Running is said to be the healthiest way to forget about all your problems. At least that's what I was told before I had started, for me when I run I don't forget they all pile up on me. It makes me think about all my problems but I think that's why I do it. I spend my whole day pushing away my problems so I can just get through the day without any missed steps. So when it becomes nighttime and they all start to come to life I run, I run for miles, I run till I can't run anymore.
Just like now, my lungs feel like they're about to explode I know I must stop, but I can go a little further I tell myself as I push on just when the spots start to take over my vision; I launch my body onto the grass and land with a roll trying to keep from getting a bruise on my side like the last time. when I come to a stop I just lay there on the slightly damp grass staring up at the stars. Heartbeat in my ears, I try to remember the names of the stars. My mom taught me when I was little but that was so long ago I don't remember most of them anymore. I reach up with my hand to trace along Orions' belt, then to the little dipper, and the big dipper They're always the easiest to find.
Slowly a shadow starts to loom over me, looking in the direction I notice it's a boy. His dark shaggy hair is lightly brushing over his eyes, but I can still see their dark color through them, a little lower and I can see his thin pink lips pushed up in a small smile. He slowly comes and sits next to me. I squint my eyes questioning what he's doing and he just chuckles. "That was some show Riddley." I don't say anything slightly embarrassed he just saw me wipe out. He takes my silence as his cue to continue talking "You were going so fast I didn't know how you were going to stop then you just launched yourself into the grass rolling ... quite impressive." I slowly sit up and lean back on my arms. " Thank you... I can't believe you watched that." I say finally out of my trance.
"So do you do that often when you run? ya know launch yourself into the grass?" I sit there in silence for a few seconds trying to figure out what to say. "Not every time... just when I'm going to pass out, it's the quickest way to stop ya know." He just nods and chuckles "Yeah I guess that makes sense." I just nod and sit there in silence unsure of what was going on I mean Lincoln Dright is sitting next to me, on his own accord. Lincoln is like the hottest burnout at our school. Do you still call them burnouts? or have I just been watching too many 90s movies? I feel like Badboy is just too cliche, I don't know what you call his group but I think you get it. Why would he be sitting with me I mean I'm a nobody. I'm not the smartest in school, I'm not artsy, I'm not a jock or a cheerleader, so none of your cliche bad boys turns nerd hot or anything like that.
The silence is killing me so I finally break it. "So did you need something?" I ask him quietly "Hmmm.. oh no no, kinda was just making sure you're okay. You're not panting like a dog anymore so I guess you're good." I glare at him really like a dog dude? why? " Yup I'm good" He jumps up out of nowhere and dusts his jeans off "Good, good." He says he looks down at me and holds out his hand. I slowly reach up and take it, dusting off my shorts and hoodie, he interrupts my internal grovel about my butt being wet and asks me the last thing I would expect him too. " So do you need a ride?" I look around to make sure he's asking me. When I don't see anyone else out there I reply "Ummm.. noo... I think I'm okay.. I'll just finish my run home." why did that come out as a question? Riddley get yourself together. "Okay then I'll see you around" He turns around and walks off towards the road "Yeah see you around" I yell towards his back. My god Riddley how ridiculous could you be I mumble to myself. and pull my hoodie back over my head, then I take off on a slow run. Replaying everything that just happened in my head the whole way home.
When I finally reach my house I notice my dad's car sitting in the driveway. All thoughts of Lincoln vanish at that exact moment. He's home early I think as I hug my jacket tighter and stick to the shadows, I creep around the side of the house to the back door. I try to not make any sound as I creep in; successfully I make it to my room without a noise. I lock my door and leave my light off as I strip entering the bathroom I run to the other door to make sure it's locked before I turn on the shower. I turn on the lights as the water is warming up. I look in the mirror and I laugh at the sight. There are leaves and twigs and mud all caked into my red hair. Yikes this is what I looked like in front of Lincoln... lord help me. I jump in the shower and scrub all the dirt off of me. Once im finally clean I get out and quickly dry off. throwing on my pajamas which are just an old pair of sweats and a large shirt, I head back into the bathroom and towel dry my hair, brush it and quickly braid it. I turn everything off, plug in my phone and hop into bed letting the darkness consume me.
