Chapter 1: The GigBailey POV“On your mark…”The stadium roared around me, loud enough to shake the air, but inside my lane, everything felt strangely quiet.I crouched low, fingers pressed against the track, spikes digging into the red surface beneath my feet. My muscles tightened, every part of my body coiled and ready. The smell of heated rubber and dust filled my lungs as I took a slow, steady breath.This was it.National School Championship finals.One race left.One chance to make history.“Get set…”My hips lifted slightly, weight shifting forward. I fixed my eyes on the white finish line stretched far ahead of me, bright against the track.If I crossed that line first, the gold would be mine.Again.Third time in a row.“Ready…”My heart pounded hard against my ribs, but my breathing stayed steady. Controlled. Focused. Years of training had taught me how to shut everything else out—the noise, the pressure, the fear.There was only the race.Only the finish line.Only the mo
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