The outside world turns off as I begin to jog, feeling my muscles loosen up, falling into the familiar pattern.
I run for over an hour, pushing myself to the point my lungs feel the familiar lick of pain and my legs are slightly numb and wobbly. Taking a long pull from my water bottle, I wipe my face before taking a couple of deep breaths. A group of girls pass by, followed by an older man that is wiry and confident in his stride. The girl behind him catches my attention. I watch for a second longer because she’s running fast, as if someone’s chasing her. She rounds the corner, and I notice her head turn to look over her shoulder, as though she really expects to see someone in her wake. I scan behind her through the crowd of girls and catch sight of a guy with bright neon green and black sneakers that has a practiced form and a good pace. Nearly instantly, a girl wearing a bright purple outfit that makes her look like she should be at a gym, rather than a track, begins to speed up. Whether to show off, or just to push herself I’m not sure, but I sit and watch for a few moments before packing my things up and heading home.
The next week passes quickly as we get used to the routine of classes and a schedule for the first time in a few months.
I find myself at the track the following Saturday, still unable to sleep past six. I insert my earbuds and set off, working my muscles and disappearing into an existence of breathing and soft melodies.
Finishing, I gather my belongings and rest my hands on my head to open my lungs for more air.
“You keep quite the pace.” I turn my head slightly, my eyes still trained down, and see the familiar neon green and black tennis shoes I’ve seen nearly every morning the past couple of weeks. My eyes travel up to his face where he wears a giant grin that displays a single dimple on his right cheek and perfect white teeth. He’s undoubtedly attractive, with a golden tan and eyes that are nearly as dark as mine, and for some reason he seems a bit familiar, but I can’t place him.
“Sorry?” I don’t know why I just apologized, I heard what he said.
“You’re fast,” he says, running a hand over his hair in a movement too similar to Max to go unnoticed. I smile casually and sling my bag over my shoulder to indicate my departure. He’s fast too, though I have no intention of admitting that to him.
“So, I heard there’s a coffee shop around the corner. They’re supposed to have killer bagels. You want to check it out?”
I tighten my grip on my backpack and take a step back. “Sorry, I have plans with my boyfriend.”
“Alright, well I’ll see you later,” he says. The grin on his face doesn’t falter at the mention of boyfriend. I nod once and turn on my heel and head back to my apartment.
“I don’t want to look like I’m heading to prom,” I instruct Kendall as she begins setting to work on my hair in preparation of a black and white themed party we’re attending tonight. Kendall grins and begins twisting and pinning sections of hair as she asks about how things are going, and I start discussing my favorite subject: Max.
Kendall shares about Jameson, and then the subject of classes comes up as she’s curling her hair into large waves. I’d told her about Nate being in my Philosophy class and had listened to her psychoanalyze Max’s response to finding out. It’s not surprising when she asks for an update on how things have been going with Nate.
I shrug nonchalantly; there isn’t much to report.
“You know you don’t have to hate Nate because I do.” Kendall starts out slowly. “I mean, we both know he’s a total douche, but you don’t have to hate him for me. If you want to tell Max the history there, it’s fine.”
I nod. “I know,” I reply quietly, fiddling with a makeup brush to prevent admitting Max already knows. I think most everyone we went to school with knows that Kendall and Nate hooked up and that he dumped her the following day.
“Hey you want to go shopping tomorrow? I need some new running shoes. This morning my right one started making a terrible popping sound.”
“You went running on a Saturday?” she asks, her face twisting into a frown as her forehead creases. “Were you the only person out there?”
I laugh at her disgust and watch as she sprays another wave into place. “One of the very few. I think a guy was trying to hit on me. He was kind of hot. I was thinking I could get his name for Shelby since I know she hasn’t dated anyone since she and Emilio broke up.”
“Ace, you don’t set someone up with a guy that hits on you. It’s weird.” I laugh at her expression and shrug.
“It’s not like we have a history. He asked me for bagels.”
“Yeah, but obviously he was interested in you, so imagine if he does begin dating her and the two of them hang out with us. Wouldn’t that be weird? I can’t imagine Max taking it well.”
I almost mention that Jameson had shown interest in me when he had first met me, but opt not to knowing she’s likely right.
“Can you zip me?” I ask, holding my dress in place with my arm tightly locked around my midsection as I head into my bathroom where Kendall faces the mirror with her mouth popped open, carefully applying her makeup.
She puts down her brush and zips me then slaps my backside, letting out a loud cheer that echoes off of the walls, making me laugh. I turn around glancing at my reflection. My dress is black and strapless with a straight neckline that cuts across my chest, allowing only the hint of cleavage, but snug enough I can move freely and be safe from having any wardrobe malfunctions, or “nip dips” as Kendall so eloquently puts it. The dress goes down to my mid-thigh with a slit that goes up my right.
“Will you do my makeup?” I run my fingers along the compacts lining the counter. I wear makeup enough that I do a decent job, but I always wear makeup to enhance and conceal. Kendall does makeup as a statement and tonight I want something bold.
“You really are crazy about him, aren’t you?” she asks opening a small bottle.
“It’s a little ridiculous.”
“My God!” Kendall growls, looking at her phone once again. “Why doesn’t he put a god dammed ankle bracelet on me so he can track my every move? I told him we were on our way!”
I carefully navigate around some double parked cars and pause in front of a house that has the front door agape with people filing in and out. “It’s been over an hour since we said we’d be here. He’s just worried.” I glance around for parking, “Your feet are going to hate you in a couple of hours. Why don’t you get out, and I’ll park.”
“Ace, I’m not leaving you. It’s late, it’s dark, we don’t know the area, you’re in heels, and you forgot your phone … we have all the ingredients for a horror movie here. Jameson said he’ll meet us in the yard. I guess the house is packed,” Kendall explains as we follow the music and loud voices spilling down the block from where we parked.
We reach the driveway where more people stream through the open door, and I catch sight of Jameson standing like a pillar on the grass, searching for Kendall. His eyes grow wide, and his smile deepens as he sees her.
“Wow, you guys look amazing!” he says without even turning to see me. She beams and leans forward, pressing her lips to his.
“Thanks, so do you.” She runs a hand down his black button-down shirt and white tie.
“Where’s Max?” I ask, peering around Jameson at the horde of people filling up the room behind him.
“Inside. I’m under strict orders to bring you to him.” His eyes settle on my face, giving me a knowing smile. He nods his head to the side, instructing us to follow him as we step out of the way of more people trying to get in. “He thought you were ignoring him and got a little worked up. He’s fine now. Landon and Wes gave him a couple of drinks and now they’re looking for Wes’s mystery girl.” I raise my eyebrows and he shakes his head. I shrug as he takes Kendall’s hand and leads us into the house.