Work Text:
"One last question," Matilda said. "And then we're finished."
"No rush," Joe replied with a smile. "I still got time for all the questions you got."
After winning an Oscar for the best-animated movie, Joe had given countless interviews for different magazines, newspapers, and tv, but he also said yes to an interview with a 10-year-old journalist from the local school newspaper. So far the interview had lastest most of the morning, taking the time to answer all of Matilda's questions.
"You won the 100-meter run in second grade," Matilda said. "How did you do it? What I heard was that you were about to lose the run."
Joe smiled and chuckled.
"I won thanks to Nicky," Joe replied. "Without him, I would never have made it to the finishing line that day."
25 Years Ago:
Joe chewed on his lip while looking at the running track and then at his classmates. It made him nervous. Most of all because his classmates were bigger than him. He was much smaller than the others because he had been sick, fighting a liver disease and been in and out of the hospital for the last two years. His teacher told him, that if he didn't want to do the 100-meter run it was ok. But he wanted to run it because his big brother Ibrahim had run the 100-meter run last year and won. Something he also wanted to do. To win the 100-meter run because he always had done the same thing as Ibrahim because he idolized his big brother.
After only running a couple of meters, Joe tripped over his legs and hit the ground face first. Before Joe could cry over being terrible at running, someone else fell next to him and he saw a boy his age with short blonde hair and the bluest eyes, Joe never had seen.
"Looks like we got the same problem," The boy said with a big smile. "Our legs will not run."
The boy picked up his right leg and looked angry at it.
"Now listen, leg," The boy said in a serious tone. "When we walk, we walk, and when we run, we run. And right now we're running, so why aren't you running?"
The boy shook his right leg.
"Oh, you don't feel like running right now because you wanted to have a break," The boy said before he looked at Joe. "Do your legs also want a break?"
It made Joe laugh over the boy's silliness.
"Thanks," Joe said. "I needed that."
"Glad it made you smile," The boy replied as he reached out his hand. "I'm Nicky."
"Joe," Joe replied. "You're new here?"
"Yep, this is my fourth day here at this school," Nicky replied as the other classmates ran past them. "Do you also got the feeling that we're in the way?"
Joe nodded as he looked at the other classmates.
"I suggest a tactical retreat for now until our legs will run again," Nicky said. "And drink some water. What is the idea again with running in this heat?"
They got off the running track and sat down on a bench, where they found their water bottles.
"Why were you sad?" Nicky asked. "I won't tell the others."
"I just want to win a medal like my big brother did last year. He was the fastest runner," Joe replied. "And you? Why are you running?"
"My mother says I need to make new friends," Nicky replied. "So since I have gotten a new friend, I don't need to run. In this heat."
The last thing Nicky shouted at his classmates that ran past them. It made Joe giggle.
"You want to be my friend?" Joe asked in disbelief. "Don't you know what they call me because I have to go to the hospital all the time?"
"And so?" Nicky asked. "I decide who I want to be friends with and I want to be friends with you."
"I would like that," Joe replied. "So, do you want to play after school?"
"Yes, let's do it," Nicky replied. "You decide what we play and I'll bring cake. My parents got a bakery, so free cake."
When Saturday came around, Joe and Nicky had played together every day that week after school. Nicky also insisted on picking Joe up in the morning before school, so they could talk about what to do after school. When Joe said he still wanted to run the 100-meter run, Nicky said he hoped his legs were in the mood to run today. It made Joe laugh.
Right before the run was about to start, the biggest of their classmates Keane laughed at Joe and Nicky, saying they didn't stand a chance with their short legs.
"Don't listen to him, Joe," Nicky said. "I'm not allowed to say bad things about people, but he isn't nice at all."
Joe nodded. He had started to appreciate Nicky's gift for always making him feel better.
During the 100-meter run, Joe actually made it into the top 3. When Joe looked over his shoulder, he saw that Nicky had stopped running and was cheering at him like crazy. It gave Joe the courage to try to win but when he tried to run past Keane, Keane elbowed Joe, so he ended up in the grass. Joe placed his head on his knees and started to cry. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at Nicky.
"You know what, Joe," Nicky said. "You might not have won the 100-meter run today but you won something else. Something more important than a medal. You won your brother's admiration because you tried. Look over at the audience."
Nicky pointed at Ibrahim and Joe saw that Ibrahim was standing on the bench and was clapping.
"So, what do you say we finish this together?" Nicky asked as he reached out his hand towards Joe. "I'll make sure you get over the finish line."
Present Day:
"I sprained my ankle when I was pushed," Joe said. "But Nicky supported me the entire way and I was able to finish the 100-meter run thanks to the best friend I ever have had. A friend that never left my side."
"But if you got last," Matilda asked. "How did you win?"
"Actually it was thanks to a couple of things," Joe replied. "Keane was disqualified for cheating, and Nicky made sure that I got over the finish line before him. Then the rest of my classmates decided to give me the first place because I would have won if Keane hadn't pushed me."
Joe could tell Matilda got more questions.
"What do you want to ask, Matilda?" Joe asked. "I still got time."
"Thanks," Matilda replied. "What happened to Nicky?"
"We stayed friends throughout school, but when Nicky turned 17 he got a scholarship to a university in the States," Joe replied. "We stayed in touch and when Nicky returned ten years later, we fell in love and got married. He is a baker like his parents."
Matilda smiled and before leaving, Joe handed Matilda a couple of photos of him and Nicky she could use for the school newspaper.
When Joe got home, he found Nicky busy with reading as usual.
"Hi Babe," Joe said with a smile before kissing Nicky. "How's the book?"
"Terrible, but I hope it will show me wrong," Nicky replied as he closed the book. Joe sat down on the sofa and Nicky pulled Joe closer so they could cuddle. "How was the interview?"
"I think Matilda got a great future as a journalist," Joe replied. "I told her the story about the 100-meter run and how we became friends."
"I was a silly kid," Nicky replied. "But I got a friend out of it."
Joe lifted Nicky's right leg.
"So..." Joe smirked. "Have you talked your leg into running?"
As a response, Nicky hit Joe with a pillow which made them both laugh before they kissed.