A Brother's Love

Chapter One

I pant hard and feel sweat running down the back of my neck and run in little rivulets in between my shoulder blades. The hair that escapes my messy bun at the top of my head lays plastered on my sweat sodden face. I grip hard on the treadmill arms and push myself through the last leg of the mile. My lungs burn for relief so I concentrate on the music blasting in my ears.

Going to the gym was something that I had started doing with my brother when I started Junior High. He always needed to stay fit, being on the school varsity baseball team and all. That was when I was thirteen and I've ran here at least three times a week ever since. Sometimes during the warmer months I run around the schools campus or my block.

Today was not one of those days.

The December frost coats the grass and trees with little sparkles, and the sun hides behind the wash of gray clouds this Saturday morning. So, I'm stuck inside this sweat smelling gym. But it's better than nothing. At least I get to run.

I glance at the monitor on the treadmill and let a smile of relief pull at my lips. I've complete my eighth and final mile for the morning. I push the button to slow the belt and feel my legs wobble like jelly; I prop them on the safety feet rails and rest them as the treadmill comes to a complete stop.

Taking the headphones out of my ears I step off the treadmill and grab my phone from the little holder. Sinking onto a nearby bench I bend over, still breathing hard, and stretch out my legs. I feel a slight ache as I touch my nose to my knee cap. Ah, that feels better. My side cramp burns from the exertion of running and I still haven't caught my breath after stretching even though I took a whole mile to walk/jog and cool myself down.

"That's what you get," I mutter to myself. "Eating all those Christmas treats and not running for the better part of a week did you in." I sigh and glance around to see that not many people are out and about at the gym this morning. Lots of the regular members are probably relaxing during the Christmas season. Saps.

I cough lightly and hold my side putting pressure on it. The cramp eases away and I grab my towel just as my phone buzzes. My moms name pops up on the screen and I tap on her message:

'U finishin up?'

I take a few quick gulps from my water bottle, wipe my hands on my pink sweat towel, and quickly text back:

'Just got done! I'll b home 4 lunch in a few.'

I quickly gather my things and stuff them in my black and white trimmed gym bag. My mom is really strict about me being home for meals. To her it's the only time of day when she can get both me and her together in one place. But today is extra special. My brother Jaxston is coming home from college for the Christmas break. A new sense of excitement propels my body out the gym doors and into the crisp chill of morning.

Jaxston is coming home!

I absolutely adore my brother. Ever since I was little I've wanted to do what he does and follow in his foot steps. Cliche, I know, but I want to be an athlete like him. Go to college and make something of myself like he's doing. Our father was a really successful architect and believed solely that hard work and passion gets you what you want. He wanted his kids to follow their dreams just like he did. Jaxston and I share a dream that we'll someday go to the Olympics for track and field. It's a far fetched idea but it still floats around the back closet of my mind. Like I said. A dream.

I reach my 2005 Cavalier and search for the keys in my gym bag. I move my hand around searching and fail to locate my keys. Sighing I slip the strap from my shoulder and prop the bag against the drivers side window.

Where are my keys?!

I frantically look one last time going through every pocket but...my keys aren't there! My eyes slowly rise to the window and I groan out loud, my head lulling back slightly. There they were, my keys, dangling from the ignition. A certain four letter word slips through my lips, and I kick the car tire. Ow! I bend and cradle my foot, hopping like an idiot. Yeah, not the smartest thing I've ever done. Now I'm going to be late for lunch, and I still need to take a shower.