2.A NEW BEGINNING

             *No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again* 

ZACK’S POV

The sunlight fell directly on my face and I blinked thrive to clear my blurred vision. Why on earth had the morning came up so early??yet, I snuggled up in the bed for a minute longer. Today I had a race to win and my body deserved a great rest after yesterday's party at the boys’ house and looked at my phone to see the time and the number of missed calls I had alarmed me of the time and shit, I was late!!

I got up in a startle and raved to the bathroom to brush my teeth and without caring to change my night outfit, I rushed to the academy. Thanks to mom who had already kept my protein shake in the bag and as I reached the academy, I walked up to the locker room drinking the shake on the way. Without wasting another second, I threw my bag on the bench and changed into the towel and then my nightmare began. Where the hell did coach keep my jersey and spikes?? Anxiety was already filling up inside me as I threw a terrific tantrum on not being able to find my things. Suddenly, I heard the doors of the room squeak open but as I had my own problems to deal with, I didn’t care and, in the agitation, I banged the locker door.

Now what?? Biting my lips, I turned around only to find that my things were neatly arranged on the bench itself and I had thrown my bag over it. See that’s why I didn’t notice it earlier!! I hit my own head for being so clumsy and moved the bag only to find a note beside it.

Dear Zack,

As usual you are late and as usual, we have kept your things ready. Now that you have arrived, rush you ass to the ground. We don’t want to be roasted by the coach with you.

I scoffed reading it and remembered the last nights mishaps. I had sneaked out to challenge myself by breaking dad's late-night rules before a race day. Well, it was an arrogance from my side, by I wish I to do it once, ready to face its consequences and yes now I have to face it.

I kept the note and was about to remove my towel when my nose was hit with a scent and I swung the hands those were about to hold me from the back to the front and slammed her onto the locker. Girl, how are you going to escape me now??

“Come on I, this time I had planned everything well and even removed my shoes not to make any sound” her face sulked into a gloomy one being caught. Damn, she’s too cute!!

“Caroline, maybe next time don’t us the perfume which I’m used to” mentioning the point she missed, I poked her face and when she realised her dumbness, he grinning with an embarrassed look. 

In the morning itself she had shown me her cute little angelic face and fired me up. I leaned more closer to her and her heart beats rose to a level where I could feel it so hard. She gulped down with nervousness and I caressed her cheeks making chills ran down her body.

What am I waiting for?? I pulled her to me and when our bodies touched, I kissed her plump red lips passionately and she surprised me by responding to the kiss with the same passion. Whoa, it’s getting too hot!!!

Again, I slammed her onto the locker and raised her hands up, kissing her more deeply and she began to play with our tongues. Was she a professional kisser that she had to make the kiss so bloody good??

Then she slowly brought our hand down and placed mine onto her breasts. She didn’t let me part from the kiss, so I delicately squeezed her melons with love and she gave out a soft moan. Now that’s what I was talking about.

I smirked at her and continued to kiss her, exploring every curve of her body and she ran her hands down to my towel, ready to take it off and move to the next step and the reality struck me. Dude, you have a race and this is not the time for this!!!

I pushed her away and she was puzzled. I felt sorry for her and reminded her about the race and the disappointment she had disappeared and an apologetic look popped up on her face. 

I turned and wore the jersey while she entertained herself with those naughty eyes of her which were fixed on me changing my towels. Naughty girl!!! Very fast, I put on the spikes too and giving her a peck on the lips, I rushed to the ground and joined my buddies Dash and Will.

“So early as usual” both together teased me and I winked at them for their big help. It’s a true fact that without their help, I was nothing on the ground!!!

“Get ready boys” a harsh manly voice scared us from a distance and it was coach. Specifically telling, the coach= my dad!!

“Warmed up?” He came near to us and looked at all of us. When his eyes fell on me, it turned into a narrow deathly stare and that meant I was dead when I reached home. Everyone nodded to him and he loved his stare from me. Oh, what a relief I felt!!

As per his instructions, we got ready and stood on our marks. Caroline was peeking our race from the gallery sneaking from everyone’s sight and I caught her from the distance. She wished me a best of luck with her thumbs up and I her a smile. 

Being on tracks, I immediately changed into my serious athlete mode and concentrated on the race. It was not an ordinary race. It was the qualifying race for the zonal championship and it was my dream championship. So basically, this was the first step to my dreams and I was confident on myself. 

The gun shot and all the athletes began the race. In a matter of minutes, I finished the race backing the first place followed my Dash and Will. It was always us from the academy and replacing our position was a herculean task for the other competitors. We jumped and hoorayed in excitement and dad came to me and again gave me his death stare.

We 3 stopped and got silent weighing our heads down and then, after a minute, he came forward and gave us a tight hug, celebrating with us. Stealing my eyes from them, I looked at Caroline and she had happy eyes for me blowing me a flying kiss for my win......that was the day.... that was the last day I had seen extreme happiness in my life......

********

I heard the sound of horns and woke up from the nap and knew what it meant. The last beautiful memory of mine played every time on my mind when I closed my eyes. The transportation truck had arrived and the agency people started packing up our things and belongings from our home. I was in my room, seated on my window, when Dash and Will came storming inside hearing the news of me and my mom shifting from the city. I, after so long since the accident, smiled at them genuinely as I knew what was going to happen. At that moment I knew very well how I had to handle them!!!

"Why the heck would you even let mom think about it? Why is it necessary for you to leave the city? You can stay and live with us" both of them shot their concern on me without taking a breath.

From the bitterness of their voice, I understood that they felt like. I was betraying them and our friendship by taking such a drastic step without even talking to them. We were the best of buddies from childhood and they had a right on me, to know about such an important decision of my life. I knew they were not going to easily forgive for this such an act.

“At least you can stay for the zonal championships. You can’t back out at the last moment. Please stay...” They begged me to their maximum and I sat numb as there was nothing, I could do about It. 

I had no other option. In my situation all I had in mind was my mother, Stella. And for her I had to sacrifice my dream as it was Impossible for her to support me for my training during such a crisis in our lives. At least that was what she told me!!

It was now my time to look after her. I wanted to give her more time and support rather than be a burden on her. My dad was the breadwinner of my home. In his absence It was up to me to maintain my family’s base and not to let It shatter. I held their hands tightly. I was in pain. I was weak.

"We have been together since childhood and would always be together. In all stages of life come what may" Dash and Will together hugged me and assured me.

“What about Caroline?” Dash asked me in a concerned tone and my smile vanished away.

“She doesn’t want to go back to the town and I didn’t compel her. In my present situation, I’m not ready for a long-distance relation so last night me met and I broke up with her” I let out a deep sigh and informed them in a dull tone. 

“So what? If you don’t have a girl by your side, you have 2 boys right” Will patted me on my shoulders trying to cheers me up and a tiny smile curved back to my face.

Now that was not It. To wish me a memorable farewell, Dash and Will handed me a chain with a locket. The locket was the mini version of the zonal championship medal. 

"We know you very well and know that you wouldn't change your decision. but we had to try" Will told me in low disappointed tone.

"And we were damn sure of one thing. If you had participated in the zonal, you would have definitely been the champion. We had made this to give it to you during that time. but I thInk now Is the right time you need it" Dash brought up a sadness-stricken smile on his face saying so.

My heart felt heavier with every passing second. These boys were not going to let me leave.  They had a belief that If I had participated in the championship, I would have won because they believed that I was the best athlete. The chain was given to me to remind me that I was called a champion.

" This is our farewell gift to you" both Dash and Will patted my back saying It.

" And do try to come and participate in the zonal. In your state please don't forget who and what you are" Will now seemed okay with the fact of me leaving and tried to encourage me. I simply nodded to them as I had no Idea what my fate was ahead. But I was Indeed lucky to have such buddies because if it wasn’t for them then I would have been numb forever. The agency people had finished the packing and mom was waiting for us. Lee jumped upon Dash and Will crazily as he was going to miss them. Mom too felt sad to leave them and shift to a place where they had no one. We had to have courage. Dash and Will waved a bye to us with a heavy heart as we got in the car. Mom started the drive and we left the place in search of a new beginning........