Another Round

The sun hangs high in the sky with crisp and quiet mood, bathing the world in a gentle, golden light. The air's imbued with a subtle chill, as if the earth seems to exhale a sigh of relief.

The trees, dressed in their autumn best, showcase a stunning palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. The scent of fallen leaves and damp earth fills the air. As I stroll through the expansive playground, the leaves, touched by the season's first frost, make a satisfying crunch underfoot. Everywhere I look, it's like a sea of colors. Students from all classes have gathered on the field, ready for a day of friendly competition. I stand alongside my classmates, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside me. It's a vibrant scene, and I can't help but feel the energy of the day.

With the opening ceremony coming to an end, all our class has gathered in one spot on one side of the field. "Alright, everyone, let's give it our all!" John exclaimed shooting his hands up from the middle, rallying our spirits. The cheers from the other classes echoed around us.

The first event of the day kicked off with the classic three-legged race. When the starting whistle blew, all the participants stumbled forward in a hilarious display of teamwork gone slightly awry. Our classmates cheered them on with words of encouragement, but it wasn't long before laughter took over as every team struggled to maintain their balance.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, we moved on from one event to another: sack races, relay races, and even a surprise obstacle course that had us dodging, crawling, and climbing our way to victory. Each competition brought its own challenges and surprises. Our friendly rivalry with the other classes continued, with moments of triumph and occasional setbacks on both sides. Though for me, the schedule was relatively relaxed. I only had one event today, scheduled after lunch, meaning I have plenty of time on my hands to enjoy the day without stressing out much. 

As I made my way through the lively crowd, I spotted Emma at one of the food stalls. "Hey, Emma! What are you having?" I asked, my stomach growling in response to the mouthwatering aroma of the festival snacks.

"Oh, Reol! You bet I am. These hotdogs are amazing. Want one?"

I chuckled and nodded. "Sure, why not?"

I savored the piping hotdog. The crispy bun cradled the juicy sausage, and a medley of toppings added bursts of flavor with every mouthful. "Damn, it's so good!" The combination of savory and slightly spicy flavors danced on his taste buds, making each bite more delightful than the last.

"Didn't I tell you? And by the way, when is your event coming up?"

"After lunch. I've still got a lot of time in my hand."

The highlight of the day was here: the relay race. I was selected as the anchor, the final runner. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. Even though I was the main man for the sprinting event, we hadn't gotten done with the relay team earlier, and in the end, we scrapped up one without any planning... so the entire team was kind of nervous. I headed towards my position. And to my surprise, Rylee was also walking in the same direction as me. Is he the anchor for his team too? Ryle took his place on the track right beside me. "Your name is Reol, right? I'm Rylee. You were really fast during the practices!"

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just flashed a grin. "But you're on a totally different level, Rylee. Your class will be first for sure..."

"Don't say it like that. Everyone's got a chance if they try hard enough!" Now that I'm seeing him up close, I couldn't help but notice the intriguing blend of silver and a delicate hint of blue in his eyes. It was as if you couldn't quite distinguish whether they were blue or silver. "Get ready, the race is about to begin." My gaze shifted to my surroundings, realizing that all my classmates had gathered around me, which only added to my nervousness.

The race began with a resounding gunshot, and the first runners were off. Our class seemed to have started strong, but it didn't take long before we found ourselves falling behind. One by one, other classes surged ahead, and by the time the baton had reached me, we were already in fourth place. The pressure weighed heavily on my shoulders as I sprinted forward, giving it everything I had. The cheers of my classmates pushed me forward, but the gap between us and Rylee at the very front seemed insurmountable.

I could feel the eyes of the ground on me as I closed the distance, each stride carrying me closer to the next runner. The wind whipped past me, and the roar of the crowd filled my ears. But despite my best efforts, we crossed the finish line in second place.

"Man, you're really fast, Reol! If you'd gotten the baton a second earlier, you could've crossed me." I was one the ground, gasping for blurts of breath, when Rylee walked over and slammed down beside me. 

"I don't know. You would've won either way..."

"No, I really mean it. I'll be on high alert for the sprint tomorrow. So don't let me down, all right?"