Running Into You

Chapter 4

Henry

My toes are gripping the soft wet grass with every swift step I take as I run through the meadow. The fog is so thick I can't see the ground in front of me. The wet morning air sticks to my face and drenches my hair and shirt. My heart is pounding, but I'm not tired, I'm exhilarated. My face warms as the sun rises. I squint as I watch it rise above the trees to my right. I advert my eyes forward to see where I'm going and I see something in the distance. As I get closer I can see it's a brown ponytail swishing back and forth. As I get closer I see a pink tank top. The pink tank top. As I run past her I look back and she is gone. I stop so abruptly that I fall on the ground. The fog engulfs me and for a moment I'm surrounded in darkness. I stand and look around for her, but I don't see her anywhere. I turn back around and start running again, heading north. I go faster and faster. I see her again. I slow down and look longer as I pass her. I look behind me and she is gone again. To no surprise. This time I don't stop I start sprinting trying to catch back up. I can barely see a log in my path. I jump over it without losing speed and keep going. This time when she comes into view I slow to a crawl and right before I reach her I grab her waist. She stops and turns around. She peeks up at me and it's the girl from gym class. Her blue eyes sparkle in the early morning light. Her cheeks are pink and she's breathing hard. I'm confused. She smiles and runs her hands up the back of my neck into my hair. I lean down and kiss her. Her lips are soft and inviting. I turn my head and slide my tongue in and deepen the kiss. She moans and presses harder against me. Somewhere off in the distance I hear a familiar jingle. I try to ignore it and enjoy the warm body in my arms. Just then I remember where I have heard it before. I open my eyes and look down to see the girl and she slowly disappears as the world grows brighter. I reach over and touch my phone to turn the alarm off.

That morning I drive into work just like I normally do. I take a short thirty minute run around the football field. Just like I have every morning since I started working here. Yet, today is different. Today I am filled with anticipation when I step out of my car and head to the gate to the fence that circles the football field and I am disappointed when I walk on to the track and it is empty.

By the time second period has started I have checked my watch at least a dozen times. I end up taking it off and putting it in a drawer. This only causes me to start pacing up and down the hallway behind my desk. I send the football players to the weight room so they would stop staring at me as I pass their door repeatedly. Finally third period is here. I am contemplating going to one of the back offices or staying in the lobby. I decided that I shouldn't let a student have that kind of control over me.

Yeah, that's the reason I want to stay in the lobby, I think sarcastically. So I go through the same routine I have always done. I sit back down at my desk and stare at the screen waiting for all the students to come in and take a seat without looking at any of them. In my peripheral vision I notice someone is standing at my desk. I look over and see that it's the girl again. The side of my mouth twitches wanting to grin. I bite the inside of my cheek.

When I have control of my face again I ask her, "Can I help you?" In the most professional tone I can muster.

"Yes, here is a letter from my mother excusing me from taking a shower at school," she informs me holding out a piece of paper in front of me.

I can't believe this. "I am sorry, but a letter from your mother cannot excuse you from taking a shower during gym class. You have to have one from your doctor," I reply without taking the paper.

"Are you telling me my own mother is not good enough to decide if I should or should not take showers at school?"

"I am telling you that a letter from your mother is not excusable, that it has to be from your doctor."