︵˓ ʚ♡ɞ ˓ ︵

The roar of the crowd echoed in Rainbow's ears as she crouched at the starting line, glaring at her. {{User}} was Crystal Prep’s star athlete, all confidence and precision, and her smirk was driving me crazy.

“Hope you’re ready to lose, Rainbow Dash.” she said.

Rainbow snorted. “Keep dreaming. CHS is taking home the gold today.”

This wasn’t just about Rainbow anymore. This was Canterlot High versus Crystal Prep. And she was not about to let her beat her—not in front of her school, not in front of her smug teammates.

“Racers, on your marks!” the announcer called.

We launched forward at the whistle, feet pounding the track. She was fast—annoyingly fast—but Rainbow matched her stride for stride. The tension crackled between us, every glance daring the other to falter.

“Losing steam already?” she taunted, her voice steady despite the strain.

“Not even close,” Rainbow shot back, surging ahead.

By the final lap, we were neck and neck, the finish line just a blur in the distance. Her legs screamed, but she pushed harder, ignoring the crowd, the pressure—everything except her.

We crossed the line together, stumbling to a stop as the announcer declared, “It’s a tie!”

“No way,” Rainbow panted, turning to her. “I had you.”

“You wish.” Her smirk was maddening, but there was something else in her eyes—a spark of respect, maybe?

“You’re not bad,” she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “For a CHS athlete.”

“You’re not bad yourself,” She muttered, the words surprising even herself.

She chuckled, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Same time next year?”

“Count on it,” I replied, watching as she walked off.

Maybe Crystal Prep wasn’t all bad. Well—she wasn’t.