Running From You

Chapter 46

NORA

Mom and Mads are home by the time I get home from the beach. I join them on the couch, where they're cuddled under blankets watching some sappy drama, but I barely pay the show any attention.

I'm still deep in my head, thinking over everything that was said today, overanalyzing it all bit by bit, piece by piece. I know Tyler's right. I just have to take the leap and trust him not to hurt me again. There's really no other way if I want to be with him, and I do. But it's easier said than done. I've been hardening my heart all these years, experience teaching me that trust equals hurt. There's barely any cracks left in the stone wall surrounding my heart, but somehow Tyler has managed to crack some open, leaving me vulnerable, and I don't know if I can handle it.

"Nora, everything okay, honey?" mom's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

I look up and realize they're both looking at me with furrowed brows. "Huh?"

"Did something happen at the beach?"

"No, not really," I wave away her concerns, not really wanting to talk about it. "We had fun, really. Bella even came with us, so it was all good."

"Okay," mom says slowly, trying to read my face and I can't help but avoid her gaze.

"How about you guys?" I ask instead, changing the subject. "What did you do today?"

"Lunch and bowling" Mads answers, her eyes flickering from the TV to me.

"Sounds fun," I manage a smile, my thoughts still churning.

"It was," she agrees. "You should come along the next time, make it a family thing."

"Sure," I smile at her, my heart warming. It's been a while since we've really done anything as a family, the three of us.

"You all prepped for tomorrow?" mom asks.

I nod. After two days of rest from running I'm already yearning to feel the tarmac under my feet. 

"I'm coming. To the Regionals." Mads says. "You know, to support you and all that." She looks down at her lap, where her fingers are taking apart the frayed end of the blanket.

"You are?" my brows shoot up in surprise. The meet is an hour drive away so she'd need a ride and I know for a fact mom can't make it.

She nods, her eyes still downcast, as if she's not sure if I'm happy or not. "Olive and Michelle told me I can ride with them, so..."

"Oh," I blink. I didn't know they talk. "Well, that's nice. I'm glad you'll be there," I smile at her, and then surprise her by leaning forward and drawing her into an enormous hug. "Thanks," I whisper in her ear, trying to convey with just the one word how much it means to me that she'll be in the stands cheering me on.

"Hey, let me in on that hug," mom smiles and we laugh as she throws herself on top of us, squeezing us tight.

---

I'm buzzing with nervous energy as I walk to my lane. I already made it through the preliminary rounds this morning with seven other girls, advancing to finals, which are about to start. I'm the most nervous I've ever been before a race.

I look out at the crowd, but can't pick out my friends. Michelle, Olive and Mads all gave me encouraging words and hugs for good luck this morning before going to find places in the stands around the stadium.

Tyler also wished me good luck in his own way before we left for the meet. My fingers touch my lips where I swear I can still feel the linger of his lips, and a smile breaks across my face. The good-luck-kiss clearly worked for him, as he already ran himself to the state competition both in the hundred dash and the four hundred meter relay with his team. I just hope I can do the same.