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Chapter 9: Eric, or Eron?
There were about three treadmills, a couple weight benches, yoga balls, one elliptical, and a boeflex. The floor was a cheap, multicolored, tiled carpet and the walls were the same off white of our room. There were two other people working out that day, Eric and his presumed roommate.
I am a runner at heart, a long distance runner. People who run track aren't runners, their sprinters, there's a big difference. Running is my life, I run from when the snow has melted to when it comes back down. My parents were supposed to get me a treadmill for Christmas, but they decided to go to the Carrabin instead. I haven't run all winter yet, so naturally, I headed straight to the treadmill, but Lizzy blocked my path.
"No." Lizzy stated with her arms crossed.
"Why not?" I countered trying to get around her.
"Because you have no upper arm strength." She accused, and unfortunately I was guilty as charged.
She sized me up and said," You should start with twenty five on each side, and twenty receptions." I was surprised, she didn't seem like the demanding type.
"What are you waiting for? An invitation? Go get those weights!" She demanded. I was actually spooked enough to jump up and dash to the weights, all the way on the other side of the room. I ran back with the weights to find Lizzy on the elliptical. At least she won't be breathing down my neck. I thought.
One,…two,… three,… four,… five,…Suddenly Eric leaned over me and I dropped the weights.
"Woh!" Eric yelled as he lifted the weights off my chest.
"You okay? You know, you should really have a spotter." Eric said as he put them on the ground. Lizzy jumped of the elliptical and ran over.
"She had a spotter." Lizzy said with defiance.
"Okay then she needed a spotter on this side of the room," Eric countered.
"You both realize that I wouldn't have needed one if you hadn't made me lift weights or if you hadn't scared me." I explained.
"Sorry about that. Forgot how jumpy you are." Eric said scratching the back of his head.
"Okay where did you stop?" Lizzy asked. I was about to tell her that I got to five when Eric interrupted me.
"You want her to lift weights again, right after she almost died because you weren't paying attention?" Eric asked in disbelief.
"Eric." I interrupted before he could go on a tangent.
"You see this?" I said pointing to my mouth.
"I am just as full capable of using it as you are. Lizzy, not today, I just want to run."
"You run, track or long distance?" Eric asked.
"Long distance is running. Track is sprinting. There's a difference." I said heading to the treadmill. I pulled out my iPod, put my headphones in and just ran. Eric got on the one next to me after taking his shirt off. Show off. I thought to myself, seeing his washboard stomach and firm chest. I simply rolled my eyes and kept on running.
"It's time to trust my instinct, close my eyes, and leap." I heard. I looked down to see one of my favorite songs playing, Defying Gravity.
When I looked up I saw Eric's reflection in one of the circular windows, except it wasn't his. It was Eron's, the same coat, the same body, the same person from my dream. I looked over to see Eric, normal Eric, who was popping his headphones in. I looked back at the window to see the normal, but confused, reflection of Eric. I must have cut off my air when I dropped the weights.
I ran three miles that day before Lizzy yanked me off so that we could shower before lunch. No matter how far I ran, I was stuck on that boat. Likewise, no matter how far I ran, that boat would be Helen's resting place, because no one can walk on water, at least, so I thought.
After a rather eventless lunch all minors were herded into a dark room and forced to watch a documentary on whales, whale flukes, to be exact, or whatever whale tails are. At about one I looked over to find Eric exactly where I wanted to be and where this movie was driving me, asleep. For the last two hours I had to deal sitting next to Miss Whale-expert and Senor I'm-so-fast-asleep-that-I-don't-wakeup-when-other- boys-stick-pencils-up-my-nose.
At three we were all released from our cage of boredom. I noticed that Eric was heading to the lower decks instead of to the observation deck for watch.
"Hey, Pencils, where are you going? You have watch, right?" I asked.
"Elen, we only have watch every other day." Lizzy explained. I would have gotten down on both knees if I wasn't atheist, a god simply didn't make sense. Our world is governed by a set of rules, not an almighty superior who does as he likes.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch. There was this moment before bed, when it seemed like Lizzy wanted to say something, but couldn't get her foot out of her mouth. I'd let her reveal what was on her mind on her own time. It wasn't what she had to worry about though, at least, not alone. It was going to become everyone's problem, mainly, mine.
Thanks for reading!