Chapter 5 Rivalry

The tension in the air was unmistakable.

Ethan Carter stood at the starting line, rolling his shoulders, trying to block out the noise. The upcoming state championships were just weeks away, and every meet leading up to it was a chance to prove himself.

But tonight wasn't just any race.

Tonight, Jordan Steele was on the track.

Jordan had transferred from another school, and word spread quickly that he was just as fast-if not faster-than Ethan.

Ethan didn't like the idea of a challenger. This was his track. His title. His spotlight.

First Encounter with the Competition

As Ethan stretched, Jordan walked past, flashing him a confident smirk.

"Hope you're ready," Jordan said casually. "I'd hate to steal your show."

Ethan scoffed. "You can try."

Jordan laughed. "We'll see."

Ethan clenched his jaw. He had beaten countless runners before, but something about Jordan's confidence got under his skin.

This wasn't just a race anymore. It was personal.

The Race Begins

The announcer's voice echoed across the stadium.

"On your marks... Set..."

BANG!

Ethan exploded off the blocks, legs pumping, arms driving. He was used to pulling ahead early, but this time-Jordan was right beside him.

The crowd roared as the two runners tore down the track, matching each other stride for stride.

Ethan gritted his teeth, pushing harder. He wasn't going to let some newcomer take his crown.

But then, Jordan surged forward.

It was just a fraction of a second, but it was enough.

Ethan leaned at the finish line, but the clock didn't lie.

Jordan won.

By 0.2 seconds.

The stadium erupted, and for the first time in a long time, Ethan wasn't the center of attention.

Dealing with Defeat

Ethan barely heard the announcer calling Jordan's name.

He stood frozen, staring at the scoreboard.

He had lost.

The weight of it crashed down on him like a tidal wave.

His father's voice rang in his ears. "You can't afford mistakes."

His teammates patted him on the back, but it felt hollow.

And then, Jordan walked up. "Not bad, Carter," he said. "But you'll have to be faster than that to keep up with me."

Ethan forced a smile. "Next time, I will be."

Jordan chuckled. "I'm counting on it."

But as Jordan walked away, Ethan's hands clenched into fists.

Losing wasn't an option.

Fueling the Fire

That night, Ethan didn't sleep. He replayed the race in his head over and over, analyzing every mistake, every second he could have been faster.

His father's words haunted him: "No distractions. No slacking off."

The next morning, before the sun even rose, Ethan was on the track. Running.

Training.

Pushing himself harder than ever.

Jordan had won this time. But it would never happen again.