The next week went exactly the same, with a few variances. Of course Tuesday and Thursday we didn’t have training, so those days we hung out with the boys in Stella’s room, just talking. By then I was used to life in Ohio at Albertson high school.
I wasn’t making friends really at school. All the humans at school didn’t seem to care much that there even was a new girl. A few people have spoken to me, but no friendships built. It made me miss Hannah even more.
Friday in training I spent a lot more time with jump ropes. For the first time I realized how difficult it was to keep skipping rope for twenty minutes straight.
Friday night after training ended, I insisted on staying a while longer to keep working. I wanted to move ahead from a complete total noob to a slight amateur.
“Are you sure,” Stella asked. The guys had already left and I nodded.
“Yeah. You go ahead. Go hang out with the boys. I’m not alone.” There were still about a dozen people staying behind as well.
She pursed her lips. “Alright, I guess you have a lot to work on. Just don’t stay any longer than anyone else. You shouldn’t exercise alone. And keep hydrated,” she reminded me. To show her she need not worry, I opened my water bottle and took a huge swig.
“Got it. Now go have fun.”
She looked worried to leave, so I grabbed her shoulders and turned her around and gave her a nudge to make her walk away.
“Fine! I’m going, I’m going!”
“Thank you,” I called after her as she ran to the stairs and went back up.
“By the way,” she said, running back down really quick. “Every Saturday morning I go jogging in the woods. Do you want me to wake you up for it? Nine o’clock. Who knows; maybe we’ll find another girl in wolf shock.”
I smiled. “Yeah, sure. I’ll probably be up by then anyway. Early bird and all that. Now go!”
She groaned. “Fine, I’m already gone!”
“Finally!” I made my way to a bicycle machine and began pedaling quickly.
After about an hour more, I could smell my own dank sweat and decided it was time to quit for the night and go take a shower.
I left, just three people left in the basement by then. The house was getting dark. I found a clock and saw nine o’clock. I guess the circle pack has early lights out.
I stumbled around the hallway, leaning against the walls, grateful for what little light there was. I finally found the door that led to some stairs, and in hopes of it leading me to Stella’s room, I ran up. There was a doorway at the top, and out of curiosity, I turned the knob and pushed it open, slowly stepping through.
It was darker outside than in. The door had led me to a high up place outside. The roof. I stepped out onto the slanted paneled housetop, feeling a cool breeze blow over me, causing me to shiver. I hugged myself to keep warm and kept walking slowly towards the edge.
It was as if something were calling to me. I looked up at the sky and saw a sky like I’d never seen before; the stars shone brighter than I’d ever seen, even in movies. I was about to sit and dangle my legs over the edge when I heard something a few feet away stir. My head snapped towards it and I frowned dissatisfied.
I walked over and stood against the door I’d come out through and crossed my arms across my chest and rubbed them to try and warm up.
I wanted to speak. I couldn’t tell if he knew I was here or not.
YOU ARE READING
Surprise
Manusia Serigala"Happy birthday! You're present; your parents are dead!" This is how Maya ends her seventeenth birthday; with the cops at her front porch when she returns from her surprise birthday party. In grief, she runs away, unable to bare the guilt. She w...
