Three

Anaya shuffled down a quiet hall, head bent and arms crossed, until she stopped in front of a glass case full of golden trophies. Shoving her hands into her jeans’ pockets, she studied one in particular.

It stood nearly three-feet tall with a statue of a female runner on top.  Propped in front of the trophy was a picture of several girls, all dressed in navy shorts and white t-shirts.

“Strolling down memory lane, young lady?” A male voice came from behind which caused her to jump.

“Ah, um, yes, Coach Taylor.” She stammered as she looked up at her cross-country coach.

“It wers the bess year of my life.” His voice slurred as he stood beside Anaya, studying the same trophy. “I wers so proud of you girls.”

“Coach? Are you alright?” She saw that his eyes held a glazed look.

But, he didn’t hear her.

“Deanna had the flu, and you wers nursing a bad ankle, remember? Somehow, though, the two of yous made it through the meet and placed us in first.” He raked his hands through his thinning hair. “Bess year.”

He then patted her gently on one shoulder. “Cherish each moment.  You never know how many you have left.”

The man turned and stumbled away into the shadows.

Anaya noticed she couldn’t see very well all of a sudden as she turned to look down the other way.  Everything was dark as if the sun had just set.

She walked to the nearest window and peered through the murky glass. Her breathing quickened as she saw a dark mass partially blocking the sun.  Her teeth chattered as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Death was coming.

 

 

The last day of school didn’t go at all like she thought it would.  For that she felt relieved because the day wasn’t riddled with high drama and hysterical tears.    Everyone was subdued though, with some acting too eerily calm for Anaya’s comfort.

As she made her way down the flight of steps, she quickly glimpsed around in hope of seeing Brittany one last time.

Then, she saw him.

Ken Ames.

He was standing in front of the large oak tree near the main parking lot, talking with several girls and the other varsity football players.

With his blonde hair, cropped short, and wearing his navy-white varsity sports jacket, he exuded confidence.  And not to mention, great sex appeal.

She froze when he glanced her way.

Oh no!

She wanted to run, but her feet felt glued to the ground.  Her chest hitched as she watched him walked towards her.

Oh my gosh…oh my gosh!

“Hi.” He stood almost a whole head and shoulder taller. His brown eyes looked down into her blue ones.

She licked her lips. “Um…hi.” Her voice sounded like a mouse’s squeak.

“Ana, isn’t it?”

“Um, actually it’s Anaya.”

“Anaya.” He repeated. “Pretty.”

Her face felt like it was on fire.

Don’t say anything stupid!

“Will you and your family be going anywhere for the final days?” He asked.

“Um, I don’t think so.” She sounded like a bumbling idiot! “You?”

“Yeah.” He looked wistfully up at the sky. “Dad’s taking us up into the mountains.”

“Really?”  Why couldn’t she think of anything cool to say?

“Yeah.” Ken turned his gaze back to her face. “I just wanted to say–um–that you did awesome during the championship meet.  I was there.”

A smile spread across her face. “Really?”

“Yeah.” He smiled back.

A horn sounded.

Darn it Dad!

Trying not to roll her eyes, she muttered. “I got to go.”

“Okay.” He held out his hand. “Godspeed.”

She took it lightly.  “You too.”

Anaya leaned back in the seat as Dad drove away from the school.

“How did it go?” He probed.

She closed her eyes, still feeling Ken’s warm touch in her hand.

“Oh, it was alright.”

Copyright © 2012 Carrie Ann Golden

All rights reserved.

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