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Seraphina
Maddy jogs next tome along the canal that runs through the city. It is beautiful and peaceful and our favorite place to run in the mornings. She keeps pace easily because I hold back a little when I run with her. When I run alone, I push harder, wanting to feel the pain in my muscles. Jogs with Maddy are more relaxed.
She laughs as we run past an owner being dragged along by the massive dog. He is stumbling and swearing under his breath, trying to keep the animal under control.
When we reach the water fountain, she stops to catch her breath.
“I'm so excited. It is going to be the best day ever.” She jumps a little.
It is very early, and the sun is just beginning to rise. We have to be at the graduation ceremony in two hours, and she has been talking about it nonstop.
“You know these graduations are really long. It is going to be a lot more boring than you imagine.”
“Nonsense. You are going to love it. Everyone is going to be there. It is going to be such an awesome vibe, and then tonight, we are going to the after-party. That is when the fun really starts.”
I smile. I'm nowhere near as excited as she is. I'm happy to be graduating, but the process of the ceremony seems tedious and overdrawn. But I have to smile; I have to share Maddy’s enthusiasm - for her sake.
“I really don’t want to go to the party.” I pull a face.
“Well, you are going.”
“You have so many other friends there; if I didn’t go, you would not even notice.”
“Remember when you woke up late that one morning for Mr. Hanoi’s class? Remember how I covered for you?”
“What has that got to do with anything?”
“You owe me, Sera. Besides, how would I survive without you? You are the best at keeping an eye on me and making sure I don’t do stupid things.”
I roll my eyes. Maddy often gets what she wants from me. She is my only friend, and I don’t want to lose her. I put myself in awkward situations, like parties, in order to make her happy.
“You have been talking about what to wear to the party for weeks now. Have you decided yet?” I ask.
“No, you are going to have to help me pick something out. And I’ll help you.”
“I don’t think my clothes really have that party vibe.”
She laughs. “No, they don’t, but you can borrow something from me, obviously.”
She grabs my arm and pulls me back onto the running path. “Come on, I'llrace you home.” She takes off at a sprint, and I catch up in a few strides.
I decide to push her a little and run just ahead of her until the end when I pretend I have a stitch, and she shoots forward.
Outside her apartment, she leans against the railing, breathing heavily.
“I know you faked that,” she chuckles.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I grin at her.
“We all know you are a way better runner than me, but thanks for pushing me. Wow, that felt good. My legs are shaking.”
We make our way up the stairs to the fourth floor and into her apartment.
“You can shower first.” She throws me a towel.
We are standing in her bedroom, and I'm surrounded by dresses. She has made me try on at least eight of them and now she is getting frustrated with me.
She hands me the blue one that I said was too short.
