Sweetheart

53

Aaron
December 2020

The entire team is sitting at the cafe with Henry. This is the time when he gives us a motivational speech before facing the final competition.
And he will also tell us who will be competing.

"Now, I know Logan has been begging me to race on the last day for four years straight, and since this is his last year, I decided to allow this. But you'll race against juniors. I've picked someone else for the senior race," Henry explains, giving Logan a warning look.

"Really? I can race? Thank you thank you thank you!" he shouts, throwing his arms around Henry's neck. He clears his throat, and Logan immediately pulls back. "Sorry." I suppress a laugh.

"The senior competing will be—"

Like a choir, the whole team chants, "Aaron Kingsford."

"—Aaron Kings... Yeah. I mean, if any of you want to take his place..." Everyone shakes their heads. "That's what I thought. As for the freshmen..."

While he continues listing the names, I glance at Lizzie, who's reading an e-mail on her phone. I refrain from looking, and simply ask, "Everything okay?"

She peers up at me and offers me a little smile. "Yeah. My mom just forwarded the lawyer's e-mail on the trial... It's not like I have power or anything, but I still wanted to see where they're at," she explains, putting her phone away.

I nod. "And? Anything new?"

She shakes her head. "I wish." Lizzie shrugs and sighs. "You happy they picked you for the race?" she changes the subject.

Understanding that she doesn't want to think about the trial anymore, I nod. "Yeah."

"Good. Good."

"It's really not as hard as you might think. You'd be more than able to win," I state, shrugging a shoulder. "Wanna take my place?"

She chuckles. "I think I'm fine, thank you."

"As you wish."

"Okay, team. All of you go gear up and we'll meet at the ski lift in one hour," Henry interrupts us, clasping his hands together. "Don't be late."

We all stand up, but I stop Lizzie and tell her, "I'll be right behind you. I gotta ask Henry what time all the races are."

"Oh. Okay," she replies. I kiss her quickly and we part ways.

———

The broadcaster who will be watching the race and commenting it is starting to call out the names.

When he calls Logan, I give him a peck on his back. "You've got this. Crush them," I tell him.

"Thanks. I'll do my best."

The commentator starts calling the seniors, who head for the ski lift. "And last but not least, the senior from Fernie Secondary School..."

Lizzie looks at me with a smile. I smile back. "I'm sorry," I tell her.

"For what?"

"... Elizabeth Wright! Give the young lady a round of applause!"

She widens her eyes and gives me a look that makes my heart stop. "What did you do?" she asks, her voice flat.

"They're waiting for you."

"I'm going to kill you. I mean it." The tone doesn't make me doubt it.

"Good. Now that you're angry, use that anger to race."

"I will use it to kill you."

"Win and you'll thank me."

"I'll win and I'll kill you."