The Unknown

Jogging

Julie's pov

Shane knocks on our door and pops his head in, after hearing me say, "It's open."

"Mike and I are going for a run. Anyone care to join us?"

"Sure, I'll go, just give me five minutes to change," I say, as I set my book down and hop off my bed. Maybe a run will take my mind off my sore backside.

"That's a hot deny, Admiral. Carrie and I have a date with Dean and Sam Winchester in the common room in five," Lisa says, tugging on Carrie's arm. "Ready sis?"

"Yeah, maybe next time, Shane," Carrie offers, as Lisa pulls her out the door.

"Stacey?" Shane looks to my cousin, to see if she's game.

"Yeah sure, I'll come. A run sounds good right now."

Stacey and I get changed and meet Mike and Shane out front. The four of us start jogging around the perimeter of the Center's grounds. Stacey and I, however, are having a hard time keeping up with them.

"Geez, how did you guys get in such good shape?" Stacey asks, as the two of us struggle to match Mike and Shane's pace.

"Must be all the practice Shane gets running from commitment," I say jokingly, as I muster all my energy reserves and sprint past Shane, unable to resist the temptation to poke fun at his dating track record.

"Ohhh, that's it. You are so in for it now," Shane laughs, pretending to be offended by my comment as he chases after me.

"If that's the case, Mike must be in such good shape running from good taste," Stacey says, laughing. "Seriously, Mike, when did the dollar store start selling running shorts?" Stacey shouts, sprinting past Mike.

"We'll see if you're still laughing when I catch you," Mike warns playfully, chasing after my cousin.

Unfortunately for us, Mike and Shane easily catch up to Stacey and I. Mike grabs Stacey from around the waist and effortlessly tosses her over his shoulder, like a sack of potatoes.  

"So I get my clothes at the dollar store, huh?" Mike teases, playfully swatting my cousin's bottom as we head back to the Center.

Shane looks at me with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Oh no." I shake my head, practically reading Shane's mind. "Don't even think about it, Admiral." I  try to dodge Shane's grasp as he reaches for me. "I swear I will curb stomp you, Shane." My threat is futile as Shane already has me draped over his left shoulder.

"Running from commitment," Shane scoffs, as he mimics my mildly facetious remark. "I'm not running now, am I, Julie?" Shane laughs, swatting my bottom as I hang upside down contemplating doing the same to him in return but the man must have eyes in the back of his head because just as I'm about to reach back and smack his butt, he says, "I'd think twice about doing that if I were you." I know he's joking but seeing that he clearly has the upper hand in this situation, I think better of it and lower my hand.

"What do you think, Shane?" Mike asks, with an adorable impish grin on his face. "Should we take our time getting back to the Center? Possibly walking as slowly as we can." Mike continues to playfully swat my cousin's bottom.

"Sounds like a plan, Dr. Horton." Shane smiles broadly as he smacks my butt, just hard enough to make it sting a little but it stings a lot since I'm still sore from my prior encounter with his belt.

"Hey! Watch it," I say, in mock protest. Even though his gentle swats hurt, I don't really mind because it's nice to see Shane and Mike smiling and hear them laughing again. Sometimes, I feel like I do nothing but upset them.