Cheers echo in the stadium, the mixed relay was one of the most anticipated races of the day. The sun was blazing, the track simmered under the heat, and nerves buzzed in the air. As the announcer called the lineup for 200 Michael sat alone at the edge of the bleachers with his towel draped over his neck, sweat still clinging to his skin after his solo 400-meter race. He had won—but barely. His legs burned, lungs still recovering. The victory didn't feel as sweet as usual. He stared out at the track, watching other heats go by, but his mind was racing faster than any runner.
"I can't carry this one alone." he thought
He hated admitting it to himself. He had always been the fastest, the one everyone looked up to. But today… he wasn't sure. His rhythm had felt off, his body slightly heavier. Maybe it was the weight of his own pride.
From a distance, Leo was adjusting his spikes, laughing lightly with Nancy and Elena. Michael watched him. Leo had always kept to the sidelines, underrated. But Michael had seen it—quiet speed, clean form, the kind of anchor a relay needed. He stood up, walked over. Leo looked up, eyebrows slightly raised at Michael's unexpected approach.
"Hey. Got a sec?" Micheal cleared his throat and Leo nodded, brushing the dust off his hands.
"I ran the 400. Won. But… I'm not stupid. I know I'm not at my best today." Micheal said and Leo blinked.
"You still beat everyone." Leo said
"Yeah. But not the way I should've. Not the way this relay needs. Look… I need you on anchor. I'll take the first leg." Micheal said quietly
Leo stared at him, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Michael? Handing over the final leg?
"You sure?" Leo asked and Michael sighed, eyes scanning the track.
"I've never been more sure of anything. You're faster than me right now, and I want us to win. No egos, no titles. Just the best people in the best places." he said
A beat passed. Leo could feel the sincerity in Michael's tone and He nodded slowly.
"Then let's bring it home." Leo said and Michael extended his hand. They shook. A silent understanding passed between them.
And for the first time, Leo wasn't just the guy in the background. He was the closer.
The sun hovered in the sky like a spotlight, casting long shadows across the stadium as the whistle blew. Elena stepped onto the track for her 200-meter sprint. Her face was calm, but inside, her heart pounded like a war drum.
She walked to Lane 4, rolling her shoulders. From the bleachers, she could faintly make out her parents seated close together. Her mom had a camera raised. Her dad was standing, arms crossed, but the pride on his face was impossible to miss.
"This one's for you," Elena whispered to herself.
The starting pistol cracked. Elena launched forward like a shot from a cannon. She curved into her stride, long legs eating up the track as the wind kissed her skin. Every breath was timed, every step a story. She didn't look left or right—she didn't need to. She could feel the distance widening between her and the others.
50 meters left.
Her arms pumped faster.
30 meters.
She heard the crowd swell, could almost hear her mom shouting her name.
10 meters.
Elena threw her chest forward—
And crossed the finish line first.
The stadium erupted. She bent over, hands on her knees, chest heaving—but her smile beamed like sunlight.
Her coach clapped. Her teammates cheered. But it was her parents rushing down from the bleachers that meant everything.
"You did it, Elena. You were amazing!" Her mum teary-eyed, hugging her
"I've never been prouder." her dad said rubbing her back gently and Elena nodded, fighting back her own tears.
"Thanks for coming. I needed to see you here." she said softly
Her mom kissed her forehead, and her dad wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked off the track together.
For the first time in a long while, Elena didn't feel like she had to prove herself.
She just… shined.
Few minutes later Nancy stretched beside them the guys, earbuds out, energy bouncing in her feet. Elena looked calm, but inside, her stomach was in knots. Her parents were in the stands—for once—and this race meant something more.
Coach blew his whistle and the team assembled.
The first leg was Michael.
He shot off like lightning at the gunshot, muscles pumping, face locked in grit. He didn't just want to run fast—he wanted to prove he was more than a name, more than the guy everyone assumed would always win. As he rounded the corner, they were neck-and-neck with another top team.
Then he passed it to the second leg which was Nancy.
The handoff was tight. She burst forward, her long strides catching the wind. Her face was pure fire. She dodged an elbow from a competitor, never breaking pace. The crowd screamed as she pulled slightly ahead.
Then she passed it to third leg which was Elena.
Her parents were on their feet now. She took the baton and ran like she was on clouds—elegant, controlled, but powerful. She passed one runner, then another. This wasn't just any race—it was her chance to finally shine in front of them. And then came the handoff as she passed it to the final leg which was Leo.
He took the baton like he was born with it in his hand. The other team was just a breath ahead. But Leo… Leo dug deep. His hair whipped back in the wind, jaw tight, eyes locked on the goal.
He didn't panic. He didn't rush. He calculated every step, his form nearly perfect.
As he gained speed down the final 100 meters, the stadium roared. Kiara, from the bleachers, screamed his name. The final competitor tried to hold him off—but Leo surged, one last burst
And he crossed the finish line.
First!!!
The team collapsed into each other's arms, breathless, laughing, overwhelmed. Coach ran over, wiping sweat from his forehead, and clapped a hand on Michael's shoulder.
"Brilliant team pick. Leo closed it like a pro. Elena—hell of a run. Nancy—you powered through." Coach said
Elena looked up to see her parents making their way down from the bleachers. For once, they weren't rushing out. Her mother opened her arms, uncharacteristically warm.
"You were amazing," she said softly. Elena melted into the hug. Her father even smiled.
Michael gave Leo a fist bump.
"Told you you had it." he said and Leo just shrugged modestly.
"We all did." Leo said but deep down, Leo felt it. Someone finally trusted him to finish. And he didn't disappoint.
He saw Cyma, Kiara, Vinny and Tyler cheering on him, screening on top of their voices.
The moment Elena stepped off the track, medal gleaming and her parents cheering from the stands, Nancy was already making her way over — a bottle of water in hand and that familiar mischievous grin tugging at her lips.
"Well, well, well… if it isn't Miss Perfect herself." Nancy said
Elena turned, still catching her breath, a giddy smile stretched across her face.
"You're never gonna let that go, are you?" she said laughing halfway
"Nope. Not when you keep living up to it." she said offering the water
Elena accepted the bottle, her cheeks flushed from adrenaline and the heat of the track. Nancy crossed her arms, pretending to study the medal.
"So, you win your solo race and anchor the team to victory in the relay? Show-off." she said
"You mad I stole your thunder?" Elena playfully smug
"Please. We both brought home gold. But I gotta admit…" she smirked and stepped closer, tone softening just a bit.
"You looked kinda amazing out there." she said and Elena blinked, surprised.
"Wait… is that a compliment from Nancy?" Elena asked
"Shut up before I take it back." Nancy said and they both laughed. Then Elena nudged her shoulder gently.
"You weren't so bad yourself, champ." she said
"'Not so bad'? Girl, I ran like my ex owed me money." Nancy said
They both burst out laughing again. From a distance, Leo and Jason watched the two girls joking, shaking their heads at how perfectly chaotic their friendship was.
"Seriously though, your parents looked really proud. Bet that feels nice." Elena's smile dimmed just a little, but she nodded.
"Yeah. It really does." Elena said and Nancy threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for a sideways hug.
"You deserve it, Miss Perfect." Nancy said and Elena laughed
The crowd was still buzzing, students clapping and coaches offering handshakes. But Jason's eyes hadn't left Nancy since she crossed the finish line. She was catching her breath, chest heaving slightly, her smile wide as teammates hugged her. The medal ribbon dangled from her neck, glinting in the late afternoon sun. Jason finally made his way through the crowd, still in his football jersey, but with the proudest grin imaginable.
"You were on fire out there, Miss Speed Queen." Jason said
Nancy turned toward him, cheeks flushed from the run — and maybe a little from seeing him.
"You saw that?" she grinned
"Saw it? I nearly lost my voice screaming. Pretty sure I scared a few kids." Jason smirked
He stepped closer, offering her a half hug, arm draping casually around her shoulder. But she pulled him into a full one instead — sweaty, medal clanking, and completely worth it.
"I'm so proud of you." Jason said lowly
"I thought I was gonna trip halfway through." Nancy muffled in his chest
"You didn't. You crushed it. Like a freaking star." he said and she looked up at him, amused.
"That's rich, coming from the guy who trips over his ego every time he scores a goal." Nancy said
"Hey! That ego just helped win a football match yesterday, thank you very much." Jason mocked offended
She laughed and rolled her eyes, tugging on his collar playfully.
"Well… maybe I'm just trying to outshine you." Nancy said
"Too late. You already do." Jason said and she paused, surprised by the honesty in his tone. Jason's expression softened as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I mean it. You were incredible today. Way more graceful than I'll ever be." he said
"Should I frame that quote?" Nancy teased
"Frame it, tattoo it, engrave it — I don't care. Just… keep running like that. Makes me fall a little harder each time." Jason said and she nudged him, but her smile gave her away.
They stood there for a while longer, the sun dipping low, medals clinking, and the two of them simply enjoying the quiet thrill of victory — together.
The sun was dipping low, casting gold across the track. Most of the crowd had started clearing, but Leo was still pacing behind the bleachers, his race jacket thrown over his shoulder, sweat still drying on his forehead.
Elena found him first. She walked slowly, her medal around her neck, face flushed from her solo victory and the relay.
"I figured I'd find you hiding here." Elena said smiling softly and Leo looked up and his grin formed instantly.
"Wasn't hiding. Just needed to breathe. That relay was crazy." he said
"You were incredible. That final stretch? You flew." she said laughing lightly
"Micheal made the right call." Leo shrugged humbly and Elena leaned against the wall beside him. There was a quiet beat between them—comfortable silence as their hearts slowed down.
"Thanks for helping us win it. I know it wasn't easy for Micheal to ask." she said gently
"It's not about pride. Not today." he said
"You're always like this. So chill… even after winning." she said nudging his shoulder and Leo chuckled, eyes twinkling.
"And you? I saw your solo race. You didn't just win—you owned it." he said and Elena pretended to gloat
"I did, didn't I?" she said and they both laughed.
Then a quieter tone slipped in.
"Your parents looked proud." Leo said gently
"Yeah. First time in a long while. It meant everything." she said smiling softly
He looked at her like he saw more than just Elena. The way her eyes shone. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear nervously.
"You earned it. You've been through so much, Elena. But today… you reminded everyone who you really are." he said
She met his gaze, lingering just a second longer. "And you—you reminded me." he whispered
There was a pause. The kind of pause where the world felt quieter than usual. Closer.
"I'll always be in your corner." he said softly and Elena looked down, biting her lip gently. Then—without warning—she reached for his hand.
"Come walk with me? Just us." she said and Leo didn't hesitate.
"Always." he said
The cool breeze swept softly around them as Elena and Leo strolled together hand in hand. Her hand was tucked into his, fingers locked so naturally, like they belonged that way.
The last streaks of sunlight had dipped below the bleachers. The quiet rustle of the trees and their slow footsteps were all that filled the air.
She leaned gently against his arm, and he chuckled, turning his head to watch her.
" You know looking at you before my race made me win" she said
"Oh, so now I'm your lucky charm?" he said "Maybe. Or maybe I just really like the view." she said teasing and Leo raised a brow with a playful smirk.
"You're ridiculous." he said
"And you love it." she said
"Yeah. I do." he said lowering his voice
They slowed as they reached the tree at the bend of the path — the one they always stopped under during training days. It had grown into their spot. The place where things felt quiet… real.
Elena stepped in front of him and rested her hands lightly on his chest. Her fingers played with the edge of his medal, still warm from his neck.
"Today felt different. Like… everything's finally falling into place." she said
"With track? Or… with us?" he said
She looked up at him, eyes soft, shining under the faint light of the moon.
"Both." she said
Leo leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. Their breaths synced like instinct.
"I thought about you the entire race. Every step." he murmured
"I knew you'd win it for us." she said
He pulled her closer, one hand resting on her waist, the other gently brushing her cheek.
"I didn't just win it for the team." he said
"I know." she said smiling
Their kiss came slowly — familiar and new all at once. No rush, no nerves. Just the kind of kiss that came from knowing you're with someone who's not just by your side, but for you.
They pulled away slightly, both smiling like idiots.
"I swear you get more attractive every time you win something."she said
"Good. Because I plan to win a lot more." he laughed
They continued their walk, fingers still intertwined, steps lighter than before — like the weight of pressure had melted, leaving only pride, peace… and love.