Running With Nowhere to Go
Chuck comes over, and Phil comes out. They start out jogging slowly, and start speeding up. They used to run with Tommy, until he got serious about it. It's a ritual that they don't even think about anymore. Running around the neighborhood, seeing the early signs of fall, they run in silence until Phil stops, panting. "Wait up," he gasps, bending over to catch his breath. "Guess we shouldn't have stopped running this summer, huh?"
"I didn't stop," Chuck says pointedly, but stops anyway.
Phil starts walking so he won't cramp. "Um," he starts awkwardly, "I thought about what you said yesterday."
"About what?" Chuck starts walking beside Phil, looking thoughtful.
"About my blowing everything out of proportion. With me and Angelica."
"And..." Chuck prompts.
"You're right. As usual. Couldn't you suck at advice giving just once?"
"I wouldn't be Chuck if I did," Chuck points out while laughing slightly. "So, what are you planning to do about it?"
"Honestly? I don't know. It's not like Angie's beating me to tell everyone."
"That's because she doesn't care what they think."
Phil nods at that and goes into a stretch. Football season will be here before long, and he really has neglected his routine.
"I guess I do though," Phil says out loud, just to get the words out there.
Chuck nods understandingly. "And she knows this, right?"
"Yeah, I guess." Phil switches to a hamstring stretch, and then adds fiercely, "I love her."
"And she knows that?"
"Yes," Phil says definitely, and then smiles. "But hey, you always knew I was a big sap."
"Pretty much."
That said, Phil nods, and starts running again. Chuck falls into step with him, and they run, full out. Phil laughs suddenly, the sound carrying slightly.
"What?" Chuck puffs.
"I was thinking. This school year's gonna be all kinds of different, isn't it?"
"I'll bet," Chuck agrees.
If you're keeping track, "Cruel Summer" is next. Thanks!