Hold Your Breath

Chapter 9

I could hear the tree's swaying in the wind, and the waves crashing over the shore. All I could see under my eye lids was yellow from the sun beating down on me. It was so peaceful, and the sand was so comfortable. I could have stayed there forever...

Just then my phone went off, and I bolted upright, getting a head rush. I dove over to the small plastic table where my phone was, and flipped it open.

"Hello?" I greeted.

"So has he said anything yet?" Good old Demi, not even bothering to say hello.

"No, Demi," I said irratibly,"I told you I'd call you as soon as he did. You don't have to check up on me everyday."

"Yes I do!" She argued,"But Chloe, the carnival is tomorrow! Do you think he forgot? Or maybe he decided he didn't want to hang out with you anymore. You should go talk to him. Just don't make a fool out of yourself."

"Good pep talk," I said dryly. It's true that the carnival was tomorrow, and John hadn't said anything to me all week, but maybe he was just busy.

"Have you even seen him around? Maybe he's avoiding you," Demi continued like I hadn't even spoken.

"Demi!," She finally shut up," I'm not worried about, okay? If he still wants to hang out, he'll find me."

"I guess so," She said,"But you have to call me as soon as you get home from the carnival okay?"

"Ok, will do."

"Good," She sounded satisfied,"And Chloe?"

"Yeah?"

"Try to have fun, okay?"

"Yeah."

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"Dinner will be ready in an hour," mom said as I walked out the door to go for a run,"Be safe."

"Always am," I called back, as I stuffed my ear buds in my ear.

Demi had me stressing out about the carnival tomorrow. I just needed to go on a nice easy run to clear my head. I made my way over to the trail opening in the woods, and started off at a light jog. It was shady back here, and surprisingly the mosquitoes weren't too bad. I had my music loud so that it kept me going, but it also kept me from hearing the dirt bike that was closing in on me.

I rounded a bend in the trail and had to dive off to the side to avoid it, but the handle bar rammed into my arm, causing the driver to veer into the woods. I ripped my headphones out of my ears, and turned around to make sure the dirtbiker was alright.

"What the hell?" He yelled as he ripped his helmet off. Turning around, he saw me and the anger in his eyes softened,"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I said, rubbing my bruising arm,"Are you?"

"Yeah," He said as he set his helmet down on the seat. I saw the anger return to his eyes,"What the hell are you doing back here?"

"This was my running trail before it was your dirtbiking trail," I said. How could he possibly be mad at me?

"Well couldn't you hear me coming?" I swung my headphones around, answering his question.

Realizing that our near collision wasn't really anybodys fault, he dropped the arguement. Instead he walked over, and lightly grabbed my arm.

"Ouch," I said, jerking away. I could see the concern in his eyes, so I added,"It's just a bruise."

"Sorry," He apologized quietly. After a few seconds he continued,"Are you still planning on going to the carnival tomorrow?"

"Are you still planning on hanging out with me?" I shot back.

"Only if you want," His voice was missing its usual tone of arrogance.

"Yeah, I think that would be fun," I said.

"Well then," He said as he remounted his bike,"I'll see you tomorrow."

He put his helmet back on, and disappeared around the bend in the trail. After a few seconds I checked my watch, seeing I had already been gone 35 minutes, I quickly turned around and headed home, not wanting to be late for dinner.

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-Miranda <3