I wake up struggling to breath. My nightmares have been becoming more frequent recently. A week from today is my birthday, one of my least favorite days of the year. It was when my entire life changed and I was forced to leave it behind.
My father is the head of one of the largest gangs in America, The Snakes. When he wanted me, his only daughter, to marry a man I barely knew just to help his empire grow, I ran. That day was my birthday, June 14. I grew up in Chicago but I decided to go to California when I fled. I have a new identity. I used to be Avery Tornecelli. Now I am Avery Steadman. I go to college just like any other 22 year old and work at a local bakery a few blocks from my off campus apartment. When I ran from home, I took at least $10,000 cash to ensure I wouldn't be homeless.
Running every morning has become part of my new normal. Wake up, eat a bowl of one of my many kinds of cereal, take jog around the block, take a shower, get ready, go to work. I only take afternoon classes. I hate learning in the mornings.
I'm just tying up my laces when I hear the sound of my alarm going off. Time to run, I think to myself. I take off in a spring once I make it out the doors of the apartment lobby. The fresh air and the sound of the world around me floods my senses. It reminds me of training with my brothers. Always racing one another for fathers approval. I was so distracted from my reminiscing that I didn't notice the man running straight at me. By the time I realize him, we crash and are both on the ground. I look up at the shirtless man. His broad shoulders and biceps bulge as he stands up. Reaching out his hand he helps me to my feet. Slightly embarrassed, I look at my shoes.
"S-sorry about that. I usually look where I'm g-going, I promise." I mentally scold myself for how stupid I sound.
"It's quite all right. Feel free to run into me anytime," he says smirking. He can tell I'm nervous because after he looks my over once, then starts jogging again and shouts a "see you around." Grinning like a child, I give myself a minute to calm down and start running again.
This was kind of short but I just wanted to put an intro to Avery so I can get into the story without confusion.
YOU ARE READING
Running to you
Romance22, almost 23 year old Avery has a dark past. The only way she can feel at ease is by running. She ran from her last life and running into a new with forbidden temptation. When she sees the track tryouts, Avery knows that she has to try. Her dashing...
