Just Like the Movies

Chapter 3

"if you asked me to, I'd give up everything to be close to you"

-Close to you

Sarah- 

Fuck morning.  The alarm blared, the sound tearing through the fog in my brain like an air raid siren. I groaned, rolling over and grabbing the pillow to hide my face from the daylight creeping through the blinds. Mornings were always the worst, and this one was no exception. But of course, the day wasn't going to wait for me to feel like existing, so I dragged my ass out of bed and stumbled downstairs.

Breakfast? Yeah, right. I could already feel the sweat building up on my forehead. I wasn't ready for this, but my coach had made it clear—if I wanted to stay at the top of my game, I had to put in the work. So, I grabbed my water bottle, pulled on my gym shoes, and forced myself out the door.

The gym was still pretty quiet when I arrived, and for a second, I thought maybe I had the whole place to myself. Heaven. But of course, this was a high school gym, and peace was about as common as an actual snowstorm in August. The hum of the treadmills, the clink of weights—God, it was so loud. I slipped into my usual spot on the elliptical and set the resistance higher than usual.

Time to blow off some steam.

A few minutes in, I started zoning out—lost in the rhythm of my legs moving, the sweat dripping off my face. But just as I was getting into the zone, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps, light and fast, followed by the all-too-familiar giggle of Jenna.

Ugh.

I didn't even have to look up to know what was coming next. Sure enough, there they were—Jenna and Kai—acting like they were the only two people in the world. Jenna was smiling like she had a secret, while Kai looked at her like she had hung the moon. They were so disgustingly cute, and I hated it. Well, not hated, more like... tolerated it, but only because I had to.

I mean, they were my ex and best friend, for God's sake. Seeing them together was like having to witness a car crash that you couldn't look away from. I didn't get it, but whatever.

They didn't even talk to me. I wasn't worth talking to at 6 AM. No, they had their own bubble, and I was just stuck staring at it. Their laughter was like nails on a chalkboard.

"God, they're so cute... It's gross," I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes.

I couldn't take it. The whole gym felt too small, too crowded with their perfect little romance. Jenna had her arms around Kai's neck, and I swear they were holding hands—who does that in the gym, anyway? I wasn't in the mood for their couple vibes today.

Grabbing my bag and throwing it over my shoulder, I huffed and stomped away from the cardio machines. I couldn't deal with the happy right now.

I pushed through the doors to the tennis courts outside. The fresh air hit me like a slap to the face, but it was better than being cooped up in that gym with Jenna and Kai's never-ending PDA.

I bounced the tennis ball on the hard court, letting it bounce and bounce, giving myself a moment to breathe before I started hitting. I needed to burn off some energy, get rid of the frustration that had built up from the morning.

I started with a few light serves, but my mind was still racing. The thought of Kai and Jenna stuck with me. I hated feeling this way. I wasn't the jealous type, but seeing them all lovey-dovey just made everything feel... wrong.

That's when I heard a voice.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't miss sleepyhead."

I rolled my eyes before I even looked up, because I knew exactly who it was.