Finding Love in the District

Cyclist Clash

"Yes, it's me... How are you doing?" Ros asked, a small hint of concern in his voice. "You sound tired..."

"Oh, I'm ok." Skye reassured him with a light sigh, still trying to control his breathing. "I'm taking a break from biking."

"Ah, you're cycling? Should I call you another time?" Ros asked.

"It's fine, really. I've biked and chatted many times." Sky admitted. "Helps me with breathing control..."

"I see..." Ros spoke, impressed. "Where do you bike, exactly?"

"Rock Creek. I'm near Beach Drive. I will probably be heading back soon."

"Huh..." Ros said, his tone odd.

"Is... there a problem?" Skye stated, confused.

"No, I guess not.... It's just that I'm in Rock Creek as well..."

"Oh, really?" Skye asked, surprised.

"Yes... I run here 3 times a week." Ros answered in a bashful manner. "I was surprised because I'm actually on Tilden... near the Mill..."

"Ah..." Skye replied, carefully getting back onto his bike as he turned it in a different direction, heading south. "Are you stalking me?" he asked, a smirk on his face as he started peddling.

"No!" Ros stated quickly. "This is purely a coincidence!"

"I know, I'm teasing." Skye spoke with a laugh.

"I had a feeling you might have thought that, which is why I didn't know how to respond." Ros admitted with a defeated sigh.

"I mean, it's possible. You could be lying..." Skye joked.

"I promise I'm not. I have no idea what you're wearing, what bike you ride, or where you live except that you reside in Columbia Heights." Ros replied innocently.

"It's fine, Ros. I'm just messing with you. I'm more surprised that you called. You're not working?"

"Ah, no. I'm off this weekend for once in... 3 months?"

"Wow... that's crazy. What are you planning on doing?" Skye asked, heading downhill as he did so.

"No idea." Ros answered with a laugh. "That's partially why I called you. I also apologize for getting back to you so late. By the time I would get a moment to call you, it would be incredibly late, and I'd rather not wake you."

"It's alright. I figured you were busy being a doctor and all." Skye reassured him. Granted, he would've been perfectly fine having an interrupted night of sleep just to answer Ros' phone call. It had been slightly torturous not hearing from him, especially considering Skye was the one asking for a date.

"Not an excuse. I should've followed-up sooner." Ros insisted. "But, I'm really happy to hear that you were interested in a date. I wasn't expecting it to happen."

Skye smiled to himself as he rounded a curve. "Well, you actually convinced me. I surprised myself, honestly..." he admitted, though slightly distracted by another biker passing him on his left rather quickly without any signal or warning.

"Well, that makes me feel excited to plan our next meeting." Ros happily proclaimed.

"Oh, what did you have in mind? I'm expecting to be impressed, since I don't give anyone a second date." Skye teased as he continued to pedal downhill, slowly gaining speed as he did so, but he found himself behind that biker from before and firmly signaled by saying "Left" as he passed by.

"Oh, hmm... I'm not sure. I was calling to gauge your interest in a few things," Ros replied.

"Such as?" Skye asked, curious. However, his attention was completely taken away as he approached a small child riding on the trail with their father, slowing his speed to keep a distance before trying to pass. But, at the same time, the previous biker from before passed him on the right, this time with such speed that Skye barely noticed until he was directly in front of him. By then, it was too late to react as he saw the biker come to a full stop, his front tire hitting the bike as he tried to veer away. With a shocked gasp, Skye felt himself lift from his seat into the air, landing sideways onto the concrete, a rough grunt following after.