Finding Hope: Chapter 10

   I woke up earlier than anyone else that morning. I wanted to take a shower, get ready, and go downstairs for breakfast.
   Once I was done with my shower, I dried my hair, and put it up in a ponytail. I got dressed in athletic green shorts, and a pink faded T-shirt with a tanktop under.
   With my shower going on, I woke up my mom and dad. Jane was still snoozing, so my dad and I went down to breakfast while my mom waited for Jane to wake up.
   We took the elevator to get to the lobby. We headed for the breakfast room. There weren't a lot of people in there as usual. I got a plate and took a blueberry muffin, yogurt, bacon, and a milk carton, and sit down at a small table.
   Dad joins me after he has gotten his food. We eat and talk. It was nice to just be alone with my dad and talk to him for once in a while. I never really noticed how funny he was. I wish I had spent more time with him when I was younger.
   "So, today's the big day, isn't it?" he asked when he was finished.
   I nodded, "Yeah, so it is," I said finishing my last bite of muffin.
   "You nervous?" he asked.
   "Sort of, I am really excited though," I smiled.
   "Good, you're supposed to have fun with this, you know?"
   I replied, "Yes, I know," He had a toothy grin, which always made him look like a rabbit. That always made me giggle to myself.
   *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

   We got to the track just in time to get ready.
   I saw fliers everywhere that said, Stand Up to Cancer; Peddle for a Cure!
   I rolled my bike to the starting line. The judges said we had to ride 2 miles. I've never ridden that far before. That was going to be interesting.
   I glanced all of the bikers. I saw a lady about my mom's age which is in her late 30's, a man about the age of  20 or more, a girl about 16 or 17, and a boy about my age.
   I stared at the boy. He had lightish brown hair which in the front stuck up and then it was slicked back, he was skinny, and was attractive in a way... why was I thinking this! Get back to the race, Madison!
   I hopped up on my bike, put on my helmet, and waited for the gun to go off.
   I held on tight and was ready to go. I could feel the pressure. I could feel my parents and Jane watching me. I could still see that boy... I could still see Connor cheering me on at home... BOOM!
   I hadn't noticed the gun go off when everyone started biking. I followed.
   I peddled as hard and fast as I could. As we started to peddle off into the distance, I still heard people cheering from the starting line.
   We peddled up big hills and downwards. Under tunnels and through bridges.
   I could see the boy was ahead of everyone. I peddled as hard as I could to catch up with him.
   I didn't realize it at first, but then, I was right next to him.
   He looked at me and then back and peddled faster. I was still right by him even though he wanted to get ahead of me.
   As soon as I knew it we were almost at the finishing line, I peddled a lot faster, but he didn't let me get ahead of him.
   We tied.
   I was out of breath when all of the other bikers where just coming in. I took off my helmet and my parents and Jane came over to me.
   "That, was so awesome!" Jane exclaimed.
   "... Thanks," I said out of breath.
   My mom gave me a bottle of water, I thankfully took it and drank it.
   "Congratulations," my dad said.
   "I didn't win though," I said.
   "Yeah you did, well that boy over there tied with you," Jane said.
   I looked back to see the boy looking at me.
   "Oh," I said turning back around.
   "We'll be waiting for you in the car, okay?" my mom said.
   "Okay, I'll be right there." I responded.
   I walked over to the boy who was drinking a bottle of water.
   "Hi, congratulations," I told him when he turned around surprised.
   "Oh, hi. Uh, you too," he said.
   I smiled, "Yeah, um. I guess we tied then,"
   "Yeah, I guess. We don't get a prize or anything, though if you're wondering," he said boyishly.
   "Oh, I know... so... so who are you biking for?" I asked wondering if he'll respond.
   He was hesitant for a moment and then said, "My little sister, she has leukemia,"
   I looked down, "Oh, I'm so sorry..." I said feeling sad.
   "That's okay... what about you? Who are you biking for?" He asked looking at my sad expression.
   "... My... my friend Connor. He has brain cancer..." I said.
   "... Oh, I'm really sorry,"
   I was quiet. Maybe too quiet because he said, "Well where do you live?"
   "Nashville, Tennesee, you?" I said.
   "Wow, me too," He said.
   "Huh, that's odd that we've never met before," I said surprised.
   "Yeah, really,"
   I was starting to think this person was a lot like Connor, not the sweet Connor, but the fun, athletic Connor. He reminded me so much of him.
   "What's your name?" he finally asked.
   My name. My name. What was my name? I couldn't think. Why was I so hung up on this guy that I couldn't even remember my own name?!
   "Um, wh... what's yours?" I asked regretting it.
   "Francis Bennett,"
   I smiled. I liked that name, "Madison Grace," I replied.
   He smiled back, "That's a pretty name," he said.
   "I like your name too," I said.
   All caught up in the moment, I needed to get to the car, "Uh, I got to go, talk to you soon, Francis," I said.
   "Okay, bye Madison!" he said.
   I waved, "Goodbye, my new friend."
   I walked to the car when my mom said, "Madison, get in now! We have to go!"
   I panicked, "Why?!" I asked getting in the car.
   For one moment, my heart and soul was pounding so hard that they were about to burst, "...Connor is in the hospital again, and this time... I don't think he is coming out."