Saturday: 9:00 a.m.

Deepak swung his arms in wild circles. “So, I was figuring we run to the ravine and back and laugh at Afonso when he passes out. He’ll want us to call an ambulance, but I say we don’t because it’ll slow us down. Worst case scenario, he dies. I’m willing to take the risk.”

“I’m going to pass out from the color of your shorts,” Afonso said.

Deepak began to jog on the spot. “Yellow is an energy color. You’d best get used to seeing these way out in front.”

Afonso grunted. “No chance I’m running behind those banana pants. Get used to the back of my shirt.”

Deepak rubbed his chin with his fingers. “You might have a point. Last time I ran more than twenty yards was … Can’t actually remember.” His face grew troubled. “I’m out of shape. All I do is go to school, work at the store, and go to piano lessons. I’m like an old man.” He pulled his shoulders back. “This is going to be painful, but I need it. Will you guys promise to carry me back when I collapse into the fetal position and start sucking my thumb?”

“We’ll drag you back by your heels — or those shorts,” Afonso said.

“I knew I could count on you,” Deepak gushed.

Lionel didn’t know where to look or how to stand or even how to hold his arms. He could never joke around. Nick and his buds were always giving each other a hard time — and the meaner the insult, the harder they laughed. Deepak and Afonso were a little different. Their disses were funny — but not bully-mean like Nick’s vicious put-downs.

“Where are Kiana and Georgina?” Deepak said.

Kiana had sent a text yesterday to meet at the café at nine o’clock.

“There’s Georgina,” Deepak said. He waved his hand over his head. “At least run it in. You’re a Marketeer now.”

She jogged over, her head down. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” she said.

Georgina didn’t look like she was running anywhere. She wore her big black boots and had long black socks that went to the middle of her thighs, with a short black skirt, and a black t-shirt with a black fishnet shirt on top.

“I can’t believe Afonso is doing this either,” Deepak said.

“He’ll do great,” Georgina said.

Afonso bowed his head slightly.

Kiana came out of the café. “Awesome, we’re all here. Had to deal with the parents. Apparently, I stayed out too late last night. Anyway … this is such a great idea. I’m so stoked. I tried to set up a running club at school and no one ever showed up.”

Kiana glanced at Georgina. “I thought you had this morning off so you could run with us,” she said.

Georgina’s eyes hardened. “I am …”

“You’re running in that?” Kiana said.

“What do you want me to run in?” Georgina said.

Kiana suddenly laughed and she patted Georgina’s shoulder. “You’re the best, George. I love it. I should be more like you and wear what I want. I’m such a fashion victim.”

Georgina bit her lower lip and smiled, her eyelashes flickering. “Don’t know about that,” she murmured.

Kiana wore blue tights with a black stripe up the sides and a pink and blue top. Lionel thought she looked … athletic.

“So are we the Marketeers Running Club or the Marketeers Stand Around and Do Nothing Club?” Kiana said.

“I vote for the second one,” Deepak said.

“You would,” Kiana said.

“So where should we go? The ravine?” Afonso said.

They all looked at each other.

“The ravine it is,” Kiana said.

The door opened and Binny came out. “Good. Got you before you left.” He tugged on the leash and Britney popped out the door. Britney sniffed the air and went over to Kiana. She bent and patted her head and rubbed her belly.

“This young lady needs a good run,” Binny said. “I want her back five pounds lighter.”

“We’d have to run for a couple days for that, Daddy,” Kiana said.

Binny handed her the leash. “Do what it takes. Good luck to you and don’t forget to come back for some smoothies. Runners need to keep up their protein.”

“Smoothie’s don’t have protein,” Kiana said.

Binny flicked his eyebrows. “They do when I make them.”

“Yum,” Deepak said. “Bacon smoothies.”

Kiana wrapped the end of the leash around her hand. “Marketeers away,” she declared.

She and Britney set off down the street. Georgina fell in behind, and then Deepak and Afonso. Lionel brought up the rear, which suited him fine. They wouldn’t see his bouncing stomach. He had a feeling Deepak would make a joke about it. They continued along for a few blocks, very slowly. Lionel had to force himself to drop back. This was slow even for him. He figured they were just warming up.

“Please tell me we’re at the ravine,” Deepak said.

“We’re at the ravine,” Afonso said.

“Really?”

“No.”

Deepak groaned. Lionel laughed to himself. Those two were funny. They continued for a few more blocks — and then it hit him. They were running slowly for him. Don’t leave the fat slob behind. Maybe that was nice, in a weird way, but it bugged him, too. He and Britney went way faster than this. Britney was actually a pretty good runner for a small, chubby dog. Those little legs could motor.

“Whoa, Mister Flash,” Deepak said.

Lionel blew past them. Kiana and Georgina were fifteen yards ahead. They stopped suddenly, and he slowed to see what was up.

“C’mon, Britney,” Kiana said. “Don’t be like that.”

“She doesn’t want to run?” Lionel said. “Is she faking it?”

Britney scratched behind her ears with her back paw.

“Not sure,” Kiana said. “Are you being a bad doggie?”

“She hasn’t pretended to hurt herself for a while,” Lionel said. He knelt down and patted her. “What’s wrong, Brit? You can run way longer than this.”

Britney put her two front paws on his thighs and licked his cheek.

“Whoever decided to rest is my hero and I will worship them forever,” Deepak said, breathing heavily.

Kiana put the leash in Lionel’s hand.

“You run with her,” Kiana said. “I think she wants you.”

Lionel stood up. “She likes you best. She won’t run with me if she won’t with you.”

“I’m liking our recess, by the way,” Deepak said, his chest heaving.

Deepak should stop pretending he was tired and just run, Lionel thought. Sometimes he pushed a joke too far.

“Are we gonna take a break every five minutes?” Afonso said.

“You’re getting on my nerves,” Deepak said to him.

Afonso grinned. “C’mon Lionel. Take the lead and let’s go. I’ve got a soccer season to get ready for. I was thinking about this last night. I’m always too tired during a game to do much, especially in the second half. I want to be a good player.”

“And I have the city finals to make,” Kiana said.

“I think I need to get a pair of running shoes,” Georgina said. “Not sure what I was thinking with these clodhoppers.”

“Come over to the store after the run and I’ll find you a pair,” Deepak said. “We have tons of shoes in the back that won’t cost much. Not sure the color …”

“It doesn’t matter,” Georgina said quickly.

Lionel took the leash and gave it a tug. Britney bounced to her feet. She let out a few barks and began to run. Lionel had no choice but to go too. The others fell in behind. Britney wouldn’t slow down, however, and she began to strain against the leash. Lionel had to run faster so she wouldn’t choke herself. He caught a couple of green lights and still she kept at it. He sensed someone running on his right and he moved over.

“I can’t believe that’s my Britney,” Kiana said.

“She can go pretty fast when she wants to,” Lionel said. He looked over his shoulder. Deepak and Afonso were way back. Georgina was about twenty yards behind.

“That’s because Britney’s such a good doggie, isn’t she?” Kiana said. “You’re such a Britney and you love running like your master. Right? That’s why.”

Kiana ran so easily, so effortlessly, so gracefully, as if her feet barely touched the sidewalk. Stride for stride she matched him, with Britney’s feet scurrying like mad, as they crossed another intersection and continued up the street. He enjoyed being with Kiana — until he began to feel the pressure of conversation. They couldn’t run next to each other and not say a word. He didn’t dare talk about school, that was a minefield, and she didn’t strike him as a gamer. No chance he’d tell her about his running chart. She’d think that was geeky. Britney barked and pulled on the leash. That gave him an idea. She loved Britney.

“She’s into it now,” he said.

“Let’s see what she can do, then,” Kiana said. She ran faster. Lionel kept up. Britney barked a few times, her feet moving so fast it was a blur of paws. He’d never seen Britney look so happy. She kept letting out a bark every few yards and her tail was wagging insanely. Lionel began to worry that Kiana would notice the sweat dripping down his forehead. He was overheating in his sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Kiana looked down at Britney and then smiled at him. She sure loved that dog, Lionel thought. He’d stick with that.

“Is she yours? Is she your dog, I mean?” he said.

“Dad bought her for my birthday, so I guess she is,” Kiana said.

“I’ve never had a dog,” Lionel said. “My mom says it’s not fair to leave a dog in an apartment all day. She works at a grocery store and I’m at school.”

“Is there anyone else … at home?”

“My dad and mom split up a few years ago.”

He’d leave Brent out of it.

“Do you see your dad much?”

“Not really. He moved to another town and he’s busy. Got married again. He has a couple of kids now — boys, I think.”

“So you have two brothers — or half-brothers.”

“I guess.”

“I take it you guys aren’t that close.”

“Not really.”

“That’s too bad.”

Sometimes he wondered what those kids were like, his half-brothers, and what his dad did with them. He probably took them to baseball and played with them in the park and stuff. Truth was, he’d never met his half-brothers, and as for his dad, he hadn’t laid eyes on him since the night he left six years ago.

They continued on. The Britney topic was used up. What else could they talk about? The ravine was only about two hundred yards away and the silence was gruelling. She must think he was the most boring kid in the world.

“Sorry for asking about your dad,” Kiana said finally. “It must’ve been a hard thing to go through.”

“I guess.”

She looked over, as if expecting him to say more.

“I don’t think much about it, to be honest,” he said. “I mean, he left, his choice. Nothing I can do about it. If he doesn’t want to see me …”

“How often do you see him, then?”

“Not too often — basically, never.”

The sound of their feet, the clicking of Britney’s nails, created a rhythm of sorts, a soft, comforting sound. The ravine was up ahead. He wondered what it would be like to keep going, with her, until he couldn’t go any further.

Saturday: 9:21 a.m.

Kiana and Lionel stopped at the top of the hill where the path led down to the ravine. People passed on the sidewalk.

“Let’s wait on the grass,” Kiana said.

He followed her down the hill a bit. Somehow they’d gotten way ahead. He figured the others must’ve hit some red lights. Kiana sat down and stretched her legs out. They were long and strong-looking, but still slender. He forced himself not to look. He sat down far enough away that she wouldn’t be grossed out by his sweat.

“You’re dressed like it’s the middle of January,” she said, with a laugh. “I’d be melting if I wore that.”

She had no idea. He shrugged and looked away.

“Hmm. Okay, let’s not talk fashion.” She sat up, her face bright, and looked keenly at him. “On Monday, are you going to read your story?”

She needed to stop with that. He never should’ve told her.

“Maybe.”

“It’s a great-sounding story. Just read it or Whellan’s going to give you a zero.”

“Okay. Maybe,” he said.

“You were going to send it to me,” she said. “I’ll read it tonight if you want.”

“I … uh … Maybe if I get it done.”

Georgina ran across the street, puffing fairly hard. “My feet are killing me,” she said. “I’m such an idiot.”

“You should get a pair like Lionel,” Kiana said.

“I love them,” Georgina said. “Where’d you get them?”

“At Deepak’s … I mean, at his dad’s store,” Lionel said.

“The Green Machine,” Kiana declared. “He’s a born runner.”

“Do they have jet packs in them?” Georgina said. “I knew Kiana could run, but I can’t believe how fast you are.”

Lionel allowed himself a smile.

“I wonder if they come in black,” Georgina said.

The boys staggered over. Afonso put his hands on his knees. He was breathing heavily. Deepak threw himself on the grass.

“Can’t breathe. Can’t move. Leave me here to die,” Deepak said.

“You’re doing okay,” Georgina said.

“You’ll make it,” Kiana said.

“You’re insane,” Deepak said.

“I say we kick Deepak outta the Marketeers for excessive whining,” Afonso said.

Lionel shot Kiana a concerned look.

“He’s kidding,” Kiana whispered.

Deepak raised his head and then let it flop back. “I say Kiana and Lionel carry me.”

“I want in on that being carried thing,” Afonso said.

“You guys are doing great,” Kiana said. “I’ve been training for two months already, and Lionel runs all the time.”

That lie was officially out of control.

“We should get going,” Kiana said, getting up. “We shouldn’t let ourselves cool down — muscles will get tight.”

“Fine,” Deepak grumbled. He stuffed his phone in his pocket. “Help me up at least.”

He held out his hand. Afonso took it and pulled. Deepak’s shoulders lifted off the ground — and then collapsed back.

Kiana and Georgina took his other hand, and all three of them heaved on the count of three.

Deepak beat his chest weakly with his fists and let out a pathetic Tarzan call. He rolled his neck and did a deep knee bend. “Ready to run back or die trying.”

“That should be the Marketeers’ battle cry,” Afonso said. “Run or Death.”

“That’s maybe not as inspiring as the Musketeers’ ‘All for one and one for all,’” Kiana said, “but it gets the job done.” She looked at Lionel. “I brought my copy of The Three Musketeers. Remind me to give it to you.”

“Great. Thanks,” Lionel croaked.

Now he was going to have to read it.

“Run or Death,” Deepak cried, and he started off.

“I knew it would catch on,” Afonso said. He ran across the street after him.

Georgina hopped up on her toes. “See ya back at the café.” She took a few steps and then turned back. “You should carry me. I’m the lightest.”

“I’ll let Lionel do it. He could carry all four of us and still win,” Kiana said.

Lionel wondered why she’d say a ridiculous thing like that. Made no sense.

“Run or Death!” Georgina said, thrusting her right fist over her head.

Georgina was different somehow during this run, more relaxed. She looked like a little kitten, a black kitten naturally, but a cute one. She was a nice-looking girl, not like Kiana, but still nice.

“C’mon, Lionel,” Kiana said. “You in the mood to hoof it? I’m feeling stoked and Britney’s on fire.”

“I guess.”

“Green light means go,” Kiana said, digging her elbow into his ribs. She raced across the intersection.

Lionel gave Britney’s leash a tug. It didn’t take long to catch Kiana. Britney was on fire. All she seemed to want to do was run. They ran past Kiana.

“I knew you were gonna cheat,” Kiana said.

“Your dog’s gone mad,” he said over his shoulder.

Next they tore past Georgina.

“I want those shoes,” Georgina called out.

As usual, he couldn’t think of a joke. Deepak and Afonso were next.

“Boo!” Afonso jeered, as he passed them. “Big show off.”

“I’d run fast too — if I wasn’t slow,” Deepak said.

It didn’t sound like chirping — and he was an expert on that. Sounded more like they were trying to be funny. He wanted to say something funny back, but as usual, nothing came to mind.

So he kept running.

The lights were cooperating and he kept hitting the greens. He turned the final corner and cruised to Binny’s.

“You did great, Brit,” he said, petting her back.

Britney’s sides were heaving and her tongue hung out of her mouth.

“I think you’re getting skinnier,” he said. “Maybe you haven’t lost five pounds, but you will if you keep this up.”

Truth was, Lionel was losing weight too. Hard to know for sure, but he’d had to tighten his belt a couple notches for his jeans, and his stomach felt less jiggly, at least a little. Probably all in his head.

He looked up the street and almost did a double-take. Kiana was still half a block back. How dumb was he? He’d had a chance to run with her and maybe talk about something. Instead, Mister Fat and Stupid gallops off like a racehorse. He tried to think of something clever to say.

“When did you learn to run like that?” she said, breathlessly.

“I wasn’t that fast,” he said.

“Wrong, you are very fast,” she said.

“Not really — I got lucky — hit some green lights,” he said. She crossed her arms. “Accept it, Lionel. You’re fast,” she said in an even tone.

Lionel looked down at the pavement and pretended he needed to stretch so he wouldn’t look like a goof.

Kiana opened the café door. “I’m looking forward to hearing your story on Monday,” she said.

The door closed before he could answer.