I was a dumb naive eighth grader when it happened. In the eighth grade, I wore my box braids proudly and I ran for the Winslow Township Middle school track team. The Winslow middle school track team was one of the best in South Jersey and Coach Martin was very picky about who he allowed to run track meets. After practice everyday was a drag because the coach never recognized my athletic ability. I mean I was lazy but thats not the point. I was still one of the decent runners on the team and the coach would not even put me in any track meets. Sometimes during practice Coach Martin would even pick a sixth grader or seventh grader to run against me. This always made me feel like nothing. Even though I was not obese I felt like one of the outcast who neve got picked to play dodge ball. I wanted to prove myself so bad but Coach Martin would always point out the negatives when I ran instead of the positives. One day we had a relay run during track practice to determine who would be on the relay team during championships. Martin totally broke down my self esteem. My best friend Lamisha was one of the captains and Destiny was the other captain. They both began to pick and choose their teams and I sat on the field feeling like no one would pick me. Finally, Lamisha called my name and I was one of the last people to be picked on a team. Even my best friend did not want to pick me sheesh I thought to myself. I was the first one to run in the relay so I tied my shoe laces and inhaled a deep breath of fresh air. It was hot ninety-three degrees and the 100% cotton shorts I was wearing did not make it any better. I looked around the green grass on the field and the clear blue sky on the eighty - three degree day.
"Hawa" Coach Martin called.
Get on the line and run the 400
with Natasha.
I nervously walked to the third lane of the track with my heart thumping out of my chest and blood rushing to my brain. I knew this was my chance. This was my chance to finally prove myself to the bald head coach who I knew secretly did not like me. The seventh grader Natasha happily skipped to the first lane with her hair bouncing displaying no sign of anxiousness. Coach Martin walked over in his purple track suit and sponge bob whistle smiling as if he knew I would not win the race. Okay everyone stand aside the track and next up after Natasha and Hawa is Christine and Destiny.
Coach Martin grabbed his whistle preparing himself to say ready..... set..... go. I put my hands down on the line and my left foot behind m right with my head down. Natasha stood at the line with confidence double blinking jumping around as if the race would be a piece of cake. Coach Martin looked with eyes of expectation as he looked at Natasha as if he could be nothing but sure that she would smoke me in the race. "Ready" Coach Martin Shouted to Natasha and I.
The field became silent and the only thing you could hear were the birds chirping in the sky.
"S-e-e-e-e-et," Coach Martin stretched out like a five foot long subway hoagie.
"GO," my feet picked up from the ground faster than I could think. I felt like I was flying the adrenalin rush and anger in my heart began to kick in. I reached my ultimate speed by the time I reached half the track and Natasha was about ten yards behind me. I could not believe that she was behind me. I kept my head straight running and striding to the best of my ability. I could hear Natasha behind me attempting to catch up and pass me.
"Come on Hawa," my team screamed.
"You can do it," Lamisha cheered.
I was 100 yards away from the fish line my braids were blowing from the breeze hitting my face. The sweat in my armpits began to seap through my green winslow township shirt. I could hear Natasha's feet in the background attempting to pick up speed and I handed the paton to Chrisitne. Christine shot off like a rocket on the track and my team had a 50 yard head start against the other team because of me. I put my hands on my head gasping for air and smiling at the same time. Coach Martin looked at me with a face of recognition and embarrassment. I gave him the "Haha I did it sucka face." I won.
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