It's only a race if you win

The tiny headstrong-girl ran like her life depended on it. Head down, shoulders up, tail flared behind her. It was a great effort to keep up the dash and not trip or break a limb on the rough path beneath her. She almost lost her balance once, breathing hard as she rightened herself, barely slowing her dash. She was in the lead, she was winning.

And then Malik was there, catching up and running alongside her. She skidded to a halt, kicking up debris at him as she laughed. Knowing he would stop too. She turned, and walked into his shoulder, leaning against him for a moment. He was big, and giant. And maybe he could beat her in a dash, but that was okay. She loved him anyway. “Wanna see who can find the biggest tree?” she said as an alternative option. The exit to the giant trunk just before them. Sunlight pooling against the bark. Offering wonders of an unexplored world bahead

"Sierra of the Sea"