Morning jog

I finished preparing for the rest of my morning routine and headed outside. The late summer weather was perfect for my morning jog; not too hot or cold, with a refreshing breeze to aid in cooling off. I was dreading losing these mornings once late fall started setting in, so I resolved to enjoy it while I could.

As I made my way around the apartment building, I stopped at the Ashwood intersection. In the distance the outline of Rina’s apartment building was faintly visible. Hmm, did she jog in the mornings? It seemed like something she would do, but I was unsure. She did have practice too. I wondered if someone who worked out so much already would bother with an additional warmup like this.

I shrugged and made my way in that direction. There was no harm in deviating from my typical route to check, especially if it meant I could potentially see a friend. It was nice to hear from her and Nia this morning, and I wanted to further capitalize on the good mood if possible. I chuckled as I remembered Nia’s many fumblings when texting — she was too cute when she was tired.

It didn’t take me long to find the answer to my earlier question. As I jogged, I came across Rina about halfway to her building. Her back was facing me. She was leaning against a concrete wall, panting hard and drooped down. It was hard to tell from a distance, but it seemed like she was absolutely drenched with sweat — I guess I caught her near the end of her run.

I tried to quash my disappointment. It wasn’t as if I had actually expected to see her out here, I should just be happy I ran into her at all.

Emery: Hey! Rina!

Rina jerked up at my voice. She looked around, confusedly facing every other direction before finally finding me behind her.

Rina: …Ay, what a coincidence! I didn’t know you ran this early too.

Emery: No coincidence, actually. I came this way hoping we might cross paths.

Rina gave me a smug, but unquestionably happy, smirk.

Rina: Aww! You miss me already? Hehe, I was just with you guys yesterday, dude.

Emery: A little, I thought it would be fun to run with a friend. You seem pretty wiped out though. Did I catch you at the end of your run?

Rina’s face went through a flurry of emotions while I spoke. She beamed at first, but her expression slowly shifted to confusion as she processed my words. She looked down at herself and winced. From there, her expression slowly dimmed into a mixture of what seemed like embarrassment and something less scrutable.

Rina: Haha, yeah. Bit of a rough morning…the workout, I mean… Sorry, eheh, I must look like total shit.

Emery: What do you mean? We’re exercising! Anyone who expects you to look conventionally presentable — whatever that really means — all the while doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Besides, -

I looked over her with a pause. She didn’t look too out of the ordinary from a normal day at practice. She was wearing a pair of ruffled running skorts and an athletics tank top, and had her hair up in a messy ponytail. It was a nice, coordinated outfit, with colors that complemented both themselves and her features. Though obviously her own opinion on how she looked counted for more than my own, I felt her concerns were unfounded. The only notable oddities were the dark bags under her eyes and the bandages covering her palms, but I refrained from mentioning those.

Emery: - I think you look good. Like you’re hard at work!

I gave her a grin and a thumbs up.

Rina: Heheh, yeah? I could tell with you getting a real eye-full there~. You like it when I’m all hot and sweaty~?

She put some effort into sounding confident with her teasing, but I could tell she was still winded. I felt the rare whisper of a devil on my shoulder. Her and Nia were developing a habit of teasing me, and even each other. Now — in her **** state — would not be the worst time to prod her back and get in on the action.

Emery: Absolutely! Reminds me of our date~.

Her cocky smile faltered and grew awkward; her face flushed to an even deeper hue than before we started speaking.

Rina: O-oh, really…?

I was taken aback by her reaction. I’d meant for it to just be a bit of playful banter, but Rina was genuinely flustered by my retort… Not that I would have minded normally, getting an effective point up in our collective teasing repartee had seemed a satisfying result; this, however, did not feel like our usual.

Looking over Rina again, more carefully this time, I got the sense that she didn’t have her bearings at all… Was there actually something wrong with her?

Emery: You…doing alright, Rina? You seem like you’re feeling…a little off.

Rina: I…I think I woke up with a bit of a fever. Maybe I should get back home…

Emery: That’s a good idea. You alright if I walk you there? I just started my work out, so I could use a little more outside time anyway.

The anxious bent of her features lessened slightly at the suggestion.

Rina: …Thanks, I think I’ll take you up on that.

We walked in silence for a short time. Maybe it would have been best to keep it that way, but my worry and curiosity managed to get the better of me.

Emery: So, are your hands okay? Did you hurt them?

Rina started at my question. She knitted her fingers together behind her back and held them there as we moved.

Rina: Something like that, yeah…I, um, slammed them in the door this morning. I forgot my key when I was leaving, and uh, jammed my hands in the doorway to keep it from shutting.

I gave her a look of serious concern.

Emery: Oh my god! Are you alright?

My own alarm seemed to have flared hers up as well.

Rina: Ohnonono, it’s totally fine! Don’t worry about it, dude. I got lucky; just a little cut from the metal, it’ll heal up in no time.

Emery: Jeez Rina, I’m sorry. It sounds like you’ve had a tough morning.

Rina: Yeah…

She exhaled and we both turned our heads away for a moment, giving her some likely needed space. That was for the best; if she was having a rough day so far, then the last thing I wanted to do was make it worse. I should have kept the comments earlier to myself. Being overly scrutinizing wasn’t very considerate.

Rina: …’s…bet…now…u’re here.

Rina mumbled something as we gazed off in the distance, but I couldn’t quite parse it amongst the city’s morning noise and my own inner monologue.

Emery: Hmm? Did you say something?

Rina: Haah, no it’s nothing… Just talking to myself.

We walked together in relative silence for the remainder of the trip, trying my best not to pry any further. As we approached the entrance to Rina’s building, she looked back at me before opening the glass doors.

Rina: Hey, I’m sorry we couldn’t hang longer this morning. It was still nice to see you.

Emery: There’s always tomorrow right? Or is this an irregular thing for you?

Rina perked up at that.

Rina: Nope, I do this everyday.

Emery: Then why don’t you text me the specifics later? I’d love to have a workout buddy since you’re close.

Rina: …! Alright! I’ll let you know once I’m done getting ready for the day. See ya in class, Em!

Emery: Take care of yourself!

With that, she went back inside.

I stood and looked at the door for a minute after she was gone, still a little worried about her condition. She seemed haggard. Hopefully she took my advice and looked after herself today.