Just A Reason Why

Chapter One: It Started With A Fall

Life is a mystery, a maze of never-ending thoughts and events that define the path of existence. Life had been on my mind a lot lately and I wasn't sure why or how to divert my attention from the rather haunting thought. The wind nipped at my bare skin as my feet pounded the pavement below me. I was attentively aware of the small crack just around the corner as I raced through my neighborhood. The sun was barely coming up, spilling a rainbow of red and yellow along the beach horizon as I just ran with no thoughts on where I was headed. My mom used to tell me that running would clear my head, I believed her of course. Imagine my disappointment as the mixture of curious thoughts still plagued my mind after each morning away from home. No one understood why I ran the way I did, not even I really knew why the grueling workout became my number one favorite past time. I suppose part of me was hoping that my mom was right, I needed an escape.

My lungs burned as I took each breath, muscles morphing into Jelly the further I ran. It was already a good morning, I could tell today was going to be interesting. The smell of the ocean surrounded me as I got closer to home. Today had been my longest run yet, all the way around the block and I still hadn't collapsed from exhaustion. There was a lot on my mind honestly, the run was more a reward for me. I could see my house in the distance, it was the biggest one on the block, pretty hard to miss a sight like that. 

I was just a few hundred steps away from home when something told me to stop. For the first time since I started, I really stopped to notice my surroundings. The sunrise was extra beautiful this morning as the September air whistled around me. It was hard to ignore the smile creeping across my face as the warmth of the gorgeous setting washed over me. This was home, I loved home. 

~

I reached into my bag and grabbed my grey jacket. It stuck to me like a second skin, clinging to my sweat covered arms. It was mid September, the air just cold enough to send small chills up my spine. My thoughts were scrambled about, my run didn't do as much as I hoped it would. I scanned my surroundings, fully aware of nature sounds parading around me. It was unusually quiet this morning, allowing me full control over my attention. 

My house was just a little further down the beach, towering over the beautiful sand. I paused for a moment, drinking in the beautiful colors of the LA sunrise. I caught a slow smile creeping its way across my face. Running was my escape, the beauty of the morning was just a bonus. I decided to walk back down towards my house instead of my usual jog, the sight was just too amazing to pass up.

I reached my front door and walked inside. The smell of bacon wafted through the air, drawing me towards the kitchen. My aunt was hunched down in one of the cabinets, looking for a bowl I assumed. She didn't notice me right away so I just slipped in silently and leaned over the counter. Finally, she came up from the ground and faced the bacon still sizzling on the stove. I rapped my fingernails against the island, waiting for her to turn around and see me. 

"Hey Aunt Allie," I piped loudly. She jumped back from the stove, her hands flying to her chest as she let out a shrill squeal. I chuckled to myself and her expression hardened. 

"Everly Kathryn Maze, stop doing that! You're going to give me a heart attack!" She scolded, narrowing her eyes at me as I struggled to contain my fit of laughter. 

"I'm sorry Aunt Allie, it's just so funny. You fall for it every morning!" She shook her head, rolling her eyes and turning back to stove. 

I pulled out one of the bar stools and sat down at the island. She looked over her shoulder and studied me for a moment. She rolled her eyes again and I just smiled brightly at her. I reached across the counter and pulled the cooked bacon towards me. I grabbed a piece and began absentmindedly nibbling on it.