Running Into You

Chapter 7

Emma

I walk into third period P.E. and pause at the empty computer desk Henry uses. I don't know why, I was hoping all day not to see him, but when the opportunity came I was hoping I would anyway. I move on to the bleachers and pull out one of my assigned reading books. I try to stay focused on the book, but it's difficult when I am constantly looking at the door to the gym lobby. Finally Henry comes out and blows his whistle to send everyone to the locker rooms. He glances over at me, but quickly looks away. It's for the best I tell myself. We have a few more weeks of football and by then everything will be where it should be. I don't argue anymore about having to take showers at school. I also, read the form he gave me to make sure I don't break any other rules. Which is also why I wear tennis shoes to school now. I go in the locker room and try to blend in with the rest of the girls. It is kind of refreshing, it wakes me up for the rest of the school day and I don't mind so much anymore. As I pass the computer desk on the way out of the gym he is not there. Caleb has started to walk me to my forth period class every day now. We have never had a class together before and this really doesn't feel like we are in the same class since I don't see him in it anyway, but it is nice to have someone to talk to in-between classes.

He has not mentioned what happened Friday night and I am relieved, I want to forget it ever happened. The rest of the week is a repeat of Monday. He is never at the computer desk when I pass it and never looks at me for long.

By the weekend it is time for my first 5K run. I am nervous, but I think I will be fine. I have ran every day for almost three months now and I am about as ready as I am going to be. I know he said he would be there, but he might change his mind. Why do I even care? I'm not doing this race for him. I'm doing this for me and to raise awareness for Alzheimer's. When did everything I do involve him. This guy that takes up absolutely none of my time and yet takes up all of my time thinking of him. Gaaawwwd I wish I could get him out of my fucking head! I have never wanted to get out of high school more than I do now.

Henry

I drive into the parking lot of the 5k meet. I pay my entry fee and pick up my T-shirt. On the way to the starting line I notice Emma standing with an older woman with red hair and three other boys in various ages. I notice the skinny boy from the football game. I don't see Caleb anywhere. I stay back hoping she does not see me. As the race starts I see her up front letting everyone pass her. I'm about to go around her when someone knocks her on the ground.

Without thinking I drop to her side, "Hey, are you okay?"

She looks started when she looks up at me, "Yeah, I'm fine. I didn't see him there."

"You have to watch out or they'll run you over."

"Ha, yeah, I see that." She sits up and bends her knee and we both look at the red and inflamed skin around it.

"Your knee is scraped up. We should go have that checked out."

"No, please don't. I want to finish," she pleads shaking her head desperately.

I blow on it and see that it's not going to start bleeding, "It doesn't look that bad. I think you'll be fine for the race."

"Thank you," she sighs in relief.

I stand up and give her a hand up. We start walking while the other racers run past us.

"Do you feel like finishing?"

With that she takes off. I laugh and run after her. I run beside her for a little while.

"I've seen you run circles around me. Literally. Why are you staying back here?"