Purgatory | Nathan Adrian

Ch. 2 Adjusting

     "Good morning!" a voice shouted and I looked at my wrist to see Maya's face in the Apple Watch, "Before you ask any more of your pestering questions or say anything, this is a pre recorded message because I don't wake up this early. I just want you to know that time has passed since your death and things have changed. I believe you are currently in Atlanta, Georgia. Why? I have no idea. Enjoy your time. Your clock starts now."

     "Atlanta, Georgia?" I thought out loud and shrugged, then continued to brush my teeth. 5:30 am, what would I do at 5:30 am normally? Sleeping, but occasionally run. I decided to make use of my days and run, even if I might die from exhaustion. I walked to a closet and found it filled with clothes. I managed to find a t-shirt, running shorts, and running shoes.

     "I'm not even with him and yet here I am running like I am," I laughed. The only reason why I'd run was because my boyfriend would make me, but I guess old habits die hard.

     I found an iPhone and headphones on the table next to the bed and I opened to find it made for me, all my apps, all my music, just no contacts or pictures or social media. I sighed realizing that I was just a nobody with no way to contact anyone that I knew before and not able to let them know it's me. I walked out of my room and made my way down to the lobby and onto the streets. People were out too and it felt like I hadn't seen a person in centuries.

     I plugged in my headphones and just started running in whatever direction I thought was best and found myself regretting this run. Atlanta, Georgia's heat felt like hell. I ran into a diner that was open and made a bee line for an open seat at the counter and pulled out my phone. I was starving and craving food. I saw the date and it was July 11th.

     "I hope that he made the trials," I said aloud as I browsed through the menu.

     "Hope who made the trials? The olympic trials?" The waitress said pouring a glass of water next to me.

     "Uh yeah, do you know if Nathan Adrian made the US swim team this year?" I asked.

     "Well the only swimmers I know are Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, but I'm sure you can use your phone and search for that answer. While I'm here, anything I can get you?"

     "Oh right, ha. Um, I guess I'll have strawberry Belgium waffles and glass of orange juice."

     "Coming right up," she smiled and walked away.

     I opened my phone and searched for the results of the Olympic Trials. I nervously typed in Nathan Adrian and felt relieved when I found it he made it again. I continued to look at my phone to see what else happened while I was gone when I heard the bells to the diner door chime indicating someone else entered.

     "God I am starving," a familiar voice said nearby me. I looked to my right and saw that Nathan Adrian was sitting one seat away from me. I was in shock. Why was Nathan in Atlanta? He saw me staring and gave me an awkward smile. "You out running early too?" he asked.

     "Um yeah, I'm not the running type, my boyfriend was," I told him, but then realized that I lost his attention by saying that, "But I haven't been with him since February and old habits die hard."

     "Well running in the morning is a good habit to have," he said then looked at the menu.

     "You know, I think that the best breakfast to have after working out would be a nice bowl of oatmeal, an avocado, a bunch of eggs, and toast," I said nonchalantly knowing that's his favorite thing to eat after his morning workout, which for some reason ended much earlier than usual seeing that it was just a bit past 6:30 he would end at 8.

     "That sounds great right now," he said putting the menu down, "I'm Nathan," he smiled moving into the seat next to me.

     "I'm Bl-ailey," I said awkwardly, about to tell him my real name.

     "You mean Bailey?" he asked while slightly chuckling.

     "No, I hate that name," I said quickly, "My name is," I said looking around trying to find an idea for a name and I saw it. "Spencer."

     "I like it," Nathan bitterly smiled.

     "So are you from Atlanta?" I asked, already knowing the answer, and everything about him.

     "Uh no, I'm here only here for about a month for work. What about you?"

     "I'm just visiting and enjoying myself," I replied, it was the sad truth. I was still a bit in shock that I was only here for less than two hours and I managed to find Nathan. I felt like that I was just with him, but I knew he didn't know me. I was just a stranger he was sharing breakfast with. I wasn't the person who he was living with anymore. I wasn't the person who he was going to share a life with. I was just a stranger.