The Exchange

Chapter 10- Pancakes Make Perfect Mornings

Waking up earlier than usual Sasha decided to go for a jog. It was a fresh breezy morning, and she was eager to get out into the world. She knew that a run would be the perfect method to help ease her mind and allow her time to think away from it all.

Fumbling with the laces in her trainers she proceeded to put her hair up into a messy ponytail before heading for the door. The roads were quiet and mostly empty, apart from the few cars that occasionally passed her. After following the streets for a couple of blocks she decided to turn up a small public footpath leading into a stretching field.

The terrain here was more bumpy underfoot but Sasha preferred the scenic views. It was better than looking at the identical rows of houses time and time again.

Increasing her speed she imagined what Julien was doing right now back at home. She could picture him lying asleep in his bed, looking perfect with parted lips and tousled hair.

Catching herself Sasha rolled her eyes, 'Wow! Obsessed much'.

She had never thought this much about any other boy. Usually she didn't have time for them and her brain would be occupied with other random thoughts but for some reason Julien kept popping back up. His cheeky grin and glinting green eyes seemed to be burned on her retina!

But she wasn't just hooked on his gorgeously sculpted face and body. There was something else too. He reminded Sasha of herself in a way, something she never thought that she'd say.

He was observant. He watched. He tried to figure things out.

Yes, he let his mouth run away with him but perhaps that was just a front and behind those eyes was a perceptive and delicate person, afraid to give too much of himself away in case the world spat him back out.

Or maybe not. 

'Whatever it is', Sasha's mind raced, 'I'm overthinking this'.

She was pulled from her contemplative state as she entered an unfamiliar field filled with tall grass which was dotted with red poppies. A gust of wind blew past her making the grass stalks bend and nod, creating a wave like effect across their surface. Sasha breathed in, enjoying the sweet smell of the earth. 

This could be her special place. Since her house no longer felt like somewhere she could completely unwind this picturesque environment would now act as her personal, unconventional resort.

Her very own space beneath the sky. A space where no eyes were constantly watching. 

By the time Sasha got back home she was panting and beads of sweat had started to form above her brow. But she felt a calmness begin to wash over her as she caught her breath, inhaling from deep within her diaphragm and then slowly breathing out.

She was amazed at how effectively and efficiently a bit of exercise had sorted through her emotions and made a mental note of this before walking into the house. Kicking off her shoes she headed straight for the bathroom, ready for a cold shower. 

-----

Annette stood in the kitchen downstairs scrolling through her phone. She was slurping coffee from her mug as Sasha entered the room.

"Good morning, sweetie", she greeted, instantly turning her attention to her daughter, "sleep well?"

Sasha shrugged instead of offering a proper answer. In truth she had been tossing and turning all night but she wasn't about to admit that.

"You off to work?", she asked, taking in the pinstripe blazer her mother was wearing.

Annette nodded, "But I won't be back late tonight." She ruffled Sasha's hair endearingly, "Can you make sure your brother doesn't spend all day on his phone?" she asked.