Page 3 of Racing Hearts

Ellie was about to walk over and introduce herself to the new girl when her coach cleared his throat, signaling that it was time to start the meeting. “Everyone take a seat on the bleachers, please,” he said. His voice was firm, but warm, as it almost always was (well, except in the heat of the moment during some meets).

Ellie and Juniper walked to the bleachers and sat down where most of the other sprinters were already sitting. Ellie couldn’t help but watch Sierra as she hesitated for a few seconds before taking a seat at the bottom of the bleachers, not too far from where she had been standing.

Juniper nodded toward her. “See. Look. Already too good to join the rest of us.”

Ellie snorted. “She’s probably just nervous. She doesn’t know anyone yet.” Ellie still remembered that feeling from freshman year. If it hadn’t been for Juniper, who immediately took her under her wing with hercan’t-be-botheredattitude, she would have done the exact same thing.

“That wouldn’t be a problem if she let the school give her a roommate from the team. I heard she declined so she could room with someone from her hometown.”

Ellie leaned closer to Juniper to whisper to her. “You know, for someone who claims to hate this girl, you sure know a lot about her.”

“You know what they say.” Juniper smirked. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

Their coach cleared his throat once again, and when Ellie snapped her head over toward him, she found him staring at thetwo of them with his eyebrows raised. “If you ladies don’t mind, I’d love to start.”

If Ellie’s face turned red, it would’ve at that moment. It wasn’t the first time she and Juniper had gotten in trouble, but she hated every time it happened. She was serious about this sport, and even though she was sure her coach realized that, she never wanted to do anything to make him doubt it. “Of course. Sorry, Coach.”

Juniper snickered beside her, then brought her hand to her head in a salute. “Aye aye, captain.”

Coach Kraemer shook his head, but the smallest smile parted his lips. “Always a pleasure, Miss Blaustein.” He ran his eyes over the length of the bleachers, his face completely serious again. “Anyway, to say I’m excited about this upcoming season would be an understatement. We have a very strong group of upperclassmen coming back to lead this team and a freshman class that hasa tonof potential. I have no question that if everything falls together correctly, both our men’s and women’s teams will finally win the conference championship we’ve been so close to these past few years.”

A few of her fellow teammates whooped, but the reminder of losing the conference championship by only a few points every year since she started at West End made Ellie cringe. Her knee inadvertently started to bounce in anticipation. This was finally their year. She could feel it in her bones. Now, she was almost tempted to whoop. She could barely focus on her coach’s words as her mind drifted to the upcoming season. Before she knew it, he was asking if they had any questions, reminding them of the optional practices which would be run by a few seniors (one of them being Ellie), and sending them on their way.

Juniper elbowed Ellie in the side. “Let’s get out of here.”

Ellie nodded absentmindedly. “Yeah, sure. Just give me a sec. I want to introduce myself to the freshmen.”

Juniper groaned, but she followed Ellie as she stood from the bleachers and walked over to where most of the freshmen were still huddled together, talking in hushed whispers.

Ellie waved then reached her hand out. “Hey! I’m Ellie Finch. I’m a senior sprinter on the team this year. I run the 400, 200, and 4x4.”

“Trust me, weallknow who you are,” one of the girls said with a giggle as she reached out to accept Ellie’s handshake. “I’m Leonora. I’m a hurdler.”

“Leonora, I know exactly who you are too.” Ellie winked at her, which made the girl blush. “I’m very excited to see what you do this year.”

Ellie shook hands with all of the girls as they introduced themselves to her one by one. For the most part, Ellie already knew who most of them were since she had done her research once the coach told them who the newest recruits were.

There was only one freshman Ellie had yet to introduce herself to, but when she turned to see if she was still around, she caught her slipping out of the door of the indoor track.

She slapped Juniper’s arm as she told the freshman about a party at the men’s “track house” that weekend, then nodded toward the closing door. “Meet me outside. I gotta go do something.”

Ellie ran toward the door and swung it open, happy to find Sierra only a few feet away, walking slowly as she continued to stare down at her phone just as she had been doing earlier. “Hey, Sierra, hold up!” Ellie yelled as she ran to catch up to her.

Sierra’s head twitched slightly in response to Ellie’s voice, but she didn’t turn around or stop walking. Instead, sheswiped one hand over her face and shook her head, still staring down at the phone in her hands.That’s weird.

Giving her the benefit of the doubt, Ellie continued to quickly follow after Sierra. She put a gentle hand on Sierra’s shoulder once she was close enough. Sierra ran her hand over her face once again before finally turning around. Unlike the other freshmen, she didn’t seem the least bit excited to see Ellie. In fact, she could barely even look at her.

Ellie cleared her throat and reached out her hand. “I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Ellie Finch. I’m a senior sp—”

“I know who you are,” Sierra said, cutting her off, her voice cold and distant.

Ellie waited for Sierra to introduce herself, but after a few seconds of awkward, lingering silence between them, Ellie realized that wasn’t going to happen. She put her hands in her pockets and slowly rocked back and forth on her heels. “Well, I just wanted to saywelcome to the team. If you need anything at all, feel free to reach out. I could give you my-”

“Thanks. I actually have to go.”

Before Ellie could even comprehend what had happened, Sierra turned around and walked away. She was moving so quickly now, she was practically running.

The sound of clapping behind her caused Ellie to spin around. She wasn’t surprised to find Juniper walking toward her, hands clapping together, and a shit-eating grin on her face. “Told you I’m agreatjudge of character.” She nodded her head toward Sierra, who was barely even visible anymore. “Not very nice, huh?”

---