Chapter 14: This promise gives me wings.

'' Participants in the endurance race are asked to go to the starting point. The race will start in ten minutes. ''

When I heard a member of the jury announce this information using his loudspeaker, I felt fatigue getting the better of me. The race was about to start.

Unlike other years, the race will also take place outside the university on a well-marked path. The university managed to obtain authorization from the town hall to be able to do this. So it was safe but it made the journey longer than last year. It was divided into six checkpoints all separated by a distance of one kilometer.

Scary right? For non-athletes like me, it was. But hey, I had no reason to panic. I had another plan in mind, another well-defined scheme.

I was going to abandon the race after passing the first checkpoint and returning home neither seen nor known. Initially, I didn't want to take part in the sporting events, but the fact that it was compulsory pushed me to choose an event.

It was therefore without remorse that I was going to carry out my plan to the letter.

'' Said David, it's your turn isn't it? Do your best to finish first! ''

Morelle said to me, patting me on the shoulder.

He spoke to me seriously. Was he making fun of me behind this facade? Because the last I heard, even a child couldn't bet on my own victory.

Adrien, having heard nightshade's words, approached us with a curious air.

''Do you really think he can finish first? ''

'' No not at all ! ''

Thus, Morelle showed the true depths of his thoughts.

"It would be great if you could cross the finish line like we said earlier. We will support you fully. ''

Said Carole.

She spoke to me with confidence but her look showed me otherwise. Plus, she avoided looking into my eyes. I wasn't going to complain, but it was kind of strange coming from her.

"Don't worry Carole, he will cross that finish line. He will fight body and soul to get a kiss from you. ''

Myriam, calm for a moment, spoke, looking at me with a mocking smile. This girl seemed to be enjoying herself and making the atmosphere unbreathable. This embarrassing story was brought up again. I didn't know what to say, and my heart vibrated more and more.

Carole was getting redder and redder and did everything possible to avoid looking at me. Was she angry? Knowing her, she would be ready to accept Myriam's request just to please her. It wasn't that she couldn't make her own decisions. But his kindness was lacking and in a situation like this, Myriam wanted to take advantage of it. I had to dissuade him.

''You know, you don't have to do it. ''

I then turned my face towards Myriam.

"Don't let yourself be influenced by other people's fantasies. ''

I confronted him directly. However, she did not answer. She just smiled at me. Did she think I wasn't up to the task of standing up to her? Underestimating your opponent can be fatal.

She didn't know it, but she couldn't win this fight. Either way, I wasn't planning on crossing the finish line.

''I will! ''

Carole suddenly spoke. His voice came out of nowhere and suddenly pierced the heavy silence that had fallen. It was as if his words had been compressed and released all at once. I turned to her when I heard her words... Did I hear what she said correctly?

Faced with our insistent gazes, she looked away. She looked like she wanted to disappear.

''I will... If you cross the finish line... I will. It's a promise. ''

'' I... ''

I would have liked to answer. But what should I say? To hear her speak, she seemed serious even if she showed signs of weakness. To insist on refusing would not have been logical and would have aroused suspicion. For Konny, Adrien and Morelle, Carole was my girlfriend.

"Are you going to suppress your own feelings just to make others happy? ''

The rabbit in my head invited himself into the conversation. At the same time, Myriam came closer to me and patted me on the back.

'' Well that's all said. Now it's your turn to play the zombie. '' She said.

It was very painful. How could such a frail girl hit so hard?

''Why did you do that? ''

I asked him, writhing in pain.

"It's a pat of encouragement. I just wanted to leave a warm imprint on your back, a symbol of my support. ''

His emotionless face didn't give me the courage to come back. I'm sure she's only doing this to torture me.

'' Really ? So I too want to leave my mark on David. ''

Konny joined in and came closer to me with a big smile. The discussion took another turn.

"Don't listen to him. She only talks nonsense. '' I replied, being defensive.

My warning was ineffective, Konny was much too fast. He managed to slap me on the back before I had time to react.

''Do you feel my warm imprint? Huh David? ''

I felt it very well. At this point, it was no longer a palm of my hand but a very hot iron that had been placed on my back.

''My turn too! '' Morelle shouted.

Like an epidemic, this urge to hit my back spread in everyone's minds. I subsequently received a pat from Morelle and Adrien.

"Carole, you should do it too. ''

Myriam encouraged Carole to do the same.

She glanced at me and looked away as if she was running away from me.

''Yes, that's true...'' She said shyly.

She came closer to me and gently touched my back.

'' Good luck... ''

She said to me in a low voice.

'' THANKS. ''

I replied shyly.

I didn't know why, but I suddenly felt reassured.

"We'll be waiting for you at the finish line, man! ''

It was with these last words that I decided to go to the starting line where more than a hundred students were waiting for the starting signal to start. Some seemed motivated and others not.

Five minutes later the signal was given.

I jumped in and started running at my own pace heading towards the first checkpoint. At first, we progressed as a group, but after ten minutes of racing, a gap began to open up between us.

Not surprisingly, I was one of those who lagged behind. From a distance, I saw the first checkpoint. It was represented by a circular panel on which the number number one was written.

My role in this race would soon be over. The moment I pass this sign, nothing is going to hold me back in this race. So much the better. That's what I told myself. This is also what I had planned. But one question remained...

Why do I feel like this ending wouldn't satisfy me? Like that wasn't really what I wanted.

At the beginning, I had firmly resolved to give up halfway along the way and precisely after passing the first checkpoint. I even chose this event because I didn't want to be part of a team. And also because there at least it was every man for himself.

I was well aware of the logic of my flawless plan, but my heart beating so fast made me feel like it didn't want me to stop there. I passed the first checkpoint without stopping. I was surprised at myself.

Here I am, going beyond the limits I had set for myself. Here I am, acting without any logic.

"I thought you were going to abandon the race at the first checkpoint. What's wrong with you? ''

This voice was coming from my head. He was the rabbit in my head.