I wheeze around the field feeling way out of my element. I'm out of shape and this is my last attempt at trying a sport before I relegate this to it's just not meant for me. For some reason, my parents have always been dead set on me being involved in team sports despite me being notoriously uncoordinated. I injure myself easily and am usually picked last for teams in PE. They think it will build character though what kind of character comes from this humiliation I'm unsure.
I'm 13 years old and what you would call a "late bloomer". I haven't started my period and I've packed on weight my mom swears is my body getting ready to go through my womanly change. Our coach has us running laps around the large soccer field and I'm struggling to keep up with the other kids. Most of the others have played soccer all their lives so my lack of stamina is even more apparent.
A short boy running in front of me turns around so that he's facing me. He flashes me a brilliant crooked smile with a deep dimple in his left cheek.
"Hi, I'm Rhys. You're new, aren't you?"
"Yeah." I pant "It's pretty obvious, huh?"
"Nah, you're fine. I just haven't seen you around before." He grins
This kid is adorable. He's like a pint-size southern young Leonardo DiCaprio. I usually get tongue tied with boys and for the most part they tend to ignore me, but this one isn't. I look at him curiously wondering why he's giving me attention, but also noting how there's something familiar about him that puts me at ease.
"Sarah." I say, pausing while eyeing our coach wearily who luckily has his back to us. "I just moved here from Cinicinnati a few months ago."
He whistles in sympathy "New kid, gotcha."
"You uh...do you go to Beacon?" I ask
"Yep, I'll be in 8th grade. You?" He picks up jogging when we notice the coach turning around.
"Same." I wearily start jogging beside him.
"Well, welcome Sarah. You can say you have a friend now." He smiles and winks at me.
My step falters a little because in that moment I develop a crush on Rhys Bailey that will haunt me for the next 30 years.
YOU ARE READING
Once Again
RomanceSarah and Rhys are childhood friends who throughout life discover love, loss, and each other once again. **Mature Content** Excerpt: "I'd say you know why, but I think you need to hear it." He leans forward, steeling his eyes, daring mine to look...
