There was a rush of cold running through me. I had goosebumps and my breath was a white fog floating around my face. Under my skin it was warm and my hands burned. My legs moved at the pace of a wolf going after a rabbit. This was my winter. Warm sweaters and coffee just like everyone else. But I also had miles of untapped trails in front of me, ready for my boots to cover. Its so early that it hasn't snowed yet. It wont come for about another week. The trail is dry and perfect for me to explore. The adrenaline fills me and im overflowing with the heavy sound of my heart beat. I don't know when I'll stop but so far i don't want to. Running is what i love. It gets tiring yes, but it's the most exhilarating thing. It's why winter in Portland will always be my favorite place to be.
I slowed down when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled out the cold metal, smooth on my fingers. The caller ID read Cora and I pressed the green button.
"What's so important I have to stop running?" I asked into the cellphone. She knew how important it was to me and my groggy voice showed how inconvenient her calling was.
"So sorry to interrupt Bev. I just needed your help with something but if you're too busy..."
"What is it?"
"Well...I have these movies just sitting on my desk and warm popcorn and I ordered a pizza and you know... im looking around and...there's no one here to share it with... How am i gonna eat this big pizza all by myself? Movie day at my house? What d'ya think?"
"Are you bribing me?"
"I really need to get an A on this test Bev."
"I'll be over with my notes and textbook in 30 okay? Light a mint candle for me."
"Thank you soooo much. I love you."
"Anything for you, dear." I sighed and hung up on a sarcastic note.
Cora would do anything just to copy my math homework and her parents said that she couldn't date her football player crush unless she got her grades up so of course she comes to me for help. She knows just how to win me over too. We've been friends since the 3rd grade and since then she's figured out her way around the Beverly Hills. She wins every fight and I know i could never live with myself if we weren't friends anymore. I know she's just using me today but I'd take a bullet for her so helping her with her math work doesn't seem too hard to handle.
I continued my run and cut it in half by making a left turn at the willow tree. There the trail met the road and i could run another 15 minutes to get to Cora's house. I've never made it to the very end of the trail because it's cut by the river and I haven't found a safe way across. As I jog up the driveway I wonder if I'll ever cross it and I think of how the woods look beyond the water. The unmarked territory of Portland, Oregon intrigues me and I don't think anyone besides Cora would understand.
