Page 58 of That Last Secret
“Ha ha, hilarious,” she deadpans. “I’m heading to the gym and ready to sweat out my frustration over studying. I need to leave my apartment and take a break before I lose it.”
“Everything okay?” I ask, clearing my throat.
Emiline smiles, and it’s genuine for the first time in a while. “I’m good. This summer class is a lot more than I thought it would be. I promise it’s not bad. I’m almost done with it. But I don’t really want to talk about the whole panic attack thing today, if that’s okay.”
I give her a slight nod of understanding. I know the feeling of not wanting anyone to see what you’re battling inside. People tend to look at you differently and treat you like a glass vase that may break.
I don’t want her to feel like that with me.
“After you,” I say, waving my hand at her to continue down the stairs.
“Where are you headed?” she asks.
“I’m also heading to the gym.” I shrug my shoulder, which is holding the gym bag over it. “Don’t tell me we also go to the same gym and never knew.”
I open the door to the stairwell, allowing Emiline to cross first. “Park South Fitness?” she says before looking back to me for an answer. I nod. “I love it there,” she continues. “They have more than two Stairmasters and a great selection of weights. I don’t feel lost when I’m there. I noticed recently that they have boxing classes, too. One day, I’ll overcome my fear and try it.”
I laugh and shake my head at her rambling. It’s weird how normal this feels with each other now. We aren’t bantering annoyance back and forth. This feels… good.
“I’ve been going there for a while now since Silas introduced me because of those classes you’re a tad bit scared of.” I playfully bump her shoulder with my side.
“Hey, don’t start mocking me for being atad bitscared of getting punched in the face,” Emiline says matter-of-factly.
“You’re cute.” I laugh, but quickly stop when I realize what I just said.
The playful banter with her had the words flying out of my mouth before I could stop them, even if they weren’t a lie.
“I mean, it’s cute that you’re scared of getting punched in the face at a boxing class,” I say in a flustered tone, trying to right my previous statement. “You know those classes aren’t punching other people, right? You punch bags or a partner holding mitts.”
“Yeah.” She nods repeatedly, but her tone is hushed. “I know.”
We both keep walking, but I can’t help but feel like I’ve offended her with that little flustered ramble trying to save myself.
Although Ihadto save myself, she’s too young to be corrupted by me, and I can’t have her think I see her in any other light than just a friend.
Maybe that’s why I didn’t kiss her when I had the chance.
Are we friends now though? It’s safe to assume we are after the way this entire conversation is going down.
Once we exit the building, I continue walking down the sidewalk with her instead of making my way into the parking garage for my bike or truck like I normally would. The gym is only about four blocks away anyway.
Besides, something in my head says I need this walk with her more.
“It’s beautiful out,” I break the silence.
Emiline inhales and exhales slowly as she faces the sun, allowing it to brighten every inch of her face. “It really is considering it’s almost the end of summer. Usually it’s disgustingly hot this time of year.”
A man on roller skates zips by us on her side and causes her to stumble slightly, but she catches herself. I can’t stand the ignorance of some people when others are clearly walking where they’re supposed to be walking.
I place my hand on the small of her back and guide her to the inside of the sidewalk, putting her between me and the building.
She adjusts the strap of her gym bag, looks down at the ground, and smiles.
“You just did the sidewalk move,” she says.
“Excuse me?” I say, looking over to her.
She looks up at me, her smile still in place. “You know, keeping the girl on the inside to protect her from runaway cars. Except, this one was a runaway skater boy.”