Running With Her Heart

Chapter 3: Running Isn't my Friend

Running Song: She's a Maniac By: Michael Sembello From the movie Flashdance

Running isn't my friend. I've watched videos of other runners online. Runners who have been running for years. I watch them race. Yet even as they cross the finish lines, they're out of breath. Sweat clings to their brows, they shake out their muscles as though their sore, and most have red hues to their skin. Running isn't their friend either. Yet we all run anyways.

My hair clings damply to my neck and shoulders while I sit on my laptop in my room. My headphones are popped into my ear and a song plays but I'm not listening. I can't focus. What possessed Jonathan to decide to run with me? How did he even know I was going running today? We have been in school together since kindergarten. We have been neighbours for even longer yet throughout all those years, all the chances he's had to talk to me, he never has. I have never been upset about that. I have been more than happy to stay away from Jonathan but now he's ruined that. He went for a run with me. What a jerk.

The next morning I lace up my runners and prepare myself for another run. My body still aches for the day before. A little pain can't stop me though. I'm better than this. With my phone in my pocket and headphones snaked up the inside of my shirt, I give myself up to the sun and the street. Except before I even manage to shut my front door behind me, I see something that makes me stop dead. Jonathan.

"What are you doing here," I demand, slamming the door behind me. I turn around and lock it slipping the key the tiny pocket where my phone is.

"I'm here for our run," he says as though it should be obvious.

"What are you talking about?" It takes everything in me not to scream.

"Running? You know, it's like walking but faster," he explains a smirk across his face.

"That's not what I'm talking about. I don't know what you think is going on but I don't run with people. Especially not you," I tell him, walking past him towards the end of my driveway.

"Ouch Em, it's like your purposely trying to hurt my feelings."

"You have feelings?" I reply sarcastically without looking back. "And don't call me, Em." As I reach the end of my driveway, I break out into a light jog. I haven't started my music yet because I know what is to follow. Or I guess it's more like who is to follow. Jonathan catches up with me in about two seconds flat.

"Hey, don't be like that. Running with me yesterday wasn't that bad, right?"

"Wrong. It was horrible. So leave me alone." With that I pick up the pace, sprinting away from him.

"Wait up, Em." I stop instantly at the use of that nickname. It holds bad memories for me. At my sudden stop, Jonathan crashes into my back which nearly knocks both of us to the ground.

"Do not call me Em," I nearly growl at him.

He holds up his hands palm forward as though he's surrendering. "Okay, okay. I won't... As long as you let me run with you."

For a few unbearable seconds we stare at each other, me glaring daggers at him and him just grinning back at me. Even his stupid eyes look like they're smiling. "Fine, whatever come for a run with me but don't even think of saying anything. I run alone because I prefer the silence so don't ruin that for me," I warn him.

"I wouldn't dream of it." With those last words, I start my music and begin running.

The air hangs heavily in the air, refusing to move properly in and out of my lungs. I reach the end of my driveway and lean over supporting myself with my knees. I attempt to take deep breathes again but this proves to be much more difficult than before.

"Well that was fun," Jonathan says from beside me. I look over at him and see him stretching his arms and shoulders out.

"Glad someone thought so." Then without a single look back I head into my house and lock the door leaving Jonathan out on the driveway.

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