Echoes of laughter and chatter erupted in the cold locker room. Nell had just walked out of a stall already changed into her gym clothes and sneakers, but was still unsure of what she was doing. She quietly tiptoed to a locker not too far from a group of rambunctious girls who flaunted their curves and cleavage like nothing. It was worthless to try and compare herself; her body looked like a seven year old's versus their hourglass figure.

Outside on the field, Harry could barely hear the coach’s instructions as he ordered them to run an easy mile. Harry wasn’t the captain of the football team, nor the star soccer player, but he was a fast runner. In fact, he was the school’s fastest runner, yet he'd never consent to joining any teams. Track was a solo sport he was most comfortable with. Unfortunately, Kurt had abandoned him when it came to any sports, claiming it wasn’t his thing, he’d watch from the stands and play his guitar for the cheerleaders.

Harry had begun his second lap, his heart was pumping and his breathing was leveled. He’d glance at some of the cheerleaders, watching them practice their routines and somersaults. Any guy would proudly announce to having been with three of them, although nothing serious had come of it, each ended civilly. It still amused him that he knew what they looked like without their uniforms. Thinking he was such an asshole for admitting that, he smirked.

On the third lap, Harry’s attention was immediately taken by the tiny figure walking over to his coach. She looked so timid approaching him and his first thoughts were if she was joining the track team. He saw his coach’s arm point to the side and next thing he knew, she had picked a lane to jog on. He was already at a good pace and so far ahead of her. If he sped up, he’d lose strength for the rest of the practice. There was only one thing left to do.

Nell felt comfortable running by herself. She couldn’t shake the look that the coach had given her, but like her mother said, she had a lot to prove. There were at least a dozen runners circling the track; some she was beginning to catch up with until she suddenly realized who one of them was. His hair was framed with a sweatband and a smile that immediately told her he was waiting for her.

“So a runner, huh?”

Nell shrugged as she focused more on breathing, taking short sharp breaths.

“You know, I concentrate on taking slow and deep breaths . . . it also helps strengthen the diaphragm.”

Nell watched Harry’s mouth imitate the breathing pattern she ought to be following and once she adapted, she began feeling less fatigued. She smiled and nodded at him, going on her second lap. There were less students on the track now but Harry continued with her. She didn’t make any mention of it, appreciating the company of the only person she knew there.

They finished and joined the group while Nell was very impressed by his lack of fatigue.

“Gather around. I want to keep practicing our sprints. 100, 200 and 400 meters. Form 3 teams of 4, and Harry,” The coach stepped closer to give him specific instructions. “I want Nell on your team.”

Harry signaled towards her to follow him. His team was last in line to do the first drill. He noticed her lost expression and wondered if she knew what these drills even meant. Nell wasn’t overwhelmed but observant. She waited to see the first team; then she’d know what to do.

“Do you know what the 100 or 400 meter dash is?” He asked and it was no surprise that she shook her head.

He began to explain the differences of each race and their distances. From the three point stance to the crucial explosion between the first 10 meters; the goal was to practice both speed and endurance. Nell appeared very wide eyed, the short distance scared her a bit, yet she believed in herself.

“Are you ready?” Harry clapped and rubbed his hands.

Nell stood on the 5th lane while Harry was on the 3rd. She shook her hands and tried to get in the same starting position her team mate was in. Looking over at Harry, he pointed towards his ear for her to listen for the whistle. Just then the coach did two short blows then a louder one. They all took off but it still took a second for Nell to react.

Everything was happening so fast yet she was the last one to the finish line, Harry being the first. Huffing and puffing, her chest shook desperate for air. She remembered the feeling when she stood in front of that pond not too far from her house, completely out of breath and tired, but excited from the rush. The adrenaline was inexplicable, she had to do it again and faster.

“It also helps to stretch those hamstrings and quads. I like to do lunges in my recovery time,” Harry recommended.

Harry walked beside Nell, back to the end of the line with the rest of the team. She shook the jitters off, doing a few calf raises in the short time they had left. Soon they aligned and Nell was prepared. She heard the whistle but was so anxious, she still reacted a few seconds late. Only this time she caught up with two team mates and when she looked at the coach while trying to catch her breath, he gave her a nod of approval.

It wasn’t till they moved on to the 200 meter dash that Nell became more comfortable and confident in herself. Harry stood with the coach to observe her form and speed, seeing as how he was missing all the action by being in the lead. When his team lined up, the coach blew the whistle and he quickly witnessed her hesitation. Nell was a few seconds behind, but then his jaw fell.

Nell had a rough start but she eased through the curve allowing herself to slingshot her body once she reached the stretch. She came in second but Harry knew that if she hadn’t struggled in the beginning, she would have won. He believed she could be one of the next fastest female runners on the track team.

“Your friend, she’s a natural runner. It wouldn’t surprise me if she did better in the 400 too,” Harry nodded insistently. “She needs to practice with the starter blocks ASAP. You’ll help her with that in our next meet.”

“Yes coach,” Harry tried to hide his grin but was thrilled to hear it.


“You did such a good job!”

“You’re an awesome runner!”

“Glad to have you on the team, Nell!”

Those were some of the comments the students had made as they grabbed their water bottles and congratulated Nell on a successful practice. Harry waited till she was alone by the water fountain and walked over to her side. He felt a stab in the gut when she stood up to face him.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wild and her lips deep red. Still breathing heavily, her face glistened and her hair was a messy ponytail but that only created more explicit sexual images in his head. He swallowed hard and although his eyes were locked on hers, his mind was undressing her sweaty body. He visualized her pale body with blushing patches decorated all over; pink nipples waiting to be pinched.

“Thank you, Harry,” Nell spoke.

“Huh?”

“Thank you for your help today. I appreciate it.”

“Yes, of course. Anytime. . . Listen, umm, so do you think you’ll come to my party?” Harry asked as they walked back into the school and towards the outside of their locker rooms.

“I would really like to go, but I need to ask my mother.”

“Right. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” Harry smiled politely as he pulled off his sweatband.

---

Nell took hers and her mother’s empty plates to the sink. She was delighted to have shared the highlights of her day which included making a new friend and possibly joining the school’s track team. Sara was lost for words, not only was she proud of her daughter but thrilled to hear about this new boy. They finished clearing the kitchen and settled into the living room to finish the night with some television. Not too long after did Nell bring up the party invitation, earning an instant smile and nod from her mother.

Meanwhile back at Kurt’s house, Harry laid in his bed and thought about Nell consistently. He couldn’t stop. He didn’t know how to turn it off. He watched his mind roll the film of her eating her lunch, running and then drinking water. He thought if she did make it to his party, he would do whatever he could to get her to smile, to laugh and to kiss him. There would be no greater birthday present.


The first thing Harry did once he arrived at school was slip a note with the address to his party in her locker. He couldn’t wait till the bell rang for dismissal, as far as he was concerned, he planned on partying the whole weekend. But first, he needed to find out if she was coming or not, desperately looking forward to Mrs. Beachler's class.

Hair swept in a side braid, wearing a simple grey dress with white tights, Nell opened her locker door. A white piece of paper slipped out and caught her attention. She blushed once she read the address and Harry’s note that said “Please come” with a smiley face. Sliding the paper in the small pocket of her bag, she hurried to class.

Harry’s eyes sprung from his desk, looking too obvious. When her wide smile graced his presence, he knew she’d come tonight. She sat in the same chair while he was two rows behind. Mrs. Beachler began the class but all he could focus in on was Nell's exposed neck, it was such a contrast against her raven hair and grey clothing. Sent into another daze, he imagined himself rubbing the nape of her neck, relaxing her enough to sneak in a few kisses over her porcelain skin.

His imagination went as far as picturing her sitting on top of her desk while he stood before her. His hands raking up her legs and under her dress as he’d pull down her white tights, stopping at the knees. She’d pant his name and beg for him to touch her more. He had to close his eyes and finish the rest later for his pants were growing too tight. Shaking his head, he looked back up at her and to his surprise she was looking back at him. The problem he faced now was getting rid of his evident erection before class was over.

Notes

Next Chapter is the party. . . wait for it ;)

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