God I've been running at almost top speed for like ten minutes why isn't my heart rate at 130? Alright, sprinting time! I increase the speed on the treadmill, and run as fast as I can. A smile creeps to my face. I love to run. I'm so happy I went to the gym with Jake. You can't outrun your problems. That voice in my head smirks. They're faster than you. You're right.

I jump off of the treadmill, and walk over to the punching bag. I can fight them though. I get in my fight stance, and jab my left fist into the heavy leather bag. Right, right, left! I hit the bag as hard as I can. I bring my left knee up to the bag and it's met with more resistance than before. I peer behind it and see Jake holding it. "You've got a pretty hard kick." He observes.

"Yeah.." I rub the back of my neck.

"Your form is pretty good too and oh my God you're not wearing gloves." His eyes pop out of his head.

"I never wear gloves." I shrug.

"Oh my God your knuckles must be raw." I hold up my hands to show him the hard calluses on my knuckles and fingers.

"They used to be." I smirk.

"Geez how many times do you hit a punching bag?" He pulls my hands closer to his face to examine them.

"A lot." I laugh.

"I can tell. Does it hurt?"

"Not anymore. It's kind of like playing guitar I guess."

"Oh okay, now I gotchya." He nods. "I was just coming by to tell you that I was done, but if you wanted to stay longer I'd totally wait for you."

"I was just finishing up." I smile. After we get changed, we go to a cafe, and then a music store. I'm looking at their collection of pick-ups when I hear some teenage girl yell "Oh my God you're Jake Pitts!"

"Why yes I am, and who are you?" Jake smiles. He is so good with fans.

"Wait, you're Laci O'conell!" I snap my head up

"What?" I look around. There is a girl to my right with bright blue hair, and cats eyes.

"You're Laci O'Conell right, from Nevermore?" She asks.

"Yeah I am. How did you. Wait you know my band?!" I'm so startstruck right now.

"You guys are one of my favorite bands." She smiles. "I was so sad when you broke up."

"I was too." I nod.

She thrusts a 'Set the World On Fire' CD toward my face. "I know it's not your CD but will you sign it?"

"Of course I will! What's your name?" She hands me a black sharpie.

"Kacy." She smiles.

"Well Kacy, thank you for making my day." I smile.

"Oh my gosh thank you so much!" she exclaims. I hand her the CD. "Bye!"

"Bye it was nice meeting you!" I call after her.

"You have such a pretty smile." Jake says.

"Who me?" I ask spaztically.

"No that fucking guitar. Yes you!" He smiles.

"Oh, well..." I look down and tuck a piece of hair behind my ear, I'm still grinning like an idiot.

"By your reaction I take it that that doesn't happen often."

"No it doesn't." I gasp. I think I'm just as excited to meet Kacy as she was to meet me.

Jake just shakes his head and smiles. "I'm happy for you Tum." He wraps his arm around my shoulders. "Now let's go eat."

Notes