Okay, for those of you who don't know, I love running. Running is life. And no not jogging, like hardcore running.

And it's not track.

It's Cross Country (though I do track, too).

For a brief explanation, Cross Country is long-distance running (though it's only three miles at races, but still), and I (personally) think it's one of the most independent high-school sports out there. Yes, you have to have five to make a team (seven is the max for State), and place, but you can make it to other races by yourself. There's district (your town, basically), which in some states is State-qualifier, then State (if you make it), and then your side of the country (I'm Southern), then Nationals.

So, yeah. The lower number of points you have in the end wins. Placing is what makes the points. 1st is one point and 57th is 57 points.

But, anyways, it's amazing, so that's why I'm writing this story.

It's based off of Cross Country.

The silence was deafening. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and she grinned at Isabelle next to her.

Panthers flashed proudly across both Isabelle and Clary's shirts, the white blinding and the purple flashing. The white would be practically impossible to get the mud out of, but Clary didn't mind. It was worth the pain of scrubbing if she could just make onto Varsity.

Varsity was a challenge to get onto. There was a set of rules in place and with her short legs, it was harder to meet the strides of other girls.

But she was small and light. And that would get her to pass all others.

1: Run four miles in twenty-eight minutes Check

2: Run eight miles in sixty-four minutes Check

3: Come in the top twenty Not check

Top twenty was a true challenge. The state of Oregon was huge and even in her small town there were at least fifteen schools coming to one of the biggest races besides District and State. And with fifteen schools, there were at least seven girls on each team.

"You've got this, Clary," Isabelle said with a grin.

"Three minutes until race time!" the announcer shouted.

Clary closed her eyes. She wished the race would just start. The adrenaline would go from her stomach to her legs and she would be flying.

"Alright, ladies!" All twelve girls turned around to face their coach. "It will start fast, remember. I want you to start fast with them. They're strong, you're stronger. They're fast, you're faster. Aline, you need to find your pace and stick with it." Aline nodded determinedly, her dark eyes glinting with a challenge. "Abby, you hit those hills, because you're strong. Emilee, you do what I told you." Clary zoned out, focusing on what her plan was. "Clary, you're making Varsity today! Stick with a stubborn six thirty pace and you'll be unstoppable."

She grinned, tucking the loose pieces of hair back into her bobby pins.

"Shannon, you call it!"

"One, two, three…"

"PANTHERS!" they all yelled, separating with a cheer.

They returned to the line, and Clary's adrenaline intensified.

"On your mark," the announcer shouted, slowly backing away. The gun was pointed high and towards the sky. Clary exhaled deeply before focusing again.

The gunshot echoed through the air and all of the girls took off.

Clary wasn't in a pack. It was her third race and she'd managed to separate from everyone in the group. Third on the team, the first girl having never stopped training for three years, the second Isabelle. Clary didn't like packs. She couldn't race freely, anyways.

She weaved her way through the racing girls, passing one every which way. Her breathing changed gears, from inhaling and exhaling through her nose to inhaling through her nose and exhaling through her nose.

They rounded their first corner, and Clary took the tangent, passing a pack of girls.

Their coach clapped their hands. "All right Clary, you're in twenty-seventh. You see that pack up there? Go get them."

She opened her stride slightly, letting her arms go a little freer. Her legs felt the change, and she stumbled slightly before letting out a frustrated huff and righting herself.

Her footsteps and form were something people always complimented her on. No one could hear her gaining on them, and she had a straight back, all though she slumped over slightly for power. To see her trip was a rarity.

"C'mon let's go Clary!" Her mother shouted. "You're in twenty-fifth now! Get that pack, baby!"

The girls ahead seemed to hear her, and picked up their pace slightly, and one slightly broke off. Clary narrowed her eyes. She had to resist the beginner's urge inside of her to sprint to catch up. Instead, she only slightly increased her speed.

She was soon on them, and one of the girls yelled, "C'mon Anna Kate, you can't fall now!"

Fall, Anna Kate, fall, Clary chanted.

Instead the girl let out a frustrated huff and pushed on. Clary knew she would fall off soon since they were now at the one mile mark.

"Good, Clary, good," her coach declared. "Stay with them."

Anna Kate fell off in that moment. Twenty-four.

The girls' footsteps were pounding, driving Clary nuts. Heavy footsteps meant you were most likely tired, though, so she welcomed them.

Another girl fell off, her breathing ragged. She tried pushing on again, but failed.

Twenty-three.

"Go now, Clary!" her coach yelled. "Leave them in the dust!"

She passed the other five girls, picking up the pace once she saw the two-mile mark.

Her lungs burned, but she welcomed it. It meant she was just getting better. Besides, she was going to make Varsity, at eighteenth.

Now, she wanted to get a shirt.

She grinned as she saw some girl had pushed too hard, and she quickly passed them.

Two more to go, and she would get a shirt.

She heard footsteps gaining on her, and pushed off once more.

The finish line was drawing near. Now was the time to pull her strength and begin sprinting to pass the last three in a large pack. They couldn't sprint all together.

Her legs picked up quickly, and her body protested, but she willed her mind to stay strong.

She shoved passed the girls, only picking up the pace more as she heard one let out a frustrated breath.

"Let's go, Clary!" Her father screamed. "Last one hundred on the track!"

She swung her arms more, knowing her body would follow, and passed through the finish line.

They jotted down her number quickly, and she resisted the urge to bend down.

Fourteenth.

19:27

She poured herself a water when Sebastian walked up to her.

"Good job, babe," he said with a grin. "Worthy of a shirt, I'd say."

She giggled, throwing the cup into the trash, walking over to her team's tent. "I'd hope so. Best race yet."

He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm aware."

The car ride back was four hours, but Clary couldn't find it in herself to complain.

Abby and Emilee had made Varsity as well, and Clary hugged her shirt to herself proudly.

She was a winner.

Well, that's all for today folks! I hope you guys enjoyed chapter one!

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