Not A Date

Audrey

I knew that the original plan was for six months here, but the longer I was here, the more certain I became that I’d be able to go back sooner. I was coming up with hobbies and exploring other interests just like the director had asked. I had done the research that he wanted me to do. And my ankle wasn’t bothering me at all anymore, really. It was feeling pretty darn good. Mom still wanted to get me in to see a doctor about it, but I had a feeling I was going to be cleared to start training again sooner rather than later.

It was a good feeling to have, but it meant that now wasn’t the time to start something with Jesse, who was clearly going to stay here in Aberdeen for the rest of his life, working at his father’s store and driving the same truck that he’d had since we were teenagers.

There was nothing wrong with that, either—not for him—but I wasn’t going to be sticking around here. No sense in getting attached on either of our parts.

Finally, I decided to put on a simple bla