Rara and Mia practice their relay. "I want to run second!" says Mia. "No, I want to run second!" says Rara.
The morning of the race, Rara ties her red shoes. She grabs the baton and runs one lap. She sets the baton down and looks at the empty lane beside her.
At the starting line, Rara sees Mia with the other teams, arms crossed. Rara's fingers drum on her knee — tap, tap, tap — and the starting horn blares. Rara's feet stay planted like tree roots.
Rara drops to one knee and marches over to Mia, holding out her hand. "I'm sorry," Rara says, and Mia's arms unwind as she takes Rara's hand.
Mia pulls too hard, sending them both tumbling into a soft pile of hay bales. Mia giggles, and through her laughter she whispers, "I'm sorry too."
Rara and Mia run the race together, side by side. They cross the finish line at the exact same moment.
The crowd cheers so loud the flags on the school roof rattle. Rara and Mia stand breathless and grinning.
Rara and Mia bump their foreheads together, both breathless and grinning. The race is over, but they are still running — together.
