Superstar

I didn't think nearly as much as I thought I would after arriving.

I expected to feel some sort of weird tension..but that never really came. At least, not in the traditional sense. It was more like a growing excitement and less of a pain inducing level of anxiety if that helps you understand what I mean.

I also didn't really do anything after finally reaching my destination. Like, at all. So I kinda just..stood there? Not in a weird way-I mean in a more distant manner. Let me try to find a better way to describe it.

Okay..so like, do you know those anime openings where the cool guys just stare off into the distance for no apparent reason but somehow look even more awesome than usual doing it? That's what I was replicating (or at least trying to. I probably just looked like some odd skinny nerd eerily staring at some random strangers house like a stalker or something).

"Man, I really wanna check Penny out right now. I bet she'd look so sexy in a tho-" Ya know what, I'm not even gonna finish that sentence. I already looked like some horny pre-teen with insecurity problems and a "la-di-da" highfalutin (aka pretentious. This further proves my point) complex

After cutting myself off and shutting up for a moment, I sighed belatedly. Dang it..I was really hoping for something more interesting to happen than me just walking right back home with nothing eventful happening. Instead I'm here like some awkward idiot trying to look cool for literally no one other than myself, because no one's even around to see me. 

"Great..this is perfect" I mumbled somberly to myself.

I sighed once more, then began to walk back down the path I came towards my home. At this point I was pretty bored, and depressed about the thought of not only nothing exciting or eventful happening as recompense for my actions (by actions I mean going over to Penny's house..seriously, what did I think this was, a manga?!), but also at the thought of having to go to school tomorrow.

"Eh, it's not all bad..at least I'll probably see her once I get there. Maybe I can actually get a conversation started with her for real this time, without any stupid interruptions like today" I rationalized, wistfully hopeful.

On the way back, I decided to make a little detour so I could sit with my thoughts and wrestle with ideas on conversational topics or ways to approach Penny in the morning. As I continued to meander leisurely across the concrete roads, I passed by the nearby lake pretty close to my house (about midway between it and Penny's) to find a strange figure standing next to it and watching the water fountain in the middle of the water.

Huh, that's weird..who is that? Seems kinda familiar..

I shrugged, and decided to ignore it. A couple moments later, I heard someone call out my name.

"Greg?" The boyish voice remarked.

Great..I've been spotted. Ugh..I'm not really in a talking mood right now

With that thought in mind, I stopped and turned my head to the figure, who stepped away from the rapid waters to lightly saunter closer towards me, halting his movements once he stepped under an azure streetlight.

"I..Isaiah?" I said, a bit bewildered. 

What's he doing out here?

I know you guy's are probably confused (just like I was, but for completely different reasons), so let me explain.

Isaiah King, the track team superstar. He's pretty infamous at Royal Oak, winning the county championship from last year and is apparently rumored to be participating in the state finals this year (though I don't really keep up with rumors, and if they were true it could only be from a prediction at best because the year literally just started). He's a pretty attractive guy with curly brown hair and green eyes, coupled with a slim physique and plaster white skin (not to mention possessing a similar height to myself and a few freckles littered across his face).

All the girls really love him too (most definitely due to his chiseled looks and calm demeanor), which is a huge bonus to his popularity. even J.B. has his dissenters (which shouldn't be surprising because of how much of a jerk he is), but Isaiah is in a completely different category, well suited to his last name of King in light of his well deserved adulation received by his ridiculously animated fans. I mean, seriously, I can't even think of a single GUY that hates him! He's always pretty kind to everyone he interacts with and is generously gracious to those who treat him with such respect. Heck J.B. the infamous, dastardly villainous bully of the school is cool with him!

I will admit, although I really like the guy and don't at all envy his general popularity, I do wish I had his luck and fame with all the ladies. Like come on you can't blame me, how can a guy not be jealous? Leave some for the rest of us already!

"Hey dude, what're you doing out here? It's kind of late isn't it?" He asked curiously.

I could ask you the same pal..

"O-oh, I was just going for a bit of a walk. I don't live too far from here, so I wanted to make my rounds real quick" I stammered quickly. 

Dang it! He caught me completely off guard..I wasn't expecting to see him out this late so I'm really off my game right now. I don't like talking to most people if I can't at least go into any given dialogue primed up for it.

I walked a bit closer, facing him as he continued. I kept a good amount of distance still though, only slightly getting grazed by the blue light that hung overhead while he remained standing directly under it.

"Ah I see, that's nice. I was just watching the lake, had to get away from my folks you know? It gets a little stuffy in there" He chuckled lightly.

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, family gets to be a real pain, I understand that better than anybody. My sisters are always harassing me" I groaned.

Which was most certainly the truth. In fact, it couldn't be more correct from any possible perspective, even from my sisters themselves..God they're so annoying!

I put my hands in my pockets, continuing: "So how's your training been going recently? I heard something about you trying to go for the state championship this year".

"Oh, haha, yeah..I heard those rumors too. To tell you the truth I never really had a plan for that" He humbly admitted.

Huh? Now this is interesting..

As he scratched his chin and turned away a bit bashfully, I imposed another question onto him: "Really? Do you..not think you're gonna make the cut or something like that?"

He shook his head rigorously. "No, it's just...track has been rough for me lately. My focus has been off, and I can't stop feeling out of place with everyone for some reason" He replied glumly, tilting his head down slightly as he began to mumble to himself in quiet deliberation.

Out of place? The track all star felt out of place? How was that even possible?!

Well actually, it does make sense. It must feel like a whole world of pressure is placed on him when he constantly has to over perform and over achieve in every single race due to the unfair expectations his peers place on him..It's a bit sad really.  But, what can I do to help him? Cheer him up a little bit? 

I smiled lightly. "I understand what you mean. It's hard when you always have so much competition I bet. I mean, I've never done track before, but from some of the other sports I played back a couple years ago I sort of felt similar. Try not to beat yourself up too much, maybe take some more breaks than usual"

I had hoped that would help soothe his anxieties, at least a bit. I know I was a bit vague about my own personal experiences with sports, but if I'm being completely honest here, I didn't want to spend too much time talking to him. Not in a rude way or anything obviously (I think), but it was pretty much entirely due to how dark it was getting outside coupled with my growing prostration from the.. hectic events..that happened earlier today (I'm looking at you specifically J.B.!). 

Anyway it seemed like my small bit of consolation helped him recover somewhat, as he replied: "Thanks, I appreciate that. You're probably right, I think about this stuff way too much" (he said with a slight chuckle).

I nodded in response. "No problem man, glad I could help. Uh,..uhm..heh...s-.. so.. it's probably about time I head home, my folks are waiting for me" I stated awkwardly, stepping away as I turned to leave (wait-why'd I have to say it like some weirdo?! Great, now he'll really think I'm an eccentric..my reputation is already terrible enough!).

As I did though (after completely messing up the flow of the convo and ending up sounding like some weird nightmare creature mimic or something..yes it was that bad), He gave me a curious look, gleaming with a scrutiny that portrayed a faintly questioning peculiarity.

"Hey Greg, just a quick question before you go, but have you ever thought about joining the track team?"

I turned back at him, almost-no, completely dumbfounded by his question. That was the last thing I expected Isaiah to ask, of all things. Why would he ask someone that has literally no background in running whatsoever a stupid question like that? It was completely idiotic! Witless! Absurd! Unbelievably nonsensical!

Quickly fixing my bewildered gaze, I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed deeply, preparing to answer his question whole heartedly.

Okay, I'm ready.

I opened my eyes and parted my lips, fully composed as I gave my answer.

"Yes, I have"

...

HUH?!