Chapter 487

The starting gun echoed across the field.

Evelyn found herself among the top three runners immediately as the 800-meter race began.

By the second lap, her stamina started waning. Her pace slowed considerably.

Just then, Harrison appeared unexpectedly, jogging alongside her outside the track lane.

"Evie, match your breathing to your steps," he coached. "Three steps inhale, three steps exhale."

His steady voice anchored her. She adjusted her rhythm accordingly, gradually picking up speed.

In the final stretch, Evelyn crossed the finish line in third place.

"I did it!" she gasped, doubling over. "Need... to... sit..."

Her knees buckled as she moved to collapse on the track.

Harrison's firm grip caught her arm. "No sitting yet. Walk it off first."

"Can't... breathe..."

"Slow steps. Follow my pace."

Supporting her elbow, Harrison matched his stride to her labored breathing. Julian and Elliot rushed over, concern written on their faces.

"Evie! You okay?"

Seeing Julian revived her instantly. "Third place! Remember our bet?"

Julian grinned. "Impressive! Name your snacks - this year's on me."

"Deal! And I'm craving everything!" Her exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

"Whatever you want."

Evelyn turned to Harrison. "You're included too. I wouldn't have finished without you."

"Feeling better now?" His gaze searched her face.

"Much!"

"Good."

Later that year, Harrison, Julian and Elliot aced their exams and entered high school.

Evelyn progressed to eighth grade, where physics became her personal nemesis.

"Elliot, this is torture," she groaned, slamming her textbook shut. "Why does physics exist?"

"You could choose humanities later," he offered. "No physics required."

Her face brightened momentarily before falling again. "Two more years of this though!"

Elliot shrugged helplessly, then spotted Harrison approaching. "Ask him. Physics genius."

Evelyn clasped her hands dramatically. "Harrison! Save me from this nightmare!"

"From what?"

"Physics," Elliot explained. "If you tutor her till high school, she can ditch it for good."

Evelyn sighed dramatically. "Who invented this torture device called physics?"

Harrison simply stared, speechless.