on running and I was trying to find a perfect running outfit. I was positive we would win this despite Jasmine's negativity. The next day I was getting into my pink shorts and shirt for the race. Jasmine put in a blue jogging suit. We ran into Kira in the hallway.

"Guys shouldn't you be there already". She yawned out.

"What it's at twelve". I said.

"No, it's at eleven". Kira said. Jasmine pulled the flyer out of my purse then glared at me.

"I asked if you were sure. Come on we have to go". Jasmine said. We rushed down to the race and barley made it we saw Warren there but didn't have time to say hi. "Remember to pace yourself". Jasmine said before they said go. We started off I ran and tripped on my own feet causing me to fall over. Jasmine laughed at me but helped me up. "Is now a bad time to tell you Scotts with the spectators"? Jasmine asked. I looked up and saw Scott standing there. I started running again.

"Come on we have to prove I'm strong and independent".

Halfway through we were out of breath. I saw Warren's girlfriend out of breath too near us.

"That's Warren's girlfriend". I said to Jasmine in between breaths.

"Valerie is screwed". Jasmine replied back in between breaths.

"Who knew this would be so tiring". I said.

"I'm going to kill you". Jasmine said before chasing me. After Jasmine's anger left we were back to breathing heavily.

"We might finish in dead last". I said.

"If we finish in last I'm going to rip your clothes". Jasmine said.

"Ok well let's run". I said we picked up our pace we practically crawled over the finish line.

"Hey, thanks for coming I didn't know you guys ran". Warren said.

"Did we win"? I asked.

"Not at all even my girlfriend beat you guys". Warren said.

"Who won"? I asked.

"We'll announce it when the last person finishes and here they come".

Just then a fat man ran past the finish line.

"Are you kidding me". Jasmine said.

"Don't start Jas your just as out of breath as me". I said. We crowded for Warren to announce first, second, and third place. Scott walked up to us. "That was pretty bad do you guys have any running experience". Scott said.

"At least we tried Scott". I said. Warren announced the first place winner. A fit-looking guy came to the stage. "See look we lost to that it seems fair to me". Then he called second place and it was Valerie. My mouth hung agape as she walked to the stage and got a silver medal.

"Valerie ran oh my god how'd she get second that was torture". I said. She walked over to us.

"Hey, I didn't know you two ran I didn't even see you".

"That's because they barely finished". Scott said.

"Wow that's sad but cheer up I ran track for two years in high school". She said.

"How'd you know about the race anyway"? Jasmine asked.

"Sunny Dee he told me I could impress Warren. I really did it because I was bored though". Valerie said.

"I guess running isn't as easy as I thought". I said.

"Didn't you pace yourselves"? Valerie asked. Jasmine glared at me.

"I just remembered I have homework to do". I said running off.

"Come back here"! Jasmine yelled behind me. I'll never drag her into my ideas again.

(Valerie)

Scott laughed beside me.

"Aren't you going to congratulate me"? I asked.

"Yeah, but I know you'd place anyways don't you need to pick an outfit out for your lunch with Warren's mom tomorrow"? Scott asked.

"No, I'm not that's kind of girl I lay all my cards on the table". I said.

"You sound like Remy". Scott said.

"Yeah we should head back Jean's probably looking for you". I said. We went home and I stayed in my room drawing wings. The next day I was slightly panicked to meet Kathryn but I ignored it. I put on some black jeans with holes in then and a navy tank top with my leather jacket. I put on light makeup with my signature purple lipstick. I put my piercings in and put on my converse. I left my hair wavy and walked out.

"Good luck". Scott said from the couch.

"I don't know whose worse you or Elizabeth". I said before leaving. I drove to a nice upscale cafe.

I went inside and saw Kathryn already there.

"Valerie dear how are you"? She asked.

"Good you"? I asked.

"I'm wonderful, sorry about my husband's behavior at the party". She said.

"It's not your fault he's rude". I said.

"You look lovely". She said.

"Um, thanks I barely tried". I said.

"I know Lyra always wears her best when she sees me". She said.

"She's probably trying to impress you". I said.

"And you're not"? She asked.

"Not really I think if you like me that's great, but if you don't I really don't care". I said.

"A great mentality for running the business it's so bothersome when people in the company try to look for your approval all the time". She said.

"Ok I don't mean to be a bitch but why are you married to Warren's father you're so sweet". I said.

"He wasn't always that way it was the business it made him so cold. It's partly my fault I should have kept him in line. I bet you're the type who has no problem keeping people in line". She said.

"Yeah well, I can be very persuasive". I said.

"I see Lyra just lets Warren do what he wants". She said.

"She'd make a great trophy wife". I said causing Kathryn to laugh.

"Yes indeed".

"You're chill Kathryn I like you". I said.

"Yes well, I always wanted to be a rebel". She said.

"Ah, there's a small rebel in us all". I said.

"Yes, what are your hobbies, honey"? She asked.

"Warren doesn't know but I like painting". I said.

"I'd love to see your work". She said.

"Kathryn I don't mean to sound rude but why did you invite me to lunch I'm sure there's someone else's company you'd enjoy more". I said.

"Oh but you're so funny, honey. I did mean to ask you do you like my son"?

"We're just friends". I said.

"I'll take that as a yes". His mom said. I didn't reply to that. "If you want to win my son over you should be straight forward with him. Trust me he'll pick you over Lyra". She said.

"What makes you so sure"? I asked.

"He always talks about you to me besides you'll make a much better wife then Lyra". She said. I think I turned three shades darker.

"W-wife"?

"Oh sorry to soon we'll talk about that later". She said smiling.

"Kathryn I don't think I should".

"Just indulge an old woman will you". She said.

"Okay, I'll try". I said.

"So you're from the institute? Are you a mutant as well"? She asked.

"Yeah". I said.

"That's wonderful". She said. I cocked an eyebrow is this lady on drugs.

(Kira)

I was sitting in Jasmine and Elizabeth's room. Jasmine was braiding the side of my hair.

"Any plans for Thanksgiving"? I asked since it was a few days away.

"I'm going to help at a food bank". Jasmine said.

"I'm going to visit my mom". Elizabeth said.

"I'm staying here. What are you going to do"? Iris asked me.

"I'm staying here too". I said.

"Stop moving around so much". Jasmine said.

"Sorry". I said.

"I bet you're happy to eat tons of food". Elizabeth said.

"You bet I am". I said.

(Valerie)

I sat on my bed staring at a blank sheet of paper that stood on an easel that Kathryn insisted on buying me. I glared at it.

"Stop taunting me". I said to it. I stared at it some more before getting up and picking up a paintbrush. I then started painting. I always used to say to myself. You can't paint a thing until you get something down on paper. No matter if you know what you're drawling.