To Hit The Ground Running

Coffee Spills and Car Rides

I put my electric blue earbuds in and tied my shoelaces. And just like that, I was off and running. My feet slammed against the pavement as the bass thumped in my ears. "You've got that James Dean, daydream look in your eye/ And I got that red lip classic thing that you like," I sang in my head as I ran down the block. It had been several weeks since track season ended but swim was starting in less than a week and I was more than out of shape. The thing about running was that I always tried to make up an excuse not to but once I had my sneakers all laced up and I started, I just couldn't seem to stop. Every time I ran, I could feel the energy tingling in my body and hear the sound of my feet against the pavement; that's the only reason I continued to run.

I ran a few miles into town, smiling to the few store owners who were early birds. Running in the morning meant you could feel the cold air seeping through the small holes in your clothes. Running in the morning meant you could smell the freshly brewed coffee all the way through town. Running in the morning meant no one was around; just you and your thoughts in the entire world.

After running for a while, I began to turn a corner when I ran smack into someone. I felt the hot coffee dripping down my shirt, burning my skin. I quickly pulled my shirt away from myself so the liquid wouldn't touch me. I glanced up and saw a boy standing in front of me. His green eyes were wide and he was moving his mouth rapidly, almost like he was saying something. I pulled my headphones out and raised my eyebrows at him, somewhat confused but mostly annoyed.

"I'm so sorry," He stuttered. "I swear, it was just an accident." He looked around frantically and then at me, before he turned around a took off.

I stared at him in disbelief and threw my hands up in the air. "What the hell? Seriously, you're going to run from me?" I yelled out. He turned the corner and left. " Fine, run. Like a little scaredy cat." I knew I could be intimidating but I wasn't that bad. I stood there in the middle of the sidewalk with a puddle of coffee splashed around my feet. I felt the coffee drip down my legs and into my sneakers, staining my white socks. I started walking to the nearest open store to find the napkins I desperately needed. As I walked down the block, I felt another person step on my foot. I had a little to none patience and I was more than ready to bite someone's head off. "Are you kidding me! What is it with people and not being able to walk properly?" I looked up to find the same boy, standing in front of me, once again.

"I'm so sorry, I just ran to grab you some napkins. I feel terrible." He began to apologize as I took the napkins and began to wipe myself. "I swear if there's anything I can do, I will. Can I give you a ride back to your house or anything? Do you live around here?" He turned his head and looked around town. He swiped his brown hair out of his eyes and smiled nervously at me, the dimples becoming more prominent in his cheeks.

The time read 9:45 on my locked phone screen. I glanced around and saw that most of the stores had been open and people were beginning to shop. Deciding to take him up on his offer, I responded, "Uh...actually yeah, I need to get home soon anyway."

"Okay, my car is parked at the corner of the street," he said pointing, "So..." he trailed off and began walking. He turned his head sideways to look at me. "My name is Will. What's yours?" he grinned, clearly trying to make friendly conversation.

I decide to go along with it. "My name is Lacy," I shot him a smile. As we reached the black Elantra, Will pulled his keys out of his shorts pocket and unlocked the car. "Um...are you sure you want me to sit?" I stood in front of the passenger door awkwardly.

"Yeah, why wouldn't you...oh...um...don't worry about, my car will be okay." He assured me. I got in the car and shut the passenger door. I buckled my seat belt and pulled out my phone. I wrapped my headphones around my phone and placed it in my lap. I tucked my hands under my thighs and sighed. The soreness from all the running was beginning to kick in, especially in my thighs and calves. "So where do you live? Not that I'm a stalker...I just need to drop you off...cause you know...well...yeah."