Old Pine Lake

Run, run, keep running. You're almost there. Just a mile more.

"Kendra!" Derek says. "Kendra! Get back over here now! Where are you even going?"

Faster faster! I think to myself, the tears in my eyes make it hard to see. If I just keep running, I'll make it. Please heaven, let me make it.

I've been running for about ten miles, my newly ex-boyfriend running fast behind me. Good thing I run track, and he runs the school news paper.

I allow myself a small smile before it disappears and I run even faster.

"What the hell Kendra! Why are you running?"

He should know, they all should, and I'm not going back.

Not ever.