A/N: Another quick update. What is wrong with me? Ok this one is kind of a filler, but leads up to a big chapter. So enjoy the thought process of Cammie and her new running buddy!

Chapter 10

Sweat was starting to drip down my back as I pushed myself harder. College hadn't made me soft, but my legs were definitely straining to keep pushing me forward. It was Saturday (the Saturday) and I had over a weeks worth of troubles on my mind, and the faster I ran, the quicker the thoughts swirled. I was hoping to be able to outrun them, but they just mixed in one monster tornado of troubles.

Josh didn't want to do long distance. Why could he make it work for DeeDee? Is it because I just can't wear pink? Should I hate DeeDee? She did start making a move on my ex-boyfriend three days after we broke up. Should I hate Josh? He was the one that gave into her powers and told me not to worry about DeeDee. Or should I just hate myself for being stupid enough to believe it. I saw the signs when she asked if I liked my birthday present.

Why did I even like Josh? He wasn't that special. He was just the guy that wasn't scared to talk to the girl who saw her dad die. And I guess that's what made me like him. He didn't have the sadness in his eyes when he talked to me. Even after five years since he died people had always made me want to cry from their stares. Josh never gave me that look that said, 'Oh you poor girl. You must be so broken', he just looked like I was a normal girl. Nothing special, but a normal high school girl.

Why did I think being looked at like I was normal was the most spectacular thing? That wasn't what falling in love was like. If you're in love you should look at the person like they're the most amazing person in the world. You should want to talk to them and be around them for hours. Our dates always consisted of a movie a short dinner after and walking promptly home. And some kissing of course. I think most of our relationship revolved around kissing, not so much talking.

Why did Zach's touch make me feel more than any kisses with Josh? Sure they were pleasurable, but I was always trying to deepen the kiss to feel something. I told all the girls at Gallagher that it was magical and knee weakening, but only Macey knew that it was just a wet lip to lip contact. If I was supposed to be in love with him, it should have felt like fireworks and the world slowing down. I felt none of that with Josh.

Did David ask Katie out? I forgot to ask if the other guys heard anything. I had a feeling David was more of a private person and wouldn't broadcast that to the world until he knew it was serious.

Did Nick and Annie make up? I didn't know them, but the torture that Nick put himself through must have proved that their love was worth it. Were they long distance and it wasn't working? I hoped not.

Were Grant and Bex going to make it? They had only been on one sort of date, but I had high hopes for them. I haven't seen Bex so happy since I met her. I hoped Grant really did feel the same.

Did Mom and Dad start off like that? Were they absolutely crazy about each other or did they start off as just friends? The way that they looked at each other and laughed at each other made me think they were both. Maybe you're crazy about your bestfriend? These were all things I needed to ask my mom, but that would lead to an interrogation of who I was talking about. When I talked to her on Sunday she had a lot of questions of if I was safe at the party, why would I trust guys I just met, was Liz going to be up in Washington during the winter? So you can see how introducing a question about love would lead to a lot of questions that I didn't know how to answer.

Did I really know these guys? Sure I felt like I fit right in, but I didn't know much about them yet. Where were they from? What were their majors? Who preferred extra toppings on their pizza? Did Lucas really trying to get a girlfriend, or was it an act while he was still heartbroken? What were they like in high school? I could just imagine Zach being the most popular kid in school, star of the soccer team. I would say a ladies man, but I already knew he wasn't.

I was still pushing, but now I felt a smile tugging at my lips.

Was I actually happy that Zach didn't have a girlfriend/ crazy ex out there?

"Hey Gallagher Girl." Footsteps kept pace beside me now. He gave me a lopsided grin.

"Hey Blackthorne Boy. What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing. I've been running this trail, at this time, since August and I've never seen you." I looked around and noticed I was on the same trail as last week when I saw him. I didn't even know I was here.

"Maybe you just never noticed me."

He gave me a look, "Really Cammie. I would notice a girl that was running if they were going as fast as you are." I blushed a little. Luckily my face was red enough that he wouldn't notice.

"Oh yeah. I forgot you are all about safety."

"Safety begins with me," he sang with a lightness in his voice.

We ran in silence, just the pattern of our feet hitting the ground in unison. His breathing was getting harder and I saw sweat was starting to drip down his face.

"How far do you run," He asked a little breathless. I never really thought of that. I never measured the distance, I just ran until I felt better.

"I don't really know. It changes from time to time."

"How far has it been lately?"

Well if he asked last week, it would've only been three miles. Things had changed a little since then.

"Probably five miles today." He raised his eyebrows.

"Ok the distance isn't bad but you have to slow down."

"Bex doesn't call me Flash for nothing." He tried to laugh, but that just made him cramp and clutch his side. We slowed to a stop and he was still hunched over.
"Don't stand like that." I grabbed his shoulder and started forcing him to stand up straight and moved his arms above his head.

"So I just have to stand like I'm doing the macarana?" He did look like he was in the middle of the dance, or like he was getting arrested.

"Just breath, the cramp will go away." He took a few deep breaths and relief filled his face. I remember having those side cramps when I would be sobbing and couldn't get any air in.

"You're not breathing right."

He gave me a skeptical look, "I'm sorry, should I try breathing through my ears?"

I rolled my eyes, "I mean when you're running. You cramp because you aren't getting enough air. The key to distance running is your breathing."

He nodded, "How do you know so much about this?"

"Kinesiology major. And I ran track."

"You don't run for the school?"

I shook my head, "It's more of a hobby now."

Sure I got offers, but I didn't want my life to start revolving around a stress reliever. That would just lead to a breakdown.

He stretched his arms above his head and gave a deep breath, "Want to jog back?"

We were still about half a mile from the dorms. Wouldn't take too long, even if we were just jogging. I took off at a slower pace and noticed that he was trying to find a pattern for steady breathing. I focused and tried to stay in pace with him. I wasn't thinking about my troubles anymore, I was just running. But one question still was in my mind. Who was Zach Goode? So I started with the most basic question.

"What's your major?"

"Psychology."

"What? I didn't know that!"

He gave a half laugh, "Well you never asked. And we just met."

"I could've picked your brain for my paper last week."

"As fun as that sounds, psych papers are really only helpful for the person writing them. I don't think the same way you do."

I rolled my eyes and smiled, "Nerd." He smirked and we fell back into our rhythm.

"Are you excited for tonight," he asked once we turned the corner toward the dorms.

"Well I'm not ready for the stress yoga Bex will be doing for hours. But yeah. She's really excited about the date."

He gave a half laugh, "I meant about your first full night at Chance's. But nice to know she's excited."

For a week Saturday had only meant Bex's date with Grant. I didn't even think about how I was going to hang out for a full night with the guys.

"Oh yeah! It will be fun." We ran up the last steps before the door and paused at the top. The campus was still dead. The night owls were already back in their room and only a few early birds were still roaming around.

"What time do I need to meet?" It was close to eight, so I still had plenty of time, but I could really use a nap.

"We leave around eight, butou can come up whenever you want. You know, in case you want to get away from the yoga session."

"No way. If she found out I ditched helping her get ready to hang out with some guys, I would probably be tied in a knot."

He smirked, "Door's always open."