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bedside table. The glowing numbers told him it was already seven thirty. He’d been sitting in the dark. He hadn’t even noticed.

Chapter Ten
    â€œHello?”
    â€œJake?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œHi. It’s Dave Driscoll here. I’m with the Diamond Running Club.”
    Jake had heard of them. What did Dave Driscoll want to talk to him about? “Okay.”
    â€œWe’ve been invited to an event in Deep Rapids next Saturday, and we can take a team of five runners. I’ve got four. Heard you were the top-place runner in your division in the city league. We’re wondering if you’d like to join us.”
    â€œAre you sure you’re not looking for Spencer Solomon?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œThe top-place runner.”
    â€œIs this Jake Jarvis?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI’ve got a list here with your name on top. Look, son, if you’re not interested I can call the next guy.”
    â€œNo, hang on. I’m interested.”
    â€œOkay. Let me give you some details. We have a practice tomorrow afternoon. Can you make it?”
    â€œSure.”
    Cedar Grove Conservation Area, 4:30 .
    As Jake was writing the time down on a piece of paper, his dad and Luke came in. Luke danced around the kitchen, playing the counter, the table, the Tupperware and finally the pickle jar inside the fridge like a set of drums. He took out a can of pop, shut the fridge door with his elbow and whirled around, grinning. Jake’s dad was leaning against the doorframe, laughing.
    â€œWhere did you guys go?” asked Jake.
    â€œA concert. The Cave Dwellers. It was awesome.”
    â€œOh.”

Chapter Eleven
    Shawn Marshall, Paul Biggs, Sam Jii and Tony Capelli. Jake nodded as Dave Driscoll introduced him to each member of the Diamond team. He tried to figure out who his stiffest competition would be. Shawn was tall and thin with thick, wavy, light-brown hair down to his shoulders. He’d look like a surfer if he wasn’t so pale. Jake wondered if Shawn would be able to run faster if he cut his hair. He wondered if he’d be able to run faster himself if he cut his hair. Or even shaved his head. Hmmm. He’d have to think about that.
    Paul was small, even if his name said otherwise, and full of energy. He was constantly moving, bouncing on his toes, jumping, rolling his shoulders. Sam was quiet, with a certain steady look in his eye. Tony was dark-haired, short and stocky. He looked like he could simply power his way to the finish. They were all wearing matching jerseys, silver with a diamond-shaped logo on the front made out of four triangles, two black, two royal blue. The two small outer triangles were stylized running shoes. The two larger inner triangles resembled racing flags. The name Diamond ran in block letters along one edge. Sharp. Dave had given Jake a jersey, but he wished the club provided shoes too. He looked down at his worn spikes and then at those of the other guys. Six of the shoes looked as scuffed as his. But one pair was new. And green. One of the runners was wearing the exact same green spikes Spencer had. Jake looked up. Sam. He knew it. Sam was the one he’d have to watch.
    â€œWell, fellas,” said Dave, “now that you all know each other, what do you say we get started?”
    The Cedar Grove Conservation area had a long thin strip of woods and grassy meadows that rolled out along the river. After doing a series of warm-up stretches, the boys started running along the path down by the water and then followed it up into the woods, over bridges and along the edge of a pumpkin field. Most of the field had been cleared already, but one section was still full of big bright-orange pumpkins. This is easy, thought Jake. No problem. He stayed easily ahead of Tony and Paul. He moved ahead of Shawn and positioned himself right behind Sam. He thought of passing him but figured he’d just stay behind this time and study his technique.