Author's note - The story starts off slow but will pick up in the next chapter.

Ring around the rosy, A Pocketful of posies, Ashes, Ashes, We all fall down…

My breath comes out in short gasps as I continue to run through the forest,my feet following each other subsequently. I gasp as a tree comes into view. It almost seems too late for me to avoid it with out slowing down but some how I managed. My eyes are focused on the circle of light in front of me, my exit from this forest prison. Nothing else seems to matter. Even as my legs start to burn I continue on. My brain is starting to register that my freedom (and a nice cold bath) is just a couple of feet away and almost to quickly it shuts off my adrenaline rush. Jumping over a fallen tree, I now sprint to my freedom that’s in clear view. My heart is thumping loudly in my chest, my mouth tastes of blood and my lungs burn with each breath I take. Neither though seems to slow me down.

The sun beams down upon my head as I burst from the forest. Almost instantly my hands find their way to my stop watch then to my knees. Hunched over I bring the stop watch in front of my face, the numbers 10:46 burns into my brain.

"…Still to slow."

Sighing heavily I stand erect, placing my hands upon my head I side glance at the three mile trail I just ran. The taste of blood still tickles my taste buds. As a runner I know that it's not blood at all but glands in the back of my mouth radiating. Just a taste I remind myself mentally as I take a chug from my water bottle silently hoping to wash that awful taste right out of my mouth. Lingering the water bottle over my lips I glace back toward the trail. People can be seen as far as the eyes can travel, walking, jogging, running, riding bikes, and walking dogs. A smile crosses my lips as I spot a lady in a red jumpsuit. From the expression on her face it looks like she's pushing herself to finish. The same lady that has been trying to beat me to this very spot since I've moved here to Cali Four months ago, the same lady I gave a head start to today. Not wanting to get ran over by "accident" by the runner, I toss the water bottle into the nearest garbage can and make my way toward Starbucks.

xx

The door dings as I walk through. People chat lively amongst themselves as I make my way to the counter.

"Hello, I'll take one Caramel Frappuccino® Blended Coffee to go please."

My voice comes out soft. I wouldn't be surprised if the girl didn't notice I was in a rush. Darn my mother and her soft spoken ways. My foot taps impatiently as the young girl looks up from picking her nails and writes down my order sloppily. Her eye brow rises up at me as if she's waiting on me to tell her something else. My eyebrow mimics hers own as I move my head slightly as if saying what. She sighs and places the pencil down.

"Your name please."

I smile up at her.

"It's Nessa." A dark voice answers, answering the question before I can even open my mouth.

My head quickly turns to the side to find the owner of the voice to be a tall guy about 6'0 with black hair. He could be no older than 26. His eyes are the color of the sky and as you follow his chiseled jaw line to his chin, you'd be able to locate the only bit of hair (besides is eyebrows) on his face in a shape of a triangle. He's leaning casually against the counter. His black T-shirt with the words "Your Emotional Baggage Just Went Gold" across it in bold letters rubs slightly against my elbow as he picks his nails, as if finding them the most interesting thing in the coffee shop. He flings something invisible across the floor from his nail before turning to me with a smile.

"Just got done with your run I see Nessa."

My eye's roll automatically as he says my name in a playful manner.

"What gave it away Colin, my hair sticking to my face or that oh so lovely smell of perspiration hitting your nose?" Even though the words come out sounding sarcastic, my voice still somehow manages to sound utterly nice.

Colin stares at me for a second before grinning. "You look so cute when you try to be sarcastic."

My eyes roll again as I grab the Frap from the counter. Where did that girl go? Shaking my head lightly I walk over to the two seated table by the window, long decided that I rather have Colin talk to me here than him follow me all the way to my apartment. I place the cup down on the table, sitting down almost to resentfully after. And Not to my surprise Colin sits right across from me. Its have seem as if that grin had made its permanent home on his face. Adverting my eyes to my drink, I feel his hand place itself softly on mine.

"I thought I told you." He whispers "You don't need to me shy around me."

My head raises and I stare into his eyes. It almost seems an eternity has passed before a crash is heard a few feet from us. My head snaps to the side. The same girl who took my order is staring daggers in our direction, giving if looks can kill true meaning before bending down to clean up the broken mugs she dropped on the floor. My eyes follow to what she was looking at. Colin's hand? The one that is place almost perfectly on top of mine. Reality hits me like a ton of brick. Sliding my hand from under his quickly, I glare at him.

"You did her didn't you?"

It was more of a statement than a question but I let him answer anyway. He looks at me for a second before leaning back into his seat, glancing at the girl before smiling at me.

"Maybe." He mumbles as he leans forward. "What if I did?"

My drink slams into the table.

"Damn it Colin. She's new." I hiss

Rolling his eyes, he pulls my drink toward him, sipping on it a couple of times before sliding it back.

"It's just a game." He starts "kinda like the one you just pulled a minute ago. Like hell you didn't know she was waiting on your name, you work here." He says with a smirk.

I sigh sadly. Yes I guess it was kind of wrong for me to play dumb when I indeed do work here. I know the questions. I ask them to people every night. But that was just harmless fun. Right? Sipping on my Frap I look back into my Boss's eyes fully knowing the truth. That girl is not going to last a week before either wanting to quit or getting herself fired.

"It's a sad shame." I whisper lowering my head to the drink I lost interest in drinking. "Sometimes I have to wonder what makes me so dif --"

"It's because you never gave it up." He interrupts. "Plus you actually mean something to me. But you being, well – you - won't let me have you. Pity, I wouldn't waste my time on trash if you would just agree to be my girlfriend."

A sound of disbelief leaves my mouth as I stand up to leave. The Frap still sits stiff on the table as if feeling the tension in the air itself.I make it two steps before I turn around to look at him.

"The only reason I don't agree to be your girlfriend is because you continue to feel the need to give out your time to other women. If you indeed wanted me to be your girlfriend you would prove it by not sleeping around with girls that are barely legal. Grow up. And when you do Collin. Call me."

I make it to the door just as the girl passes by. Her murderous glares only put a heavy weight on my heart. When will girls like her ever learn? I push open the door and start my four mile walk back to my apartment.