The Story Of Us

Armistice

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The morning after the party, Lily wasn't too worse for wear. Still, the slight pain at the front of her skull told her she ought to go for a run and get a green juice.

Once she had changed into a bright red workout outfit consisting of biker shorts and a sports bra, pulled a cropped white tee overtop, and tied back her hair, Lily shot Marlene a text that said she had gone out for a run and expected an egg sandwich in their fridge waiting for her upon return.

Out on campus, Lily felt the world melt away as she plugged in her headphones, tucked her phone into her waistband, and set out at a jogging pace.

The way you move is like a full-on rainstorm, and I'm a house of cards

You're the kind of reckless that should send me running, but I kinda know that I won't get far

From across the green, of course, she saw James. She attempted to pivot onto a different path but it was too late— he was already jogging over.

"Hey, Evans!" He grinned from ear to ear as he waved, still coming over. She smiled but it was more of a grimace, skidding to a halt as she turned back to face him. Just like last time, he had on a tight, long-sleeve gray athletic top that showed off his faint muscles too much for Lily's liking, and black workout shorts that cut off mid-thigh. Different from last time, his hair was pulled back with a headband. She supposed it had grown longer over the past month or so.

"Hi, James," Lily said, cordially. She placed a hand on her hip as she shook her head, honestly impressed by his determination to plague her existence. "I'm starting to think you're following me."

James laughed, tossing a hand in the air. "Again, I say it's fate."

"Just like Journey always playing?"

"Just like Journey." James nodded. Always, a wide smile on his lips. "Where're you headed?" He took in a deep breath and then wiped away some sweat that had formed on his forehead. Spring had arrived and the green smelt like flowers. Lily smiled and then remembered she was talking to James.

She tried a different tactic to attempt shaking him off this time, saying she had just started and had miles more to go.

"Great! I've just started as well." Lily noticed now that he didn't have any headphones. How did this man find running enjoyable without music? Shouldn't he be listening to 'Faithfully' or some shit? "You can make sure I keep my pace." He nudged her in the side with her elbow just then, and something tangled in her stomach that she chose to ignore.

She snorted. About to try another excuse, Lily was left with her mouth hung open as she spotted someone else familiar across the grass's expanse, sitting on a bench a few paths away.

"For fuck's sake!" Lily muttered.

"Right, okay, we don't have to run together then—"

"No, no!" Lily batted a hand at James as she shifted slightly, turning her body away from the man on the bench. "Not you."

James's bottom lip jutted out as he began to turn over his shoulder, following Lily's sight line. She grabbed his arm quickly and pulled him back to focus on her. "Stop drawing attention to us!" She hissed through her teeth, now shielding her face with her hand.

James let out a soft laugh. "Yeah, you're doing that enough for us both." Lily looked up at him through her lashes and glared— hard. He just continued to look down at her, mildly amused. "You know someone over there, I assume?"

Lily nodded, letting her hand drift back to her side as James stepped in front of her, artfully blocking her from the man on the bench's view. "Um— yeah." Lily went on her tiptoes to peer over James's shoulder. He wasn't looking at her— yet— thank God.