The track is quiet.
White lines loop around.
Cones wait by the edge.
After school, a race is planned.
The adults stretch and talk.
Brooklyn watches the long loop.
She wants to run.
She wants to win.
She steps to the line.
The adults smile at the track.
They say it is a long run.
Brooklyn nods and points to start.
The whistle blows.
Brooklyn runs fast.
Her feet fly.
Halfway around, she slows.
Her legs feel heavy.
The adults keep going.
Brooklyn stops and bends.
She takes big breaths.
She watches how they run.
The race starts again.
Brooklyn runs slow and careful.
She holds her arms just right.
The adults move ahead.
Brooklyn feels bored.
She bumps a cone and stops.
Brooklyn sits on the track.
She taps her shoe.
She thinks of gym moves and counts.
She stands tall.
She has a new plan.
She will run her way.
The whistle blows again.
Brooklyn runs smooth and steady.
She counts steps and breath.
The hard turn comes.
Brooklyn stays strong.
She does not stop.
She crosses the line.
The adults cheer and laugh.
Brooklyn smiles wide.
She looks back at the track.
It waits just like before.
“Again,” she says.
The end