Page 15 of Fall
I close my eyes, stopping my feet from moving forward.
“We can’t do anything about it right now, Evie. Let’s just go.” Celeste grabs my elbow, pleading for me to not go in their direction.
I clench my fists, digging my nails into my own skin. “Cele, help me get out of here before I do something I regret.”
She tugs on my arm and leads me towards the Southside entrance of the park. “Taylor, maybe you should stay and hang out with yourbrothers,” she sarcastically suggests.
Reluctantly, he agrees. “Yea, you’re right. I’ll see if I can find out what’s going on.” He shocks me with a kiss on my cheek and then kisses the top of Cele’s head. “I’ll call an Uber to pick you guys up at the gates.”
I semi-smile and nod my head. “Make it at the cemetery across the street. I’d rather hang out and wait with the dead.”
* * *
My eyes open to the sound of the shower running. I check the clock on my nightstand to see that it’s five a.m.What the fuck?I get out of bed and walk down the hallway in just a t-shirt. I tap on the door and call out for Celeste.
“I’ll be right out. Don’t leave for your run just yet. I need to talk to you first,” she replies.
I walk into our kitchen and turn on our Keurig out of habit. Celeste joins me ten minutes later, dressed in workout gear.
“Thanks for not leaving yet. I wanted to know if I could come with you.”
I choke on my coffee. “I’m sorry, come again?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, I want to go on a run with you.”
“Are you feeling okay? Who are you, and what have you done with Celeste?” For added effect, I place the back of my hand on her forehead, pretending to take her temperature, but she swats it away.
“Funny, asshole. I’m serious.”
“Cele, I don’t mind you coming on a run. It’s just that you couldn’t even make it on the bunny slopes last winter,” I say to her, trying desperately not to laugh.
Her face turns solemn. “I don’t want to be that girl anymore.”
Sigh. It sucks that she’s feeling this way, but I understand it. Running is certainly better than drowning at the bottom of a bottle, so at least we’re moving in a positive direction.
I change into some running gear, grab my runner’s backpack, and we head out into the early morning hours. Both of us are running from something, but it feels like we’re running towards something too.
And it lasts for all of thirty minutes.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Evie. How far are we running? Do you seriously run this far every morning?” Celeste breathlessly whines as she slows down to a walk. She’s dripping in sweat, and her short hair is sticking to her face.
I jog in place to keep my heart rate up. “I just run to the lighthouse and back.”
“Oh. My. God! That’s like miles—as in plural—I am NOT going that far. Are you trying to kill me?”
I roll my eyes at her dramatics. She’s not going to die. “You’re the one that wanted to come,” I remind her.
I’m only able to get her to go a few more yards before she’s begging me to head back to campus.
“Please! For the love of all things holy. Can you please bring me back to campus?”
I chuckle and shake my head. “That’s my line. Fine, we can head back, but you’re mistaken if you think I’m going to be carrying your ass.”
She slaps the center of her chest, pretending to be wounded. “Well, I was going to suggest a piggyback ride, but apparently you think I’m fat.”
“Piss off. I didn’t call you fat. I merely mentioned that I won’t be carrying you.” I grin at her and start jogging towards campus.
“Dammit, Evie. My legs can’t move any faster. Don’t leave me out here,” she shouts after me. There isn’t a chance in hell that I’m actually going to leave her, but I do get a good laugh when I glance back to see her shuffling her little legs.