Shades of Gray

Chapter 1

Danny

My alarm clock began buzzing. It was dark outside but the red neon numbers on my clock said it was five o' clock in the morning. I sat up in my bed stretching my already sore muscles with a huge yawn. I walked over to my dresser and found a pair of grey sweat pants and my CHS sweatshirt I got freshman year, then dug under my bed for my running shoes. I stuck my I-pod in my pocket before heading downstairs for a glass of OJ to get me going for the morning. I peered out of the kitchen blinds and saw my dad's Ford truck was missing and knew he already left for the construction mill. I downed my juice and washed out the glass then put my headphones in my ears before heading out the front door to begin my jog.

It was five miles to the old children's playground and already I was feeling pumped. The sound of Bach's "cello suite 4" coursed through my ears as my knees pumped up and down, my heartbeat accelerating. The cold fall morning air scorched my lungs rushing in and out of my throat and nose, it was an exhilarating feeling. Running is a release, an almost therapeutic way to let my thoughts run free. My thoughts occasionally wandered towards Kennedy and how she was doing, but I knew I was over her. We had not spoken the entire summer, I was training. The only time I allowed myself to break was for Christian Hassler's end of summer party last weekend. Kennedy was there with a few of her friends when I spotted her at the punch table. We made brief eye contact before she broke away and whispered to her friends. I saw a few of them try to inconspicuously leer at me before they exited to the back patio. I knew then she wasn't in search of any closure; doesn't mean I can't still care about her right? I argued with myself. No, I've closed that chapter. It's better if I let her be. At least it was junior year and I could finally focus on football and that sports scholarship I needed to get in order to get into Georgia State. Being a professional football player is not my long-term goal but it would at least make a nice elective; my heart was in pediatrics, I love children and medicine has always been a passion.

As I made the last round to the rusted half gate of the park I stopped, placing my hands on top of my head trying to catch my breath. I took the headphones out of my ear and paused the I-pod. The light was barely climbing the sky, I looked at my watch and it showed it was only five forty-five. I threw my legs over the gate and walked over to the rusted swing set. The wind was causing the other swing to slowly sway back and forth making a quiet creaking sound. I loved coming to this park as a kid; dad and I would toss a football back and forth in the grass field near the picnic tables, while mom sat there watching us. Now dad barely has time to sign my permission slips on his way out the door. I got up from the swing and began my jog back home.

Mom was up making coffee and French toast when I walked in the front door, "Morning honey, how was your run?" she said as I past the kitchen on my way upstairs.

"It was good," I paused at the stairs. "I'm going to take a shower, see you in a bit."

"Ok sweetie" she said and poured herself a cup of coffee.

I was showered and dressed in half an hour; I came down the stairs and grabbed a seat. Mom poured me a cup of coffee and sat a plate with French toast down in front of me, "Thanks mom," I said as I grabbed the bottle of syrup.

"So, junior year is already here? Jeez kid if you grow up any faster I'll have to lock you up before graduation" she giggled. I smirked,

"I bet you'd like that." I finished up my breakfast and put my plate in the sink then kissed my mom on her cheek, "See you later mom."

"Bye sweetie," she said.

I ran upstairs to grab my backpack and books then grabbed my car keys off the key rack before heading out the door.