I didn't mean to! I swear!

Chapter 17: I'm brilliant... apparently.

Everyone stared at him for a second bewildered until it set in and the boys raced for the door. The girls were more reluctant but the same few who exited with me earlier were out not soon after.

Now I wasn't the most physically inclined sort. I didn't sport an anything pack but I did move around a lot and so I was never over weight per se.

This didn't help me as the entire pack of us came to a stop in front of a marked tree. Signs pointed in multiple directions obviously for the race.

Everyone seemed to be splitting up. A huge group headed up the blue trail they reasoned that it would be shortest. Another few headed in various other directions until it was just a few stragglers.

"Wanna stick together." A guy suggested boldly to us remaining few.

There was a moment's pause before a chorus of no's and everyone ran off. One girl glanced at me and headed uphill.

Decision time.

Everyone had different ideas as to what way would be shortest easiest etcetera. But..... to me what was shorter and easier than going in the door that was left open for you.

So I being the lazy butt I was casually jogged back the exact way I came. The rain pelted me relentlessly and I looked like a drowned cat but hey it was better than the shisct those chumps were doing.

With my slow pace I reached back in ten minutes tops. The gym was exactly how we left it and coach was sipping coffee in the corner.

"Back already Ryder?" He asked dubious. "You didn't strike me as the flash type."

"I'm not coach." I admitted.

"So how did you get back so fast hasn't been fifteen minutes yet. Take the uphill did ya?"

"No coach. I uh...I Actually just walked back."

He looked afronted for a second."you walked back." I nodded. "The way you came in."

"Yes coach."

"You avoided all the obstacles and running by walking back." God I knew this was a bad idea. "Brilliant."

"Wait what?"

"Brillaint Ryder you showed great use of intellect and problem solving but unfortunately you do actually need to participate in some physical activity for me to pass you today. So you have two choices redo the course or laps."

I almost screamed my answer. "Laps."

So I ran three circuits around the field granted in the rain but it didn't take me long and I was soon showered and back in my uniform ready to go home.

I had even snuck off and found myself a coffee from the teachers lounge (i asked very nicely ) and was sipping quietly.

The coach had given me permission to use my phone a privellage not a right.

So I texted my mum and checked up on the girls both were in History and couldn't wait to leave.

The rest of the kids eventually showed up in small groups and covered in mud. One poor soul had even lost a shoe.

They all nearly tripped when they saw me newly showered and changed already but got over their surprise when they realised their showers were on the line.

I didn't notice when Falcon showed up. I only saw him as he exited the change rooms his hair was wet and mused and shirt stuck to his still wet skin.

I turned up my nose and continued with my own thing.

The coach turned up soon after and started commenting on the overall performance of the class.

He didn't have good things to say.

"Saddest bunch of wimps this side of the Pacific honestly I feel sorry for the house masters who will deal with you during the annual games." He sneered. "It isn't hard to use your heads some of you do."

I didn't like being singled out at the best of times so I ignored that and hoped my pitiful performance next lesson would even the tides.

"Get moving you sorry excuses I want you bright and fresh for tomorrow. We're doing the climb."

Not knowing what to make of that I picked up my coffee. With my earbuds in and music blasting in my ear drums I made my way back to my dorm.

When Cane came back we had a good laugh at the whole Falcon incident. I admired Cane he found the bright side in everything.

But no matter how much I laughed it off and played it down for the girls and even my roommate something about that fight made my stomach knot.

Something about it made my dreams turn dark and kept my eyes wide open. Something about the newfound hate that burned in me made it impossible to surrender to sleep.

And I didn't like it one bit.