First Assignment (1st Version)

Eight

Jade Hernandez

"Ahhh..." I yawned as the sun streamed though the curtains, lighting up the whole room.

Pulling myself up to a sitting position, I rubbed my blurry eyes clear of sleep. Seems like I fell asleep while reading a book I brought from home, and it's not even that interesting.

Getting into the shower was a difficult task while all I wanted to do was take a nice hot bath, but I am supposed to train today. Keeping my body fit is really important.

What should I wear? What should I wear? I asked myself as I rummaged though the closet. Maybe a simple T-shirt and a pair of nice, comfy pants. Pulling my hair in a ponytail, I put my glasses on. Sliding my feet into a pair of black Nike running shoes, I hummed to myself.

There's nothing to do today, so I planned to run a few laps around the park a few blocks down in the morning, and just relax with a nice book or several movies in the afternoon and evening.

Opening the gates quietly, I took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. It was around nine on a weekday, so not many people were out and about in the streets. Many were at work or at school. As I imagined what it would be like to work in a restaurant, I bumped into someone.

"Oomph!" Rubbing my nose, I apologized to the person, "Sorry, my head was in the clouds."

"It's okay... Jade?! What are you doing here?" A voice I'm familiar with answered.

Looking up, I came face to face with a quite surprised Eric. "What do you mean, 'what are you doing here'? I'm going to the park, what else?"

"Oh, um... I just didn't expect to see you out of the house." He replied bashfully. "Mind if I accompany you to the park?"

"Uh, sure. But weren't you heading back?"

"Not really, I was just heading back 'cause I have nothing else to do."

We walked in comfortable silence, only stopping on the way to buy a matcha smoothie for me, and a chocolate milkshake for Eric. He struck me more as a coffee kind of guy though.

"Um... So... I'm going to run laps around now." I said awkwardly after I finished doing some stretches.

"Okay, I'll just be behind you."

With that, I broke out into a jog, gradually increasing my speed. After a couple of laps, I suddenly got a stomachache. Maybe I shouldn't have drank that smoothie before running. Slowing down until I was just fast-walking, I heard Eric do the same.

There were already some people out with their dogs, so playful barks filled the air. Suddenly Eric said, "I've always wanted a German Shepard."

"Why don't you get one then?" He has the money, the space, and I bet he'd be a good owner, so why not?

"Because Alice is allergic to cats and dogs." He sighed in reply.

"Oh. Well, I've always wanted a Golden Retriever, or a German Shepard, too." Or maybe a reindeer, like Sven, but that's just absurd.

"Don't you guys have dogs at the headquarter or something?"

"Nah, I don't. But my brothers do." Ah, the perks of being older.

"Oh." We both went silent after that, and finished another lap without another word to each other.

Deciding it was time for lunch, I started heading for the Subway just around the corner. I was surprised to see that Eric had followed me all the way, but what's he doing at a place like this?

"Don't you go to fancy restaurants for lunch or something? I mean, you don't have to come here, y'know?"

"Not really, I just go wherever I feel like going." Acting as if he belongs here, he ordered his sandwich confidentially.

Mentally shrugging, I did the same.

*****

"So... What are we going to do now?" Eric asked as we got back to his house.

"I'm just going to watch some movies on my laptop... So, see ya." I said as I started heading upstairs.

"Wait. We have a small family movie theater. Let's watch the movies there." He suggested.

I eyed him suspiciously. "Are you sure you want to watch a movie with me ?"

"Yeah. Come, follow me." He turned towards the other end of the hallway, leading the way. I followed him, and came to stop in front of the room at the end of the hallway. Smiling, he opened the door for me.

The lights came on automatically, filling the movie theater with a soft honey glow. There was a couch in front of the screen, and two rows of big comfy movie chairs behind. Everything looked so cozy and comfortable, I think I might fall asleep once the lights dimmed down.

By the time I was done admiring the theater, Eric had already turned on the projector and was shuffling through the movies. "Which movie do you want to watch?"

"I'm not sure... Big Hero 6?"

"Bug Hero 6? The animation?" Eric asked with surprise in his voice while typing the name into the search box.

"Yes. I'm a kid, so?" Sticking my head up defiantly, I made myself comfortable on the couch.

Eric just chuckled in response, and joined me soon after. "Mind if I sit here?"

The most important thing is the movie! He's interrupting! Nodding my head, I gave Hiro and Baymax my full attention.

I shed a few tears as I watched the movie, but if anyone asks, I would deny, deny, deny.

"Did you cry?" Eric asked as the lights came on, blinding me for a second.

"No. Why would you think that?" I'm pretty sure he couldn't see my tears, since I wiped them as soon as they fell.

"I saw you wiping your eyes." He mimicked me, holding his sleeve and making small wiping motions, but smirking instead.

"Jerk." I muttered under my breath.

"I heard that!" He then proceeded to tickle me, but at that moment, Alice entered the theater.

"Oh, sorry. Are you guys done? Louise and I are going to watch a movie." Following behind her was a girl with perfectly curled blonde hair, and sparkling blue eyes.

"Yeah, we're done." Eric got up and stretched, then patted Louise's head, "Good to see you again."

As I went by her, she pulled me in for a hug. She sure was strong for her size! "It's so nice to finally meet you, Jade! Alice had told me so much about you! "Would you like to watch another movie with us?"

"Can I?" If someone was offering, who am I to refuse?

"Of course! We're going to watch Avengers." Alice then whispered to me, "Louise has a crush on Captain America. She thinks he's so hot."

Nodding my head, I went back to the couch and got ready to watch another movie.

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- Erelaveth