Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2024 14:06:51 -0500 From: Alex Subject: He's a runner, he's a track star - Chapter 11 Thanks for reading my series! Graduation is around the corner and what will happen with Coach Jay and Alex? Will Conner and Alex rekindle their lover's quarrel or will it come to an end? Keep reading! I've been getting great feedback and would love to hear more. You can send a message, I would love to chat with you, but in the meantime, Nifty relies on donations to keep the site going and free to users, please donate at https://donate.nifty.org/ Chapter 11: The Last Run Dear Journal, We've come a long way and I'm halfway through the school year. Just in a few weeks, I will be competing for the first time in my senior year. It seems like time is just flying by and I still haven't decided on where I want to go to college. Dad promised me that we would check out USC this year and hopefully, I can get a tour of the campus during my spring break. It seems like there's a lot to do as a senior and I am overwhelmed by so much. I started prepping for the SATs this week and I'm thinking about prom. Also, I have even bigger news, Mom secured enough votes to be elected the new Judge for District 7! Life has been happening hella fast for the Wright's but we are going strong. I had to officially take a break from Conner because he was just getting in the way and he and Melissa needed to work things out. I'm starting to see less and less of Josh these days and he's been hanging around some new guys from his neighborhood, last but not least, two graduations are coming up, one for me and one for Coach Jay! "YOOO A-dub, these new track uniforms are dope! Good pick on the gear," said Josh. "Yeah Coach Jay and I put these orders in some weeks ago and I'm surprised they came as fast as they did," I said. "Team, gather around, we have our first competition and it's against Baylor Academy." "They are strong in numbers and have kept a solid record for the past couple of years." "This will be a tough one, but I'm counting on everyone to step up and give it their all." We have brand new uniforms this year, thanks to your team Captain, Alex!" Coach Jay said. Coach was going on and on about this competition, but I wasn't hearing him that much. I was ready to run and get my run in and win. I've been practicing all year and it's time to put the hard work to the test. "Josh, what you got going this weekend bro?" I asked. "Man just chillin with my cousins on my Mom's side of the family." "They are getting together on Saturday to chill, you wanna pull up?" asked Josh. "Nah, I'm cool bro, I got some studying to do and I also need to start looking into taking the pretest for the SAT," I said. "Man, what's up bro, we supposed to be chillen our senior year and having fun," said Josh. "We will have plenty of time to chill, but you need to get your head in the game and take your last semester seriously." "I thought you were trying to get into the University of Florida?" I asked. "Man bro you know my grades ain't that good to get in there, hell I'm barely making it out of Overton," said Josh. "Remember we talked about going off to college together last year?" I said. "Yeah, but shit has changed, A-Dub," said Josh. "Just try to stay focused man and if you want we can study for the SAT together," I said. "Nah, I'm good on that." "I ain't as smart as you, and I don't have a college fund lined up to get me in," said Josh. "That's bullshit, you're just as smart as me if you apply yourself and give a damn!" I declared. "Oh now you wanna jump in my face about SATs and college when we only 4 months away from graduation?" "Where was the sympathy and help for me then?" "My Daddy ain't there for me like yours is, my Daddy is strung out on drugs and never fucking cared." "You one of the good ones, and you one of the niggas that made it out and has a silver spoon in his mouth," said Josh. "Silver spoon in my mouth?" I yelled. "What the fuck are you talking about?" I yelled. "I've busted my ass for 4 damn years at this school and not once did I ask for any type of hand outs. "I DID THIS!" "I did this shit on my own with hard work and some fucking dedication." I said. "So don't come at me with bullshit Josh because you're lacking in school and don't fucking care about your future." I yelled. "Man I'm out this bitch, I'll holla at you later." said Josh. I've never been so mad. I just got into a yelling match with my bestfriend and he probably hates me. I didn't mean for us to get to this point and I just don't understand why he doesn't see that I'm no different from him. After Josh stormed off and ran to the bus station. I jumped in my truck and drove all the way home damn near in tears because I love that boy and care for him but he just doesn't see anything special in him. He compares my life to his more and more these days and I just don't know what to do. It hurts me that his father isn't present in his life and his mother can't afford to send him off to college. I pulled up to the house and stormed in the front door and charged up the stairs. **BEDROOM DOOR SLAMS** **KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK** "Alex," said Dad. "Dad, I don't want to talk right now." I said. My father is very old school and when he calls your name you better answer him. In fact, he didn't even wait, he just came into my room without warning. He stood at the door and looked at me with concern. "What's going on son?" Dad said. "I'd rather not talk about it Dad. It's just Josh and I exchanged a few words today at school and I just want to forget about it." I said. "Well, if you need to talk you can come to me." "I hope whatever it is between you and Josh, that you boys work it out." "Yall have been bestfriends for way too long to have disputes with one another." Dad said. "Yes sir." I said. Dad closed the door behind him and all I could do was just lay on the bed because I was hurt and he hadn't even called me. I need to get some rest for sure because I don't like feeling like this. As the week passes by, Friday is here and Josh has barely said two words to me. We have our first track meet at Baylor Academy today and I need to talk to my brother. I don't know how much longer I can take ignoring one another. "Aye Josh, can I talk to you for a minute?" I said. "What is it?" said Josh. "Look are we going to talk this out as boys or continue to be mad at each other?" "We have our first track meet in a few hours and I need you to hear me out for a second." I said. "Okay go ahead." "Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for things to get like that with us. I just have such high ambitions for you because you're my boy, my brother and I love you. I only want the best for you and I want us honestly to go to the same college. I can't do this life without you bro and I need you with me." "There are some scouts that will be here tonight and they are coming from all over!" "We gotta do good bro and you gotta show out like you normally do because you might get recruited," I said. "I'm sorry to A-Dub, I just been dealing with a lot man, and trying to help out moms and my sister around the house is tough. I'm the only man in the house and Dad isn't anywhere to be around," said Josh. " I understand Josh, I do." "Come on bro, let's get ready for this race!" I said. I hate that Josh is in this situation and I hope he is okay soon. He needs to focus today and do a good job. We loaded up the truck and Josh and I headed to Baylor Academy. The rest of the team members either drove or their parents brought them out. I can't believe I'm running the first meet of my senior year as Varsity. There's so much excitement running through my body but I'm ready! We got there and Mom, Dad, and Jasmine were sitting on the bleachers, and Ms. Williams and Jarissa were right next to them with their homemade signs and school colors. It felt so good to have the whole family there for support. As we made our way to the field it was a crowd of spectators from all angles. The first competition was the relay and Josh and I were lined up. The boys from Baylor are a beast and I knew we had to step it up a notch today. **SHOT FIRED IN THE AIR** We started off at a great pace and Josh started to take off, I can see him smoking the other boys fast and really pushing through. He gets close to me and passes me the paton. I see Josh in the distance running and I start to take off too and get a head start. Josh sped up so fast and handed the paton off to me and I took off and pushed all the way through. I manage to make it to the other side of the track in about 20 seconds and I see I'm only a few feet away from the finish line. I pushed a little more and I'm giving it all I fucking got....whistle blows and I'm first!! A-Dub has done it again! We won our first track meet of the season. Everyone was so ecstatic and came over and jumped on me! Coach Jay and Coach Wilson all joined in the huddle. Josh picks me up and puts me on his shoulders. Everything was happening so fast and it was people everywhere. "We did it!" "We did it!" said Josh. "I knew we would bro, I just needed you to stay focused and trust me this year." I said. "Congrats team! You all did amazing and I'm super proud of OP Boys!! Way to go!!!" Said Coach Jay. Mom, Dad, and Jasmine were cheering from the stands and Josh ran over to his Ms. Williams and his sister Jarissa and gave them a hug. Yep, that's why I'm A-Dub, the fastest, prettiest boy in the district! After we showered at Baylor's locker rooms, we all gathered outside and I could see from a distant Coach Jay and Coach Wilson talking to a group of guys. They were dressed up really nice and looked really professional. I wonder what that was all about. "Way to go A-Dub!!!" I looked up and it was Conner standing on the sidelines smiling with Melissa and her group of girl friends. "Hey Conner, I didn't expect you to be here, hey Melissa." I said. "Congrats Alex!" said Melissa. "Thank you!" I said. "Hey Alex, can I chat with you for a second bro?" Conner said. "Sure!" I said. "Hey Melissa, I'm going to walk Alex to his car real quick, I'll be right back." Conner said. By this time everyone was making their way to their vehicles and getting ready to head home. Josh rode back with Jarissa and Ms. Williams and Mom and Dad were headed home. I didn't know what Conner could have possibly wanted. "Yooo bro, what's been going on?" "I've been calling and texting you and you haven't been responding to me." Said Conner. "I know, I've been hella busy and my senior year is getting crazy." "I'm also prepping for the SAT and you know how it is, Conner." I said. As we got closer to my truck, I saw Conner kept looking back and making sure Melissa was nowhere in sight. When we finally arrived at my truck, he pushed me up against it and grabbed my dick through my sweat pants and started fondling me. "Uhh Uhh, Conner, what are you doing man?" I asked. "You know you miss this!" "I haven't felt these nuts in a while and I guess I had to come to your first track meet to get a grip!" said Conner. Conner managed to put his hand down my pants and cupped my dick and balls all in one hand. He smirked and laughed and mentioned how little my dick is. "Gosh A-dub, I didn't realize your cock was so little..HAHAHA," said Conner. "Back the fuck away dude!" I said. "I don't want to keep doing stuff man and your girl is right over there and could show up at any moment." I said. "Fuck her, when are we gonna link again." "It's been forever," said Conner. I pushed Conner away and told him that I have to go and I jumped in my truck and slammed the door and cranked up and drove off. I left him in the smoke and peeled out of the school's parking lot. I got in my car and was halfway down the road. I turned on some music and just vibed away. I wasn't going to let Conner ruin my mood after a big victory tonight. **PHONE RING** "Hey Conner, lose my number, and don't contact me again!" I said and hung up the phone. This bothered me because I enjoyed my time with Conner and thought he was chill. I feel like things just got worse with us and our sneaky links were eventually going to get us caught soon. I had to let it go! I finally got home, took a hot shower laid across my bed, and just relaxed after a long and eventful day. **BUZZ BUZZ** Alex: Josh, good job today my boy! I'm proud of you. I saw Coach Wilson and Coach Jay talking to some people before we left. Not sure who they were but I'll find out. Josh: Thanks A-Dub, and yeah I saw that too. Let me know what you hear bro. I'll hit you up later this weekend, I'm getting ready to go hang out with the family. Alex: Bet, love you bro! Josh: Love you too! Josh has been acting a little differently lately and I know he has a lot of pressure on him and he has to maintain well to keep his scholarship at Overton Prep. I sure hope those guys that came today were maybe some recruiters that looked at him. I drifted off to sleep and slept so peacefully. Saturday morning was here and I'm hearing so much noise downstairs and something just didn't feel right. I put on my pajamas and t-shirt and go downstairs and I see Mom and Dad at the kitchen island and Mom is crying. "Mom!" I said. "What's wrong??" I asked nervously. "Sit down honey!" Mom said. "You all are scaring me, what's going on?" I asked. "It's about Josh." Mom said. "WHAT ABOUT JOSH??" I said out loud. "He got into some trouble last night with some guys and one of his cousins started a fight with someone and started shooting." Mom said. "WHAT!!??" "IS JOSH OKAY?" I said with tears in my eyes. "Yes, he's okay but he's in jail. His cousin shot someone and they are in critical condition." "Josh was in the car with them when they got pulled over by the police." Mom said. "OH MY GOD." I said out loud. "His cousin already has a bad record, and convinced Josh to take the heat for the shooting. Josh's fingerprints are all over the gun." Dad said. I stood still and became numb! This is all a dream or I'm just in a horrible nightmare. Josh, what the fuck bro, how could you be so stupid. I started to cry and ran upstairs to my room and closed the door. "Alex.......ALEX," yelled Dad. "Leave him alone honey," said Mom. I got in my room and just laid in the bed all day and cried. I didn't get up once to eat and felt so sick. It was as if someone ripped my heart out of my chest. **KNOCK KNOCK** "Alex, can we come in for a second son," said Mom and Dad. "Yes," I said. "We've been talking with Ms. Williams and Jarissa found out that there will be an investigation but Josh's bail is set at $50,000." Mom said. "$50,000!!" I said. "I'm going to call some of my attorney friends and advise Ms. Williams for legal counsel. She will need an attorney to fight this because they are going to try and put Josh away in prison and this is his last year in high school. He will be tried as an adult!" Mom said. "I'm just not well Mom," I said "Josh had asked me to hang with him over the weekend and that easily could have been me locked away." I said. "I feel so bad, I feel so freakin bad." I said. By this time I'm starting to cry and get emotional again. I want to talk to him, I want to see him, I want to hug my best friend. He didn't deserve to be in that situation. Josh is a good kid and is supposed to go to college with me. Now his whole life is fucked up! "Your father and I are going to head down to the jail and bail him out." Mom said. "Okay!" I said. "This hasn't made news yet, but I'm pretty sure someone is going to pick this story up. You need to be careful. Your father and I are going to pay the bail, would you like to ride with us?" asked Mom. "Yes!" I said. The whole ride there my stomach was in knots because there was so much that I wanted to ask and also be angry at Josh but I realize I can't be that way at this moment. He just had a traumatic life experience and I need to be there for my brother. We arrived at the courthouse and met Ms. Williams with Jarissa and within an hour Josh was walking out of the courthouse. Because he was still in high school, we were able to get him out over the weekend. "Mom...Dad, can I please spend the night with Josh?" I asked. "Alex, Josh has been through enough, he probably needs time by himself and I'm sure he and his mother and sister are needing to talk things out." Dad said. "Dad, are you and Mom going to ask them to pay you back that bail money?" I said. "No son, this will be roughly 10% we will only need to pay, and they are like family to us." Dad said. "Thank you." I said. After Josh greets his mother and sister, he runs over to me and extends his lanky arms wide open for a big hug. "A-Dub!!" said Josh. "You scared me!" I said. Josh wrapped his entire body around me and I had my head laid on his chest and he squeezed in tight and said. "I'm so sorry brother."