The Reality of Growing Up//Wattys 2k16

☁blake☁

chapter 9: ☁blake☁

published: 4.22.16

There is a major problem. He's tall, tan, fit, has black hair and winsome (thank you SAT's) brown eyes. And his name is Nico Lewin.

This morning, I got up at exactly seven in the morning and went on a run.

Kendall was nice in the morning. It was my favorite time, in fact. The sun peeked out from under the horizon causing the sky to become a light pink-gray color. There was a slight chill in the air that nipped at my bare arm and legs. No one was awake yet, but the day was coming. It was like the calm after a storm; the previous damage forgotten and controlled.

Until on my usual route I saw him jogging right in front of me.

My route consisted of just running the perimeter of the town and if I was feeling up to it, along one of the trails in the woods.

Nico was right in front of me and was totally focused on his speed until I called, "on your left!"

He was so surprised that he lost his concentration and tried to stop. He ended up on the ground in a funny angle.

The whole thing was kind of funny until I saw that he wasn't getting up.

"Oh shit," I cursed, bending down to his level and sobering up.

He continued to lay there until I used my arms to push him up so he was facing up and laying on his back. I continued cursing as he laid there with his eyes closed.

When I pulled out my phone to call someone, his eyes flew open and he let out a yell, causing me to fall over.

Nico stood up and clutched his stomach with laughter, while I brushed the sand off of my clothes. My heart was racing from the sudden scare. Or maybe it was racing because of the way his mouth formed a giant 'O' when he laughed. Or the way the tips of his ears got red, along with the rest of his face. Or the way-

"I got you good!" he taunted, still laughing.

I showed him a certain finger that I was luckily born with.

"I don't have time for this," I muttered, preparing to continue my morning run. I started jogging away, but the little prick kept following me.

"C'mon Blake, it was funny and you know it," he groaned, easily catching up to my fast speed. No one had ever been able to keep up with me as easy as he did.

Shaking my head, I made a sharp turn towards the right. "Faking an injury isn't funny," I mutter, focusing on my breaths. Just like how my coach taught us. Well, my old coach. In...out...in...out. I focus on my feet fluttering over the smooth pavement of the road. Left, right, left right, left, right.

He nudged my shoulder, not even out of breath. What, is this guy some god? He certainly looks like one.

My thought caused me to have an abrupt stop, almost making Nico fall again.

I suddenly realized what was happening. It was that moment, that very second when I realized that there was a weird tingly feeling in my stomach, like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon.

My heart started to race.

"Blake, are you okay?" Nico asked, in sincere concern.

I looked at him. When I was thirteen, all my friends were obsessing over girls and asking them out. I was never attracted to any girl at my school. Even when the prettiest girl, Bree Daniels expressed an interest in me, I never had the urge to ask her out.