So there you have it

Disclaimer: All characters and places are fiction.

Ok, a month isn't really a long time, but I do have an update. Please tell me what you think. I have some problems with this chapter, and need a little help. Some advice here would really help out a lot. So please... review. As templeton21 says "Despite what a lot of readers seem to think, reviewing will not kill you." I hope you don't mind me using this if you read this.

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“What is this?” I asked while looking around the room full of memorabilia of Lily.

“It’s a room I made for Lily.” He said from behind me, closing and locking the door. “Chloe doesn’t know about this room. Actually, I haven’t been in here since... since she died.”

I looked at him. “This was made before then?”

“Yes.” He opened up a cupboard with some trophies in it. “I have some of my accomplishments in here as well. But, Lily, she was amazing. The first time I saw her on the field. I just knew.”

“She was athletic?” I looked around surprised. “Is that how Chloe can move so gracefully in the kitchen?”

“Maybe, but she didn’t know about this.” David looked down. “It’s because of the three of us.”

“How is that so?” I asked perplexed.

“Well, after we had Chloe, she completely stopped running.” David look more depressed. “She could’ve been something.”

“But that wasn’t what she wanted to be.” I said understanding.

“That’s what she said.” He sounded like he didn’t believe it.

“I believe her.” He looked at me confused. “I would want a family. I would want to make a nice family. A family that’s together.”

“She said the same thing.” David looked a little brighter. “She wanted to make sure that the family stayed together.”

“Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a family.”

“Yes,” He was almost smiling now. “Exactly.”

“I agree with her.” I said with a conviction stronger than anything else before. “A good family is more important than anything.”

“Lily,” he was on the verge of crying, “you’re so much like Lily.”

I stared in disbelief. Me? Like Lily? “I’m not that beautiful.” I was pointing at the painting of her that I thought was a mirror earlier. She had somewhat long hair, but it looked shorter because she had it in curls, and she wore a beautiful dress. Something I have never worn.

“Yes you are.” He came over and hugged me. “Really, you’re so much like her. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were her daughter.”

After he released me, I froze. I stood there shocked for what seemed like hours. Why had he kissed me? I took a step back. “What... what was that!?”

“Haven’t your parents ever kissed you before?”

“Maybe,” I looked down. “I just don’t ever remember.”

It had only been the side of my head, but, still, that was the first time anyone had kissed me. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

“No,” I shook my head. “It’s nothing like that. I... it’s just the first time I’ve been kissed.”

“I’ve been so grateful of you.” He said with his back to me. “I wanted her to have a friend, but it didn’t turn out like that.” He faced me again without a trace of sadness. “She has a sister now. That’s what you are to her. I’ve noticed how both of you act together. I’m glad that you have came here and are in our lives. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing really.” I look around the room again. “Sorry for the change of subject, but... why did you bring me in here?”

“Oh,” He broke out of his mood a little. “Actually, since you are so much like her, I thought maybe I could help give you a direction. It’s just something to start with, so don’t feel pressured to do it.”

“So, you think I should try out for track?” I asked.

“Or anything else you think you like to.”

“Thank you, again.” It was my turn to return the favor from earlier. “I wish you were my father. You’re more of a dad to me than my own.”

“Are they really like that?” He asked me very concerned. “Chloe told me about your first day working here. The real reason why you were late.”

“Yes...” I couldn’t say anymore so I looked down.

“How can people be like that?” He was in disbelief.

“Maybe their own parents were like that.” I suggested. “I don’t know. I just wish I didn’t have to live there.”

“What if you lived here?” He completely surprised me.

“I couldn’t do that.” I was interrupted before I could say more.

“If you think about it, you practically live here anyways.” He appeared to like the idea a lot. He almost looked childish.

“I would really love to, but I probably shouldn’t.” I declined. “Speaking of which, I’d better get home.”

I waited for him by the door, so that he could unlock it. I didn’t have much time to sleep before the final, but a little sleep is better than none. As I thought, my history final was a breeze. I might’ve not been the first person to finish, but it was close enough. The next day was the one I was worried about. I even avoided going out with my friends. I had been doing that a lot during the year, so I thought the one day would be fine.

It turned out that I shouldn’t have been afraid either that, or because I was and studied that I actually did well. So, the first year was over and I was glad for that. I thought about what I should take for the next year. I didn’t have any idea, but I thought over the idea David had. It was only temporary, so I decided that I would. One day when I was off I headed over to the college track to see how it was.

“Not bad.” Someone came up to me and said as I was resting on the bench next to the track. “Have you always been doing this, or is this your first time? I was just wondering because I haven’t ever seen you here.”

“First time.” It was all I said.

“I’d say you have promise.” He said confidently. “Too bad the coach isn’t here.”

“Umm... who are you?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Oh,” He rubbed the back of his head, “I’m sorry. I’m James, but my friends call me Jimmie. I’m the captain.”

“I’m Samantha. Everyone but my boss, and friend Chloe call me Sam.” I stood up. “Do you really think I could do this?”

“Of course.” He smiled euphorically. “Care for a match?”

“Umm.. I guess.” I was nervous.

We stepped up to the start line, “Which do you want to try, short distance or long distance?”

“Whichever you like.” I didn’t really care.

“Well, since you were going around the whole track, let’s do long distance.” He whistled towards someone. “I’ll be right back.”

He ran off to meet the girl halfway. They spoke for a minute. She nodded, then they came over together. “This is Mary. She’s a part of the team. She’ll keep the times.”

“Hello.” She smiled at me. “Nice to meet you. He said it’s going to be long distance.” She came up closer and whispered to me. “Are you sure you want to?” I just nodded. “Okay then.”

“Okay, Mary.” He turned toward her. “We’re going around six times.”

“Are you serious?” Mary looked over at me. “I thought you said this was her first time.”
I just blinked. “Yes, I’m serious.” He said. “Okay, Sam. All you have to do is go around this track six times. That’s one and a half miles. Are you ready?”

“I guess.” I shrugged, and Mary looked like she was in pain.

“Ok,” He got up to the line. “Let’s get this race going.”

I stepped up to the line. Mary called out. On your mark. Get set... GO! And we were off. I was surprised to see that I was ahead, but I realized something after a few seconds. He didn’t start out at his fullest. Technically I didn’t either, but he was pacing himself. I slowed down enough to just have a small lead. We were already halfway through the first lap. I could hear him a few steps behind me, so I didn’t look back. After I thought about it, I thought I shouldn’t look back ever.

As we came closer to the line Mary yelled out, “Nice job, Sam. Only five more to go.”
She looked pleased at how I was doing. That helped relax me a little, so my breathing got better. I could hear Jimmie getting closer, if by a little. I didn’t care about winning now. It was fun. I was enjoying myself. This felt exhilarating, and I wanted to see him next to me. I could tell what I needed to do, as well as hear what he had to say. Four more laps to go, and he was inching his way up to me.

I noticed that my thoughts were clearer now than they ever had been. It was a relief. I felt that I could find solutions to problems I had never been able to solve. Even where I wanted to be in my life. I could see the future better. I think that was the problem before. I wasn’t able to see a future. I felt stuck before. Not anymore while I was like this. Running.

“What’s the matter?” Jimmie huffed next to me. “I’ve notice you slowing down.”

“Oh,” He snapped me back out of my thoughts. “I was just thinking. Good to see you finally.”

He missed a step. “Wh-what!?!”

“I was wanting you to catch up.” I tried not to laugh. I needed my air for something more important. I smiled at him.

Still shocked, he smiled back. “Three more laps you two!” Mary bellowed out towards us.

“I’ll see you later, Sam.” He saluted me the started to go faster.

“You’re such a dork,” he looked at me strange, “saluting like that.”

I was still by him. I was still smiling. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled this long before. “This is fun.” My smile got bigger, and I sped up. I wanted to just release everything. I was really breathing hard now, but it didn’t matter the feeling I had was wonderful. Only two laps left. I had regained the lead I had at the beginning, but only for a little while. He started letting himself loose. By the time I was to the line he had caught up to me, and started to really go.

This time we didn’t talk. We couldn’t. Our breath was taken up by running. I wanted to keep up. I could see he was giving his all, so I knew I could too. Still, he beat me. It’s to be expected since he is the captain of the track team. After the run, Mary gave us some water to drink.

“Here you go, Sam.” She came over to me after she gave a bottle to Jimmie. “That was amazing.”

“What?” I managed to get out after taking a drink.

“I mean,” She looked over at him. “I’ve never seen anyone keep up with him. It was only six laps, but normally he has half a lap lead. In this school, at least. Track meets are different.”

“Are you joking with me?” I just looked at her.

“No,” Jimmie came over to us. “She’s not.”

I looked up at him. “Do you want to know why people call me Jimmie?” He paused before saying. “My name is James. I liked Jim, so I told people to call me that. Then,” He looked between me and Mary. “I started racing. It was in track that I got the nickname.”

“Do you like Jim better?” I asked.

“Yes,” He looked down. “But since I speed everywhere, people call me Jimmie.”

“Everywhere?”

“Oh yeah, he walks everywhere fast. One moment he’s there then the next minute he’s gone.” She laughed.

“Sounds like a guy I met a the mall one day with my friends.” I half-smiled. “I didn’t see him come up to me, but after talking, he had to get out of there and fast. He did.”
Just then an alarm went off on Jim’s watch. “Mary it’s time. Sam we have to go see the coach. Would you like to come?”

“Sure.” I wanted to this time.

When I got up, they started jogging. I guess they’re in a hurry. “I should let you know.” Jim said. “That was me.”