Running With Her Heart

Chapter 2: A Special Part of Heaven

Running Song: Wildest Dream by Taylor Swift

    There must be a special part of heaven just for distance runners. A part of heaven where they can run for miles on end without break, where the wind blows through their hair, and no matter how far or how fast they run they never get tired. This part of heaven must allow them to run without cramps in their muscles, without a choking sensation in their lungs, and I'm sure their sides would never feel as though they were on fire. Running would be peaceful, relaxing, nothing like I'm feeling right now as I push my legs to take the final strides home instead of curling up in a ball on the side of the road like my body has suggested.

     After my first run of the summer I didn't run again for the next four days. Instead of enduring the physical and emotional abuse running gave me the first time I parked myself on the couch instead. I let myself drown my sorrows at failing at running through my laptop, T.V., and phone. They could block out the pain I felt deep instead if not get rid of it. It was finally while watching T.V. that an ad for running shoes came on and it forced myself to face reality. Running isn't something you pick up in a day. It's supposed to be difficult. So I picked up my running shoes and I hit the sidewalks. That's where I am now.
     I've barely made it anywhere yet my lungs still wheeze like I'm dying. I feel a whip against my ankle. Glancing down I notice my shoe lace has come undone. Kneeling down, happy for the excuse to stop, my sweaty fingers begin attempting to tie the lace back up. My fingers flop helplessly with the laces, too sweaty to try and do the knot.
     "Do you need help with that?" I can't help the startled scream that escapes my lips. Quickly I stumble to my feet, taking a step back and away from the person in front of me. I remove my headphones and I shield my eyes from the sun to stare at the figure in front of me. I don't think I could be anymore surprised then I was in that moment.
     "What?" I stutter out unable to say much more.
     "Do you need help? With your shoelace?" He repeats. When I continue to just stare at him he crouches down and continues to tie up my shoelace, a job I had already started. A tiny bow and double knot later, he brushes himself off and stands up again.
The whole time I was unable to take my eyes off him. Jonathan and he was right in front of me, tying my shoelace. I don't even know what to think. He stands in front of me now, staring back at me, his blue eyes piercing mine. I take a look at his attire and see that he's wearing athletic clothing too.
     "What are you doing?" I ask him. I know I'm being horribly rude but I can't help myself. I don't think in my whole life I have said more than one word to Jonathan and now here he stands tying my shoelace.
     "Well I saw you needed help tying your shoes and me being the gentleman I am wouldn't dare let a damsel in distress down," he replies with what I imagine is supposed to be a charming smile.
     "For some reason I have trouble believing that," I scoff. "Anyways bye," I mutter before jogging in the other direction. It only takes a few seconds before I hear footsteps behind me. Crap. I abruptly stop and swivel around as Jonathan nearly runs face forward into me.
     "Whoa," Jonathan says his body near inches from mine as he stops just in time to prevent us both from tumbling to the ground.
     "What are you doing now?" I ask thoroughly pissed. I just want to go for my run.
     "Same thing as you. Just going for a jog."
     "Well can you do it somewhere else." There is no way Jonathan is going to ruin my running time.
     "What can't we run together?" He asks.
     "No, we cannot," I exclaim.
     "And why not?" He crosses his arms over his chest, giving me a questioning look.
     "Because firstly I run alone, always. My music is my only company and I am totally okay with that. Secondly I don't think you even know my name," I say with all the patience I have left.
He stares at me his eyes puzzled for a moment before his signature smirk returns to his face. "I do so know your name, Emily. Besides I promise if you let me run with you, you won't even know I'm there." I purse my lips while checking the time on my phone. Already my breathing has returned to normal which means I have been resting for too long.
     "Fine, whatever. Just stop talking and you can run with me." He laughs slightly but I've already turned away and started running again. I start my music back up and plug my earphones into my ears hoping to tune out Jonathan's footfalls beside me.
It's different then running alone. Every single time I stare down at my feet, I catch glimpses of Jonathan's feet running beside mine. It's the most annoying thing, watching someone else follow you. I take the same route I did before, trying as hard as possible not to let Jonathan's presence disturb me.

    Finally we've made a complete circuit and we've come back to my house. The whole way, Jonathan hasn't said a word like he promised. I come to a stop, panting and leaning over on my knees. I remove my headphones and turn to Jonathan. A slight sweat has broken out of his forehead while I'm drenched in it.
     "Thanks for the run," Jonathan says. Then without a single glance back he runs off towards his house leaving me red in the face and more confused than ever. I shake my head at the bizarre encounter I had. I went on a run with Jonathan, Jonathan the football star, the one everyone's talking about. In fact he pretty much forced me to run with him. As I walk into the house and the air conditioning rushes past me enveloping me only one thing runs through my mind. I hate him. He had the nerve to run with me. I made it very clear that I didn't want anyone to run with me. Yet he stopped me. Insisted that he run with me and that I wouldn't notice him. Yet I did. I only wanted to go for a run but he had to try and ruin that. I really, truly hate him.

     I shake my head and step into the shower. I don't need to take his crap. If he tries to pull something like this again I certainly won't let it happen again. I can't believe I let him run with me once. I just want to run.

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