At the track, the team talks about Usain Bolt, who holds the world record for the 100-meter dash: 9.58 seconds. Castle thinks he can beat that time, but when he tries, it takes him over 12 seconds to run the 100 meters. Coach makes him keep trying, and soon, his time is over 15 seconds.

The rest of the team arrives, and Coach makes introductions. A woman with braids is his assistant coach, Coach Whit. Lu and Castle are the only sprinters among the new runners. A veteran sprinter named Mikey puts them through sprint drills. During a short break, a boy named Aaron shares his water with Castle—who has by then asked everyone to call him Ghost. Lu makes fun of Castle’s clothes; Lu wears fancy running gear, while Castle is wearing rolled-up pants and high-top sneakers. Before Castle can get too angry and start a fight, practice resumes.

During his final sprint, Castle trips on a shoelace that has come undone and falls hard. Coach asks him to sit out the rest of the practice and rest, and Castle is embarrassed. Patina, called Patty, talks to Castle and tells him that they have all fallen before. She also tells him that Lu has albinism, which is why he is so insecure and combative.