kiss it all better | c.h au

one.

i could feel tiredness beginning to creep throughout my body, but i didn't stop running. i had a mile left before i reached the longest distance i've ever ran without stopping, which would be six miles. my heart seemed to be in sync with the music playing loudly in my ears, allowing myself to focus on something else besides my breathing.

i knew i'd be sore as all hell tomorrow, but would it be worth it? yes. one hundred percent.

i could only catch quick glances of the scenery beside me as i didn't bother to look behind me, deciding it was better to keep my focus in front just in case. i'd learned that mistake multiple times, always getting distracted by little things.

i was determined to get over my habit, and my run has gone without any tripping or bumping or falling so far, so i'd say i'm doing pretty good.

after another bit of running, i finally hit the six mile mark and, as much as i knew it was bad to do, laid down in the grass, pouring the remaining water in my water bottle on my face. it wasn't as cold as i'd like it to be, but nonetheless refreshing.

my eyes stayed shut for a while until i was convinced i'd fall asleep. only, something licking my face prevented me from doing so. my eyes shot open and i pushed myself up into a sitting position, looking at the one responsible for disturbing me.

a small dog, that i wasn't completely sure was a puppy or grown, looked up at me with it's tongue hanging out and it's tail wagging so much the whole back part of its body was shaking with it. i chuckled and patted the top of it's head which it seemed to take great pleasure in.

"grandpa! come here boy!" a guy's voice made me jump, and i turned my gaze towards where it came from. surely, he couldn't be calling for this dog, right? a dog named grandpa?

yet, to my disbelief, the dog that licked my face bounded towards the guy, who was now a few feet away. my breath hitched as he looked down at me, 'grandpa' licking his hand that was by his side.

"i'm sorry about that. i let him off the leash and i thought no one was around but clearly i stand corrected. you look beat. no offense." i stared quizzically up at the guy, a small chuckle escaping me as he said the last sentence. his hand extended towards me and i gladly took it, allowing him to pull me up.

i brushed myself off, trying to look a bit more respectable but i knew the effort was futile. "it's all good, he's adorable. and, is his name really 'grandpa'? i heard you calling for him and i just, well, it's a.. different name." the guy laughed, leaning down to put grandpa's leash back on.

"yes. i adopted him when he was around two years old, so his other family had already named him that. i had no choice." he shrugged, but didn't seem too upset over that. then again, it is just a dog's name. a dog's name doesn't alter any much of how you love them.

"by the way, i'm adalynn. and excuse my grossness right now, i was running and then poured a bit of water on my face." the guy smiled, to which i returned. he had a really nice smile. like, one where you could tell he was being genuine.

"i'm calum. and you don't look gross, it's all good," he said, repeating my words from earlier. "although, you look like you could use some more water. and probably food. do you want to go and grab something? i know burger king is near here. i'll pay, i need to blow my money on something anyway." i raised my eyebrow once again, but still took the offer. the mentioning of food and water already had me practically drooling.

we walked for a bit, mainly doing small talk, before we finally reached burger king. i couldn't be more happy for the fact it was close to the park.

"thank you for this, by the way. we literally met 15 minutes ago and you're already buying me food." i glanced over at him as we walked through the doors, the aroma of food making my stomach growl, which it had been doing for the past 5 minutes.