Chapter 12: Preparing for the sports festival.

After this short discussion, I headed to amphitheater 1-A where a meeting was planned regarding the sporting event scheduled for next week.

It lasted an hour and at the end we received a form to fill out.

From what I have read, each student was required to participate in at least one test and must notify this on this form before submitting it. There were individual events and others that required competing as a group.

As in previous years, the different sectors of our university were put into competition. For each collective event, students from a sector had to choose members from within their class to form a team to compete against the other sectors.

There were also individual events. There wasn't really any competition there. We were not free to participate as we wanted.

All the tests were proposed by the students and validated by the teaching staff. A timetable has even been put in place. First year students will compete Monday through Tuesday, second years Wednesday through Thursday, and third years will have Friday and Saturday off to compete.

A student may refuse to participate if they have a medical exemption or any other document justifying their absence on the day of the event. The event will therefore take place over a week.

The other goshawks were excited about the event. For my part, I would have preferred to stay at home all week. Damage. There was nothing we could do about it. I now had to choose an event in which I was going to participate.

I needed an individual event where I would go unnoticed. I started by eliminating the collective events by focusing on the individual ones. My choices have narrowed considerably. I continued on my way by sorting through the remaining ones.

After a while of thinking, I finally found it. I opted for an event where I could give up midway without too many consequences. An event where many of us will participate and where I will surely not be the only one to give up along the way.

It was clearly obvious. A single test met all these conditions. So my choice was made... I was going to participate in the endurance race!

All I had to do was find a way to avoid collective ordeals. It shouldn't be difficult.

Someone like me who barely communicates with those around him has a much less chance of being asked to join a team. For the moment, I entered the endurance race event on my form.

My optimism soared. I now had a plan.

The next day, our delegate met to discuss the distribution of teams for the collective events. Also, we had to choose the color of our banner and the slogan of our sector which should be written on our banner.

"Guys, thank you for coming. I'm not going to beat around the bush. This year, we must rise to the occasion by winning as many awards as possible. ''

''Yes you are right! ''Exclaimed a student.

"So, we will all have to focus on collective events. What I propose is that each student applies for each of the tests where they feel good. We will then organize a test to select those who will be part of the final team. ''

All the students agreed with what he had just proposed. Among the team events, there were tug of war, dodgeball, volleyball, basketball, penalty shootouts, handball, a 100 meter and 200 meter relay race, tennis and table tennis for two.

As planned, I was not going to register for any of these events. Besides, I was not the only one to have made this choice. Some students felt less confident. There were also those who were not good at sports.

At the end of the meeting, it was decided that those who only participated in the individual events would have to help make the banners for our sector.

So I spent the rest of the week transporting boxes from point A to point B. There were also the decorations for the festival to manage. The days were therefore very busy.

In the evenings, I read the conversations in the Minssenger group. Since I was added, I hadn't written a single post. From what I could read, they were eagerly awaiting the start of the festival.

The days passed at breakneck speed. The day arrived very quickly.

Being in the second year, I did not participate in any events on the first and second day. The lazy person in me decided to stay at home. I didn't see any point in getting up early to go if I didn't have a role to play.

The third day unfortunately arrived and this time I had to go. Arriving at the gate, I received a white t-shirt with a slogan written in black: Moving, staying in shape!

After that. I was heading towards the main field.

It was 8am and the weather was cool and dry. An open-air fitness session took place on the main field. I had to participate like all second year students. This session was a bit intense and was intended to warm us up before the start of the tests.

After the session which lasted thirty minutes, I went to lecture hall 1-B where the students of my sector were gathered. On site, I received the latest instructions and also a banner. It was sky blue in color.

According to the timetable, my test began in the afternoon. I was free to do whatever I wanted before my ordeal began.

I was wondering if it is possible to take a walk home so I can come back later.

While I was thinking, my phone started vibrating in my pocket. It was a text from Carole asking me to meet her behind the gym.

I hadn't planned anything anyway. So I headed towards the indicated place. When I arrived, she was already there. The others were also present.

''Ah. Here it is! ''

Carole exclaimed when she saw me.

'' Good morning. ''

I said briefly.

Come to think of it, since our trip to the zoo, it was the first time we met again.

''We are complete it seems. ''

Said Adrien, taking a complete tour of the people present.

"So what's your schedule? '' asked Carole.

''Our schedule? Why do it? '' I asked.

"It's to organize yourself better. In this way, we could be present at the trials of each of us in order to encourage each other. ''

Morelle replied.

"I am going to participate in only one event, that of dodgeball. ''

Said Carole with a smile on her lips.

"Are you sure, it's not too excessive? '' Asked Adrien.

''But no, don't worry, I'll manage it. ''

Despite his optimism, Morelle, Adrien and Konny were not reassured. Given how her head is up in the air, she might take a bullet to the face. This is surely what they must have feared.

'' All right. I am going to participate in two events. Basketball and tug of war, wish me luck. ''

Said Adrien.

"I am not participating in any of the events. '' Said Myriam with a smug smile.

'' How so ? '' Asked Konny.

''I had a medical exemption which allows me to be exempt from sport. So, you can count on me to support you fully. ''

''Wait. How did you manage to not have one? As far as I know, you have no illness. ''

Morelle asked a little angrily.

"What do you want me to tell you? I have a long arm...''

Myriam replied with a smile that sent shivers down your spine.

''I see you're not very athletic. I will participate in three collective events and two individual events. ''

Said Konny.

I felt it the last time he grabbed my shoulder. He must have built some muscle given his grip. But at the same time, for this festival, he did way too much.

''I'm going to participate in the hundred meter race and basketball. '' Said Morelle.

''Ah, are you going to play basketball too? If so, we might be able to fight each other. ''

'' Yes. May the best win. ''

"And you David, what are you going to do? '' Myriam asked me.

"I'm going to take part in the endurance race. ''

When I announced the event I was going to take part in, I felt like I had said something weird. They all looked at me in astonishment.

''A problem? '' I asked looking confused.

''No nothing. It's just that I think you are very courageous for choosing this test. ''

Said Adrien.

"Especially since this year, part of the race will take place outside the establishment. ''

Morelle added.

"In total, the race will be 6Km. '' Said Adrien.

I wasn't aware of all that at all. I hadn't taken the time to read the information about the test. So I learned the information about the new route live.

''From the look on your face, it looks like you weren't aware at all. You must have surely chosen this event by implementing a strategy which is now obsolete with the new course. ''

Have I implemented a strategy?

"A strategy…"

Yes, I completely forgot. I was panicking for nothing in the end.

I chose this event because I could easily give up along the way. It doesn't change anything that the route has had some modifications.

''Considering how you're built, zombie, it would be a miracle if you managed to cross the finish line before collapsing. ''

Said Myriam.

She continued on her way.

"You will therefore need extraordinary determination and also motivation... An element that will give you wings and allow you to cross the finish line. ''

''Do you have an idea in mind? '' Asked Konny.

Myriam then turned to me and looked me straight in the eyes. His piercing gaze and his smile did not bode well. With her, I always expected the worst.

''If you manage to cross the finish line, Carole will give you a kiss. That's more than enough motivation, my little Zombie. ''

I... How should I say, what reaction should I have in this kind of situation? I took a quick look at Carole. She was also embarrassed. The silence that fell was too heavy. I had shivers down my spine and that seemed to amuse Myriam.

"How lucky you are man. '' Said Adrien.

In the situation I was in, I didn't consider myself lucky.

End of chapter.