Give Me Some Space

~Chapter 1~

                I went down the carpeted steps, leading from my front door. Like every day, I saw my best friend, Jonsey Evans standing at the edge of my drive way, staring at where my garden had once been. I pushed a few wondering strands of my long red hair away from my face, and tucked the rest of my loose curls into the hood of my coat. I stepped onto my driveway. He heard my high heels click on the pavement behind him, and knew it was me. Jonsey spun around smiling with open arms. "Happy birthday Ella!" he exclaimed giving me a warm hug. I hugged him back. His smooth, brown hair smelled fresh and sweet like homemade bread, which he brought to school every day for lunch. We both stepped back and he shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out a box. He smiled holding the box out to me.

"Jonsey, I thought told you that I didn't want a birthday present!" I whined.

"Well, that's too bad for you then." he stated plainly. I giggled and took the box from his hand as we started walking. I opened the small, black box. Inside was a small charm bracelet with tiny sparkly little stars and moons dangling off of the chain. I smiled. He obviously knew me really well. I was totally obsessed with everything in the night sky. Also they were purple to match the ring I wear on a necklace every day, that I had acquired when I was ten years old. I took the bracelet out of the box, the shiny glass charms jingling. I looked over at Jonsey who had been watching me this whole time.

"It's wonderful, thank you! I love it so much!"His Eyes brightened and his smile widened, at the sound of my excited, yet chill voice. I slipped it on my wrist and held my hand out in front of me to look at it. Jonsey glanced at his watch and pressed a few buttons.

"Ready-set-go!!!" Jonsey yelled, sprinting down the road.

"Hey! Wait for me!!!" I yelled tearing after him. I caught up with him easily.

"Jeez! " he said as he saw me effortlessly pass him. "I didn't know you were that fast... or I wouldn't have challenged you to a race." he said between breaths.

"Just because I don't like gym class does not mean I didn't get a good mark." I laughed. "I can do anything you can, but I can do it in high heels." I said as I smiled slyly. Time flew and we had already ran all the way to the school.

 "You got me." He said with airy breath as he did a summersault into the snow bank in front of the school. I sat down in the snow next to him. He was panting like crazy still trying to catch his breath. "How did you do that!?!?" Jonsey yelled  throwing his arms onto into the snow above his head and staring up at the cloudy sky. "You didn't even break a sweat!"

"But we ran what- 100 meters?"

"At least seven hundred meters."

"Look, Jonsey ... it's a long story." I said as I stood up and brushed the snow off my pants.

"Well, we've got plenty of time because now were at school early. C'mon, it can't be that long of a story can it?"Jonsey pleaded, stumbling to his feet. I started walking towards the school but before I got very far Jonsey leaped in front of me, fell to his knees, and grabbed my arm. " Please, please, please Elisabeth?" he pleaded, shaking my limp arm in all possible directions.

"Get up goofball." I giggled, grabbing his hands that were jerking my arm around. "Come on." I said as I pulled on his arms. Reluctantly he stood, and I walked off towards the front doors.

"I don't understand why you won't tell me." Jonsey complained, running to catch up with me.

"Fine, I'll tell you." I mumbled. He smiled again. "But only if you promise never to talk about it ever again, okay?" Jonsey nodded, and we both stopped walking. "It's another weird thing my Dad makes me do."

"What is?" Jonsey asked curiously.

"I'm never able to hang out, or do anything on Saturdays because he makes me 'train' all day, when I say all day I mean ALL day. That is also why I never want to do anything on Sundays; because I'm exhausted. Also, every morning I have to wake up early, like 3:40-ish. See, my Dad makes me do this thing where every day, I run as far and as fast as I can, for as long as I can. He started making me do all this crazy stuff when I was only six years old, and I don't know why, I never asked ... He keeps a lot of secrets from me so I guess... I guess that I just figured it would be pointless asking him anything about it. I never told you because, well I... it's a bit odd." I explained.

"I know you don't like talking about your Dad. Elle, I shouldn't have..."

"Don't bother apologizing," I interrupted. " It doesn't matter anymore." I looked at my watch. "I 'm late! I need to go talk to Mr. Owens because I missed yesterday's lesson." I sprinted towards the front entrance of the school at full speed.

"See you later!" Jonsey shouted after me.