Once Upon A Runner

Chapter Two: Dates and Breakdowns

Biology class drug on forever. I guess that's because I wanted it to end as soon as it started. But what can I say? Biology and I are like fire and ice. We don't go together. At all.

"Hey Em. Are you thinking of your cross country hottie," Kylie said from the passenger side of my pick up truck. I've already filled her in on all the details. And been hit with all of her silly questions.

"No I'm not thinking about Colin," I said truthfully. I'd be lying if I said the mention of his name didn't bring a smile to my face. "At least I wasn't."

"I'm not going to lie, I've always pictured you more of a Tanner Williams kind of girl," Kylie admitted.

Tanner Williams is the school's quarterback. And I'd be lying if I didn't tell you he was extremely attractive. You see, our little town of Princeton is so small almost every guy in school belongs to a sport or an extra curricular of some sort. And I'm not complaining. But you'd think there would be at least one guy that lounges around on a Saturday morning instead of going to practice.

"Tanner is nice but not single. He's basically Olivia Webster's property. And besides I couldn't see myself dating a pretty person," I told her. Pretty people is what Kylie and I liked to call the preps of Princeton High. It's what everybody call them.

"I'd like to cut me off a slice of Isaac Taylor," said Kylie.

"You've been in love that kid since kindergarten. When are you going to man up and tell him how you feel," I asked. What? I'm curious. So sue me.

"Relax, I've got a plan," Kylie assured me. She can be so dramatic sometimes. But hey there's a reason she's head of the drama department.

"Whatever you say. But if you ask me, I think he likes you too. I mean it's like everybody knows it but the two of you," I smirked at her. This little piece of information made my best friend's smile grow almost as big as her face.

"Think so," Kylie said. I watched her hopeful eyes as she waited patiently for my answer.

No, I just said that to hear myself speak," I said sarcastically. And cue the slap.

"I guess I'll take your word for it," she said looking out the window like she's lost something.

No slap? Where the hell is that slap? Should I turn left and go to the emergency room? Or right and head on my way to my house for ice cream. Because my best friend has a bug. A lovebug.

"Phone now," I instructed Kylie. I pulled over to the side of the road and took Kylie's phone from her hands.

"What are you doing," Kylie scrunched up her face. It's something she does when she's confused.

"Fixing your funk," I told her as I thought of what to text Isaac.

I took a breath and typed "Hey Isaac. Movie later? Pick me up at eight? -xo Ky." I smiled at the message and pressed send.

"Here. You love me. Remember that," I said to a gloomy Kylie.

She took one look at the message and turned fire red. "What the hell were you thinking," she shouted.

"You said you had a plan. Well I'm impatient," I said sheepishly.

Kylie was about to erupt in a roar of screams faster than a valcano can erupt with lava. But a text alart from her phone left her speechless with her mouth wide open. She smiled and hugged me like it was the last time we'd ever hang out.

"What would I do without your crazy ass," Kylie asked. Although I'm very sure of myself she didn't mean it to be a literal question.

"My ass is crazy? What does it do to become that way? Dear Lord I hope it's still abstinent," After I said that, both of us lost control and erupted into fits of laughter.