POV: Darleen

My phone buzzing and ringing first thing in the morning causes me to groan and turn over in bed. When I glance at the time it's just barely seven in the morning.

"Fuck me," I complain and grab my phone.

It's Skylar.

"Hello? Are you okay?" I say half asleep.

"Get up,"

"What why?" I complain.

"Because I am going for a morning run, and so are you."

"Skylar," I complain and roll over in bed.

"Get up! I need a running buddy. Besides I have to tell you about my goal and stuff."

I groan and put a pillow over my head.

"Darleen!"

"Fine, give me a second to wake up," I complain.

I slowly drag myself out of bed and rub my eyes. Then with a stretch I get up and look for something to wear.

"Have you been keeping in shape?" Skylar asks.

"No, not really, I was actually thinking about giving up track."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I was never really into it. I'm more of a creative arts kind of person. I just do it for fun."

"But you're really good."

"I'm still just thinking about it."

"You'll be my running buddy right?"

"Yes Skylar, I'll be your running buddy." I sigh.

"Good."

"You're lucky I'm a good person."

She giggles, which makes me smile.

I get washed up and changed before heading to the park. I put my earbuds in and talk to Skylar that way.

"Alright, I'm at the track."

"Ready to start?"

"Yeah," I yawn.

"Alright let's go then."

So we both start running.

"You sound like you are in a better mood." I point out.

"Sure am, want to know why?"

"Enlighten me."

"I have a new goal."

"Which is?"

"I am going to try anything and everything until I find a new interest or hobby."

"Sounds fun."

"I'm going to call it the adventures of Skylar Clifton."

I laugh.

"What about you? What's your goal?"

"Haven't thought of one yet, but I'm sure it won't be as entertaining as yours."

"Maybe not, but you should still come up with one."

"So I talked to my family, and there is a house there."

"Darleen." She pouts.

"I may have told them I needed it for something. They don't know you are going to be using it."

"Darleen!"

"Hey, they don't need to know. Besides, it's only temporary remember?"

"Ugh, you aren't going to take no for an answer are you."

"Absolutely not," I smirk.

"You beast."

I giggle.

"So I'll come down say next weekend to give you the keys?"

"Darleen, I don't know about this, I mean if I remember correctly your family wasn't my biggest fan."

"They don't have to know it's you. Besides it's not like we are dating."

"Still," she sighs.

"Hey, your birthday is coming up right?" I ask.

"Yeah..."

"What do you want?"

"Are you serious? I haven't gotten you anything for your birthday for the past two years. And you are letting me stay at your house. I'll take a big fat nothing from you."

"Not true you sent those birthday cards."

"A piece of paper that says happy birthday, big whoop."

"I still thought it was sweet."

"Please don't get me anything, please. I already feel like a burden as it is."

"Fine, then I'll just have to surprise you."

"You know how I feel about surprises."

I giggle.

"I mean it," she pouts.

"Fine, have it your way wifey." I roll my eyes.

"You spoil your friends way too much."

"Hey, I have money to spoil them. Besides, if you can't spoil friends who can you spoil?"

"You are something else, what lap are you on?"

"Two, it's a big track. You?"

"Same."

"You are lucky I like you, running first thing in the morning is not something I enjoy."

"Oh, so you like me huh? I thought it was pity." She teases.

"Shut up, of course I like you. When you are not forcing me to run first thing in the morning."

We both laugh.

"It's official Darleen Grayson likes me. I'll tell everyone."

"Go ahead, I could use a new scandal to entertain me."

We both laugh again.

"What would headlines even say?" Skylar asks.

"Something like, heiress steals up and coming actress's girlfriend."

We both laugh.

"I bet Lexi would love that," Skylar says sarcastically.

"Please Lexi's jealousy ain't got nothing on Jade. She'd hunt me down like this was the fucking hunger games."

"Oh my god, shut up!" Skylar laughs.

"She would, you know she would."

We both laugh some more.

"Some things never change I guess," Skylar says.

"It would be just like old times."

"Now that's a flashback moment."

"Having old war flashbacks?"

"Something about camping and bears. It's all very vague."

"Shut the hell up," I laugh.

"Trust me, I think I learned my lesson the first time. Dating you was an experience, that's for sure."

"You loved every second of it, don't lie." I tease.

"Wait I'm getting something, I see a locker room, thin shower curtains... utter humiliation."

I laugh so hard I have to stop and catch my breath.

Skylar is laughing just as hard.

"We were so wild back then," Skylar says.

"You loved it; I know you did," I say.

"Whatever you say, Beasty."

For the rest of the run, we just talk about stupid shit and make each other laugh a lot. By the time I'm done a couple of hours have passed and I didn't even realize it. I was in such a good mood that I wasn't even tired anymore.

"Well I should go, I got to head to class. Call me later when you have your goal." Skylar says.

"I will, I will. I want a full report on the progress of your goal. Including all the crazy adventures you get yourself into."

"Deal."

"Bye then, Wifey."

"Have a good day, Beasty."

With that, she hung up.

When I get home, I shower and change before heading off to class myself. I meet Lexi at our usual spot by the library. We have a lot of the same classes.

"Hey," she says as I walk up.

"Morning, ugh my calves," I complain as the muscle pain already begins to set in.

She raises a brow.

"Went on a morning run." I supply.

"Since when do you wake up early enough to go on morning runs?"

"Since today, trying to work out some stuff for myself. Like emotional stability and whatnot. Besides, I've kind of let myself go a little bit. My times aren't what they used to be."

"I thought you wanted to quit the track team."

"I'm still debating," I shrug as we walk off to class.

"Well, I'm glad you are working on some stuff too. We can work through things together." She grabs my hand and interlocks our fingers.

"Yeah, I like the sound of that. How's therapy going?"

"Good, good. Well, it's tough, but I think I'm starting to really dig deep and find the root of my issues. So good."

"I'm glad. Remember I'm just a phone call away. You need me, I'm there."

"It's called a break for a reason. I just need some space to sort myself out."

"Yeah but I miss you already," I pout.

"Oh no you don't, I'm not falling for those puppy dog eyes." She looks away.

"Lexi," I beg.

"No."

"Just one kiss?"

She sighs.

"I'll die without it. I won't be able to go on." I say dramatically.

She giggles before turning to me.

"Fine," she rolls her eyes.

I smile and she pecks me on the lips.

"Love you," I say.

"I love you too, but we are technically not together right now so stop being so cute." She pouts.

"Can't help it," I peck her on the cheek as we walk into class hand in hand.

"How long do you think we are going to be on a break for?" she asks as we get settled.

"However long it takes. I want you to be better, really fully healed. You take however long you need; I'll be here." I assure her.

"You'd really wait for me?" she asks.

"Would you wait for me?"

She smiles and nods.

"Then there is your answer." I grab her hand and kiss the back of it.

"Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve someone like you," she says.

"Just being you is enough for me. Nobody's perfect, I just want what's best for you."

"You make this break thing so much harder when you are cute like this. I'll get better for you, you'll see."

"Don't do it for me, do it for you."

She thinks about it for a second and nods.

"I will," she finally says.

"Alright class, time to start the morning." Our professor walks in.

"Good." I playfully nudge Lexi.

She grabs my hand and interlocks our fingers. I smile at her and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I really do love this girl. I just want her to get better, to really get better. Everything is so good between us when drugs are not involved. I mean yes she lied to me, but I know she's a good person.

She loves me enough to really put forth the effort. That counts for something right? Sure our relationship isn't smooth sailing all the time but I think all the strife is worth it in the end.

Isn't it?