The Real Race

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE:  THEN: BECK

  I was twelve and dead set on making the cross country team in seventh grade when my scrawny legs carried me through the woods each day slowly building more muscle.  One day I saw him from a distance.  Tall and skinny, but slightly built, I could tell he was handsome with high cheekbones and shaggy dark chocolate hair.  Crouching slowly I hid behind a bush so he wouldn’t see me; I watched him as he strummed his guitar and sang quietly.  My legs grew tired so I sat down behind the bush which now blocked my view.  I didn’t care.  I’m not sure how long I sat there listening to him sing The Beatles which he strummed into Nirvana and topped it off with some All Time Low.  His eyes closed he sang soul gripping ballads,  stood up and danced to mainstream pop songs, and head banged to hardcore scream-o and good old fashion rock’n’roll.  This boy had talent.  Every morning after that I waited until the end of my run to go visit the boulder and listen to him play.  Hiding behind the bush I knew this boy had God given talent.

June turned into July, and July, August and soon I was with my mom at Target shopping for school supplies.  Going shopping for school supplies always put me in a good mood.  In a few weeks I would get a fresh start to school, making new friends and seeing old ones.  A chance to reinvent myself and put the past behind, seventh grade would be my year.  After running all summer I was sure to star in track and cross country and recently I had gotten my braces off.  After a new haircut along with my new wardrobe curtsy of Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, and Top Shop my seventh grade self was convinced she would have the school year of her life.  When my new school supplies were tucked safely away in the back of the car, my mom drove me to the salon.

 “Hey!”  Roberto exclaimed, his voice sounding like one big exclamation point.  “I can’t wait to cut your beautiful hair!  What should we do today?  Colour?  Layers?  Perm?”

“I don’t care Roberto.”  I giggled, his excitement growing on me.  “Just make it dramatic!”

One Shampooing, a lot of hair on the floor, and two hours later Roberto spun me around in the chair.  “What do you think Darling?”  He demanded.  “Dramatic enough for you?”

My Jaw dropped to the floor.  Surly this reflection wasn’t mine?  My long blonde hair was now just above my shoulders.  Blunt bangs framed my heart shaped face and highlighted my cheekbones.  Finally I allowed myself to focus on the colour.  My sun kissed yellow locks were now a deep, deep red. 

“Red.”  I stuttered.  “My blonde hair is red.”

“You don’t like it.”  Roberto wailed, obviously hurt.

“No. No. It’s not that.”  I backtracked quickly.  “I love it. It’s very…….Dramatic!  It’s just so different.  I need time to get used to the new me!”

“Fabulous!”  He smiled.  “You are gorgeous!  Now just wait till those seventh grade boys see you now.”

I woke up at seven the first day of school.  I decided to skip my run because although I wanted to see Guitar Guy, I needed to get ready for school.   Exhausted I went through the motions of getting ready.  Straighten Hair. Check.  Get dressed.  Check.  Eat breakfast.  Check.   Get my backpack. Check.  Eventually I was ready to walk to the bus stop but when I got there my heart jumped just as it does every time I see him.  He was there waiting for the middle school bus just like me.  Up close I couldn’t help but notice his eyes were a sexy mint green.  Green eyes are my weakness.  I stood and talked to my friend Kimberly until the bus arrived.  As we slid into the middle in our seventh grade spots I immediately pulled out my Walkman and started listening to a mix cd I had burned that night just for the occasion.  Facing the window, I mouthed the lyrics and tapped my fingers to the beat impatiently waiting for the bus to arrive at Pool Middle School.  As the bus bumped along the winding roads I couldn’t help but notice him.  Guitar Guy was sitting two rows in front of me with his iPod drumming his fingers on the front of the seat in front of him.  His face wore an uninterested expression and I couldn’t help but notice that he was wearing a Sublime shirt.  That alone was reason enough for me to have a crush on him.  I tried not to stare and started singing under my breath to the Wombats song blasting through my headphones.