In case you aren’t a member of his “adoring” fan club here’s a quick summary of Kyle Diamond (and no I’m not going to leave my opinions out) he’s a cross country runner. He hates the fact that girls can run the same course as boys -he’s arrogant, big headed, stupid, and a right moron. He asked me out, so I knocked him out, so he hates me, I hate him. He is ranked number one. A lot of girls think he’s “perfect looking” but Kyle’s hair is too blonde ,his eyes too blue ,his teeth too white. Like when you turn up the “colour setting” on the TV so the pink goes lobster red etc. well if you ask me someone did that to him.

He’s got major companies sponsoring him, and seeing as I’m the top girl, everyone (except those with brains) thinks we’d make a good couple. I point out in my eyes he’s never going to be No.1 as far as I’m concerend.

He cheated! You see what he would call an “ammateur” was running against him, they were neck and neck. I have a lot of respect for the other boy- he’s a brilliant runner, but Kyle couldn’t bear to be beaten, so he tripped him up. That’s how he’s number one and every time I pass him I say “cheat!”.

But it turns out he told James, Nathan, and Artemis where I was so (in a way) he saved me. When I open my eyes, I find myself at home.

“How the hell did I get here?” I ask, and then I see him “and what is that cheat doing here?”

“Cheat? You weren’t there, yet you can tell me exactly what I done….”

“You’re trying and failing to justify you’re actions, and guess what? It isn’t working!”

“Shut it, you don’t know anything……”

“I’ve seen trolls with a higher IQ than you!”

“Look girly…..”

“Girly? Is that the best you can do? I’ll punch you so hard you’ll land in the middle of the next week!”

“Getting a little bitter… may I remind you I’m your superior?”

“RIGHT!” everyone’s watching me now, so I stand up. “Tomorrow,8 AM, meet me at Flexi running track and we’ll settle this once and for all!”

“Fine, but let make it interesting,” he said smugly.

“If I win, you drop out of the champion league,” I say.

“DEAL! But if I win you step out of the champion league, and you give up your spot in the next Rowan Games.”

“DEAL!” I say, the Rowan Games is our equivlant to the Olympics- it’s a lot to loose.

He leaves and my dad comes in.  I’ve never been so pleased to see him. It turns out that when my mum and Artemis the Second went through the time tunnel a powerful connection was made, meaning his first child would protect her first child.

Long story cut short. Artemis the Thrid must stay with me in Haven for who knows how long! Later that night, Nathan says to me, “you could have just gave away a hell of a lot! He is a good…”

“I will not, repeat not, be intimidated by some bigheaded …” I said, before Artemis came through. Nathan and James left.  My dad said I looked really tired so I went to bed. One thought swirlled through my head all night

“IF YOU LOSE YOU’LL NEVER GET A CHANCE! What would your mother think?”.

I then have a nightmare, so I’m relieved that I get up at five. I grab an energy bar and get dressed. My dad wakes up and tells me “Your mum and I are so proud of you, Dannie.”

I tell him about the race. He sighs

“I’ll be there cheering you on,” he says. “And… be careful,” he says. Josh starts crying, so he goes and sees to him, and I leave. To my great surprise, Artemis is already there.

“Hi” I say to him brightly, not feeling tired at all.

“Erm….Hi. So last … are you really ready for this?”

“To beat him? Yes!”

He then asks me about school.

“I love english and PE. Science is good too. Geography and Modern Studies are the best though. What about you?”

He tells me about his boarding school, home and we end up having a (almost) normal conversation. Maybe he isn’t too bad after all. A boy with brown hair and green eyes comes up to us. He seems really healthy and friendly-I realiase him as the number one runner (as I said Kyle will never be number one in my eyes and he was the boy he tripped) and he says

“Are you the girl whose place at the Rowan games is on the line?”

“Yeah…..William Brandson! Good to meet you!” I say trying (and failing) not to sound like one of Kyle’s fans. It’s the boy Kyle tripped

“I’ve seen you run, you seem really good. But don’t go through with the bet!”

“I’M not giving up for him. I want to show him..”

“He’ll do anything not to be beaten. Listen to someone who’s made the mistake. He could end your career. Drop out, you could keep your place and…”

“Look I know what Kyle’s like, I’m running as far away from him as possible,” I reply.

“I’m not getting through to you? He is a dirty ,rotten cheat!” he says, just as Kyle swaggers (because I can’t think of a clearer way to phrase it.

“Not having second thoughts are we?” he says, “O’h look who it is- clumsy!”

“Cheat! Rotten, Dirty little moron!” he yells as Kyle heads off. “LOOK, forget what I said before, I want you to run like your life depends on it and beat him!”

“Will do,” I reply.

I go to get changed and scrape my hair back.

I’m a little bit more girly than my mum. I wear skirts more often and I love dresses. My mum looks beautiful in them she just hardly ever wears them. But this track is no place for make up or high heels. Someone knocks

“Come in!” I say.

It’s Hannah  and Sara. Kate’s getting coffee (she isn’t much of a morning person) then Nathan comes with advice about remembering to breathe properly etc.(apparentlly there’s now a right and wrong way to breathe). Then Artemis and his bodygaurd come into wish me good luck. James is there when I leave standing at the side of the track “be careful” he advises. Then I see my dad and Josh. I take little Josh into my arms and whisper into his ear

“This for you and Holly.”

I stand at the starting line, swallowing my nerves. Kyle is there now with a reporter. As he joins me I don’t insult or threaten him. My heart’s thudding. I can’t do this! I’m dropping out….no I’m not, I see her!

My mum got away from London on a huge case to be here… for me. Seeing her face, thinking of her story, her bravery. It’s all the inspiration I’ll ever need. Then I here a voice my mind is clear.

“Ready Steady…..GO!”

And we’re off. I beat him for the first 100m then he catches up. NO! He’s neck and neck he’s sticking out his leg….I jump over it and take the lead for the rest of the lap…he catches up. Only 50 more metres I think of my mum and dad.

“We’re so proud of you,” my dad’s words coming back to me are like a huge push and I see a white line at my feet I go over it. I can’t here anything not even my own scream of triumph I punch the air.

“It’s for you, Holly.” I say Artemis is running up to me….he’s jumping in front of me and so is his bodygaurd. A goblin aims his gun. He misses by a millimetre! My parents run after him.

Some other stories by xxemxx:

• updates for her secret (sequel to "his daughter")
• Sequel to His Daughter- Her secret
• Not again!
• Decisions Decisions
• Grow up

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