For (cid:51)(cid:97)lie (cid:50)osh (cid:14) (cid:47)ri(cid:78)fin You radiate goodness in this world I am the luckiest
CHAPTER 1 SEPTEMBER 7 2001 FRIDAY (cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119)(cid:119) I’d rather dunk my head in a school toilet than run cross country All the tree branches and roots are like landmines They slow me down Besides I’m not good for long distances I’m more of a sprinter You know get from point A to point B as fast as possible with a finish line al(cid:95)a(cid:97)s in si(cid:79)ht and no s(cid:93)rprises alon(cid:79) the way That’s running Unfortunately Coach makes us do cross country in the fall or we can’t run track in the spring It’s stupid They’re not the same sport at all Come on only half a mile left Sam says as he grabs my elbow and pulls me through the woods He’s not even winded as he adds Let’s pick up the pace Only half a mile Might as well be three Sam made me practice all summer and even though I’ve gotten a lot better I still hate cross country But at least Coach
