The Finish Line

Chapter 1

A soft wind caressed the green turf. Four teenage girls nervously stepped towards the race track, crouched down and placed their fingers along the starting line. They all wanted to win for their teams but only one winner could emerge.

Fans had gathered in the stadium waving red flags, cheering on the fastest runner in town, “Amina! Amina!”

Amina was in the first lane. Some people wondered if it was her hair – the color of withered grass, her bright eyes, or her springy feet that made her run so fast. Everyone admired Amina. She wore their admiration like a coral necklace around her neck. As she waited for the whistle to be blown, she was certain she would win the 200-meter sprint for Rose Team.

Next to her on the racetrack was Mafoya, the second-fastest girl in town. Mafoya was running for Marigold Team. Her plaited hair stood on her head like the horn of a unicorn.

Mafoya was always second best. She lived in Amina’s shadow and she resented this. She felt that Amina didn’t deserve to be the best of the best. However, that morning, Mafoya had a little trick up her sleeve.

Joy was ready to give her all for Hyacinth Team and Irene was blinking fast, in anticipation of the ‘on your marks’. These two were content to be the fastest runners in their teams and they wore their sport vests with pride.

The official finally blew the whistle, and the crowd roared. Like gazelles, the four sprinters took off. To everyone’s surprise, Mafoya took an early lead. Marigold Team cheered her on while the other spectators were quiet, wishing, perhaps, for Mafoya to trip and fall.

Just as a subtle breeze stokes an ember of firewood, Amina began to gather pace. The gap between her and Mafoya got smaller and smaller.

The crowd got on its feet.

“Amina! Amina! Amina!” they cheered.

Fear clutched Mafoya’s heart when she spotted Amina’s nose over her left shoulder. This was not the first time Amina would outrun her. History was about to repeat itself.

The crowd cheered louder as Amina’s long legs drew level with Mafoya’s. Seeing that Amina was about to overtake her, Mafoya swung her left hand upwards and opened her clenched fist. Mafoya was quick to shut her eyes as hot grains of sand flew into their faces. Amina rubbed her eyes but kept on running. Within seconds, Mafoya regained the lead. Gasps of surprise filled the mouths of the onlookers. Mafoya bounded towards the finish line and won the 200-meter sprint.

“Mafoya! Mafoya!” members of the Marigold Team screamed. They ran to the race track to celebrate the unexpected victory with their sprinter.

“Marigold! Marigold!” they chanted as they lifted Mafoya onto their shoulders.

The rest of the crowd was silent as if the world had stopped to note Mafoya’s victory.

At first, Amina sat on the tracks with her head in her hands. But when it was announced that Mafoya had broken her record, Amina became furious. She sprang to her feet in protest but the jubilation on the field drowned out her voice. Amina’s shoulders drooped as she walked away from the pitch.

“You cheated!” Amina shouted at Mafoya, later in the locker room.

End of sample. From The Finish Line.