Novels2Search
My Twisted Heart
Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

"Alright, that's enough warming up," Ms. Walker, our gym teacher, called out. "Boys, form up to my left. Girls, line up to my right."

As I made my way to the left side of the gym, the contrast among my classmates was impossible to ignore. Some were completely drenched, their shirts plastered to their backs as if they'd just run a marathon, while others looked like they'd been standing still the entire time. It didn't take a genius to spot the athletes in our class. Leading the pack, as usual, was Robert. During the warmup run earlier, he'd taken the lead from the start and never once let anyone catch up.

Is he even human?!

I was starting to understand why most of the girls in our class couldn't stop fuzzing over him. Robert wasn't just good-looking and smart; he was also an incredible athlete. I mean, what more could you want from a guy? If he wasn't boyfriend material, I didn't know who was.

Unfortunately, our teacher didn't seem to share those feelings.

"I just want to say that I'm not impressed with what I've seen so far. At your age, you should all be in top physical condition. While I do admit that a few of you show some promise, there's still a lot of room for improvement."

A grin spread across her lips as she cleared her throat. "In all my years of teaching at this school, there's one thing I've always known to be true. The best way to learn and improve is through competition. That is why you will all be competing against each other in an endurance test called the Beep Test. Girls will go first. Boys, you'll compete after."

"Ms. Walker... I don't think I have it in me to run anymore. My feet are cramping up pretty badly!"

The boy who spoke was slightly chubby and had pinkish-orange hair. While his face was familiar, I couldn't quite remember his name. I knew it started with a Z.

What was his name again?

Zane? Zander? No, that doesn't sound right... Ah, yes! It's Zach!

Zach Wong...

"I understand this competition might not be for everyone, which is why I won't force anyone to compete," Ms. Walker said. "However, I want everyone to be aware that I'll be offering special prizes to the top three of every group."

"What prizes?" someone asked.

Ms. Walker smiled. "The prizes are as follows. 500 crowns to the first place, 250 crowns to the second, and 125 crowns to whoever comes in third... Oh, and the prizes will be deposited into your accounts by the end of the day."

"Are we allowed to use magic?" Elijah asked.

"Absolutely, not!" Ms. Walker replied. "Magic is not allowed... Anyone who uses magic will be disqualified and receive a penalty in their allowance next month! Kids your age shouldn't be depending on magic."

A wave of murmurs spread throughout the room. The athletic students jumped in excitement, while the rest groaned in discontent.

Even though I'd never done the Beep test before, I was well aware of what it was.

The Beep test, officially known as the multi-stage fitness test, was a test that measured cardiovascular endurance. Participants had to run back and forth between two points, 20 meters apart, in time with recorded beeps that gradually got faster. The test continued until the final participant could no longer keep up with the beeps. To put it simply, whoever had the best cardio had the best chance of winning.

"All right, girls," Ms. Walker announced. "You're up first! Line up on the red line."

As the girls lined up to start their test, I found myself wondering if I should put some effort into this competition. As much as I didn't want to stand out, the prizes were nothing to scoff at. Maybe I could pull off a solid third place without expending too much energy.

"Who do you think will win?"

I shifted my gaze to the side and, much to my surprise, found Thomas standing there. It was the second time he had spoken to me in the last hour.

"It's hard to say," I replied honestly. "What about you? Who do you think is going to win?"

"I think Nicole is going to win," Thomas answered confidently.

Huh?!

I was taken aback by Thomas's prediction. Sure, Nicole looked like she took care of her body. She had a lean, athletic build and moved with a kind of effortless grace. But to say she was going to win seemed like a bit of a stretch.

During the warm-up laps, she'd kept a steady pace, blending in with the rest of the class. Based on what I'd seen so far, there was no visible indication that she possessed the kind of endurance needed to get first place. Thomas's confidence in her seemed almost misplaced. I couldn't help but wonder if there was something I was missing.

"What makes you so confident she's going to win?"

Thomas adjusted his glasses, a small smile playing on his lips. "I met Nicole about a month ago during the Summer transition program... I also happen to know she goes on runs every morning before school."

"The summer transition program? What's that?" I inquired, feigning ignorance.

"The transition program is a month-long orientation program for new students. Unfortunately, it's a privilege given to those who scored high on the entrance exam."

I found it surprising that Thomas was openly admitting to being one of the chosen few who got to be part of the transition program. It was the kind of information most students would keep to themselves.

"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked, genuinely curious about his candor.

Thomas chuckled. "I'm pretty sure you've already heard about the transition program... Yesterday, I saw you hanging out with Nicole and a few others who attended."

I wasn't sure how to react to Thomas's blatant honesty. I hadn't expected it, and it left me feeling a bit strange. What were his intentions?

"Just so we're on the same page, I just happened to see you yesterday while I was out running errands," Thomas clarified quickly. "I wasn't following you or anything."

"Oh, okay... I didn't think you were."

I shifted my focus back to the girls, who were about to start the competition. The tension in the gym was palpable as everyone watched with anticipation.

"Be careful of Violet," Thomas said quietly, his tone suddenly serious. "How she acts isn't who she really is."

I glanced at him, puzzled by his warning. But before I could ask more, the gym erupted with the sound of the first beep, and the girls took off, their sneakers squeaking against the polished floor.

The initial rounds were almost too easy. The beeps were slow, giving the girls plenty of time to reach each end of the gym and turn back. Their movements were synchronized, almost rhythmic, as they moved in unison. I watched, wondering how long this calm pace would last before the real competition began.

It wasn't until the fifth round that things started to shift. The pace was picking up, and that's when the first casualty occurred. Despite still looking fresh and composed, Lily slowed down and stopped. She calmly walked off to the side, her expression serene and almost indifferent as she watched the others continue. I wasn't surprised. She hadn't seemed all that into the competition from the start.

As round six began, the pace intensified, and the pressure mounted. More girls started to drop out, the strain showing on their faces and in their faltering steps.

By the eighth round, only five girls remained. The atmosphere grew charged with excitement as the boys started cheering louder. Though most of them were rooting for Violet, I could hear a few shouts of support for Haruna as well.

"You got this Violet!"

"Show her what you're made of, Haruna!"

"You're doing amazing Violet! Keep it up!"

"Violet! Violet! Violet! Violet..."

When the ninth round started, it was clear who the real contenders were. Violet, Haruna, and Nicole pushed through, their strides determined and fierce. I was impressed by their tenacity, especially Nicole. Though she had maintained a calm demeanor throughout the race, I could see her expression slowly shifting to one of intense focus. Her jaw was set, and her eyes were locked straight ahead.

Just when it seemed the three girls were in a stalemate, Haruna missed the last beep of the ninth round and collapsed to her knees, gasping for air. A bolt load of boys immediately rushed to her side but she waved them off with a tired smile.

"I'm fine guys... I just need a minute to catch my breath."

The match was nearing its end. It was down to Violet and Nicole. One of them was going to win.

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Violet's face was a mask of concentration, her blonde hair swinging in a ponytail behind her. She moved with a kind of fluid grace, but I could see the strain starting to show in her eyes. Even though Nicole was also starting to show signs of fatigue, there was a steely resolve in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

The tension in the gym was palpable. Every eye was on the two remaining girls. The boys' cheers were now a cacophony of support and excitement. They knew, as well as I did, that we were witnessing something extraordinary.

Round after round, they kept going, neither willing to give an inch. The beeps became relentless, the intervals shrinking to mere seconds. The girls' faces were now masks of sheer willpower.

Finally, it happened. In a split second, Violet missed the beep by a fraction. She stumbled, her body giving out under the relentless pressure. The gym erupted in a mixture of cheers and gasps as Nicole surged forward, making the next beep just in time.

Ms. Walker blew her whistle, signaling the end of the test. Nicole had won. She stood still for a second, breathing heavily but smiling with a sense of accomplishment. Violet, though disappointed, managed a gracious smile as she walked over to Nicole, offering a congratulatory pat on the back. I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the two girls.

"I didn't think any of you would make it to round thirteen," Ms. Walker admitted, her face glowing with approval. "I'm impressed! Well done, dear. You've earned this."

"Thank you... Ms. Walker." Nicole was still catching her breath.

"You did amazing as well," Ms. Walker said to Violet. "You showed a lot of heart back there."

Violet scratched the back of her head and shrugged. "I'll do better next time."

"I have no doubt you will..."

Ms. Walker turned to the boys, her authoritative gaze sweeping over us. "I expect the same amount of effort from you lot... GOT IT?"

"YES," we responded in unison.

"Good! Start lining up. Your competition begins in two minutes."

As a couple of the boys began to head over to the starting line, I decided to approach Nicole. Even though she had won first place, most of the boys and girls were busy praising Violet and Haruna instead. I couldn't blame them; Nicole's unwelcoming aura was a bit terrifying.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual. "Congrats on your victory! What an incredible performance."

"It's not a big deal. I'm used to running..." Nicole shifted her gaze to me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Enough about me. How do you think you'll do in your competition?"

I was a little surprised she wasn't brushing me off like before. This was the first time she wasn't insulting me.

"I'll be happy as long as I don't get last."

"You've set a pretty low standard for yourself," she noted.

"Well... Since I have no chance of winning, I prefer to have low expectations to avoid disappointment."

"......."

For some reason, Nicole was checking me from head to toe with a puzzled look on her face.

"Uh... What are you doing?"

"Tell me... Do you exercise?" she asked, ignoring my question completely.

"No, not really."

"I don't believe you. Judging by the muscle development around your thighs and calves, I can tell your legs are well-trained. Not to mention, you didn't break a sweat during the warmup earlier...."

Was she watching me?!

I was stunned by her deduction. Although I'd lost a noticeable amount of muscle over the past couple of months, she'd still managed to zero in on it with remarkable precision.

"Didn't I mention yesterday that I used to run track," I said after a moment.

Nicole shook her head. "I wasn't paying attention to anything you said..."

"Oh..."

"AHEM... Instead of wasting my time, why don't you line up with the other boys before Ms. Walker yells at you."

Jeez. You really know how to stump on someone's pride, don't you?

As I lined up with the rest of the boys, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Nicole's perceptiveness was a bit scary. After hearing her remark, performing well was no longer an option. I needed to get off her radar as soon as possible.

Judging by what I'd seen so far, avoiding last place wouldn't be hard. My plan was simple. I would aim for somewhere in the middle, dropping out around round six or seven. That way, I wouldn't draw too much attention or embarrass myself by looking unfit.

Hmm... I wonder who's going to place first?

The boys around me were buzzing with energy. I could see Robert at the far end, stretching and warming up with a focused expression. He was clearly aiming for the top spot, but he wasn't the only one. At least half of the boys seemed determined to win as well. Ms. Walker's prizes were proving to be one hell of a motivator.

Interestingly, not everyone seemed to be driven by money alone.

"Man, I'm telling you, guys," Sam boasted, puffing out his chest. "I'm going to get first place. Violet's going to see what a real man looks like when I dominate this race."

Elijah snorted. "Pfft! You're out of your mind. You couldn't even keep up during the warm-up. There's no way you're placing in the top five."

"You're just jealous of my natural athleticism. Besides, I've got a secret weapon." Sam tapped his temple with a smug grin.

Ryan, who had been listening intently, chimed in. "As long as I rank in the top three, Haruna will notice me. I'm confident she won't be able to resist my athletic prowess."

"Haruna? Really, Ryan? You think finishing third will impress her?"

"Hey, a guy can dream," Ryan replied. "Besides, I've been practicing my victory speech... 'Haruna, my love, this win is for you.'"

Sam burst out laughing. "That's the worst idea I've ever heard. No wonder you're single."

"Not like you're any better."

I couldn't help but smile inwardly as I listened to their banter. Despite their ridiculous antics, there was something endearing about their camaraderie. It made the wait for the race a little more entertaining.

"Is everyone ready?" Ms. Walker shouted from the other side of the gym.

We all nodded.

"Good!"

Ms. Walker blew her whistle, and the first beep echoed through the air.

The first round started easy. The beep was slow, giving everyone plenty of time to jog from one end of the gym to the other. I kept a steady pace, blending in with the rest of the group.

The first three rounds passed quickly, and nobody dropped out. Everyone seemed to be faring well, except for Zachary. He had been struggling since the start of round two, his breaths coming in ragged gasps and his pace already faltering. It was clear to me he wouldn't last much longer.

As we progressed into round four, the beeps started to come a bit faster. Even though most of the boys were holding their own, the strain was starting to show on a few faces. Zachary's was the most telling. His cheeks were flushed, and his steps were becoming more labored with each pass.

Halfway through the round, Zach stumbled to the side, shaking his head in frustration as he collapsed on the floor.

"GAAH! I can't do this anymore..."

Fourteen boys left...

Round five came and went without much fanfare. Only three boys dropped out. The pace quickened, but those who remained still seemed to be managing. Sam, who had been boasting earlier, was still going strong, though his form was starting to break. Robert, on the other hand, looked as fresh as he did at the start, his movements fluid and controlled.

As we hit round six, the pace picked up significantly. I could feel the intensity rising. More boys were dropping out now, their faces flushed and sweaty. Those who remained were beginning to struggle, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Realizing my time was coming to an end, I began to slow my pace.

By round seven, the beeps were coming fast. I knew it was my time to bow out. I deliberately let my steps falter, slowing down just enough to miss the beep. Pretending to be out of breath, I staggered to the side and leaned against the wall. I could feel a few sympathetic glances in my direction, but that was fine. I wanted them to think I was just another average guy struggling with the test.

The test continued, and boys started dropping out more frequently. By round eight, two-thirds of the group was gone. Sam was still in, but his earlier confidence was waning. His steps were heavy, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Robert, meanwhile, was a machine, pacing himself perfectly.

Rounds nine and ten weeded out most of the remaining boys. Sam dropped out just before round ten, collapsing dramatically on the floor as he complained about a cramp in his thigh. Regardless, he'd done much better than I anticipated.

By round eleven, it was clear Robert was going to win. The other boys were on their last legs, barely making it to the beep each time. Robert, however, maintained his steady, controlled pace, looking as if he could go on forever. One by one, the remaining boys dropped out, unable to keep up with the relentless beeps.

"KYA!"

Deafening cheers erupted through the gym as Robert finished last with a triumphant smile. Before he could even manage to walk past the cones, a group of girls rushed to his side. They all looked eager to offer him their praise.

"That was amazing, Robert!" one girl gushed.

"Yeah... You looked really cool when you were running," another girl added.

"Thanks, everyone! The only reason I did well was because I train regularly," he admitted.

"Here, Robert, you must be thirsty!"

A girl with short dark hair and glasses pushed her way through the throng, holding out a water bottle.

"Oh, wow. Thank you so much, Fiona!"

As Robert accepted the bottle with a grateful nod, I noticed some of the other girls glaring at Fiona angrily. They weren't pleased that she had beaten them to the chase. I was starting to realize that being popular was more of a hassle than a perk.

As the girls continued to fawn over him, I couldn't help but overhear a couple of the boys nearby, their expressions dark with anger and jealousy.

"It's so unfair," Sam grumbled. "He gets all the attention just because he can run fast."

"Yeah, it's like we don't even exist," Elijah said.

Just then, Zachary joined the conversation, having overheard their complaints. "You guys are just jealous because he's better than you.

Sam shot him a glare. "What did you just say?"

"I said you're jealous."

"No, I'm not!"

"Dude, it's written all over your face. There's no point in denying it."

Sam let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine... I'm just a little annoyed that everyone's always fawning over him."

"Well, maybe if you trained as hard as he did, you'd get some attention too," Zachary suggested.

"That's rich coming from you, fatty!"

"Hey! I'm not fat... I'm just a little chubby."

As I listened to their conversation, I felt a mix of sympathy and pity. Not just for them, but for Robert as well.

I could understand why most of the guys were jealous of Robert. At a glance, he possessed all the things any guy could want. He was good-looking, athletic, and was constantly surrounded by girls. However, as I watched him interact with the girls, it became clear that there was more to him than just his impressive exterior. Despite his popularity, Robert seemed like a genuinely nice guy. It was a pity the other guys couldn't see what I was seeing.

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