Overwhelmed

run if you can

Saying goodbye to my parents was just as difficult as I thought it would be. Once they left, I felt a bit empty. The house which felt so amazing yesterday seemed lonely and terrifying. Suddenly, I began to feel nervous about swimming. I didn't have my first practice until tomorrow, but these were some high level swimmers. What if I couldn't handle it?

One new notification from Instagram

dreamwastaken

hey, how are you feeling?

lots of things i think

im sorry :( anything good?

uh kinda?
i dunno. i mean, i did it so that's good

its over with. just think of it like that.

yea. im just stressed a bit now
oh and thanks for setting up my computers

no problem :j
what's stressing you out?

uhh swim i guess

when do you start

tomorrow.
i seriously haven't even exercised since before we left
what if they're all better than me?

because you didn't exercise?
no way
you're the best

thanks clay. wish it were that easy

wanna go for a run?

really?

yea

okay

i'll be there soon

I mean, I absolutely hate running and it brings me more pain than I can even explain... but maybe it'll take my mind off of swim. Plus, I do need to exercise somehow. What do people even wear to run?? I guess adídas shorts and a tee shirt will have to work. 

A knock on my door sends chills down my spine. He really meant soon I guess.

"Hey," I greet him, opening the door. I guess I was pretty close on the dress code because he's wearing adídas sweats and a tee shirt. It still feels weird, though, having a face to put to his voice.

"Hey." He gives me a little wave and smiles. 

"Sooo, I realize that I may have been misleading earlier..." He raises an eyebrow at me. "You see, I absolutely hate running and uh I can't do it to save my life."

"What?! You didn't have to say yes! I just wanted to help, not make you miserable."

"Well, you see. My need to exercise is slightly greater than my hatred of running, so I want to give it a try. Just don't judge..."

"Alright, deal. C'mon this way." It's only been ten minutes when the cramp in my side is too overwhelming to keep moving. 

"Uh, Clay?"

"Yeah?" he asks, slowing down to a walk.

"I'm dead..."

"I can tell," he says. I scoff... how kind of him. "This way." I follow him for a minute, but I seriously can't even move. I sit on the ground and wait for him to notice and come back. Or maybe he should just leave me here for dead... that feels like a good option. Okay, okay... maybe a bit dramatic, but seriously- OW!