Walk a Mile

Ch. 7

walk a mile 7

  Their bike lessons continued for the next few days. As soon as the sun started to set, they would both head outside. They chose that time of day so they wouldn't have to endure the brunt of the draining Miami heat. An hour or two was all it took to build Historia's experience. She grasped the concept sooner than Ymir was expecting. After only about three days of Ymir's lessons, Historia could go much farther alone than before. Gradually, Ymir stopped aiding her with her hand on the seat nor handlebar. She just watched from the side as Historia ripped through her neighborhood. 

  "I can't believe I can actually do that," Historia sighed giddily as she walked beside Ymir on her way back to their house. Both girls had one hand on the handlebar, walking on either side of the bike. 

  "I'm proud of you. You did a good job today," Ymir beamed, taking no hesitation in saying those words. Over the time they spent together, she found that Historia was kind of like a puppy. If you regarded her with excitement and gave her a ton of compliments, she was putty in your hands. Ymir even contemplated rubbing her belly as a reward since she responded so positively to praise. But she decided against it. That probably would've been a little weird.

  "Thanks. You're an amazing teacher. I seriously thought there was no hope," Historia shook her head fondly at her first attempt. "Remember a few days ago when I got so mad that I couldn't do it?" 

  "Yep," Ymir affirmed with a little giggle. "You seemed more frustrated than anything, though."

  "I was," Historia nodded. "Look at me now," she added in the tune of Chris Brown's song.

  "I'm gettin' paper," Ymir joined in. 

  Historia grinned at Ymir, then they both broke out into the song. Historia provided the background sound effects. Ymir simply sang the chorus. Historia sort of started doing a little dance as they walked the bike back home. Ymir was watching her in amusement, now unable to wipe off her stupid smile. After she stopped being so standoffish towards her, she realized that Historia wasn't terrible company at all. She was funny and weird and always kept Ymir entertained. 

  "Oh my god, I can rap all of Busta Rhyme's verse," Historia announced excitedly as the thought popped into her mind.

  "You can not," Ymir called her bluff blithely. 

  "I can! Look, I'll do it right now," Historia insisted and came to a stop. "Are you ready for this?" 

  "Go for it," Ymir stopped as well and leaned on the bike to watch her. She didn't know what to believe at the moment. Historia was always surprising her with her odd talents. 

  "Wait, let me see the lyrics," Historia held a hand up as she pulled out her phone. "Okay. Ready?" 

  "I just told you I was," Ymir laughed and shook her head. Historia was stalling. There was no way she could actually pull it off. "Stop while you're ahead." 

  "Shut up, I can do it," she insisted and scrolled to the top of the lyrics page. 

  Historia should've taken Ymir's advice. She got off to a nice start, easily flowing through the first few lines. Then she fumbled her words. She cleared her throat and looked up at Ymir with blushing cheeks. Then she excused herself and insisted that that was only a minor mistake. Ymir relented and offered her another shot, but Historia stuttered again. Ymir laughed at her and lost all hope. She knew she couldn't do it. 

  "You suck," Ymir chuckled and began walking once more. It was a little darker now and she wanted to hurry up and make it home. She had superstitions about being out late at night. She wasn't a fan of the darkness.