“No matter what I decide,” I said repeating what she said to start. “You’re still my best.” As I pulled from the hug, I gave Ashley a chaste kiss on the cheek. When I left the apartment, I suddenly felt like running. How great it would be to just ignore everything that was going on in my life at that moment. How amazing it would feel to just run away from everything. By the time I got close to the store, I considered turning back and running in the opposite direction. I imagined grabbing Ashley by the hand and running with her. As I got to the entrance of the store, I told myself in my head, “Don’t turn around. Don’t turn around.”

I walked inside and saw Jessica standing there, waiting for me. She must have seen the expression on my face because immediately she rushed to me, with a worried look upon her face. “What’s wrong Spencer?” She asked.

“I just feel a little sick is all.” It wasn’t a lie. I really felt a little dizzy, and my stomach felt like it had someone knocking on the inside of it.

“Why don’t you take today off? Want me to drive you home?” She offered.

“Oh, no I need to work. I have bills to pay.” I forced a smile.

“Well as your boss,” she began with a compassionate smile. “I am suspending you, with pay, for three days. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

“Thank you, and I need the fresh air, I think I’ll walk.” I left, but as soon as I turned the corner, I was running. I didn’t remember the last time I ran so fast. But I was running, my clothes were pressed to my body as the loose part flailed behind me. I made it home in record time and dashed up the stairs. I ran into the apartment and startled Ashley. “Sorry,” I said, out of breath. Huffing with each syllable I spoke to Ashley while grabbing my clothes. “Pack things for three days. We’re going on a road trip.” I ordered.

She didn’t ask questions. She just did as I asked and packed. We got in the car and immediately got on the highway. “Where are we going?” She finally asked me.

“It doesn’t matter.” I said in a quick huff.

“What are we running from?” I decided to ignore her questions. I didn’t want to answer something I didn’t know the answer too. “I admire you Spencer.”

“Why?” It was my turn to ask the questions.

She thought about how to word her answer. “You can just run at any point, you don’t worry about what happens. I admire that. I don’t know how you do it.”

“It’s not really something you think about ahead of time. It’s just kind of like…ready, set, run, and don’t turn around.” I smiled at her and took one hand from the steering wheel. I laced my fingers with hers and ran my thumb over the skin of her hand. She smiled at me and once again I melted at the sight.

“So are you really not going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Well, we’re going to California. We could use some sun, don’t you think?” I said almost sarcastically.

She looked almost frightened of going back to California. “Are we going to see your parents while we’re there?” she asked.

“We might stop by. Why?”

“Oh this should be fun.” She said sarcastically.

TBC