After the whistle blew, Nicole shot off on the track, running as fast as she could. This was just a practice, but it was the qualifier to go to the last track meet of the year. Normally she didn't give a shit about academic or athletic accomplishment, usually content to just skate by on the bare minimum to look good for her father.
She glanced to her right, and saw Amy Roye pass her by. There wasn't anyone Nicole hated worse in the entire school, perhaps in the world than Amy Roye. It wasn't anything she did, but rather the way she spoke, walked, and even breathed annoyed Nicole to the core. It didn't hurt that she was dating the guy that Nicole had her first kiss with. It was over four years ago, but she still felt absurd jealousy.
Nicole kicked it into overdrive, catching up with Amy. First place was long gone, but the 2nd and final spot on the roster was still up for grabs and it was down to Amy or Nicole. Nicole's sport was really cross country, not 500m, but she was still formidable when she gave it her all.
After the final turn Amy gained a little more ground on Nicole. Nicole scowled as she watched Amy and her ass pull ahead and take the victory. Nicole came in 3rd, almost getting passed by the girl in last place after she gave up at the end.
She sulked and walked past the bleachers to the locker rooms, now done with Track likely forever. She stopped when she heard Amy squeal behind her. Turning around to see what the fuss was about, her heart skipped a beat when she noticed it was Cody, Amy's boyfriend and Nicole's first kiss, who had graduated last year.
As if losing wasn't bad enough, she had to watch Cody and Amy make out after he surprised her with flowers. She felt her face getting red and stormed off to the locker rooms.
She brushed past a few guys leaving the locker room when she bumped into William. "Watch it, Nikki."
"It's Nicole," she annoyingly corrected him. He leaned over slightly so she couldn't get past into the girl's room. "Let me by, I need to shower."
"Can't we hang out for just a minute? Or do you not speak to Juniors?" William smiled in a creepy way that gave Nicole an idea as to what he wanted.
"Just not you, Willy." She tried to push past him but he stood firm, pushing back so she could feel his body on hers. He wasn't unattractive, just...slimy.
"Come on, I'm all sweaty." Nicole whined.
"You look great in those shorts. Too bad you didn't qualify like me. I would've liked to sit next to you on the bus ride to the meet."
"Yeah, well, guess you'll have to keep dreaming. Besides, you barely qualified. There's not a chance in hell that you'll win. You're going to come in dead last in every event." Nicole smirked, deciding to play William's game.
William was upset. "Bullshit. I'm alright. I've got a chance to win!"
"Please," Nicole retorted. "I'm faster than you are and I didn't qualify. There's just not enough Juniors on the practice team."
"Wanna bet?" he said smugly. "Hundred bucks says I don't come in last."
"My parents don't give me money like yours do, William." Nicole rolled her eyes.
"Fine," he said biting his lip for a moment. "If you lose the bet, you blow me."
Nicole raised her eyebrows. "And a hundred bucks when I win?" she questioned.
"Yeah," he nodded. "IF you win, which you won't."
"Deal. Get your wallet ready." She smirked.
"Get your kneepads ready," William quipped back as he finally let her get by.
Nicole soaped up as she cleaned off when she noticed Amy coming in as well. To Nicole's displeasure she took the stall right next to hers.
Nicole made eye contact over the half-wall and smiled. "Congratulations!" she said in a sing-songy tone.
"Thanks, it was a close one! You almost had me." She responded in an equally obnoxious tone of voice.
Nicole rinsed off quickly and got out of there as quick as she could. Walking briskly towards the bus stop through the parking lot, she passed by Cody sitting on the back of his car staring at his phone, waiting for Amy. Nicole couldn't resist.
"Oh my god, Cody??" she said excitedly, putting on her dumbest sounding voice. "How are you? I haven't seen you in like forever!" She gave him a half hug as he put his phone away.
"Oh, hey β hey Nicole. I'm good, at State. How are you? Excited for college?"
The two chit chatted for a few moments when Nicole had a spark of genius. "We need to catch up. Are you free to hang at all next weekend? Amy will be busy all day with the track stuff even though the girls run last. We could hang out while you wait?"
"Uh, um," Cody stammered, thinking for a moment. "Yeah, OK. That's cool. See you next Saturday?"
"See ya!" Nicole smiled and continued towards the bus stop, jogging when she saw it pull up.
Nicole sat near the front of the Away bleachers as she watched the second men's event line up. It was the only one William would be running in, after another student decided they were healthy enough to run after all. Nicole wasn't worried, however. She was going to win today, regardless of the outcome of this bet, in her plan to get back at Amy.
The starter's pistol went off and the race began. William was certainly faster than usual, but he ran out of gas at the end. He almost pulled it off but dropped back to last place right before the finish line. Nicole smirked to herself, mentally adding up the cost of the car she wanted to buy with all the money she was saving. She stood up and walked down to the field level to meet William.