Page 5

I awoke at dawn on Saturday morning. Something about today had me pumped.

There's a chance I'll receive training later today, but other inexplicable factors exist.

I felt relieved about having enough energy to spring from the bed when I woke up. Normally I move sluggishly until I reach the floor but that didn't happen today.

I sat on the edge of my bed wondering how to use my excess energy when my phone began its familiar ring. I held the phone up to my eyes to view the display screen. I typically dislike receiving this call but today I felt more optimistic.

"Good morning, Hazel!" I exclaim.

"Good...morning to you too, Em." She says her voice is hesitant. "You sound...awake."

I tell her I can't believe it either.

Does this mean I have an improved opportunity to work out with you now? she asked excitedly.

"Maybe..." I lead her on.

"Please, please, please, Em! I need a workout buddy!" she begged.

"Alright, alright." I complied. "I'll go."

"Yes! So, I'll pick you up in twenty?" she asked.

"Thirty." I compromised. I've managed to get up but that doesn't make me a morning person.

"Fine," she groaned. "I'll see you in thirty."

"By Hazel."

"By Em."

I rise from my chair doing a stretch before I make my way to the bathroom.

Because I was the sole female among siblings my parents provided me with a private bathroom to respect my privacy needs.

I refreshed myself before heading back to my closet to select an outfit. I picked out leggings with a T-shirt and added a sports bra underneath to stay cool if necessary.

I took my phone from the charger and went downstairs where the aroma of breakfast filled my senses.

The moment I step into the kitchen I see my dad working at the stove.

The suddenness of my entry makes him look at me. "You're up early," he remarks while staring at me with confusion.

"Yeah," I gasp while recovering from rushing down the stairs too fast. "I'm going to work out with Hazel. She should be here–"

The loud honking noise from outside interrupts my explanation.

"Now." I smile.

Should I put some pancakes aside for you? "Do you want me to save you some?" he asks while pointing toward the pancakes on the counter.

I'll take any leftovers that remain when I return. I joke, opening the fridge. They can finish them if they want to, I say while taking a water bottle from the fridge and closing it.

As I exit the kitchen, he tells me "Have fun." "Bye, Dad!" As I open the front door I call out "Bye, Dad!".

When I spot Hazel's car parked outside, I went towards it. As I take the passenger seat, I watch her start driving away. After driving for a couple of minutes we reach the school.

Since today was a cardio day Hazel chose to take our workout outdoors instead of using an indoor treadmill. "So, how much are we running?" I set my water bottle down in the shade and ask her about our running distance.

"Five miles," she shrugs nonchalantly.

"Five miles!" I blurt out. "Who do you think I am? A marathon runner?!"

"Don't complain, Em. Five miles won't be challenging and I will manage the speed while providing enough rest periods. Just for you." She pats me on the shoulder.

I released my breath as I approached her on the track. As we started running I questioned how much time it would take to finish.

But I shouldn't focus on that. My surroundings were pretty pleasant. A light wind blew through while we moved past runners who were talking and we heard someone shouting from the center of the track.

A group of kids played football while making many sounds I couldn't understand.

The fixed gaze of one specific boy playing football on the field was directed at someone. Once we completed three laps, I brought it up.

Hazel, the guy on the field, has been watching you since we started running.

"What are you talking about?" She gives me a confused look. I gesture toward the guy on the field with a head nod. The guy on the field has been staring at you since we began running.

She laughs and studies the boy with amusement.

"Oh, Zander. She confirms that Zander, together with his friends, spend weekends playing at this location. "So, have you talked to him yet?" I press her for more information.

"Oh, no. I talked to him, but it wasn't that kind of conversation. she shuts me down.

"Why not?"

"You know why Em." she side-eyed me.

I mentally slap myself for that one. I understood exactly what she meant. Or should I say who?

"Okay, can we walk for a second?" I ask, trying to stop her.

"Fine." she complies, slowing her pace.

"Are you seriously still stuck on Felix?"

I understand my guess was correct when her gaze meets mine without a word spoken. "You know I've always liked him, Em."

"So then why haven't you told him!?" I exclaim. For how many years exactly has your crush on him continued, Hazel? Three, four years?" Her cheeks shift to pink while a faint smirk emerges on my lips. "Five. You forgot eighth grade," she mutters.

"Okay, Hazel, stop." I grab her arms which make her face me. You've liked him for years so why haven't you told him? "You know I can't!" she argues.

"And why not?" I counter.

He has a girlfriend and besides that our friendship has lasted so long I'm unsure about his feelings for me. She notes that his behavior shows he doesn't feel that way.

I inhale deeply before exhaling the breath. "Hazel. Felix and Savannah broke up."

Her face falters for a moment. "What?"

"Yeah, she cheated on him." I shrug.

"With who?" she's quick to ask.

"Alec," I tell her blankly.

Her jaw falls open in shock yet I maintain my composure. "What? When did that happen?"

I tell her it happened on Tuesday but explain that timing isn't what matters right now. You need to start acting. You've been turning down potential partners and it's time to pursue the man you truly desire.

She falls into deep thought after my brief speech because she stays silent for a full minute. Her cheeks become vibrant red, and I wonder what thoughts occupy her mind in this moment.

"I–I can't, Em," she tells me. I struggle to talk to him because it sends me into a stuttering problem and you're familiar with how easily I become red faced. Look at you now you're right in the middle of it.

She lifts her hands swiftly to shield her face from view. "Are you serious?"

I smiled and nod at her. Hazel needs to share her feelings with him because we don't have forever to spend together. There are just a few more months left before we head off to college. Time's ticking." I tap my wrist.

She sighs and shakes her head. She starts moving forward again on her jog while I chase after her. I suspect you raised that topic because you wanted to stop running.

I chuckle softly while directing my gaze toward her and say "Maybe, maybe not."

"You're something else, Em."

My goal right now is to help my friend express her emotions. Call me Cupid." I joke.

"Yeah, whatever." After she rolls her eyes, we resume our run.

Working out came to an end for Hazel and me after several hours. My legs feel weaker than they ever have before.

Feeling refreshed followed my Starbucks visit and a lengthy cold shower. After staying with me for several minutes Hazel left and I found it was 12:04 when I looked at the clock. Lily wants me there by 12:15, so I better get going.

"Wait! Let me come with you. I'm always up for some ice cream!" Hazel zooms ahead of me then bolts out through the front door.

I burst into laughter as we both jumped into our vehicles and headed toward the destination. I enter through the door while the bell rings to signal my arrival.

I noticed Lily at the counter where she was examining the cash register. She looked up, "Hi, dear. " She smiled.

"Hi, Lily." I greet her back.

Afterwards Hazel walked in and waved at her as well. "Hi, Ms. Rowan!" Her tone was upbeat as usual.

She responds to Hazel with a "Hello to you too," while the cash register shuts with a click.

I follow Lily's wave as I move around the counter. "Wow. It seems like I've never stood behind the counter before in my life. I admit.

You used to visit this place when you were young but probably don't remember it. she laughs.

I watched Hazel take a seat in one of the booths while I nodded to her. The sign outside announced closure which led to the place being empty. It's usually jam-packed on a Saturday afternoon.

The sun blazed in the sky while outside conditions were ideal for enjoying some ice cream.

"Why aren't you open? The line outside the door should be full at this point.

She explains she plans to complete your training before she opens the store. "So, are you ready?" she asks.

"Let's do this."

After two hours had passed Lily informed me that I had mastered everything I needed to know. It was simple.

I mastered knowledge of each ice cream flavor and learned to operate the backroom machines as well as locate supplies when needed while acquiring serving techniques.

My stomach released a loud rumbling by the time it was over.

Oops.

I forgot I hadn't eaten all day. "Hey, Lily?" I called her over. She rotates toward me and lifts her eyebrows while questioning me about what is happening.

"Do you have any snacks here? My laughter came out while I admitted to not having eaten anything today.

Lily behaved as if she were hosting me at her home without acknowledging her new role as my boss.

Emerson, what made you wait to bring this up? She questions me with a motherly tone. You will find snacks located on the top shelf at the back right corner.

I responded with a nod and a thank you while Hazel let out a chuckle. She remained patient while sitting here throughout this entire time. I am uncertain about why she remained present, but her supervision reduced my stress levels.

I went to the location described by Lily and upon locating the shelf she mentioned I noticed a box of snacks positioned at its top.

Standing on my tippy toes I extended my hand to grab a bag from above. As I reached for a bag of chips, I heard the front doorbell ring.

After the bell rang, I heard multiple voices with Hazel among them.

"Oh shit." I heard her blurt out.

The moment I got back to the front my curiosity turned into annoyance.

What the hell is he doing here?

Felix stood behind him and both of us showed clear signs of displeasure.

"Mom, what is she doing here?" he asks, looking at Lily.

"Don't be so harsh, son. "You need to make your new coworker acquaintance," she smiles while gesturing toward me.

Her casual delivery renders the word nearly inaudible to me.

Coworker. Did she say, coworker?

"Coworker?!" Jaxon blurts out in disbelief.

"Yeah, excuse me, coworker?" I ask in just as much shock. "What do you mean by coworker?"

Jaxon quickly turns his head toward me thinking his intense stare would make me back down, but it doesn't work.

I stared right back at him.

"Yeah, dipshit. My mom owns the place." he snaps. "That means I work here."

I become aware of the situation and my facial expression changes to reflect it.

Fuck.