Running With Her Heart

Chapter 9: I Won't Fall for His Smile

Running Song: Me and My Broken Heart By: Rixton

The morning comes too soon and I find that I'm no more rested then when I originally went to bed. Despite this I pull myself out from under my covers and change into my running clothes. My body is grateful to be going for a run, I didn't realize how anxious I have become. I tie up my hair and slip on my running shoes before I head outside. I shut the door behind me and lock it quickly.
Jonathan is already waiting on my porch. He's sitting with one shoe on either side of his body. He had turned when he heard the door open.

"Hey," he says a smile crossing his face, one that normally would make girls weak in the knees. Not me though, I know better. "I was beginning to think something happened to you."

He pats the spot beside him on the step expecting me to join him. When I don't move, it's then he looks at me, really looks at me and notices I'm already wearing my runners. His smile drops from his face as he meets my eyes. I don't give him a chance to read the emotions flickering across my face instead I glance around the front yard.

Jonathan shoves on his shoes in record time and quickly stands up in front of me. He faces me, concern evidence in his features. He stands on the step below me and suddenly we're eye to eye. I can't help but notice we have less than a foot of space between us now and making it hard for me to think straight. We are far too close, I need to step away but I can't. Instead he has me mesmerized by his blue eyes. He searches my face trying to make sense of my seemingly random change in behaviour. I feel his light breath brush against my cheeks and I gulp nervously. Before I do something I might regret I drop my gaze, slightly turning my face away from him. Only the moment I do Jonathan reaches out with his hand and draws me back to him.

"What's going on?" He asks and if I didn't already know better I would have believed he meant it.

"Nothing," I say firmly finally finding the strength to pull away. I brush past him and hop down the stairs. "Let's go running." I jog to the end of the driveway but it's not until I start down the street that I finally manage to take a deep breath again. What the hell is happening to me?

We bound down the sidewalk back towards my house. Finally we come to a stop once we again reach my front porch. Jonathan leans up against my door, panting. I let out shallow breathes myself. I shut my eyes and focus on breathing in and out, trying to regain control of my body. When I open them again I find Jonathan staring at me.

"What?" I snap at him.

"What changed?" He asks.

"Excuse me?" I reply tartly.

"Yesterday we had a great time hanging out at the park and today you treat me like I'm not even here. Something changed and I don't understand what," he exclaims, anger seeping into his words.

"It sucks doesn't it? But I guess the great Jonathan can't stand a taste of his own medicine."

"My own medicine?" He spits back.

"I've watched you play with so many different girls emotions in the past. Some of them my friends. I may not have been one of them but that doesn't mean I don't know the games you play. Hot and cold. Isn't that right? Wanting them one moment and treating them like trash the next. I can't stop you from playing those games but whatever game you're trying to play with me. I need you to stop. I don't want you to come running with me again tomorrow. If you have one decent bone in your body, you will leave me alone and stop whatever you're trying to do to me." I find myself breathless again by the end.

"Emily, you're being ridiculous," he crosses his arms in front of his chest, his back resting against the door.

"I know better Jonathan, you're not just friends with girls. It's always some type of game with you. I don't have time for you to screw up my life too."

"It's not like that. Come on Em," he insists his voice reaching mine in volume.

"Don't call me that." I grind out between my teeth. It's then as I step forward I realize that Jonathan's leaning against the door blocking my only form of escape. I can tell from the look on his face that he knows exactly what he's done too. "Move," I demand, steel in my tone.

"Make me," he challenges. I stare at him, frustrated beyond belief. I've gotten extremely close to Jonathan in my rage and we're even closer than we were earlier this morning. Before I can correct myself and step away Jonathan crushes his lips against mine. I freeze as his lips meet mine. One of his hands is cupping my neck and the other is curled around my back. His lips move against mine and I don't know how to stop myself because I'm responding to his touch. I'm kissing him back. I'm kissing Jonathan and he's a grade A heartbreaker. That's all that needs to cross my mind before I yank myself out of his hold. I step back, shoving my hands against his chest, putting a mile of distance between us. For a moment neither of us speaks as we both digest what just happened. If I was mad before, I'm furious now.

"Move," I growl and this time Jonathan doesn't hesitate.

He steps to the side and I have the door unlocked and open before he can even finish the words, "Emily wait."

I don't wait though. I don't stop either. I keep going until I'm behind my laptop with ear buds embedded in my ears and the world disappearing at a million miles per second. Except even with my music hushing the rest of the noise around me, my eyes glued to the pixilated images in front of me, I can still feel his lips against mine. The way his hand molded to my neck, the feel of his body against mine, I lift a hand and gently touch my lips which still tingle. Somehow Jonathan has managed to intrude where no one was ever supposed to be able to reach me.

Authors Note: Hey you guys. I'm not really sure about how I feel about this chapter. Are things moving too fast? I think the story line might be changing course too quickly. I'm not sure. Any opinions? Thanks.