CHAPTER 2: ON YOUR MARKS

The first two classes of the day went by like a blur. Try understanding History or English when you struggle to read. I may know some fancy words but don't let that deceive you. Instead, during those classes I spent most of my time occupying my mind with new recipes I could try. Didn't mean my grades were super bad or anything, just meant I had to put in that extra little effort. Plus, if mom can do what she does - I can get a good grade. However, my mind was still thinking about what happened in homeroom. I tried to forget it but I just felt so embarrassed. I personally apologized again after homeroom but it seems like Eli's pretty much forgiven and forgotten. Still, I didn't like it. Being out of control, even for a split second, made me feel so vulnerable. Worst thing about anger issues is that you don't realize the damage until after it's already happened. I've gotten much better at keeping them in check but what happened earlier was… yikes.

Thankfully, I wouldn't have to dwell on it further since P.E. was up next.

In case you're wondering, I was one hundred percent that kid on the monkey bars. Most people would say that I fit the description of a jock but trust me, I wasn't one. Most of it comes from genetics I suppose because I've never touched a weight in my life and I definitely was not a sports guy. Basketball? Couldn't dribble the ball for more than 3 seconds. Volleyball? I can jump but good luck trying to make contact with the ball. Soccer? Can't tell whether I should lead with my left or right. Baseball? Is the ball meant to come at you so fast?

But if there was one thing that I can do?

"Alright class! We're doing an obstacle course today!"

Oh, I do love an obstacle course.

Coach Tigg, our P.E. teacher, stood tall with his booming voice, scratching the shadowed scruff on his face as he watched the rest of our class arrive into the gymnasium. We were all dressed in our P.E. uniforms, some clearly not being washed since the last class. The class quickly fell in line as Coach Tigg addressed us with the manner and attitude of a drill sergeant.

"Now, I know some of you were hoping for a fun game of dodgeball. A game where you can just relax, have fun, team up with your friends and throw balls at each other."

A couple of snickers break out among the crowd.

"But today is not that day," he continued, ignoring the giggling. "Today is about perseverance, thinking on your feet and pushing your body to its limit… I'm looking at you Andrew."

"Yeah Andrew", someone mocked.

"Quiet!" Coach Tigg ordered, adjusting the cap on his head as he hushed the chatter. "If you look before you, we have graciously set out today's course."

We all gaze upon the relatively complex layout that our teacher had set up. First were the hurdles, then the makeshift monkey bars. Afterwards were what looked like a set of quintuple steps (the things you jump on from side to side like on American Ninja Warrior). Following that were a gauntlet of tires on the ground which I could only assume was meant to be a tire run. Then, to top it all off, we finish with…

"...a rope climb."

The rest of the class groans in anguish but I'm just getting excited. Told you I was that kid on the monkey bars.

"And to give you some… motivation, you'll also be going against a partner in a timed competition." A smile creeps on Mr Tigg's face. "And the loser has to do 30 pushups, followed by 5 suicide runs."

Okay, that's a little bit cruel.

"But sir! I can't even do 10 push ups!" another voice cries out.

"Then don't lose!" Coach Tigg replies. "Now, I'm going to assign your partners."

Everyone set into panic mode, praying to get a partner that they could have a chance against. One by one our names were called out. Some happy with the choice, some dreading the coming puke storm. I waited anxiously, until I finally heard my name.

"Arthur Pride!" the teacher calls. "You'll be paired with Hunter Vasquez"

I could hear a couple of 'ooo's' from the surrounding students. From what I know, Hunter Vasquez was on the football team. Now that was your classic jock. Varsity jacket and all. Fancied himself the top dog of the school and all that, despite only being a sophomore like me. He looked at me from across the crowd with a devilish grin on his face. He began walking towards me, his man-bun matching the rough tan skin as his entourage followed behind.

"Oi boys," he said to his friends, "looks like I got the new kid."

Standing closer to him now we were relatively the same height, him probably having a couple centimeters on me. I decided to address him first, reaching my hand out.

"Hey, I'm Arthu-"

Hunter laughs, cutting me off and leaving my outstretched hand in the air.

"Yeah, I heard." He sneered. "And it doesn't matter, because I'm about to show you how the Hounds…" –he and all his friends howl in unison– "...get it done."

Wow, I'm stuck between choosing either to cringe or break into laughter.

"Um, okay," I said. "I guess good luck to you-"

"Hah!" he exclaimed. "No no. Good luck to you."

He then walks off, high-fiving the rest of his group. I could see him push people out of the way as he made his way through the groups of students. And I just stand there, confused. Not mad, not even irritated, just confused.

I thought those kinds of people only existed in movies.

The class began, as each pair of students went on for their run of the obstacle course. Some of the runs were neck and neck, while others held a clear winner. The closer and closer it got to my turn with Hunter, the more and more I was getting pumped. I would occasionally glance at Hunter who would sometimes make faces in return. I hate to say it but I can get pretty competitive and since it was an obstacle course, I wanted to win.

Finally, I got to hear the words I've been waiting all class for.

"Arthur, Hunter. You guys are up next."

The both of us immediately got ready at the line-up. I started stretching and warming up as Hunter did the same. It looks like Hunter was eager to go first, probably to show me how he 'gets it done'.

"Step aside, pendejo," he utters. "I run this joint."

Christ, he's an asshole. I wish I had something witty to say back like… uh… I don't know – but something devastating.

"Alright, ready Vasquez?" Mr Tigg starts.

Hunter nods.

"Okay on my mark…"

All of a sudden, the sharp sound of a whistle cut through the air as Hunter bolted forward. I'm not going to lie, the dude was pretty fast. He may be an asshole about it but you can't deny he's got some skill. He blazed through the hurdles and swung through the monkey bars. The quintuple steps looked like it almost got him but he recovered without a sweat. When he got to the tires, he had a slight trip-up at the end but managed to save time on the rope climb. He ascended up the rope at an impressive speed, smacking the bell that dangled at the top.

"27.12 seconds!" Mr Tigg calls from the side. "So far that's the fastest time we've had."

Hunter's football gang were cheering from behind, throwing in a couple howls here and there.

Alright, my turn.

I stepped up to the starting line as Hunter walked past not even paying me any attention and as I looked around, it seemed that nobody else was watching me either. They probably thought it was game over.

Here we go Arthur. Let's show them what a Pride can do.

Mr Tigg looked at me, "Ready Arthur?"

I nod.

"On my mark…"

The whistle sounded again and I'm off. My heart was pumping. I was in the zone. I launched myself over the hurdles at lightning speed. I soared through those monkey bars like I was floating on air. It looked like I lost my footing at one point during the quintuple steps but really I just placed myself in a better launch position. My knees were kept high as I stomped past those tires. Then the rope climb; a challenge… but an easy one. I was so eager to start climbing that I don't even think I used my legs to help push me up. Once I reached the top I smacked that bell with full satisfaction.

That felt good.

That's why I love obstacle courses. I don't have to think so hard about what's behind or around me. Just look straight ahead and overcome what's in front of you. It's as simple as that.

At first, I hadn't even noticed the almost complete silence that followed the ringing bell. After I descended the rope, everyone around me just stared at me. Even the commanding Mr Tigg looked in awe for a moment. It took a bit, but he finally regained his senses.

"Uh… the time, yes." His eyes blinked rapidly as everyone waited. "It's –well I'll be– 24.54 seconds…"

Whoa. That's almost a whole thr–

Suddenly a burst of cheers and appraisal erupted from my peers, all except for Hunter of course. I think a couple of his friends started to smile but they quickly diminished as soon as they met Hunter's gaze. I think everyone was just more surprised that someone with absolutely no reputation managed to practically crush (heh) one of the school's heralded athletes. I mean, mom always said to stay humble but damn, this is too rich.

I gave a couple friendly high-fives as people patted me on the back. I could see Hunter begrudgingly begin his push-ups. I tried to at least shake his hand or something but it seemed like he immediately avoided me. I was also tempted to go to that asshole and stick my victory in his face but fine… I'll be the 'better person'.

As for the rest of the session, I felt like a celebrity. People started asking me my name, striking up conversation, a girl even gave me her number - and she was cute. At one point, Coach Tigg pulled me aside and I asked if I do any sports or extra-curricular, but I just tell him the truth.

"Nope. Not really into sports."

He looked at me, surprised. "Well you got good foundations, Pride. If you're not interested in a sport like football or basketball, you could check out the track team. Hell, with a physique like that you could even try out for wrestling."

Huh, not gonna lie, that actually sounds like fun.

"Hmm, I might give it a shot," I told him.

"Good," he replied. I think I even saw some semblance of a smile on his permanent stern face. "Well you let me know, I personally coach for the school's wrestling team and you'd be a great addition."

Coach Tigg gave me one final nod as he walked off, announcing the final sets of students to run the course. Just like that, things were starting to look up. The little outburst I had earlier this morning still lingered on my mind but at this point, I was feeling too good about myself to care. Maybe I can do this after all.

What's even better? Lunch was about to start.

For the first time I was sitting at a relatively full table in the school cafeteria and people were talking about my stunt during P.E.

"You should have seen him. He was like WHAM! And then ZOOM! And then WOOSH WOOSH WOOSH. Then when he got to the tires it was like BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM. And the rope? Psshhh, he made that rope his bitch."

"Yeah, we were all there Eli."

To be honest, I had forgotten Eli was even in the class because I'm pretty sure I just saw him sit on the bleachers the entire time with his notebook.

"Well I'm just recapping with some flavor," Eli rebutted, "being Arthur's best friend and all."

Did he just say I'm his best friend?

"Alright Chapowski," said a rather rough looking girl across from me, "you legit sit next to him in homeroom, that's it."

A small argument ensues around me at the table while I just really want to eat my lunch. Today, I neatly packed a tuna salad sandwich. I know - the smell. But when you make them as good as me? You just have to give your taste buds a chance to enjoy themselves.

"So what's your deal bro?" a voice interrupted my mealtime. "You're a fairly new face around here."

I swallowed my bite of the sandwich.

"Well, yeah," I answered. "I only moved to NYC, like, a few months ago."

"Oh dang," another voice piped up, "where abouts you from?"

"I moved from Los Angeles."

I got a couple mixed reactions, some in awe, some disappointed (or disgusted, I can't tell) and some who just find it interesting to talk to a non-new yorker.

"The City of Angels, ay," one sang. He stroked his blonde hair. "You know, my Dad was an actor and some day I will be too."

"Yeah maybe if you were any good."

Laughter consumed the table and after a while, got to me too. I didn't even know the names of most of these people but it actually just felt nice to be among people and laugh. For a moment, I even felt like I was with my old friends again.

So weird how things can change so quickly.

We continued the rest of our meals sharing stories and experiences as well as more questions; some were interested in my pendant, others were interested in my lunch. They even helped me get caught up on the current school drama. I also managed to learn some new names. The rugged girl that called out Eli; her name was Lyra, and the guy who wanted to be an actor; his name was Warren. It was all going so well…