Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 67: First Place (15 years, 9 months)

Daven's phone started to vibrate. Rolling over, he groaned and turned off his alarm. He sat up and stretched his arms overhead. Jagger hadn't moved. Whoever thought early morning practices were a good thing was delusional. He swung his feet out of bed and rubbed his face. Leadership classes were already wearing him down. Track season was going to be a killer.

Daven stood and snatched a shoe off the ground. He tossed it at the lump on the other bed.

Jagger flinched and grumbled.

"Get up. I'm not going to be late because of you. We already have to run enough. I don't need extra laps."

"Tell Coach I'm sick." Jagger put his pillow over his head.

"That only works in the human world, idiot."

Daven put on his track clothes and tried to find out where he left his running shoes and spikes.

Jagger finally got out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. This year Daven was determined to do better. It had slightly bugged him that Jagger performed better than him last season. He'd make it to nationals this year.

He pulled his shoes on and put his spikes into his bag along with a water bottle he needed to remember to fill up. Jagger dragged himself out of the bathroom and went to find his clothes. The dominant looked like shit. Daven felt the same.

Once they were both ready, they headed for the indoor track. The moment they stepped outside into the cold Jagger started murmuring under his breath.

Daven smiled. "I told you to grab a jacket."

"Shut up."

They arrived with some of the team already there. Sitting down with the other boys, they lazily went about stretching. Jagger was just laying on his stomach with his arms wrapped around his head. Daven wanted to do the same.

"Good morning, boys." Coach Jim walked out of his office with his clipboard. "Another great morning to get in some laps." He smiled at him.

"Someone a morning person," one of the older boys muttered under his breath.

Daven had to agree.

Coach J looked down his chipboard. "Alright newbies, you're with me today. Everyone else, I'd like to introduce you to my new assistant coach, KC."

The brown-haired man nodded.

"He's a national champion and just retired from the professional circuit. He went to one of those pompous eastern school, so don't give him too hard of a time." Coach Jim clasped the man's shoulder who was trying not to smile.

"What were you're events?" asked a boy across the room.

"I was a jumper."

Jagger's head popped up.

Coach Jim smiled. "KC will be running warm-ups. As soon as I'm done with the newbies, I'm going to come around and talk to each of you about your events and goals for this year. Let's start this year out great."

***

Jagger collapsed on the ground and rested his arm over his eyes. Conditioning was always horrible, but that day had been partially tough. Someone sat down beside him. Jagger peeked up at Coach KC.

"So I hear you're a jumper."

Sitting up, Jagger nodded. "Long and triple jump."

"You almost made it to Nationals last year, right?"

Jagger sighed. "I just missed out on everything."

"Jim has told me a lot about you. He says you can be something special."