Chapter 12

I wake up at an icy Sunday dawn. I yawn out a mist of breath and then immediately wear another layer of sweatshirt. It's gotten colder and snow is bound to fall in next week. At last. The third quarter's exams are done. The seniors' ball was fun. I guess it's time to treat myself to an early morning run. I wear my running shoes and leggings and then get out of the apartment, taking off to the uncrowded streets.

I've already jogged for more or less half an hour when I arrive at the park. Fog still covers the surroundings, so it's quite hard for me to concentrate on exercising. Instead, I walk along the dewy row of benches to get a little bit warmer. It straightens my cropped tank top and then redo my ponytail.

The small café I occasionally stop by isn't open yet, so I resume sauntering through the bricked-up paths. I turn to my back and start stepping backward, my arms stretching out up in the air, feeling the energy of nature as I shut my eyes tight until somebody bumps into me. I'm ab