Episode 3 – “The Real Test”

Episode 3 – “The Real Test”

Opening Scene: Jayden’s Ambition

The Interhouse Sports Festival continues, and Jayden, still fired up from his third-place finishes in the 100m, relay, and 200m, decides to challenge himself even further.

As he stands near the track, he approaches Mr. Balogun, the sports coordinator, a strict but fair coach, and tells him his plan.

Jayden: "Sir, I want to run the 400m next."

Mr. Balogun (raising an eyebrow): "You? After running the relay and 200m? Do you think you’re a machine?"

Jayden (smirking): "I still have energy left, sir."

Mr. Balogun (laughing): "Boy, sit down! You don’t even know how tired you are. Your legs are screaming, but your stubborn head refuses to listen!"

Jayden tries to protest, but Mr. Balogun crosses his arms and shakes his head.

Mr. Balogun: "Forget 400m. If you really want to prove yourself, run the 800m."

Jayden’s eyes widen.

Jayden: "800m?! Sir, that’s two laps!"

Mr. Balogun (grinning): "Exactly. Let’s see if you’re as strong as you think."

Jayden hesitates for a moment but then nods.

Jayden: "Alright, sir. I’ll do it."

From the side, Senior Dapo, who is already preparing for the 800m race, overhears. He chuckles and pats Jayden on the back.

Senior Dapo: "Welcome to the real race, rookie."

The 800m Race – The Real Test

The lineup for the 800m race (two runners per house):

Red House: Emeka Okafor & Aisha Lawal

Blue House: Senior Dapo & Jayden Thompson

Green House: Femi Olatunji & Chisom Peters

Yellow House: Daniel Edet & Blessing Uche

Jayden stretches nervously. He has never run 800m before and doesn’t know how to pace himself.

Tobi (teasing): "Omo, Jayden, you dey craze? 800m? You wan faint?"

Jayden (laughing): "If I faint, carry me go clinic."

They all step to the starting line.

Pre-Race Moments:

Senior Dapo looks relaxed, confident in his stamina.

Emeka (Red House) smirks at Jayden.

Femi (Green House) stretches his arms, looking focused.

The two girls, Aisha and Blessing, are determined to hold their own.

The announcer steps forward.

Announcer: "Next up—the 800m race! Two laps around the track! Runners, on your marks… Set… Go!"

Lap 1 – The Fast Start

The race begins and Emeka sprints immediately to the front.

Jayden (thinking): "Wait—why is he running so fast? This is 800m, not 100m!"

Senior Dapo (shouting): "Jayden, don’t chase him! Stay in control!"

Emeka leads.

Femi (Green House) follows closely behind.

Dapo and Jayden are in third and fourth place.

Aisha (Red House) and Blessing (Yellow House) stay steady in the middle.

Lap 2 – The Pain Kicks In

As they start the second lap, Emeka suddenly slows down.

Jayden (panting): "He’s tired?!"

Senior Dapo (grinning): "Now we run."

Dapo increases his speed, overtaking Emeka smoothly.

Femi also overtakes Emeka.

Jayden is still in fourth place.

Chisom (Green House) is closing in.

Jayden tries to speed up, but his legs feel like lead.

Jayden (breathing hard): "Omo… this is not like 100m at all."

Dapo (encouraging): "Keep pushing! Small small!"

Final Stretch – The Fight for 3rd Place

Dapo is in first place, leading by a few meters.

Femi is right behind him, pushing hard.

Jayden and Emeka are now battling for third place!

Aisha and Blessing are keeping up, proving their stamina.

As they approach the final 50 meters, Emeka tries to surge forward, but Jayden digs deep.

Jayden (thinking): "Not this time… I won’t let him beat me again!"

With one final push, Jayden crosses the finish line just before Emeka!

Final Results:

🥇 Senior Dapo (Blue House) – 1st Place!

🥈 Femi (Green House) – 2nd Place!

🥉 Jayden (Blue House) – 3rd Place!

🏅 Emeka (Red House) – 4th Place!

As Jayden crosses the finish line, he collapses onto the grass, gasping for air.

Tobi runs over, laughing.

Tobi: "Jayden, are you alive?"

Jayden (panting): "Bro… I can’t feel my legs…"

Senior Dapo (grinning): "Welcome to the world of long-distance running!"

From the stands, Mr. Balogun nods approvingly.

Mr. Balogun (to himself): "This boy is learning… but he still has a long way to go."

The camera zooms in on Jayden’s exhausted but satisfied face as he realizes something:

Jayden (thinking): "I didn’t win… but I’m improving. Next time, I’m going for first."

Episode Ends.

Next Episode Preview:

Jayden starts serious training with Senior Dapo and Coach Adeyemi. But his biggest challenge comes when he is challenged to a 1500m race… can he handle it?

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