Just+in+Time

Jonathan Willett 1-2 A 11-18-09

Just in time “Bring, Bring, Bring,” sounded the alarm clock. “Darn it, I’m late,” Michael said as he rolled out of bed. He threw on his clothes, stuffed his running shoes and his LA binder in his backpack and sprinted to the kitchen. He grabbed a granola bar and a rice cake and shoveled them into his mouth as he ran out the door. The bus was waiting as he ran out. “Soon I’m going to stop waiting for you Michael,” threatened Frankie, the only bus driver in the district to give out king sized candy bars for Halloween and play bingo over the loudspeaker on Columbus Day. “Sorry,” Michael said on his way to row 10. Michael looked around for Andrew but he was nowhere to be seen. //There is only one disadvantage to Frankie; he is always late to school, waiting for all those kids,// Michael thought to himself. “Hey Andrew why weren’t you on the bus today?” Michael asked. “I forgot about daylight savings so I thought I missed the bus and biked to school.” Andrew responded. “Are you excited for state on Sunday?” Michael whispered as Mr. H glanced in their direction. “The State swim meet is already on Sunday?” “Yeah and our relay is seeded #1, I’m sure we’ll win.” “I hope.” “Bzzzzzt,” the bell sent Michael and Andrew running off to gym. “Do you think gym will be fun, we’re playing basketball?” Andrew asked towards the end of their ½ mile warm up. “Probably, but I can’t wait for the swimming unit.” Michael panted. “OK class, today we are playing basketball,” said Mr. Jacob’s, the only gym teacher ever to make a kid do 250 pushups for walking during the mile, “Team 1 is Michael, Andrew,…” Andrew shot the ball when... “Owww,” Andrew screamed lying on the floor, his knee all bloody. “Are you OK?”Michael asked, worried about their relay. Andrew, as if reading Michael’s mind responded “I’ll be fine, but not for the relay.” “But your time is 3 seconds faster than Jacob’s and he would be the only one who could replace you.” The team behind us only had an average sectional meet and we only beat them by 2 seconds. The team went to tell Jacob that he would be swimming with them and then the team went to Subway. On Sunday they warmed up and practiced their starts, turns and finishes. “I’m feeling real good, how about you guys?” Michael said enthusiastically. “Good luck, you guys,” Andrew said, “I wish I could be swimming, but I’m going to go into the stands now.” “See you lat-, ‘and now we will play the star spangled banner’” Michael said, interrupted by the old staticy loudspeaker. “And now event number 17, boys 12 and under 200 yard medley relay,” the loudspeaker blared. Michael jumped into the water waiting for the beep that would start the race. “Beep,” the swimmers dove into the water. Jacob was up. //One, two, three.// Michael smiled as he realized they had a 3 second lead! //Jacob is about to turn. No! Jacob had a terrible turn, and now we’re in second.// // I have to win, otherwise they’ll choose someone else for their relay,// Jacob thought. “Come on Jacob, your almost there,” Michael said. Jacob touched the wall. The room fell silent, and everyone looked up at the scoreboard. //Yes, we won!// Jacob thought; //better shake the other team’s hands though!// “Great job, you guys,” Jacob said. “Thanks, well there is always next year,” the other team replied.