The Park (girlxgirl)

Chapter 1

Riley tightens the shoelaces on her worn converse and stretches when she gets up from the staircase. She grabs her favorite A's cap from the coat rack and slips it on her head.

"Where are you going?" A voice questions. She finds her sister, Kaleina making her way down the stairs, looking disheveled. Her arms are crossed and she's trying her best not to yawn. Riley doesn't blame her, it's eight in the morning. "Here's a better question: Why the fuck are you going anywhere right now?" She smiles playfully. 

Riley returns it. "Just going to the park." 

This earns her a raised eyebrow. "No one's there right now, you know." 

"I know." Riley retorts, inching to the door, "Which is why it's a good time for a run. No distractions." She winks at her tired sister before opening the door. 
Kaleina rolls her eyes. "Whatever you say. Have fun."

Riley doesn't reply. She just throws up a peace sign behind her before closing the door. Sighing, she starts off with a few warm ups. By the time she gets to Ben Rodgers, she's out of breath. She stretches her legs and arms before finally starting. 

On her 3rd lap, Riley notices someone sitting at one of the benches. It's not too strange for someone to be there at all. It is a public park after all. But the strange part is that she feels like she knows the person. Riley slows to a halt and raises her arms above her head, taking deep slow breaths. Eventually, she continues to walk and she gets closer to the person. When she's a few feet away, she finally recognizes her. 

"Nicole!" Riley raises her arm and waves to get her attention. The girl looks up from her book and smiles, waving back. 

Riley mentally decides if the girl doesn't make a move to socialize, she'll continue her run. But sure enough, Nicole closes her book and stands to meet Riley in the middle. 
"Hey, long time no see." Nicole says, brushing her bangs out of her face. She hasn't changed much from the last time Riley's seen her three months ago. 
"I know, we were starting to call you Casper" Riley nods in agreement, laughing. "How've you been." 

"Good. I've just been really busy with work. How about you?" She switches her weight from one foot to the other. 

"Same old, same old." Riley laughs. 

Nicole smiles. "Really? You seem...different. You're running now?" 

Riley nods, "Yeah, since summer camp ended, I'm only working three hours a day at Merryhill. It's been very... dull. So that's why I've been getting some energy out." 
Merryhill is the school where Riley works. She's an assistant teacher, but over the summer she's a full time camp counselor. 

"That's good." Nicole nods, "Are you going to school this year?" 

Riley smiles and nods. She took the past year off to focus on work. She figured if she could do that, she could easily balance work and school the next year. She's registered and she can safely say she doesn't regret her decision. 

"Good. How's Moose?" 

It takes everything in Riley not to laugh right there and then. Moose has had the biggest crush on Nicole for the past year. Basically everyone in the neighborhood knows about it except her. They tease him about it too. 
"He's good. He's just been busy with school." 

"Cool. Well maybe I'll see you guys later." Nicole smiles. 

"Sounds good. See ya, Casper." She winks and Nicole laughs. With a wave, Nicole goes back to her bench and Riley sighs before starting her cool-down lap. 

-

"You'll never believe who I saw today." Riley says right when Moose opens his garage. 

"Who?" He uses a remote to close his garage before pushing up his glasses and falling into step with Riley. 

"Casper."