Oh. My. Gods. - Weebly

The finish line is closing in, so I turn up the fire and try to take
the lead. Jackie keeps my pace easily. I give it more. So does Jackie.
I can’t get ahead.
I take a deep breath and—for a split-second—close my eyes. I
think of my dad, wanting to win this race, like every other one, for
him.
When I open my eyes I’m ahead.
I don’t look to see where Jackie is. I’m ahead and I’m not going
to lose the lead.
Thinking of Dad, I put every ounce of my being into closing the
last hundred yards. I see everyone cheering for me—Coach Lenny,
Mom, Damian, Stella (yes, even Stella), Troy, Griffin, Nicole, and—
Oh my god!
Nola and Cesca are standing at the finish line.
A bright glow surrounds me as I pound the dirt. Something’s
not right, but my mind is mush and all I can think about is getting
to the finish line—first—before collapsing. My best friends and my
new friends are all there waiting for me and I have to get there or
die trying.
Then, all of a sudden, I’m across the line.
The crowd around me is cheering.
Everyone rushes me, surrounding me, hugging me. I struggle to
breathe and remain upright. The endorphins are failing me now.
The last thing I remember before collapsing is Troy’s smiling
face and that’s when I know. I didn’t win this race without help.
Which means I didn’t win at all.
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