"I'm here with Kevin Matthews after a blazing 200-meter run where he came in as an unpopular underdog and left as the victor. Kevin, how are you feeling?" 

"Pretty normal," Kevin replied with a deadpan expression. Internally, Kevin was already regretting getting so caught up in the moment after the race and drawing attention to himself.

A school reporter had beckoned him over for an interview and since the entire event was being streamed on YouTube, he knew quite a lot of people would be watching. Just the thought alone was a little unnerving.

He was currently having trouble even deciding what his expression should be.

"Normal, he says!" The female reporter exclaimed with a light chuckle. "Well, Mr.Matthew,s that performance was anything but normal! But with that demeanor, is it safe to say that it was something you expected?"

Kevin nodded. "I don't enter a race expecting to lose...you know? And I've been training very hard for the season so it may be surprising to you and the viewers, but for me, it's nothing I didn't expect."

"I love that confidence! Congratulations again and will you be competing in any other races this evening?"

"Yeah, the 400 meters and 100 meters, and I think the 4 by 1 relay."

"Well, good luck in those races and I hope to see you back in the victor's circle again," she replied. It might've been Kevin's imagination but he could've sworn her voice rose in pitch at the end and her eyes surveyed him like a predator would their next meal.

"Well, if it isn't our superstar. Already making me wait 'till you're done with interviews, huh?" Michael asked with a grin as Kevin made his escape.

"That was...that was just awesome," Scarlett said. She seemed to be in much better spirits after watching his race.

She surprised Kevin by hugging him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder. Michael made a she's coo-coo circle sign next to his head, but he just didn't get it. Kevin hugged her back lightly, realizing exactly how she currently felt. It was the same when he watched Usain Bolt race after a bad day when he needed to escape from reality.

This was the motivation observers got from watching winners.

Scarlett pulled away, her face flushed with embarrassment."Uh, sorry."

"It's ok," Kevin replied. "Does this mean that you're going to run the 100 meters still?"

Scarlett hesitated. "Do you think I should?"

Kevin nodded. "It's just a showcase anyway. You get to see where you stack up against a potential regional runner and how much improvement you're gonna need this season. It's a win-win even if you lose, in my opinion."

Scarlett pursed her lips as if digesting his words. "Ok, I'll do it." 

Michael let out a sigh. "Not like I've been telling you pretty much the same thing for the last five minutes or anything..."

"Shut up."

The announcer broadcasted that theirr lunch break would start now. Most of the athletes headed into the stands to be with their families or friends, including Scarlett, who was moderately popular in her year.

"Hey, thanks for that," Michael said as he and Kevin resumed their spots on the field. Since it was now lunch break and the field events were on pause, not many people were around them, having opted to spend their break in the stands instead.

"For what?" Kevin said through a mouthful of his sandwich.

"For what you said back there. I know you don't even actually believe that, Kevin Matthews finding some enlightenment in a loss? I'm more likely to meet Margot Robbie before that happens!"

Kevin shrugged. "I just told her what she was already thinking. No big deal."

"Pretty sure it was a big deal to her."

The two continued chatting as Kevin ate a moderate two small cheese sandwiches before downing a wretched smoothie that made his usual one seem like cookies and cream. At some point, Coach Ryan came over and congratulated Kevin on his win.

Kevin loved how nonchalant Coach Ryan was about his win, as if it had already been set in stone as soon as he lined up. Instead of acting excited, Coach emphasized staying focused for the rest of his upcoming events. Kevin's legs weren't too keen on being reminded they still had two races and a relay to run. 

Nonetheless, Kevin warmed up with a passionate flame embedded in his chest. He had tasted what victory felt like, and decided that it tasted damn good.

Again, Scarlett's race was before Kevin's. Scarlett seemed much looser as she lined up, a determined glint decorating her eyes.

Next to him, Michael was completely quiet for once in his life, tapping his temple with his finger as he did when he was nervous. Michael didn't get being obsessed with competitive sports, or anything really, since everything came so easily for him, but even he was getting caught up in the competitive atmosphere.

"Bang!"

The gun went off and the girls shot into action. Almost as if she was a puppet controlled by the bullet, Scarlett shot off as soon as the blank did, impressively jumping out of the blocks in the lead. 

Shalissa started to gain on her as they dashed down the track but for the moment, Scarlett managed to hold her off as her speed built. It was clear as they reached the 50-meter mark that the race would be just between the pair as they left the pack behind.

However, the last 60 meters was typically where Shalissa dominated and this time was no different. Kevin could only imagine the pleasant feeling of the wind slapping against her face as she started eating up ground like a lion on the prowl, hunting down Scarlett who stood no chance against her sudden burst of speed.

By the final 10 meters, the race was already decided as Shalissa took a commanding lead to the crowd's delight. Upon completion, she doubled back and embraced a surprised Scarlett as she finished crossing the line behind her.

It was something Shalissa had rarely done - if ever, a testament to her appreciation for Scarlett for pushing her to run a near personal best.

"That's definitely a personal best for Scar," Michael commented with a light whistle.

"If she keeps running like that and improving during the track season, she could qualify," Kevin said.

Michael's eyes went wide. "For state?"

"Nationals."

Michael let out a breath. "Wow. I know that I'm supposed to believe in her and not be surprised but I always felt like Nationals were unreachable territory."

Kevin looked at him quizzically. "I mean I'm on track to make Nationals, too and I'm your best friend, why is it still considered mythical to you?"

"Yeah, but you're Kevin Matthews," Michael replied with a sense of finality that suggested that was enough to explain everything. Which, in his mind, it probably was.

Kevin bit back a sigh. 

Kevin Matthews, the man of myth, even to his best friend. Nothing could be accepted other than victory from such a man, because no matter the trials and tribulations, he was destined to prevail.

Right? 

Kevin watched as Scarlett was mobbed by her 'friends'. Those same friends had been absent from the race prior when she wasn't in a good mood after coming third. He didn't envy those with popularity for the exact reason. Their relationships were built on a flimsy foundation, with certain conditions having to be met consistently for the act to continue.

Kevin side-eyed Michael as he watched the show with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Kevin could tell that he also understood the stupidity of popularity and that was perhaps why he chose not to engage in it. It only made Kevin respect his best friend more.

Kevin only had to sit through one more race till it was time for his 100-meters, so he started warming up. Braylon wasn't as cheerful as he was before, sulking after his loss. His popularity was great enough that his entourage still surrounded him the same way, though, glaring at Darius and Kevin as they warmed up separately.

In their eyes, it was a sin to beat their own man of myth in a race.

"Hey," Braylon called to Kevin as they stood on the outskirts of the field, prepared to line up. "I hope you don't think that fluke earlier means anything. I'll put you back in your rightful place in this race."

"Lay off of him, man," Michael warned. He was close enough to still be in earshot from the field and though he was adept at ignoring negativity, he found it hard to disregard it when it was at the expense of others. 

"You normally let your boyfriend do all the talking for you?" Braylon said with a grin, refusing to address Michael directly. People usually avoided hostile confrontations with the bundle of muscle known as Michael. It was one of the reasons Kevin and he could stay on the outskirts of the school and still not be completely deemed uncool.

Surprisingly, though, Braylon seemed to feel especially motivated this time around. He turned to Michael. "Do you still tell him to go break a leg before he runs a race or has that phrase grown a bit stale after last year? You kno-"

Michael bounded forward in an instant, prompting Braylon to rush forward onto the track like a true coward. He waved at the crowd and nodded at the officials, managing to make his escape seem like a normal lining-up procedure.

Kevin put a calming hand on Michael's shoulder who seemed just about ready to go after him still. "It's not worth it. His words don't get to me, so you shouldn't let them get to you. They're just words at the end of the day."

Michael didn't look too convinced.

"Kevin Matthews, are you forfeiting the race?" An official asked from behind them.

The rest of the runners had lined up and only Kevin was missing from the roster.

"Me beating him on the track will hurt more than any punch will," Kevin said to Michael, slowly taking his hand off his shoulder.

He took a calming breath, his face still betraying his anger. "You're right." He said simply, stepping back so he was completely back on the field. "Go break his leg."

Kevin gave him one last nod, then took his position in the 2nd lane.

Kevin hadn't been lying when he said his words didn't affect him, but it went deeper than his usual disinterest in trash talk from his foes. As much scum as Braylon was, he didn't try to get too personal, so the fact that he did by mentioning his injury betrayed his fear. He feared what he saw, so he tried to get in Kevin's head and throw him off his game. As someone who ruled from the top as long as he did, he was bound to have a keen eye for potential, and in the race, he saw the rise of an underdog with the potential to overthrow his fickle popularity.

As a constant outsider who observed and ridiculed the motivations of his peers, Kevin immediately understood this.

The announcer again went through the introductions and this time, Kevin was served a healthy dose of applause. 

"Set!"

Kevin took a deep breath and held it.

Bang.

The racers catapulted forward, Braylon gaining his early lead as usual with Darius right behind him.

Everything went quiet for Kevin as he got into his stride, biding his time, he stayed close to the two leaders just like before. Unlike the 200, he would be forced to make his move earlier and that's exactly what he aimed to do. His feet became a blur as he once again pushed himself to his full capabilities.

A person who loved the sport less would probably be warier of pushing themselves after suffering such a horrific injury as Kevin suffered last year, but he didn't fear anything as he pumped his arms as hard as he could. As far as he was concerned, the wind hadn't betrayed him, his body hadn't betrayed him, his coach hadn't betrayed him and therefore the track hadn't betrayed him.

As he gained on Darius and Braylon blazing down the track, Kevin made another discovery about himself. He didn't just enjoy the art of running, although that much was more than evident; he loved the competition factor of it.

Fatigue became irrelevant as he focused every fiber of his being on getting to the line ahead of them. 

He passed Darius at about 70 meters, whose calm expression stayed the same despite his placement change. Kevin idly wondered if he was even trying to win or if, like the others far behind them, he had accepted his place in society; someone who was considered good but not the best.

Braylon was finishing strong and it looked like Kevin would have to settle for 2nd. That is, if he were a normal person who knew the art of settling.

Unlike the others, Kevin refused to accept what their society may define him as and instead intended to paint his own picture. At the 80-meter mark with Braylon still slightly in front, Kevin gritted his teeth and willed himself forward, his eyes were so laser-focused on the finishing line that his surroundings disappeared.

Only he, Braylon, and the incoming finishing line were left. 

The two rocketed toward their target, both determined to best the other. The crowd could only watch in awe as the two flew across the line side by side.

Almost side by side.

Kevin turned back to look at the monitor as he knelt down, a sudden wave of fatigue enveloping his body. He read the name carefully.

The winner was...