36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMpuTdTITl
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3997jrOeJ
Damson sighs, realizing it’s the next day. Another day of pretending to be normal. Whatever that was. He’s been awake a few minutes, letting his body fully prepare to move (his energy levels low), as he positioned himself on his back. Josephine was already in bed when he arrived back last night. She usually soaked for 90mins (her required time). But then again he had been gone for at least 2 hours tops. “She knows, right?” He thought to himself, the feeling nauseated him. I gotta chill.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaq910r4Lx
He has no motivation to get up, checking his watch through a squinted eye. 8:28am. He turned back on his side and noticed Josephine wasn’t beside him. Must be in the bathroom, was his only logical answer for a sleepy girl who naturally hated mornings because she didn’t take her ass to bed at a decent time.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91nYErBR2Z
He began to drift off to sleep again.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtwWMUgtJE
He was fidgety until he awoke again. 8:42am. His body wasn’t letting him go back to sleep. Furthermore, Josephine was still absent.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Zm9jmKDs
He said his daily prayers before exiting the bed and starting his routine. As he’s walking to the kitchen, he smells the dark roast from the hall. There was a full pot of coffee made. Fresh. He noticed that it wasn’t their usual coffee pot. It favored it but this one had a bunch of buttons on it. Josephine must’ve just bought it the day before. Good thing she did it was apparently scheduled to go off at 8:35am. Precisely. She did that for him, he knows it.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy45J3cajh
He grabs a slice of cream cheese banana bread she made yesterday, not caring to heat it up. This was one of his favorite recipes he could consume at any temperature. Each time, she would make two loaves. Damson could eat an entire one on his own. Especially the lemon poppyseed ones. He continued sipping, heading towards the front door to see if Josephine’s car was out there. From the corner of his eye, he could see her. The curtains were drawn against the patio door just enough to know someone was back there. She was in the pool. She looked exhausted. She was swimming the width of the pool, away from the neighbors (towards the patio door, and back again). She was almost erratic, like she was training to beat a record. She did this a few times before reaching for the stairs. She was obviously winded. She sat on the stairs, catching her breath and periodically checking her watch. Something from Amazon, she learned the hard way that Fitbits aren’t truly waterproof (shower proof maybe, but I wouldn’t test it out either). He knew she was mostly regulated when her cheeks stopped inflating like a puffer fish and her shoulders fully relaxed to the point of slouching. The early sun beamed on her like she was a side quest in a game. It was early but the sun was very much out. It looked like it was going to be a hot one today. She began to stare into nothingness. Even from her side profile he could always tell when she was out of here.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo7ZBcoQvv
𝕁𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕣.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBdO4fM0tz
She began to breathe in through her nose and exhale through her mouth (something that stuck with her through these 4 years of yoga and meditation) until she was happily steady. She pushed her hips forward, leaning back and letting her body float the best she could; cheating with her back on the stairs. She looked at peace. And he left it to her.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJK5NJBcVO
Knowing where she was (and seeing her tiring herself out, soon enough she’d be inside to greet him), he reluctantly began to get ready for work. He took a little longer this time, Thursdays (and sometimes, Fridays) being a “Go in at noon, clock out 3” type of day. Damson decided to roll in around 11 instead of noon. An hour early to get things situated before the weekend starts, absolutely. Craving another cup of coffee, Damson walks into the kitchen. As he’s fixing the cuff on his shirt, he decides to check on Josephine. At first he only looks through the crack of the curtain but he doesn’t see her in the pool. She’s standing on her tippy toes, one of her hands grasping the top dividing fence and the other on her hip. He presumed it was the neighbor since they seen moving trucks last week. She was talking to a man. He looked like Paul Newman (the middle-aged version; that wooed both the young and older generation). This guy was tall enough that he didn’t have to tiptoe or lean over. In fact , he was relaxing against the top spikes like you’d lean your forearm on a bar, drinking. And boy, was he drinking. The story he was telling was apparently amusing (based on Jo’s grin and nods), but his eyes were consuming her every which way. When Damson felt like enough mingling had gone on, he causally walked outside. “Hey…” he called out. Both turned, Mr.Newman slightly shocked being caught off guard, Josephine, not so much. “That’s my husband.” She smiled. “Nice to meet you.” The man says, reaching out to shake his hand. Very firm, the both of them. “Damson.” “Paul.” Paul? How ironic. Damson makes it known that he only came to say he was leaving now (obviously needed to see her before leaving to work since he didn’t get to tell her goodnight). “Wait.” She says, grabbing the cuff he was fixing moments before. “Have a good day at work.” She smiles and turns her attention back to Paul (if that’s his real name), after he bids her the same.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMoopqeFEi
-At Work-
He felt addled, walking away from his wife this morning. He has no reason to feel so conflicted about the interaction, but it was like a sense of defeat. Paul should’ve excuses himself after the handshake, leaving him with his wife even if he was half way out the front door. But he just stood there, probably eager to make her laugh again. She always had that kindergarten-teacher aura about herself when new people talked to her. A blessing and a curse. She was the sweetest. He considered going home for lunch but decided against it, realizing the commute would most likely have him staying home instead of returning. Besides, he rarely did that. But something made him feel like he needed to be home. He decided to tough out whatever was poking at him. He watches Josephine’s Snapchat story, eating M&M’s by the handful during his lunch. She was in the fish isle at a grocery store. Most likely Wild Forkonce he clicked to a photo of a whole salmon she’d get if she didn’t see the usual Santa Barbara brand. When he saw the glaze Ingredients she put on most chicken dishes, he instantly knew what she was making. Baked salmon bites with coconut jasmine rice and sautéed zucchini and bell peppers (a recipe she learned from TGB and cooked nearly once a week for an entire month when she first did it. And then never again). He forgot how much he actually loved this meal until now. He grew tired of it for a while there but for some reason this made him happy. Very happy.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5AOWT9NZr
He didn’t know it then but certain meals made her happy too. Or in correction, he knew she was happy based off particular meals she cooked. Cooking certain meals was a telltale sound of how she was feeling. He knew (or at least figured) that if she’s cooking something she’s the most passionate about in the preparation (acting like real chef, timed marinations and all), then she must be back to her old self. But then he wondered, why? Nothing has changed. He just seen Emily last night. She has to suspect something. She was sleep before he arrived back. What if she really didn’t soak for that long? What if she decided not to do it at all and went straight to bed? She did look tired. But who are we kidding, she never wasted ingredients like that. It’s still possible she decided to not do a full 90. She was prompt and precise most days but on others she’s done a solid 45. This being the shortest she’ll ever do.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV9ydBnuwd
That familiar feeling in his gut.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFGNXd2wtS
It’s 3pm when Damson clocks out and heads home. He looks at his phone and see a text from “Em”, one hour ago. This makes feelings of guilt rise in his belly, when usually he’s smiling; the images of the night before flashing through his brain. “Again?” He sounded conflicted, but he wasn’t this time. Along with the usual praise, she was asking for him again. He held his phone in his hand as he letting out a sigh towards the sky. He wanted to go home. He needed to.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdqMvyx5qT
“Sorry, I can’t today.” He sent without further hesitation. Then he put her on Do Not Disturb.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG16bPZXz0v
He plays music to drown out his thoughts, but that’s the only place he’s residing. No pretend Carpool Karaoke, just stone-faced with a noggin full of what-ifs. The house is quiet when he arrives. The salmon has been cut and currently marinating in the refrigerator. No sign of Josephine. He checks her activity room. Nothing. He calls out for her, hoping not to spook her. As he’s walking back to the front of the house, he sees a familiar black book with the dying rose. It was in the same spot it was when it got scooped up by accident. The temptation was strong, but he fought it. And not knowing where she was and reading her private thoughts out in the opening, was asking to get caught.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbB5u9VfwK
He decides to be productive until dinner time and takes some pre-workout before heading to the gym. Her car was out front so she was definitely nearby. About an hour into the gym, and notification on Snapchat appears. Josephine was cooking the rice now. He finishes up and head home.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99vGt2VEYz
Her hair is gelled back, shiny like glass, with a wavy ponytail flipped at the end. It moves so graciously with every move she made. She look like one of those women that carried their dog in their purse. She had a swirl mid forehead, that add a bit of her own personality to it. She seemed really happy. Bare face per usual, but flushed cheeks. He analyzes her for a minute before he says good evening. She turns and gives him a similar smile she had given him this morning. “Good evening“ she says back before turning around and stirring the rice. He walks over to her, leans over and kisses her on the mouth. It was unexpected, but she caught it in time to return the gesture. She lingers a bit when looking at him, before again, turning her attention back to the rice. She looked a bit astonished. “What’s wrong?“ He asked, his eyebrows mushed together in the middle. It was his turn to be confused. “Nothing.“ She smiles more genuine. This time he lingered bit, sort of watching her, but not too long because he knew it’ll make her uncomfortable. He went to shower, already feeling the soreness setting in. He put on his checkered pants and white tee, no plans on going anywhere for the rest of the day. Josephine was plating their food just as he was walking in.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6pO8ttxj0
That evening, Josephine smiled and nodded as Damson talked ceaselessly about work. It sounded like everything that has been going on the past few months rolled into one conversation. When he noticed this, he stopped, staring at Josephine. Had he lost her? Was she bored? For the most part she seemed entertained.“What?“ Her face softened a bit, thinking she may have dropped some food on her house blouse. “Nothing I-…” he set up in his chair as Josephine watched him with this sort of deadpan expression. One that was familiar but he wouldn’t know what that was until he was alone with his thoughts, doing dishes that night.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6seJdsTrE
It was the same look she gave him before they started dating. Her crush for him was palpable. And visible obvious to just about anyone. There were moments she was mesmerized, you could say, where she was okay with him “talking too much” because that meant more time for her to really take him in. An eyeful. The kind you take because you knew you wanted to think about them later on right before slumber. Eventually, she had told him that. That’s probably why her lack of acknowledgment towards him actually hurt. But this felt like the beginning again.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu87ZZonksW
“… I just realized I’ve been talking this entire time. You’ve barely gotten a word in.“ He wiped his mouth on the green floor cloth napkins she bought on sale last month, and has been obsessed with ever since. “No I like it. You haven’t spoken to me much in a long time. I never know what or how you’re doing these days. That’s all.“ Her voice had reverted back to that “I’m new here” tone. Her work voice, he’d often tease her about.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXIZDYesfn
The table is quiet. Damson had a penitent expression as he looked down at his plate that looked like it have been licked clean.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa06VnT6at
“It’s nice.” Josephine added it. She always tried to say something nice and reassuring when she felt she had hurt their feelings; even if they deserved it. She was a lover girl, always trying to do things with good intentions. “I’m sorry I haven’t been paying much att-…” “It’s okay.” Josephine smiled as she stood from the table, intentionally trying to avoid any further discussion about the topic. “I’m going to get some more, would you like me to refill anything for you?” He took a second to answer before responding with “No baby, I’m okay.” And she took her leave.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBLIqJKaXI
Damson watched TV after doing the dishes, or more so , the TV watched him. He was lost in his thoughts, more than usual. Ashamed and even disgusted with how distant he had been towards the love of his life. He couldn’t tell what he hated more: his decisions over the past season of sexual escapades or Jo’s inability to be angry with him. Maybe she was angry with him, but didn’t know how to express it. But her journal, the one thing that held a person’s raw emotion, still depicted him as a good man. But he was right? Blaming herself was still filling him with guilt. Seemingly the only thing that did. Whatever he called “guilt” was never strong enough to keep him away from the one thing that was distracting him in the first place.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejVRSutvsg
He exhaled as he rose from the couch, checking his watch before turning off the TV. A little past 9. He hadn’t heard or seen Josephine since she cleared the table and dropped the napkins in the laundry basket. She didn’t make dessert but there was plenty of banana bread left. He walked in the room and to his surprise, he saw her already in bed , covered up to her shoulder. He did his night routine, lazily,(exhausted for practically no reason, considering he twiddled his thumbs majority of work) before shutting off his lamp. Her being in bed before him was different, familiar but different. Was she depressed again?, him referring to a time in the further past and not this year since, he wasn’t paying attention to her to see how little sleep she was getting. After stripping down into his boxers, he climbs in and wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her in close. The warmth of her skin and slickness of her nightgown feeling therapeutic to his soul.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AXIODb0ik
The Next Morning
Another morning of him waking up and she’s not beside him. Was this the new norm? He wasn’t liking it already and it’s only Day Two. He woke up energized and ready (for what? Who knows). He saw his phone and instantly thought of one person. He dreaded looking but needed to. No new messages. Emily hadn’t liked it or even responded. But she in fact had read it. Was she pouting? Damson didn’t know, but he had hoped it remain that way. He plugged his phone up, (as he should have done the night before) and went about his morning. He felt weird again. Something he didn’t know how to explain. Maybe it was multiple emotions roll into one big ball.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXx8iB5s50
In the living room on her foldable work desk in front of the recliner, was Jo’s headset and laptop. On the rectangular table behind the length of the couch(facing the patio/tv) was her phone, a gel pen, and the infamous journal. Even more tempting, but it was too early. He hadn’t even had his morning coffee and tea yet. Let alone, she was around here somewhere. He decides only tea, sensing it would be one of those nonproductive days. He reconsidered going back to bed for a snooze, his burst of energy suddenly depleting. But Josephine was still out of sight. As he stood
with his arms crossed, waiting for his tea to finish steeping, Josephine open the patio door, the one place he should’ve known(and most likely did) she’d be. He looked over his shoulder and she gave him a friendly wave and they said their good mornings. “Got another early start?“ He asks, despite seeing her in the romper she wore when taking care of things around the house. “No, just cleaning the pool. I may swim later though.” he checked his watch. Two minutes left for what he called peak flavor. She washed her hands at the sink, Damson smiled as he got ready to tease her. “You see your boyfriend out there?“ She smiled, drying her hands on a paper towel, as she looked at him. His arm still crossed as he stared vacantly at the cup of tea, despite the sly grin. She leaned up only a little to kiss his cheek, and without a word, disappeared into another room.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dhg4G1h6w
The corner of his mouth dropping into a sneer, as he looked down into the green liquid; steam rising as he removed the lid that covered it perfectly. Usually, she would humor him, but she didn’t even acknowledge it. She had given him an equally playful grin, but nothing more. The kiss was completely unrelated. He brings his tea into the bedroom with him, deciding that sleep was all he needed right now. “What are you doing?“ Josephine was on the floor in the closet, one of the mirror doors ajar. She was twisted into the corner, scavenging for something. “Have you seen my gray and pink gym bag? I’m going to play tennis with a friend later.” “Isn’t it in the hall closet?” Damson recalled, as he continued standing in front of her. Although in a less than par romper he could tell she had been really working on herself. She’s always looked amazing, but she’s really improved herself. Or maybe he just hasn’t looked at her in a while. That feeling of shame was back. He shook it off and offered to go get it for her.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1blIcsznzP
Beside the bag was a pair of blue ASICS Gel Resolutions 9. Seeing her face light up when he brought them in made him forget for a while. These are considered the best shoes to play tennis in according to actual tennis players, she had told him a year ago. “I sure hope so for $155”, she also added because she absolutely hated buying new shoes. But when she finally had them, she was a happy camper.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uA67PcYw9
They conversed as she looked through drawers and closet organizers for pieces of her presumed tennis “uniform”. Damson eventually slipped back into slumber as he wanted; Josephine‘s voice fading out.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI6XAUuuhH
Damson’s bladder woke him up this time. He didn’t check the time but out of pure instinct he could tell he had been out for a good hour or so. He was more stiff this time, as if he hadn’t gotten real sleep the night before. He glanced over, through his squinted eye, at the end of the bed where Josephine had been standing earlier. She wasn’t there. Last image of her before falling asleep was her walking out of the room with the open bag in her hands, but she was still in her house clothes. He was out after that.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwjxckZZEO
He swayed a little, his eyes still closed, hoping he stayed asleep as he urinated. From a distance, he could hear footsteps from the hall, then muffled against the bedroom carpet and finally on top of the bathroom tile. Sleep eyed, he turns his head to see Josephine with this big goofy grin running towards him like a kid with a pocket full of quarters. The warmth of Jo’s hand slid around the nape of his neck to the side of his face and ear. She pushed the side of his face into her lips, giving him too hard aggressive pecks before saying, “My ride is here. Bye” very excitedly, before jetting off. “Wait.”Damson said, trying to squeeze what was left, but his bladder was more full than he realized. She was already halfway out of the bathroom, her white skort flying up a bit as she rounded the corner. “Hey!“ He said louder, almost laughing. He knew there was no way she didn’t hear him.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvCgRsAwQc
He didn’t bother, washing his hands when he finally finished. He went straight to the living room window. A white convertible (Mercedes maybe?) had zipped out the driveway and up the street. He couldn’t see who the driver was, but the car in fact looked familiar. Maybe a friend from an old job. He hated to admit, even to himself, that it bothered him not seeing who she left with. Did it matter? Of course I did.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCwYrZmGvT
After an hour passes, he gets an idea. Snapchat. He opened it up and went straight to the snap map. He clicked the magnifying glass, and her name was the first to pop up. As it should be. He clicked it, and it moved not too far across the way.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb5npsr6oV
The Birch and Lawn Club
Although she’s been to this place countless times, this would be his first time looking into it.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFVZ129o88
Keller, Texas. 38 minutes from their home.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV21KtYdl0L
This place seemed legit. Very. There was cardio and strength training, an actual gym with weights and machines, locker rooms with showers, indoor and outdoor courts; and a café. He looked around on the website flipping picture after picture. It was obvious she would be gone all day, just based on what they had to offer. (And also considering she left at noon.) Also, there was a yoga class at 3pm that day, and he had not a single doubt in his mind she’d be attending. He looked at the door to see if she had forgotten her bag. She ran off so fast, he didn’t see her with it. That’s what she did, she ran. And at a time it was convenient for her.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l3HzhDkHk
He rubbed his face downward, sighing, as he stood from his computer. He closed it and had tossed it to the side carelessly. Diagonally from where he stood, was the curtain drawn against the handle of the patio door.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTNaFHj5hu
He walked around the pool as he continued those thoughts that used to be so easy to escape. But now, they were gnawing at him. Time seemed to go by very slow. Too slow for his liking. He was agitated for some reason. Impatient and eager. That feeling of eagerness is what caused the most confusion and seemed to intensify the agitated side more. Or maybe it overrode everything, causing him to be unsure of how he was truly feeling overall.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAewMfyriu
Damson opened the door to her activity room. Her Mantra Center. Her Decompression Chamber. The room the held nothing that belonged to anyone else but her. It’s been days since he’s been dreading something, anything, from her. The more time that went on the more she seems… content. This would be great news to a cheater, although Damson wouldn’t consider himself one.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKfHVrj8JT
He plopped down in her desk chair, a clunky remote falling off the side as he sunk in a bit. Whoa. The chair feels amazing. When he picks up the remote, he realizes it’s a heated massage chair. Good shit. He didn’t come in much so he was a bit amazed at everything he seen in there. Different size canvases with unfinished projects and some with the plastic still on. Tubes and bottles of paint: watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and oil (which she hated.) Brushes and pottery sponges. Misshapen “art” . Even the pen holder was a reject of hers. Two different kinds of lamps and a tripod in the corner; collecting dust. And her twin bed her parents were ready to throw out considering they no longer needed it since, Josephine had long moved out. Her mom had already ordered a new one for their now-guest room (Jo’s old childhood room) but Josephine insisted they needed to take it. She seems so attached to it. Damson had shrugged. He didn’t question it, just rented a U-Haul and collected it. Along with the chipping cherry oak nightstand. Except it wasn’t chipped anymore. She sanded down and painted it. Now, Vermont Green. And the sheets were satin, like the ones she made them get. She made him, but he ended up loving them just as much as she did. Some of her paintings she was most proud of and he knew, because they were hanging on the wall. Covered in a glossy finish. Then he remembered why he was there.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWWaL4Tz8j
The desk was currently disarray, she had recently been in there. Maybe that’s why she’s been so happy lately. This was like a drug den to her, Damson thought. Surrounded by all the things that she described as happy place. Markers and pastel pens were scattered and a few watercolor books were stacked, but sliding. Maybe he bumped the desk when sitting down, he doesn’t know for sure. He fixed it, considering leaving it be since other books had already collapsed; but he wanted to leave things as he found them. Underneath those collapsed books and a half finished landscape painting on watercolor paper, was her journal.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF40ufL186y
At least he assumed it was. And it was.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDxZwruBkq
That familiar feeling of dread perks up as he starts from the back of the book this time. Wanting to avoid that forbidden entry. The one that had his nerves wracking at every stop light on the way to work last week.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspBKt4X4hA
There was a new entry. July 11th, 2024. Yesterday.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSlZ5kpZiD
“It’s something really exciting about doing something you’re not supposed to be doing.”
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe89o2ilpP
The “not” was bold, like she had gone over it a few times to emphasize that something was wrong. But why was she excited? And about what? About who? Damson’s spine was searing and his scalp felt prickly. His head began to flood with so many questions he knew he couldn’t ask.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BFaPCkaaZ
He stood up from the chair, trying to regulate himself. His emotions worst. Damson decided to put her journal back and ponder around the living room instead. Anywhere that wasn’t here because now he felt she was nearby and would walk in at any moment. She hadn’t posted since she’s been gone. Plus his phone was on the couch, what felt like a mile away.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixPxSEprBs
As he repositioned her journal precisely how he found it, cursive writing in purple gel pen jumped at him. It was a desk calendar.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50K4Pp8QjJ
Intro to New Gym (Total Body Pursuit)
@12pm
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrxGkdhTmj
This was from two Mondays ago. Why didn’t she tell him she switched gyms. This had Damson in a standstill, thinking. They went to the same gym, although different times. He looked at the rest of the month, everything was color coded. No surprise. He spotted the purple ink again. It was dated for Friday. Two days from now.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS3uGazZhK
New HIIT Workout
@10am (gym)
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3luifaPR5v
She was not a morning person, so for her to get up and workout THAT early, she must be determined. But for what? “We’ll see” he said aloud, imagining her hitting the snooze button for the third time before turning it off completely and pulling the duvet over her head. He places the journal back in its position, careful not to disturb the fallen books. Leaving the mess exactly like that; a mess. He repositioned the remote, and took one last look of the room before confidently leaving.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguzALYoRgQ
As he walked down the hall, it had dawned on him that she had been waking up pretty early (before him and depending on the time after him, was still early) the past two mornings. She was probably preparing herself. She was determined indeed. “It never lasts”, he tried to reassure himself. But of what exactly. That girls who love sleeping in can’t train themselves to become morning persons?
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEsvMbSEn1
He felt winded, opening up the Snapmap to still see her stationary at the tennis club. It was now three and she hadn’t posted anything on her story. Yes, she was a very in-the-moment person when it came to her friends and family but she was also big on digital memories. Even if there were hours in between, she’d post something. No tennis racquet, a drink from café (most likely iced coffee), or one of those sneaker-to-sneaker pictures with the location markings letting her other friends know what they were missing (friendly brag). Nothing. Where was she, really? As his mind jumped from scenario to scenario for a better part of the hour, his phone dinged.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNYPeUwSsN
ThatsJoJo added to their story.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHtVqxdxKW
He snatched the phone off the couch and opened it, putting the password in wrong two times. It was pictures from her eventful day. From the cliché Pinterest coffee-to-feet picture to, a quote “You know why we’re here ;)” with the racquets in frame. She must be on her way home, Damson relaxed. His whole body felt a sense of cooling calm although poking around in her room still had him full of questions. Ones he couldn’t ask, may I remind you.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0hCPl6pqr
It was nearing evening (or technically already here) and he had no appetite. But he needed out of this house. He checks the Snapmap, she was in a car now. Unfortunately he couldn’t see with who since he wasn’t friends with them. He scooped up his keys and headed to the car, frantically, for some reason, texting.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2riVwrYSY
“Going to pick up some dinner. What would you like?” She answered back almost immediately. “Chinese, from Yummy Sichuan. Spicy Dried Chili Chicken :). Thank you.” She replied like she had been waiting for him to ask. He felt…content. Almost like he was out of the woods but that journal entry and the heavily shaded “not” was a not-so-friendly reminder not to be too comfortable.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepjJ6mL3pg
He was surprised when he arrived home and Josephine was already there. No way there wasn’t any traffic coming from that far. He knew she was there because he could smell her body wash. It filled the house. He sat the food on the counter and marched into the bedroom. When he realized he was doing that, he stopped, gained his composure, and walked coolly. Josephine had her foot, propped up on the sink as she massage what looked to be a gel-based oil into her skin. Her entire body glistening. She looked as though she would slip out his arms like a bar soap in a cartoon if he hugged her. When she dropped her leg , he could see she had indeed been working on herself. He had been so preoccupied with other matters, he didn’t admire the muscle definition that traced the entire side of her calf and up to her quads. Nothing that jumped out at you but enough to show she had strength. The rest of her still “squishy” but he loved that about her. She looked…realistic.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSjPMTIeu9
He stood there at the door, arms crossed over his chest and his head resting against the door frame. “Did you have fun?“ His voice was low. He couldn’t mask the disappointment enough. “I did.” She turned to smile at him. Her eyes lowered in this hazy expression that she would have when baking in the sun all day. And she had, evident by the uneven lines. “You wore your sunscreen today?“ He couldn’t help but smile, hoping she caught on to his little mocking of her. “Yes.“ She said, giggling as she rubbed the oils into her hands. Damson laughed this time, seeing only an evil villain with a plan for world domination with the gesture she was making. He walked all the way in the bathroom, his expression a more serious one. She reached out and touched his face when he was closer. She rubbed her thumb across his cheekbone. “You okay?” Her voice was now low. He didn’t respond. He looked into her eyes. He was looking for something. Only getting mild discomfort that he was familiar with, when it came to introverts and insecurities.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdeOJDh6Sw
“You know I hate that.“ She said, looking away, but looking at him through the mirror, her hand still on his face. He leans down and for the first time that day, they locked lips. He kissed her hard, making her wince when her lips pressed against her teeth and gums; but she couldn’t (and didn’t want to) move away. After a brief make out he broke the kiss. She looked back at him, her hand finally dropping. She couldn’t contain her tight lipped smile causing her cheekbones to make their debut, along side the stars of the show; her dimples.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22vqnOOTJs
“The food’s here.” He practically whispered. She wanted to grab the front of his shirt and pull him back but she wasn’t sure she had the strength to do so. Her stomach was touching her back. And for the first time today, Damson had developed an appetite.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu4RGpo9mE
As Josephine ate, telling him about her day in between chewing, Damson stared at her from across the table; eyeing her down almost. Something just felt off to him. It’s something really exciting about doing something you’re not supposed to be doing, circling around his mental like a cicada. He had to bring himself back to reality when he felt like his face was hardening. She barely looked up from her plate when telling her story. That’s new, he thought. But so was the way she was eating. She was famished.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9T2I7ZUSn
He couldn’t help but smile a little when he saw how flushed her cheeks were. She never could handle spicy food, but she was tough it out.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmDWekdoL1
-End of Chapter 1-
ns 15.158.61.20da2
