Twisting and tugging at the shirt, Danny pulled a face. It'd been tie dyed in the school colors, like the actual team ordered shirts, but seemed so much neon brighter with the yellow. Like a freaking highlighter, easy to spot in a crowd. Even in a crowd of somewhat matching shirts.
Elle, the artist apparently, had sketched the cross country symbol on the front as well as team name to further match. Actually, that was pretty good looking. She'd used iron on letters for the back. For Danny's shirt name.
Making a face again, Danny trudged along after the team, resigned to the shirt presented to him and shoved on over his head by the two senior guys.
Drawing up beside him, Matt stretched as he walked, hazel eyes bright with excitement. The middle schoolers didn't really have meets for them. So they only had a few high school ones they were allowed to join in with the JV runners and a fun run thing the coach had found for them to join about a 45 minute drive from here. Their school happened to have one of the few meets they could join.
And the one at this new school was the first Danny could participate in himself.
Edi called out and waved from where she stood with Dale, grouped together with others along the sides of the path to watch and cheer.
Matt groaned, ducking his head on Danny's side, reluctantly wagging a couple fingers back.
"Embarrassed?"
"At least it's not Elizabeth. She's not there, is she?"
"Uh, no? What's wrong with Elizabeth?"
"She's Elizabeth."
That clarified nothing and everything.
A pain shot through Danny and he pressed a hand tight to his chest, rubbing at it with a wince. He yanked his sight from the crowd of onlookers, fixing his jaw tight and stared at the ground as he walked along. Trusting in the feet beside him going the right way to the starting area.
He'd give anything for Jazz and all her cheer to be here.
"Are you okay? Nerves? I promise I won't make fun if you're one of the ones that throw up at the end. I do that."
Danny's head shot up, eyes wide at Matt. "What?! And you like that? You love running and doing that?"
"Not that part, but at least I know I'm pushing myself to my limits and improving my time. It's exhilarating!"
Danny stared. "You're crazy."
Matt scowled, glancing away. "I just like running."
"Okay, okay, sorry. I uh, I'm just feeling a little sick. I'm fine! I swear! Let's get to the start, okay Matt?"
The kid stated at Danny, then frowned, eyes going to Danny's chest. Quickly, Danny stopped rubbing and pulled his hand away. Thumped his chest.
"There. See? I'm fine."
But he resolutely kept his gaze forward and focused on the sound of his breathing, rather than see or hear Edi and Dale.