Morning Run?

"Agh, I can't keep up!" Jesseye groaned, holding her cramping side. She shook her head and squeezed it. It didn't help. She never should have agreed to go running with Shane. Why had she thought training would be fun? Sometimes she was so naive, "Shaannneee," she whined at him. He'd been doing this for years, so he had way more stamina than she did.

Shane slowed to looked back at her. How long had it been, barely thirty minutes? He shook his head and laughed, but kindly let her catch up. She was going to need some serious training if they ever needed to run from the cops. Hopefully they'd never have to.

He paced a bit more to level his breathing yet had her sit down on one of the side walk's wire benches. "Slow deep breaths, ok?" He advised, placing her water into her palm.

She gulped in air and nodded while pressing the cold water bottle against her flushed face. Despite the white tank top Shane had put on for her, Jesseye had to force her eyes to remain on the ground, "Y-yeah," she drew a couple heavy breaths before swallowing some water.

Thankfully her need for rehydration focused her attention on the bottle, and *not* on the amount of worry his eyes currently held, "Take your time." He reassured her with a smile. Shane wanted so badly to help her. "It's rough when you first start." Jesseye's face was almost as red as her hair. Was she overheating? She didn't seem to be shaking. "You're fine." he decided right then and there to not allow her to run more than a half mile further.

She sighed, her heart humming with affection for him and his kind words, "Thanks Shane," she breathed before turning her face to give him the sweetest smile. It faded and she glanced awkwardly back down to her water, "Guess I can only beat you in a sprinting race," she chuckled lightly and shrugged her shoulders. Jealousy etched her heart as she thought about the date Jazza was going on tonight. Why didn't anyone like her?

He chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I guess so." Her long legs did certainly give her the advantage *there*. He made a mistake.

When Shane reached to rub her back, she looked back to identify what he was doing. Slowly, casiously his palm moved along her spine. Their eyes met. How he saw the longing in her forest eyes.

A frown nestled onto her lips as her eyes studied the dirty laces of her tennis shoes. Why didn't he like her? Because, her mind began to fill in, she was pathetic, weak, clumsy, naive, oblivious, and...She shook her head of those thoughts. It was hard to keep them out when she was tired or hurting, and she was both at this moment, 'I'll find someone,' she promised herself, deciding to rest a few more minutes, "Kay," she mumbled at the concrete, "I think I'm ready to go again." she announced before rocking herself back onto her feet.

He nodded and rose as well though he probably seemed like a dwarf to her. For a moment, he watched her thoughtfully, he told himself their height difference didn't matter, then started back at a slow jog. "Start slow, ok?" He said with a smile as his heart swelled with pride. The fact that she wanted to keep going was commendable. "And keep on her toes. I know it's hard, but don't let your heels touch the pavement."

To make sure she was, he jogged backwards. She nodded, "Okee doke," Jesseye couldn't help giggled lightly before starting back up. He looked so silly like that,"I'll watch your back," she promised.

"Thanks." Breathing was not even a problem for him. He could talk at this pace for hours but instead watched her fondly. Even though she was tired, she kept going. That was something he hadn't seen so purely in anyone but her. She was determined and pushed through the obstacle that she was faced with; and she always did it in her own special way. "You're always so strong and persistent." He had to compliment before turning right round and jogging next to her, "I respect that."

A grin stretched across her face and she found a bit more courage, "Thanks," she breathed between pants. '*He* respects *ME*?! It was unbelievable! It was exactly what she needed to hear. Suddenly running the round about in the town's center was no big deal. Oh she wanted to squeal.

Sadly, she didn't have any breath to spare. 'Just make it back to the bench and you can take a break,' she counsiled herself. Jesseye didn't know too much about this, but she knew short goals were a helpful distraction.

"Pick a line and run on either side!" Shane coached euthusiatically, "Yeah! Keep it up, Jess." he said since she seemed determined to hit the half mile mark.

She nodded and focused on her breathing and the sound of their feet striking the pavement instead of her burning legs. When the bench nearly hit them, she set a new goal, 'That tree. Make it to the tree.'

Tough Guy Shane could not keep from smiling at her as they ran. She was doing so well! "You're doing great, Jess! Come on, push!" He encouraged, between deep, rhythmic breath. Her head bopped acknowledgement as Spunky grit her teeth. A minute later they reached the next bench and she collapsed onto it. He pumped his fists in the air, "Yes! You did it!" he celebrated for her, "I'm so proud of you!" He yelled, giving her a high five.

Any other time and she'd be bouncing off the walls at that. She gulped in air and shook her head,"Woo," she exhaled then began laughing breathlessly. Squeezing it into her mouth, she chugged some water. She leaned against the back of the bench as she stared at the blue sky.

Smiling fondly, he watched her chest rise hastily and fall heavily. "That was awesome, Jess."

She grinned but was not able to speak for another couple minutes,"I.. I," she started hoarsely when she finally looked back over to Shane,"Think you might have ta carry me home.." She snickered a bit, wiping her face dry with the hem of her athletic shirt,"Not sure I'll ever be able to walk again."

He nodded, taking her joke in stride. "Ok, I'll carry you." He said with such nonchalantness that it took a moment to register that he was serious.

"You sure?" She asked shyly, knowing that she was bound to be both heavy and sweaty. It was such a nice offer, and so overly appealing. Still, she didn't want to be bothersome,"I'm not exactly small," she admitted through a small, anxious chuckle.

He nodded again, "Yeah. So?"

She shrugged. They rested for around ten minutes before Shane stood to his feet.

"Come on." he said and before she knew it, he was lifting her like her 130lbs didn't matter in the least. "Let's go home." He said, walking towards home as if she was his bride.

Jesseye had expected a piggy back, so of course, she blushed in embarrassment, "Woah, o-okay," she gulped, hoping she could play her cheeks off on the heat.

Shane couldn't help snickering lightly at her reaction. He took one look at her very dark cheeks and shook his head. She was just too easy. "I got you." He assured her with a small smirk. Oh her heart melted like butter. Giving her a second to recollect herself, he stared at the side walk ahead.

She leaned her head back and watched the trees pass. "Thank you." She yearned desperately for his words to mean more to him. In answer his thumb began gently rubbed her arm as he walked. She loved it when he was kind to her like this, "You're the best, Shane." She said softly, putting on a grave smile. The fact that they would never be more than friends made it bitter sweet. Why couldn't she have the man who held her heart when Jazza could?

He looked down at her and smiled, but had to decline the compliment. He'd done too many wretched things to earn the title of 'best' from her, "Nah, I'm just treating you like the princess you are." He said, his lips curved pleasantly upward despite his lightly burning cheeks.

Jesseye chuckled lightly as her face flushed with blood once more. 'He thinks I'm a princess?!' She asked herself joyfully. "You're so sweet." She said softly. Why was he acting like this? To make her feel better? She wasn't sure, but she couldn't take her eyes off him.

A dangerous thought crossed his mind. 'What would she do if I told her?' He sighed as he wished there was some way to tell her without *telling* her. He didn't want a romantic relationship yet, just to test the friendship they already. 'She won't do what they did.' He tried to tell himself.

He sighed deeply as his thumb kneaded thoughtlessly into her arm. Still, he had doubts. There was still so much about her that he didn't know. Like, what was her past about? Why didn't she talk about it? Maybe she wanted to forget it all? He understood that.

She sighed and closed her eyes, a soft grin planted on her face. Feeling her in his arms made his heart flutter. He wanted to hold her forever. He was just... scared. If only there was some way to rid himself of these particular fears. He wanted to be happy. Joy never left her. Perhaps if he..? Maybe she'd..? He needed to conquer his fears before they moved forward.