"Lane 1: Elin Johnson!" The announcer announced.
"Lane 2: Mickeala Queen!" I crouched down and tied my shoes properly.
"Lane 3: Layla Abdullah!" I turned to where Latifa, Scarlett and Sabrina sat and threw a wink at them while smirking. Latifa and Scarlett screamed and danced a weird dance as Sabrinna looked embarrassed to be with which made me laugh.
"Lane 4: Alexa Maxwell!"
My eyes scanned over the crowd and connected with Amir's icy blue eyes.
He was with Khaled and Lucas looking proud. Keith is probably preparing for his turn which is after us. Amir brought two fingers to his temple and saluted, smiling as if cheering for me. I turn away from them and smiled slightly.
"Ready!"
I placed my feet on the starting blocks as I breathed deep and slow.
"Set!"
This is it. It was now or never.
The gun shot was heard and I leapt.
I pushed my feet as fast as I could. I could really feel that I got faster after the harsh training we did and the extra jogging I did my own.
Yesterday though I couldn't train at all because I was beat. We came in our penthouse at 5 am the morning and I dropped unconscious from tiredness until afternoon.
The date with Lucas, Amir and Zahra, Amir's illness, the car race.
Everything happened so fast I gave up on thinking throught anything and just go with the flow. It's too much to think around.
The wind slapping my cheeks lightly as they bounced a little while I ran and ran. A girl was in front of me, I think her name is Michaela. But I pushed my feet even harder I almost thought I was flying. Breathing was becoming harder to do now.
I soon was panting feeling my throat itching.
The girl was still in front of me. The goal was getting nearer.
Come on Layla, move your feet faster!
I could hear my friends screaming my name. And the burden on my shoulders lightened.
A few seconds later I passed by the girl. Her face was as red as a tomato. I don't doubt that mine look the same.
After a second I don't what happened but I didn't feel the light white band brushing against my stomach like I waited for. The girl in front of me was 0.89s faster. Faster than me.
"AND THE WINNER IS... MICKEALA QUEEEEN!" the speaker screamed.
The world gone silent and I got a glimpse of the girl jumping with happiness in her eyes as her family joined her and threw her up in air several times.
I couldn't bare to see their celebration. So I ran inside the building and found a WC before I locked myself in.
Why?
I was slow, that's why!
I was too confident for my own good.
What will I tell the others now?
Do I even deserve to be the captain?
They believed in me. Dammit I even brought their hopes up because of our constant losing when I became the representative for the team.
I waited myself to care, I waited for at least a single drop of tear from my eyes but nothing came.
I forced myself to be heartbroken and upset.
But... I didn't care. I realised that deep down I didn't care. Running was never a passion, just a hobby. It wasn't a talent to use in a competition. I don't want the only thing I enjoy to become a competition.
But of course I'm distressed for my team. I'm even embarrassed to face them. And now I realized that I was just forcing myself to make track a passion.
"Layla!" I heard my name behind the door. Soon after a knock.
"Layla, I know you're in there. Open up." It's was Amir's voice.
I didn't open.
"Lion, come on." He said breathless and softly and I sighed before I gripped the door handle and went out.
Amir's face showed in front of me, his expression unreadable. His chest rising and dropping in rhythm like he ran from miles away.
My mind was a mess but everything stopped including my heartbeat when he brought his right hand up to cup my cheek, slightly caressing the soft skin beside my nose.
"What is it? Why is your head low?" He said.
I didn't respond, staring at his now bright blue eyes. It fascinates me how his eyes changed shades.
"I'm lost." My voice cracked. My emotions was everywhere but somehow only his eyes can make me distracted.
In a second he pulled me close and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.
"You're not lost, you're just thinking too much. Stop overthinking it, it's just a childish competition." He said over my head. Has this giraffe gotten taller without my notice?
"Is that supposed to cheer me up?" I raised a brow even if he couldn't see me. My hands dangled at my sides.
"Did it work?"
"A little."
After a moment I felt uncomfortable. I was wet with sweat and he was hugging me. Ya Allah I probably smell too.
"Amir..... I'm sweaty." I managed to utter but he hugged me even close.
"I know. You smell awful." He casually said.
I scoffed and pulled away by force and frowned playfully which made him chuckle.
"Let's go, the others are looking for you."
I nodded and went out building to the parking lot. Afar I saw the whole group there standing beside cars. As I and Amir got near my eyes met with Khaled's. His eyes widened and soon after he jogged to get to me half way.
He grabbed my hand and searched my eyes "Are you okay?"
Why is everyone worried about me?
It was just a competition.
Right?
I forced a smile "why wouldn't I be? I'm alive aren't I? That's what matters." I nudged his side with my elbow. "Come on, let's join the others."
He hesitated and narrowed his eyes.
"Led." I said cocking my head to the side. "I'm fine, really." And that's when he moved.
Latifa and Sabrinna came toward me and threw their arms around me.
"Gurl you were magnificent back there."
Latifa winked after they pulled away obviously trying to lift the mood.
"Woman I lost." I said deadpanned.
"There's still next year.... oh right you can't participate then because you will graduate." She smiled cheekily.
Sabrinna placed her hand on my shoulder. "It's allright, you were great." She said.
"Besides it was only less than second she won by. That's nothing." Scarlet said from beside her twin.
"Yeah..." I sighed. "I want to go home, I'm tired."
They all nodded and went into their cars.
I started to move but Lucas began to speak. "Layla.." I turned around and faced him.
"Were you alright on Saturday? You just ran off without saying anything."
Ya Allah right!! I've completely forgotten about our "date".
"Right, I.... there was something I needed to do fast. It was urgent, I'm sorry if I offended you." I scratched the back of my neck.
"It's alright, don't worry about it. Maybe another time."
"Yeah."
I suddenly felt anger behind. I whipped my head to the side to see.
And then I stared right into Amir's now black eyes with rage on his expression.
What is wrong with him?
I finally updated!!! It's been a hectic two weeks for me but now I hope I get back on track.
I looked at my outline and I'm sorry to say that The Hijabi's Romeo is coming to an end. But there will a few chapters before that.
I hope you enjoy your summerð
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Later beauties â¤â¤