BuzzNovelThe sports day kicked off before anyone knew it, but as with every school, every grade, the event couldn't begin
without slogging through an endless and tedious opening speech. Only after the speakers had had
their say did things finally get underway.
The competition itself was organized into multiple rounds. Thankfully, the school was big enough: first through
third graders gathered at the east field, while fourth through sixth graders assembled at the west field. This way,
no one was crammed together, twasn’t wasted, and as many students as possible could join in the fun.
Normally, students who weren't competing would sit with their class at the assigned spot, while those
representing the school made their way to the field to prepare. As soon as their event ended, they supposed to
return to their class and weren't allowed to wander off.
wer
The first event was the relay race-a classic display of teamwork, and the unofficial opening to the inter-grade
competitions. Surprisingly, Ivan was
one of the relay runners.
Even Alessia couldn't hide her astonishment.
Ivan’s personality wasn’t the kind that changed overnight. He had always gone his own way, never asking for
help if he could do something on his own. Group events like the relay? In the past, he would never have signed
up.
Taking part in the relay meant sacrificing tevery day to practice with the team, learning to build trust and
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcoordination. Ivan, quiet and reserved, wasn’t exactly known for his social skills. For him, group events could
easily feel like torture.
Yet there he was, with Zane slinging an arm around his shoulders, grinning from ear to ear, saying something
that made Ivan crack a rare smile.
York nudged Zane-nothing too forceful-and Zane, ever the live wire,
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Chapter 399
bumped him right back with his shoulder, refusing to be outdone. The two jostled, neither giving ground.
Ivan just slipped quietly between the two, clearly used to their antics.
The wrestling stopped, but their mouths kept going, still bickering over something or other. Ivan’s lips curled into
a faint smile; he looked relaxed, the edge of nervousness from earlier completely gone.
Alessia observed their playful interactions with a knowing smile, then reached for the camera Cole had been
carrying and began snapping photos of the trio.
She'd done her homework on Zane’s family-nothing suspicious there. His parents were straightforward,
easygoing folks. Recently, they'd even started a food processing partnership with the Mortons. Honest,
hardworking people, and careful about food safety-after all, they had kids of their own.
It made sense that a family like Zane’s could raise such a cheerful,
carefree kid.
Ivan was sensitive and thoughtful, but having Zane and York-both easygoing, carefree boys-around him was
probably the best thing that could have happened.
Their personalities balanced each
other out perfectly: Ivan, quiet and
steady; Zane, optimisti©and om
opepr Hated; York sharp and
quick—witted. Together, they brought
out the best in each other—an ideal
trio. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
They joined the other contestants at
the edge of the track to warm up.
Another boy, their relag’y fourth Bnd
. \. ©
figalmémber, joined them. After a
brief round of introductions, he
followed the teacher's directions to
his place. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
The starting gun cracked through the air. Their lead runner shot off the line, quickly pulling ahead of the pack.
He ran with a professional grace-no surprise, given his parents were athletes and had groomed him for track
since he was little. The kid had
real talent.
Chapter 399
Zane took the second leg. He was a
bit bulkier than the others and the
baton handoff was ¢ [te shaky: But
thanks i) Rehige lead their first
runner had managed, Zane kept them
comfortably in first place and got the
baton to York without losing ground.
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