Standing Alone

Ch. 6 - Lake

I didn't get home that night until 4 in the morning. I drove my mom's car to drop off Grayson and Jonathan back home, then back to my own house. I wasn't able to fall asleep really. I was on and off of sleeping until about noon when I decided I ought to get up.

I get up out of bed and slouch down the stairs. I  start making coffee in hopes of waking myself up. Once I get my coffee I sit down and watch TV for a while. My mom had since left for work even though it was a Sunday.

The whole day goes by in a boring blur of homework and housework. Nothing eventful happens.

Before I know it I've eaten some dinner and I'm back in bed again. It's eight o'clock and I can't wait to go to sleep. The last thing I remember is my head falling on the pillow and I am out.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I open my eyes to see my alarm clock flashing "5:30." I slap the top of it with my hand to shut it off. 10 minutes later it goes off again. I sigh and throw my covers off of me. I sit up and stare at the floor for a couple minutes to try to wake up before I stand.

I walk into the bathroom, undress, then get in the shower. I'm in there for about ten minutes before turning the water off and hopping out. I comb through my wet hair, wrap it in a towel, then wrap myself in my robe. I walk downstairs to start my coffee.

As it brews, I dry my hair, get dressed, and do my makeup. Once I'm done with that, I put my coffee in a coffee cup, add some cream, and call it good. Since my mom drove to work, I have to take my board. I grab my key and my backpack and head out for school. It's 7:00 when I leave.

The air is even colder than it was the night before, I regret not wearing a heavier jacket.

I go to school, say hey to Rachel, and get to my first class. Then my second, then third, then fourth, then fifth, then lunch, then sixth, then seventh, then eighth. They day goes by as a normal, boring, school day.

By the time I was out of school, the sun was warm but the air was still the chilly autumn weather I was getting used to. Once I unlocked the door, I went upstairs and tossed my bag onto my bed.

Man I really feel like doing something active. Maybe I can go on a run? Tiring. Come on just do it. I laugh to myself. It's been a while since I've gone on a run. Oh well.

I dig through my closet to look for some of my athletic clothes and running shoes. So far I have my shirt, cropped leggings and a left shoe. I look around a by more and finally find my other shoe. I grab a sports bra and then change into all my clothes. I loop my earbuds through my shirt and walk downstairs with my phone in hand.

Once I'm outside, I start my music and zip my phone into the little pocket of my leggings. I start with a slow jog. My music choice today is Lana Del Rey, mostly listening to the Ultraviolence album.

With every step I take, I listen to the beat of the song. I turn it up just loud enough to feel the music. Not the pounding of loud headphones, but feel the rhythm in my bones and the lyrics in my soul.

"I can hear the sirens, sirens,
He hit me and it felt like kiss
I can hear violins, violins,
Give me all of that ultraviolence"

The music distracts me from my loud breathing, and pounding feet, which would usually remind me of how hard running is.

Two more songs later, I'm already getting tired and my side is cramping. Listen to the lyrics.

"Life is beautiful,
but you don't have a clue.
Sun and ocean blue,
their magnificence,
it don't make sense to you"

While the music does help me, it doesn't completely take away the pain from my side. I have to stop. I slow to a stop then take out my earbuds and bend over, hands on my thighs. I take a couple deep breaths and stand up.

Right now, I am on a somewhat secluded trail surrounded by trees. I can still see the highway though, which kind of kills the mood. A couple yards ahead, there is a bench overlooking a little pond. I head for it. The air is cool, but I'm sweating from the running. I wipe my forehead as I sit down on the bench.

I stare out at the scene and let the light breeze blow and wrap around me. I close my eyes. I needed this. I can hear the water sloshing around gently, lapping against the dirt barriers of the lake. The lake is pretty hidden, I hadn't seen it until now. It's surrounded by trees, thicker coverage than on the trail. I look around; no one is here. Granted, it is four in the afternoon, not a popular time to run, but I had a hunch that since I had just now found this, not many others would be coming here.

This could be my place. My happy place. Just for me.

I finish up my run with a peaceful mindset, happy with my finding.

~•~

Sorry for the short chapter, I wanted to write something just about Brooklyn. And, um, yeah, if you didn't know, I'm obsessed with Lana Del Rey😂 Hopefully the next chapter will be her and Damon's date...;) so stay tuned!!

Kayleigh xoxo