"All right everybody! The time has come! You have been training for two and a half months for this exact moment! Our opponents are fast, I will not lie to you, but I believe all of you to be ready! Your teammates managed to even the odds and bring everything to a stalemate, which will be broken in just a few minutes! I know that this is a lot of pressure on your backs, but I have faith in the four of you! And always remember…"

Zarina Kassir, our beloved (and hated, on some occasions) coach, looks at all of us straight in the eye. This last week has been that fabled competition that she mentioned, back in September.

We are now in the middle of January, neck deep in the struggle against three other schools from the next country over. Twelve participants per school in total (we somehow managed to get more recruits. How? No idea, but I call bribes), separated in three groups of four, for three different types of races. The first competition, the 100 meters race, saw our team getting defeated fairly easily. The other schools were better than us at sprinting.

Our teammates brought the situation back for us in the 400 meters race, having figured out that, while our opponents excelled at sprinting, their stamina wasn't as good as ours. It had been close, but they managed.

And now it's all up to Dana, Nea, Meg and I to bring the cup home, in the relay race. Winner takes all.

Our current disposition was the following: Dana would be first, which will pass the staff to Nea, then to me and Meg for last, as our ace in the hole. The tension is electric… but weirdly, none of us four was afraid, or nervous…

We were excited. We would finally be able to show the fruits of our hellish training. But, for the moment, we only have to wait to be called, while Zarina finishes her pep talk.

"... that, whatever happens, I am proud of you. All of you. And that losing is not the end of the world, if you resolve to do better next time. But we don't have to worry about that… because we are going to win this! Are you ready?!"

The four of us speak as one.

"YES!"

Nea and Meg take a second to talk, while I face Dana.

"We're counting on you for a good start! Knock them dead, okay?"

Former gas girl smiles and nods, bringing a fist to her chest.

"Leave it all to them!"

Since she stopped "bullying" Meg, Dana had been a much more pleasant person to have around. She has a weird sense of humor, but she's determined and resilient, two traits that she has been showcasing quite well. Things have been… tense, at first, when Meg and I announced our relationship, but ever since then she managed to bounce back and is now one of my girlfriend's dearest friends.

… it still feels weird to think about. Megan "Meghead" Thomas… is my girlfriend. I still have a lot of difficulty wrapping my head around it… but it's true.

The night of the Winter Ball, we bared our hearts to each other, confessing our feelings in a way that would have made a certain mother be very happy. To say that Viola had been ecstatic would be an understatement… when the two of us came back to her house, to drop my date off, and she saw us holding hands… well, I wouldn't have been surprised if the sickly woman somehow managed to stand up from the bed and started jumping around. She was over the moon for us.

Then, when I told Julie, I ended up having to suffer through another session of being squeezed to death by my older sister, like I was a stuffed toy. After that, the news spread to the rest of our friends, with varying levels of happiness and drama. People like Nea, Dwight, Frank and Joey actively congratulated us. Others like Mikaela, Yui and Thalita were happy for us, while some more didn't really care much, like the rest of our team. But some… didn't take it well. At all.

Kate disappeared on me for a week straight. She needed time, I had been told. Time for what? I have some suspicions… but no proof to back it up, unfortunately. She's back now, but everytime that she sees me, a shadow falls over her face.

Rin and Feng outright pretended that I didn't exist for even longer. Took a lot of time (and outside interference in the form of David, in Feng's case), to bring everything back into something resembling normalcy. They still give me and Meg the stink eye from time to time, for whatever damn reason.

But Susie… that had been the most painful. She congratulated me, like many others… but her eyes were all puffy and red. She had been crying, I could tell. I always had a feeling, in the back of my mind, even with all of my self delusions that she's just naturally shy, that the way she sees me is… much similar to the way she also sees my sister. But the reality of it only hit me when I saw her like that, with her heart broken for the second time in not even a year. She cried again after I told her, and I ended up crying after her.

We recently managed to smooth things over… but it had been a miserable affair. One that I still feel guilty over, even if now Susie herself seems to be finally making a recovery. I felt… scummy. Like I committed a great sin. Fortunately for us, the rest of The Legion worked tirelessly to support us both (alongside Meg, in my case), something that I should have seen coming, but I was still surprised by. I was honestly expecting all three of them to take Susie's side… but like Frank told me when I asked the question, I was one of them. We both were. And no true friend would let another suffer on their own. That prompted another crying session, much to my leader's awkwardness.

Today, Susie and I still can't even look at each other in the eyes… but I have faith, for once. I know, right? Me not jumping the gun trying to fix something that can't be immediately fixed? Seems like I really did learn something, after all.

I blink when Meg appears in my line of vision, snapping her fingers. I spaced out again, lost in my head like usual.

"Focus up, Hero! It's our turn to show these amateurs how to run!"

I smile a bit at the nickname. Hero… I suppose that counts as a pet name, does it? It should have grossed me out… but somehow, I believe it to be somewhat endearing.

"I'm awake, Meghead. Just… lost in some memories, that's all".

Her smile is mischievous, while her arms wrap themselves around my neck.

"Oh? Memories of me, I hope".

I chuckle, while idly noticing that we're alone, at least for now. I take my chances, wrapping my own arms around her and bringing her closer.

"Hmmm… I wonder…"

We smile at each other once again, before our lips come together, as if attracted with magnets. She still tastes like the chocolate chip cookies that I baked for her this morning, to psych both of us up for the competition.

The kiss is extremely brief, for we both know that we don't have time to do anything more. But I still take a moment to bump my nose with hers, making her giggle quietly. A sound that rarely comes out of her mouth… but never fails to make me smile like a fool.

"Come on lovebirds! You'll have all the time to make out after the competition!"

Nea's voice makes us snap out of our trance through sheer embarrassment, but we cover it up quickly, nodding at each other. Time to run now.

We take our positions on the field, ignoring the chilly air in favor of focusing on what's ahead of us. I steal a glance towards the covered stands, where our friends and families gathered to watch.

My father, sister and the rest of The Legion were all present and accounted for. The rest of my friends and acquaintances also made it, including Kate, Feng, Rin and even Yui, surprisingly. Didn't think she'd have the time…

The rest of our teammates had a spot reserved for them, still in their uniforms and with the school's flag in their hands, ready to cheer their hearts out. And not too far from there…

Viola also made it, alongside one of the nurses that acts as a chaperone. She had recently been transferred to the local hospital, to keep her conditions in check… I suppose she managed to convince (read "bully") the doctors in order to allow her to assist. She looked absolutely terrible… but she wouldn't have missed this, I bet. What a stubborn woman…

Guess Meg had to get that particular trait from somebody.

The announcers, one coming from our school and the other from one of our rival's, have been blabbing the whole time about this being a "neck to neck competition" and "whoever will come out on top?!" and all of those generic speeches to hype up the crowd. And it seems to be working. I can practically taste the energy coming from everybody.

They announced the names of our competitors, and are now introducing us.

"... and on the Ormond High corner, we have the four aces of the Track Team! Starting up will be Dana Winters! This one has quite the history of being one of the most… impetuous members, but has recently fixed her attitude and improved by leaps and bounds! We can only hope that growth will be enough! After her, Nea Karlesson, brought in by the fourth year president himself! He promised that his girlfriend was going to shine, and boy did she deliver on that promise! We can expect a lot from her! Following up, the one that the coach called 'prodigal son', Jason Kostenko! To this day, we are still unsure if his legs are faster than his tongue or vice versa! The one thing that we do know, is that he firmly established himself as the second fastest member of the team, only beaten by the final competitor, Megan Thomas! There is not much to say about her that it's not already known, having been a part of the team the longest and always firmly at the top! But her three teammates were always right behind her, so this year she had to push herself to the absolute limits! We shall finally see if all of that effort paid off or not!"

Does this guy never stop talking…? I look at my teammates, who all exhibit some semblance of annoyance, in one way or another. The announcer seems to realize that, because he gently coughs.

"But that is enough blabbering. Seat tight, ladies and gentlemen, because the final round is about to begin!"

Dana looks at her opponents, before they all get into position. The countdown reaches zero and they all start running for their lives. She's… doing decently enough. She's last unfortunately, but the ones before her don't have too much distance on her. But she doesn't give up, pumping her legs as fast as she can, until she reaches Nea, who grabs the staff and bolts after the others.

She's much faster than Dana, and it shows when she easily surpasses on of our opponents, giving us third place, and quickly catches up to the rest of the group. She reaches me only a split second after the team in second place, and now it's my turn to bolt.

The issue? The guy before me looks to be faster than me. Or so he probably believes. I hear everyone's voices: my father, Julie's, Frank, Joey, Thalita, Yui, Rin and Feng, their voices being naturally louder. I faintly hear Kate, Mikaela and Susie, not enough to be easily perceived… but I can hear them as well.

If this guy thinks that I'm gonna eat his dust… he has another thing coming! I push myself as hard as I possibly can, until I gain on him. Then, we're shoulder to shoulder… before finally, I leave him behind, gaining second position. The last one is not far… but I can't reach him. I can only close as much distance as possible, before passing the staff to Meg, which I eventually do.

My girlfriend wastes no time taking the object and pumping her own legs, determined to win. The difference between me and her is as clear as night and day. I'm fast, sure… but she's on a whole different level. In no time flat, she's running alongside our last rival. They seem to be mostly equal in speed, now that Meg used her initial burst of speed to catch up. I bite my lip, joining my friends in cheering her on. But she's starting to flag, giving her opponent more ground. Shit, I knew that I should have pushed more for endurance, rather than sprinting!

Then… one final voice joins the chorus.

"Don't give up! You can do it! You just have to believe it!"

Viola shouts the loudest I've ever heard from her. And Meg…

She hears her mother. In the blink of an eye, she's back in the race, full force.

I start muttering underneath my breath. Come on Meghead, you can do it! If anyone can, that would be you!

Both the rivals gave one last burst of speed… and clear the goal, apparently together.

I blink. That's… unexpected.

I walk up to my girlfriend, while the announcers say that they're going to check the photofinish before announcing the winner.

Meg and the other person shake hands, in a show of good sportsmanship, when I finally reach her.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

She's gulping down as much air as she can.

"Y-Yeah… just… give me… a second to… recover…"

I pat and rub her back while she's hunched over.

"You did amazing just now. Be proud of yourself".

She grins and gives a thumbs up, and I give her one right back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, could we please have a second of your attention? We have checked the photofinish, and we are now ready to announce the winner! And so, the winner of the third edition of this competition is…"

We all wait with bated breaths.

"Ormond High, alongside her legendary Track Team! Please, give an applause to these young and talented athletes!"

Claps and cheers resound around me. Nea, Dana, Zarina and the rest of the Team rush towards us, in a massive group hug, shouting in joy.

I wrap my arms around my girlfriend, who still seems to be in shock.

"Meg! You did it! Did I ever tell you how incredible you are?!"

She blinks, finally coming back from her daze.

"No Jas! WE did it! All of us, together!"

That line was so saccharine sweet, the both of us instinctively gag. But neither of us actually cares.

We grin wildly, squeezing each other tightly. Everything is well… but suddenly, I feel Meg seize up in my arms. A chorus of "no no"s escape her lips.

It takes me a second to remember what was in that direction. Or better yet…

Who.

Viola!

In a panic, I turn my head around, my ears whistling and unable to hear anything, seeing the woman leaning in her wheelchair, clearly unconscious with the nurse accompanying her calling someone. Likely an ambulance.

My hearing comes back just in time to capture the most horrifying scream of my life.

"MOM!"

Beep… beep… beep… beep…

This is the only sound that filled the room for the last… thirty minutes or so. Meg and I are standing next to Viola's bed in the hospital, waiting and hoping that she'll wake up once more. The rest of our friends came and went some time ago, having been asked by my girlfriend to leave her alone with her mother, only insisting that I stay as well.

"Mom thinks of you as family. I'm sure that, if you weren't here, she would ask for you".

It's a bittersweet though, one that I struggle to swallow, but can't deny it makes me… somewhat happy to know that's what the woman thinks of me. But not even that can take away from what's happening right now…

A doctor comes inside the room.

"Daughter and her partner, I assume?"

We both nod.

"Doctor… please, be honest with me. Is she…?"

Meg's voice is thin, weak. About to break, even.

"... yes. The time has come. She'll wake up soon… but it will likely be the last time".

The medic squeezes her shoulder.

"If there's anything that you want to tell her… or say goodbye, now is the time. I'm sorry kid… there's nothing that can be done at this point".

"I… I see. T-Thank you, doctor…"

The man nods, giving us our privacy.

"So… it's really happening…"

I can't wipe the disbelief from my voice. As I noted multiple times before, we both knew that this is how it was going to end. It was no secret to anyone that was even marginally close to either of us… but the reality always felt far away. So far that, now that we're here… it feels like a dream. Or a nightmare, to be more precise.

Meg doesn't answer, merely squeezing my hand as hard as she can. I can do nothing but squeeze back, hoping to give some semblance of comfort… but I know that it's not enough. It will never be enough.

A sound comes from the bed, alongside a groan.

"What… where…?"

Viola's eyes open. And her daughter instantly kneels at her side.

"Mom! Mom, how do you feel?! Anything hurts?!"

The woman coughs slightly, looking at her daughter. Her orbs are slightly glazed over.

"Meg? Sweetheart, is that you…? Where…"

"Hospital. You… collapsed after the race was over…"

"Jason? My… you have no idea how happy I am to hear your voices again! Just… give me a second for my eyes to adjust…"

Meg holds her mother's hand gently, small tears sliding along her cheeks, making me, once more, feel completely and utterly powerless. I can only stay where I am, ready to intervene if things get too heavy for her.

Once Viola's eyes clear up, she finally looks at us both properly.

"There you are… my two, sweet lovebirds. You had a nice after-party?"

"After-party…?"

"For winning, Meg. What else?"

I cough.

"We… had no party. We followed you into the hospital straight away, when the ambulance came to pick you up. That was… an hour and a half ago, give or take?"

She frowns.

"You two… you shouldn't have… honestly, wasting your time on an old carcass like me…"

Meg is about to explode. So I decide to step in again. Both literally and figuratively.

"Do not belittle our choice, ma'am. You are important to both of us… we are exactly where we're supposed to be".

My girlfriend nods vigorously.

"He's right, mom. Don't you dare think that we should have abandoned you, not even for a second!"

The mother looks surprised… but sorrowful at the same time. One of her hands comes up, drying a stray tear from her daughter's face.

"Meg… sweetie… please don't cry. You promised me that you wouldn't cry…"

A sob wrecks Meg's frame.

"How can I not?! Mom…you're dying, you realize that, right?! I… I'll never be able to see you again…"

Viola smiles weakly.

"I know sweetie… but that's the reason why I don't want you to cry. I… I don't want my last memory of you to be sadness and despair. Meg… please… could you give me one last smile?"

She shakes her head.

"Smile?! How… how can you ask me to…?"

I kneel down beside her, passing an arm around her waist.

"I… I'm not going to pretend that I understand. The pain that you're feeling right now is… alien, to me".

My grip tightens.

"But she needs it. And you do as well. Do you really want to cry everytime you think about her?"

"N-No! But…"

She sobs, more tears escaping from their prison.

"I… I don't want… to be alone again…!"

My heart feels like it's about to break in half. Lonely… she's afraid of being lonely. For the longest time, her mother was everything that she had. No father, no grandparents, no uncles or aunts…

No friends. So, in her head, if her mother goes… then nobody would be left.

"Meg… sweetie, look at me…"

Viola's voice is getting raspier as her final minutes tick by. I have to try and swallow a lump in my throat… but I'm not having much success.

"I know… that you're scared… but… remember where you are right… now. Remember… the people that… you've surrounded yourself… with…"

Another weak smile.

"You have… friends, willing to support you… your team… your coach…"

The mother's eyes lay on me

"... and one of the most… amazing boyfriends in the world".

Meg sniffles loudly… but I can see her relaxing a bit.

I decide to add my own two cents.

"You are not alone. You've never been alone…"

I nuzzle my nose on her cheek.

"And you will never be. For as long as I draw breath".

Meg turns her head towards me, allowing me to bump my nose against hers once more.

"I'll be there for you, later. But at the moment… could you grant your mother's last wish? Do it for her… please…"

The redhead's eyes water once again… but she steeles herself, facing her mother on her deathbed…

And finally smiling. Weak, teary and fragile… but a smile nonetheless.

Viola also smiles at the sight, having got what she wanted.

"Meg… Jason… I am… so happy that… you two finally… found each other. Protect your smiles… for as long as you can…"

I recognize her plight for what it was. I nod at her, confirming the promise that I already made her years prior.

"For as long as she'll have me… and beyond".

"Mom…"

"Meg… my beautiful, sweet daughter… I am so proud… of everything that you've done… everything that you accomplished… and I know that… you'll grow up to be almost as… amazing as I am…"

The daughter chuckles at that, finally able to face her mother properly.

"Goodbye mom. I love you… and I will always miss you…"

Viola smiles one last time.

"Goodbye Meg… I… love… you… too…"

Her eyes gently close. The smile on my girlfriend's face falls while she buries her face in my neck…

And starts wailing.

Beep… beep… beeeeeeeeeepppppppppp…

"... It feels so empty, now. How am I supposed to get used to this…?"

I snort, adjusting her position on my lap and gently rocking her back and forth.

"Used to what? You really think that Nea, Dana or me are going to leave you alone? Fat chance".

I feel her smirk against my neck. It only lasts for a fraction of a second, before disappearing.

The two of us are inside her now empty house, cuddling on the couch with her sitting across my legs. Just as I promised, I remained with her for the entire rest of the day, not leaving her alone for even a second. She seems to be doing well… but I know better than to believe that.

"Jason…"

"Hmm?"

"What… happens now?"

Good question. Really good question. Not one that I can answer for her… but I can tell what I intend to do.

"I'm going to make you smile again".

She blinks at me.

"Make me… smile?"

I nod.

"Yup. You remember my promise, don't you?"

Her face turns scarlet at that, her eyes bouncing everywhere but on me. I grin, an evil plan taking shape in my mind.

I bring two fingers on her chin, lifting her face up so that can see me, locking her gaze with mine. We're close. Very close. Our hot breaths mingle together. She closes her eyes, leaning in…

And then I poke her ribs. She jumps, more in surprise than anything. I cackle evilly and poke again. And again. And then again, just for good measure.

She jumps everytime my finger makes contact. Her lips are serrated together, threatening to lift up, but being held back in her royal stubbornness. She's on the verge on breaking… and so, obviously, I poke her again.

The dam breaks and I start poking more aggressively, while Meg laughs and tries to wiggle out of my grasp.

"JASON! STOP! STOP, PLEASE!"

I ignore her, making her laugh more and more. Eventually, she realizes that I'm not going to let go, so she tries to counter tickle me… but I have too much of an advantage, even if she manages to make me chuckle a couple of times.

After five minutes I finally decided to give it a rest, allowing my girlfriend to finally catch her breath. My girlfriend…

My beautiful, breathtaking girlfriend.

"You're such an ass! Why do I even put up with you?!"

I smirk.

"Do you even need to ask?"

She grumbles to herself, but I make her face me one more time. She's pouting a bit.

"What? Gonna trick me again? I'm not falling for it!"

My thumb slides to her cheek, rubbing it softly.

"Hey, Meg?"

"What?"

"I love you. Now… and for as long as you'll want me".

She gives a small glare, trying to catch any sign of treachery on my part. She finds none.

"I love you too… and you are not going anywhere for a very long time".

What…?

Her arms wrap around my head and she leans in, smashing her lips against mine. Heh… I may have teased a bit too much.

The two of us hold each other for several minutes, our lips separating and then reuniting continuously, neither of us willing to let the other go.

Meg pushes me down, straggling me as the kisses continue raining with the force of a meteor, not an inch of space between our bodies. I have no idea how much time passed exactly… Meg is the only thing occupying my mind. I can only think of her and nobody else… am I getting drugged, or something?

But, nothing ever lasts forever. The doorbell rings, forcing us to separate suddenly, as if snapped out of a daze. We're both panting, our mouths still a couple centimeters the other, her beautiful eyes still locked with mine.

I'm about to say "screw it" and go back to kissing, but Meg recovers her wits, climbing down from my body.

"I'll uhhhh… get the door! Yeah!"

She scurries off, which allows me to also come down from my high. Holy… what the hell just happened?!

I sit up, trying to fix myself, when Nea and Dana show themselves, bringing soda, snacks and other sugary and unhealthy foods.

Turns out, we really did forget to celebrate our victory. Meg tries to play it off, while glancing at me with an expression I cannot decipher, but her two best friends are having none of it.

And so, this is how I find myself sitting at the couch, watching as the trio of girls in front of me tries and fails at singing a song. Kate would be horrified… but they're having the time of their life.

Meg's smile is not as wide as her friends… but it's an honest one. And that's all that matters.

Viola… if you are watching, don't worry. Meg is in good hands. It will be a long, bumpy road… but I will protect your daughter's smile, just like I promised. Because even in the most desperate of times…

The heart always finds a hope to cling to. Goodbye… and see you later.

Hello?! Is this thing on?! It is?! Noice.

Welcome back, dudes and gentleladies, to another episode of AIOS, the show where we laugh and we cry at the same time!

Slightly late, but, as I said in my other stories, exams are upon me and writing has been, and still will be, difficult, at least until they end. So please, bear with.

And with this chapter, Meg's route is now concluded. So long Viola, you absolute devil, I'm going to miss writing you. It's been a fun ride, but it is now time to move on.

Next route will be: Kate Denson (Journey of a Rising Star)!

Review Responses:

WhyareUsernamesTakenAlready: There has been a slight Oreigaru inspiration for the confession. My absolute favorite rom-com, no questions asked.

Yui, huh? You're a fellow man of culture, I see. Good choice, but it is still not her turn.

Reactions were different… and not all of them good. Poor Susie, she took one L after the other lately, huh?

That's all folks! Ta-ta for now!