My mother left for work without saying anything.

I went downstairs and found a note taped to the fridge reminding me should be working late and to call if anything was wrong.

Everything felt wrong but she didn't need to know that.

I thought about doing my homework but didn't feel up to it. I didn't even think I'd be able do my homework since I didn't really pay attention in class. Instead I cleaned the house but there wasn't much to clean and after a while my ankle started to ache so I settled in front of the tv.

The house felt quiet and empty even with the tv on. I wish I could run.

The house phone rang and I leaned to answer it.

"Hello?"

"How's the ankle?" A familiar accented voice asked.

I fumbled for a response, surprised he called.

"Um...fine."

"Do you have any plans today?"

He sounded like he was driving. I could hear traffic in the background.

Beside the brief cleaning I'd done and the homework I wasn't planning on doing, no.

"No," I answered aloud.

"Are you up for a run? I thought we might work out that ankle of yours," he offered.

I perked up immediately. Anything to get out of this house.

"Yeah. Yes," I corrected.

He chuckled, actually gave a soft breathy laugh, on the other end of the phone.

"Okay. I'll meet you in a few minutes I just have an important errand to run first."

I hung up and it took me a full excited moment to even get myself off of the couch. I went upstairs to change into a tank top, my long-sleeved gray sweater, and a pair of sweats. I struggled to pull on my old shoes wishing I had appropriate running sneakers. It hit me just then that even without the right shoes I was excited about something.

I had never really felt excited about something before.

There was the time Lissa and I found out we made the cheerleading team, the times I was allowed to go to parties, and the time I had my first boyfriend. None of those things felt like this. I felt happy.

By the time I made it downstairs Dimitri was at my door.

I opened it to find him holding a long box out to me. A shoe box.

"My important errand," he explained.

It took a moment for me to realize what was in them.

"I...I can't accept-"

"I know. You said that yesterday too but remember: I need a running partner, preferably one with the right shoes she won't trip and stumble into me," he smiled, pushing the box closer toward me.

I smiled despite my reluctance. The name on the box was a real name-brand, nothing like the swap meet shoes my mother bought for me.

"At least take a peek inside. If the amazingness of these shoes doesn't wow you, I'll take them back and you can run in the shoes you have now and we can fall all over each other." His smile really was contagious. I tried to bite my own smile back but failed. "You know you wanna peek," he persuaded in a sing-song voice.

I took a hold of the box and stepped completely outside, closing the door behind me, and sitting on the front porch.

He sat beside me, stretching his long legs out in front of him sheathed in sweatpants.

I opened the box slowly, not wanting to seem to eager but, unable to help myself, I tossed the lid of the box aside and handed the tissue paper to Dimitri. I could feel him smiling at my eagerness but didn't dare look over as I focused my eyes on the beautiful white running shoes in my hand.

"They're... amazing," I admitted, holding one up to see closer.

I think I was more grateful to have a gift than the shoes themselves.

"So I don't have to take them back. Their amazingness has wowed you?"

I couldn't help giggling. "Yes. I am wowed."

"Good. And if you start to feel like you cant accept just remember that we can both benefit from them: you have a new pair of shoes and I have a running partner."

"Thank you. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate this...just...thank you."

He gave a curt nod. "You're welcome."

He gestured for me to try them on. Surprisingly the first shoe fit perfectly. I was amazed he guessed my size but I was fearful the second shoes would be more difficult to put on with my sprained ankle.

"Here let me help you," he offered.

Before I could respond he grabbed the shoe and my socked foot. I visibly flinched and he paused at my reluctance. I gave him a nod to tell him it was okay and he continued, helping me slip my foot slowly into the shoe.

"I know it must seem weird," he began as he worked my foot in, "or at least feel weird...me calling you, inviting you out to run."

"No," I answered simply.

If anything it felt good having someone even wanting to spend time with me and for me to spend time with. I wasn't use to being alone so much. Before any of this happened I was always surrounded by friends. Now I was always alone.

He nodded at my answer.

"Does your mother know...I just want to make sure because like I said. It's kind of unorthodox."

"She already left for work. She'll be fine with this," I added. "She's the one that wanted me to take your defense class in the first place."

I'm sure when my mother pushed me to take the class that she didn't expect I'd be jogging with my instructor on the weekends. I didn't need to point that out though. I didn't want to risk losing the last person beside my mother who even talked to me.

Dimitri seemed to accept my answer enough and gently set my foot down. I noted that I felt a little less warm since he released my foot.

"How does it feel?"

I worried for a second that I spoke my thoughts aloud before I realized he was talking about my foot and ankle.

"Good," I replied.

"Good," he agreed. "Then let's get started."