The Art of Letting Go

Ch. 2

"I loved you at your darkest"

Awaking the next morning I was tired, as usual. My dark brown hair was swept over my forehead, my legs still tangled in the covers. I sat up moving my blanket, getting a glance at my legs in the process. Shit now I'm gonna have to wear leggings on my run.

I limped slowly to my bathroom, and started to brush my teeth in an attempt to get rid of my morning breath since I had to go on a run with Oliver. Wait. I'm going on a run with THE Oliver. I should be like a nobody to him. I'm fat, ugly, stupid, and a whore. Or at least that's what my dad tells me when he comes into my room at 3am every night. God I hope that's not true.

I grabbed a pair of light pink leggings from my dresser, and a hoodie from my closet as it was chilly this morning. After getting dressed I walked outside only to be surprised that Oliver was already here.

"You ready?" he asked me as he looked me up and down.

"Yeah." I mumbled suddenly feeling self conscious.

He was wearing a pair of nike joggers and a muscle tee that allowed you to see that he clearly has abs. We started to jog, warming up before we sprinted. As we were Jogging out of my neighborhood he turned to look at me, "Hey you have a purple spot on your cheek." He told me looking expressionless.

"Oh I tripped and fell last night." I said with a forced laugh to make it seem convincing.

"Did you now?" he questioned.

"Yes I did actually." I replied picking up my speed, but he just caught up again.

"I know we barely know each other, but you can tell me stuff."

"How can I? I don't know anything about you besides the fact that you're the most popular kid in our year." I said mockingly as we sped up even more.

"Ok. I love hot chocolate, even when it's not winter, my only friend was my twin brother until high school, my dad passed from cancer when I was 6, and I have a husky named Trixy."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's not your job to feel sorry for me. Now tell me about you."

"I've never had a real friend, I run to help with anxiety, I have a sister named Hayden, and I have a secret."

"Can I know the secret?"

"No." I said turning serious suddenly.

"Can I be your first real friend?" He asked, looking genuine. This made me stop running.

I looked at him like he was crazy. "Really? Why would you want to be friends with me?"

"You seem to be a good person, and not to mention you're beautiful." He said as I blushed. But then I remembered his previous statement. What if he's only trying to know my secret, to break down my walls. What if he does just that and then leaves?

"Well? Can we be friends?" He asked, reiterating his previous statement, cutting off my thoughts in the process.

"Yeah if that's what you want." I finally told him.

"Great, you can sit with us at lunch today." and that's when I looked up realizing we were back at my house. "See you at lunch Oakley!" He said waving goodbye, and this time, I waved back.

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I threw my backpack over my shoulder, literally RIGHT about to walk out the door, when my dad came up to me.

"Hey sweetie I'm taking you to school today." He said grinning.

Knowing I wasn't allowed to say no, I just nodded and followed him out to the car, scared of what was awaiting me. It was a nice day, a little chilly i'll admit, but the slight breeze made it feel nice.