Finding Her Stride

The morning air was crisp, and a faint mist clung to the field as Jess arrived at the track. Unlike rowing or diving, there was something exhilarating about the wide-open space, the sense of limitless potential as she stood on the starting line.

"Alright, let's see what you can do," the track coach, a middle-aged woman with a stopwatch and an intense gaze, said as she waved Jess toward the lanes. "Give me a solid 400-meter run."

Jess took a deep breath, crouched into position, and when the whistle blew, she pushed off with everything she had. The world blurred as she ran, her muscles burning in the best way possible. She crossed the finish line panting, but she felt alive.

The coach grinned. "Not bad. You’ve got a natural stride. Have you ever considered competing?"

"Not really," Jess admitted. "I just… really liked that."

"You should think about heptathlon. You’ve got the build for it. A little training and I could see you doing well. Let's see how you handle the high jump."

The high jump was another thrill. She sprinted, launched herself up, and for a moment, she was weightless. When she cleared the bar, she laughed out loud.

"See?" the coach said, nodding approvingly. "We might have a heptathlete in the making. One more—let's try javelin."

Javelin was new to her, but after a few awkward throws, she started getting the hang of it. The feeling of sending the spear-like object soaring was almost as satisfying as running.

By the end of the session, Jess felt a pull toward the sport. It wasn’t just about competition—it was about the way it made her feel, the freedom, the movement, the rush. But committing meant another big change.

*************************************

That evening, Jess walked into the rec center for the Kung Fu club. Kevin, of course, had made it his mission to tease her all the way there.

"Everybody was kung fu fighting…" he sang, grinning like an idiot. "They were fast as lightning!"

Jess rolled her eyes. "You’re lucky I don’t know any moves yet, or I’d knock that grin off your face."

The club was welcoming, a mix of experienced martial artists and complete beginners. Jess partnered up with a girl named Emily, who patiently guided her through the basics. The movements were precise and controlled, like a dance with purpose. By the end of the session, Jess was sore but satisfied.

"So, what’s the verdict?" Kevin asked as they left.

"I actually liked it," Jess admitted. "It’s... different. But in a good way."

Kevin smirked. "Maybe you’ll get so good you can finally shut me up."

"I doubt even martial arts can do that."

********************************************

Later that night, Jess sat on the couch in the apartment, staring at the sorority acceptance letter. Kevin plopped down beside her, kicking his feet up on the coffee table.

"Still thinking about it, huh?"

Jess sighed. "Yeah. I thought getting accepted would make it easier, but… I don’t know. I love the idea of being part of something, but I’d have to move out of here. Away from you guys."

Kevin leaned back. "It’s a big decision. You’d be giving up a lot, but maybe you’d gain something, too."

"It’s not just that. I don’t know if I belong there. I’ve built a life here, with you, Leanna, Olivia, and Hannah. I never had this before. Not even as…" She hesitated before saying, "Jason."

Kevin was quiet for a moment. "I get it. Look, no matter what you decide, we’ve got your back. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. If it feels right, go for it. If not, screw it. We’ll still be here."

Jess smiled. "Thanks, Kev."

Kevin stretched and grinned. "Of course. But just so you know, if you do join, I fully expect you to throw a ridiculous sorority party and invite me."

Jess laughed, feeling lighter than she had in days. The decision wasn’t made yet, but she knew one thing for sure—she wasn’t alone.