May 14, 2020 edited

Not perfect but better....No plot changes

As soon as I hit the pillow I swear my alarm was going off. Four hours of sleep was not enough after a day like yesterday. Grabbing for my phone I swipt of the alarm. I had 15 minutes to get up, find clothes, and try to look somewhat human. The first two I could accomplish but the third was going to be a challenge.

My workout gear was easy to find since I packed it last. Slipping on a pair of spandex running shorts, a workout shirt which was basically a sports bra and a zip up hoodie sweatshirt I was dressed. Brushing my teeth and hair before making sure my golden brown wavy hair was all secured in a high ponytail, I slipped on socks and my shoes and I was ready with 2 minutes to spare. Grabbing my, now fully charged, ipod off the nightstand I headed for the door.

Swinging the door open I spotted M1 standing there with his hand up ready to knock on my door. I raised a single brow as my question. "Thomas asked me to show you around this morning then he will meet up with you after lunch. He has an early meeting. So breakfast first or do you run first?" M1 asked.

I stared at him for a moment and checked out what he was wearing. I frowned a little. Sure, loose basketball shorts and a loose shirt looked comfortable but I prefered more fitting clothing. It prevented less friction and less chance of getting caught on anything. "I run first. Alone." I stated before stepping around M1 that seemed to take up the entire doorway. Damn the guy was huge. Not fat by any stretch of the imagination just very well built. More like a bodybuilder. I was wondering if he would even have the stamina to do a five mile run.

"It will be...No one knows you and you do not know the area so it is better if I show you around." He said. I knew it was a lost cause trying to argue about this plus it was just too damn early.

I just grunted and headed downstairs and out the front door while M1 followed. The air was warmer than I thought it would have been for this time in the morning. I knew my hoodie would not be needed. Looking around I wasn't sure which way to run. In order to get the run I was accustomed to I figured I would have to go down the long driveway and head for the road. Decision made I started to stretch my still groggy muscles a little. After a few minutes my muscles felt a little looser and I was ready. Stripping off my hoodie, strapping my ipod to my armband and placing the earbuds in I was ready. Setting a 30 minute alarm so I knew when to turn back. I started off not waiting for M1, who ended up talking to a couple people at the door. Once I started stretching he turned his back and ignored me. I used that to my advantage. I guess he will find out soon enough one of the worst things he could do was turn his back on me. I internally giggled at the thought.

My music wasn't as loud as I usually have it since I wanted to stay more aware of my surroundings since this was a completely new area so when M1 started to curse once he realized I had already left then made a comment about not wearing appropriate clothing in public I just shook my head. Seriously what the hell am I supposed to wear when I workout? I inwardly sighed and hoped this run would be one without him trying to talk to me.

Thirty minutes later my alarm went off and I started to slow my pace a bit to look behind me for any oncoming traffic. When there wasn't any I crossed the road and started to head back. My legs started to feel that familiar burn that I craved. My breathing was still even but a little heavier which was usually for my halfway mark. So far so good. I was even impressed that M1 had no problems keeping the pace I set. I was even more impressed that his breathing was even more regular than mine. Maybe even a little jealous. I guess I judged him unfairly at first. Not something I usually did but then again I am far from being perfect. Halfway back I started to increase my speed. I always did this to push myself further and faster. I needed to improve my physical stamina. I always had room to improve.

When I heard M1 grunt to increase his speed as well a smile tugged at my lips. Maybe I wasn't the only one who needed to improve themselves. My legs were on fire now, my lungs burned and my body started to beg me to stop. But this was when I pushed myself even harder. One last push I increased my speed one last time. The gravel driveway was in sight. With my goal in sight it helped my body and mind know I was almost done. It was as if the screaming of my body decreased knowing the sooner I got to my goal the quicker it would be able to rest.

The house was now in full view and it was only then that I allowed myself to slow down to a jog. This would allow my heart rate to slow down closer to its normal rate before I started to walk and let my body finish its cool down. Breathing heavy, legs numb I continued to walk in a large circle. My heart rate slowed but I knew if I didn't walk for a few minutes my muscles would end up giving me an issue in a couple hours.

On my second lap I saw M1 standing by the door staring at me. "You know you should cool down and stretch or your body will not be happy with you later on." My breathing was back to normal once again.

He tilted his head as if trying to figure me out. I wanted to tell him it was a lost cause even trying to but I kept quiet. "How often do you do that? Run I mean."

"Everyday for the past 3 years." I answered. It was a harmless question.

"Um where are you going?" He asked as I started to walk past him to grab my abonded hoodie and walked in the house.

"Food." Was my reply.

"Dressed like that?" He asked. His voice was a little higher pitched than it was before. I didn't know what his problem was with what I was wearing and still not in the mood to fight. I ignored him and headed for the kitchen. "Your uncle is going to kill me." I heard him huff and fought the smile that tugged at my lips. They would learn soon enough that no one and I mean no one told me what I can and cannot do and what I can and cannot wear.

"Catch!" I heard right before a bottle of water was flying at my head. I surprised myself when I caught it. I had great reflexes but that was a little too close for comfort. I was about to say thanks right before I saw the smirk on the person's face that just threw the water bottle at me. It was the pain in the ass Nick. I swear he really did have a death wish.

Before I could say some smartass comment which would probably end up with one of us hurting M1 spoke up. "Nick!" He growled. I mean it actually sounded like a real growl! "You were told once don't make me tell you again. You will not like the consequences." I really didn't need anyone to stand up for me but before I could say anything the smell of bacon and eggs hit me.

Food! It smelled fantastic and after my run I was starved. Ok when wasn't I hungry these past few months was the real question. I was surprised I wasn't the size of a cow. Sure I worked out a lot but still the amount of food I seemed to be able to consume was scary. Like I seriously could eat a 12 slice pizza to myself on a good day. Or was it a bad day? Either way I can eat a lot. And just to prove my point how hungry I was my stomach growled so loud that the dozen people or so in the kitchen all heard it.

"Here sweetheart come eat. I'm Lola," Said a cute petite woman in her 30's. Soft round brown eyes with straight blonde hair that almost hit her shoulders. She screamed of innocents and love. One of those people you only read about as the perfect motherly figure. One who would give you the world and would do anything to keep you safe but at the same time needs all the protection because she looks so dame fragile. She was one of those women that you couldn't dislike even if you wanted too and if you did then there was something seriously wrong with you. She actually made me feel very uncomfortable. She was something new to me, something strange and new things I didn't understand or didn't fit in my already predetermined categories made me uncomfortable.

"Ah thank you. I'm Mac," I mumbled, taking the food and sliding in the furthest barstole away from everyone.

"The rest of the food is in the dining hall if you would like more," Lola stated. I think she was trying to make conversation but that wasn't my thing so I just nodded and ignored all the sideway glances.

The kitchen started to empty out and I assumed they were heading to the dining hall since they were all headed through a door on the other side of the room. It was that direction where I heard multiple muffled voices. M1 stayed and so did the asshole Nick. I was getting really annoyed with him. I could feel his eyes on me and he hasn't stopped staring since I walked in the room but as long as he kept his distance and his mouth shut then I could ignore him.

"Jenson will be back by the mid week," M1 broke the silence.

"Oh good! He has been gone too long. I do not like when he is gone this long," Lola confessed. She even sounded like a worried mom. Maybe she was for all I know. I heard Nick mumble something about a party. "No Nickolas. I will not allow you two to do any such thing! Jenson will have almost two weeks of studies to get caught up on first. So the both of you will not go off and do anything stupid." Lola scolded Nick. I didn't laugh at the defeat in Nick's face but I did smirk which of course Nick caught. He scowled at me before his face lit up in a mischievous smirk. I knew I wasn't going to like this Jenson if he was anything like Nick.

"Mac once you are ready I will show you around," M1 interjected.

I stood up, cleaned off my plate and placed it in the dishwasher. "Let's go." I said needing to get out of Nick's view. I couldn't remember the last time that I felt this uncomfortable around people but this place made me feel like I always had to be on guard.

M1 held up my hoodie in his hand thrusting to me. "Put it on." It was clearly a demand. One I automatically balked too. Before I could comment five girls around my age came strutting in with their mini skirts, tight low sweaters leaving very little to the imagination. I pointedly looked at them then looked at M1 with a raised eyebrow. The look of disgust was clear on his face. Looking back at me he knew his argument had already failed but he added, "Please." It was that simple word that had me falter, snatching my hoodie I put it on but didn't do it up. It looked like he was struggling to say something but let it go and gave me a small nod. This guy had a real issue with women and clothing or more like lack of. It was cute and infuriating at the same time.

What didn't surprise me when I saw Nick from the corner of my eye approaching the girls and swung an arm around two of their shoulders. There was some whispering then of course giggles. Yep they were most likely the school sluts which made him one of the playboys. That shouldn't have surprised me. It just confirmed my earlier conclusion that I was just fresh meat that he would try to add another notch on his bedpost. The guy had a huge disappointment coming his way.