Eli pulls his blue one-piece wrestling singlet over his shoulders, glancing nervously at the clock. Marcus, his best friend, is already suited up in a red singlet, grinning mischievously as he laces his sneakers. The two exchange glances, both aware of the daring plan they’d concocted during practice the night before.
"You sure about this, Marcus?"
"Absolutely. We’ll be legends by lunchtime," Marcus replies, slapping Eli on the back.
Eli tries to walk with confidence, but his cheeks flush as whispers ripple through the crowd. Marcus, unfazed, raises his chin high, waving at a group of startled ninth graders. A teacher leans out of her classroom, eyebrows raised in amused disbelief.
"Morning, Mrs. Talbot! Just coming from practice,"
"I feel like we’re on a runway or something," Eli mutters under his breath.
Their teacher, Mr. Bennett, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair, pauses mid-sentence and adjusts his glasses, trying not to smile. Marcus saunters to his seat, while Eli hesitates by the door, feeling every gaze.
"Well, gentlemen, I see we’re taking spirit week to new heights. Please take your seats,"
"Sorry, Mr. Bennett. We just came straight from practice," Eli offers.
"Just don’t try any takedowns during class," the teacher says, eliciting a round of snickers.
Eli relaxes as he notices the positive attention, even enjoying the spotlight. Marcus basks in the newfound fame, striking poses and joking with classmates. The boys sit together at lunch, trading stories about the reactions they’ve seen.
"Told you we’d be legends,"
"I just hope Coach doesn’t make us run laps for this," Eli laughs.
Coach Ramirez[/@ch_4], a sturdy woman with a booming voice, stands by the mats, arms crossed.]
"Heard you two made quite a scene today," she says, an amused glint in her eye.
"Just repping the team, Coach,"
"Next time, save it for the mat. Now—warm up, legends," she commands, but her smile lingers.
Eli glances at his friend, their singlets wrinkled from the day’s adventures. Both are tired, but the weight of worry has lifted, replaced by laughter and a sense of pride.
"Best day of school ever,"
"Next time, let’s try football gear," Marcus says, and they both burst out laughing, the memory of their bold day etched into the fabric of their friendship.
