Chapter 5 - Celia

After class, I started to head to the cafeteria. Carson called my name and I turned. He waited as a couple of students scooted around me. "Celia. I overheard Jax say he wouldn't mind going to the lake with you. Did you tell your Dad about this morning?"

"Yes, Carson. I told my Dad and he is worried about what's going on and made me promise not to go out in the morning alone. Jax asked about it too and I told him I would miss going to the lake. He offered to go with me on his free mornings. I don't want him to waste his time just so I can do what I want. But I will miss my run and swim. I told him I would think about it, but I'm going to say no."

Carson nodded. I turned and started out the door and found Jax waiting in the hall. Carson followed me and said, "Hey Jax. Celia, tomorrow morning, I don't have patrol. I would be happy to accompany you to the lake. Where do you want to meet to start our run?" Carson smiled. We walked towards the lunch room. Carson kept pace with me. I slowed down and he slowed down. I sped up, he sped up. I wanted to just disappear. I ignored Carson's question. Why was he suddenly so close to me? I stepped forward, trying to get some space.

Jax headed over to Ang and I could hear him chuckling as he walked away. Goddess! Could I please just become invisible? Carson and I stood in the lunch line next to each other. I felt so awkward.

"Where do you want to meet to start our run, Celia?" He repeated.

"You don't need to do that. I will survive." I said quietly.

"I run every morning too. I normally loop around the reservoir. I like water too. Running with you to the lake will be a good change of scenery and a tougher course. Where do you want to meet to start our run?" Carson smiled.

"This is so awkward. " I muttered.

"Can we just drop it?" Please let him drop this! I don't want to be involved with anyone. "Seriously, Carson. It's fine. I'll get exercise some other way."

"I will be outside your house at 4 AM." Carson said, clearly not willing to let it go. "If you decide you want to run with me, all you need to do is step out the door."

I got my lunch and joined Ang and Jax. I picked at my food but didn't really eat. Today just kept getting weirder. Ang looked like she was going to burst with all the questions she was obviously holding back.

Jax kept smiling and finally said, "We are definitely running to the lake together on Friday if you go with Carson tomorrow. I can't let him be your only hero."

Ang snickered and said, "Carson is a man, so he can be a hero. You aren't a man, you're a pup." She stuck her tongue out at Jax. Jax made a face. He didn't like being considered a pup. That was obvious. I wish Ang would realize her teasing comments were pushing Jax away. I knew she liked him way more than she admitted.

"He's not my hero. And I'm not going to the lake with either of you. It would just be weird trying to swim my laps while being watched. And going with a guy defeats the purpose of having a quiet, peaceful morning." I said with disgust.

I ignored Jax and Ang for the rest of the day. When the final bell rang, I grabbed what I needed for homework and took off.