This Sort of Friendship

[Ruth Mason]

"Charlie." Another knock on the door. "Charlie." It turned into a bang. Ruth exhaled. Banged again. "Charlie!" She didn't want to yell. It might wake up others Ruth didn't want to. Yet she wasn't above doing it. Not if Charlie didn't get up. It was early. Far too early for most. Somewhere around 5:30? Ruth checked her watch. It was closer to 5:45 now. She had to wake her up.

"Charlie come on!" She banged again. Raised her voice a little. "I know you're in there." Where else would she be? They'd agreed to this a while ago. She had agreed to come along. Ruth wasn't letting her sleep in. An early morning run. Before breakfast was served. Before most of the campus was awake. It would make things easier. They'd both settled on the time. Yet she had apparently forgotten. "Charlie I swear I will bust the door down."

[Charlie Jarrett]

The pounding was what woke Charlie up. Jerking awake, she sat up. She was a right mess. But the pounding kept coming. What the hell was happening? Then the familiar voice came through the door. It was Ruth. What did she want? Charlie groaned and rubbed her face. She checked the clock near her bed. Then froze when she realized the time. It was 5:43 in the morning. At first she was pissed. Then she remembered their plans.

"Oh shit." Was the first thing to leave her lips. Charlie scrambled. Her sheets weren't helping. She threw them off after a minute of panicked flailing. The voice came back. Ruth was threatening to kick down the door. "No! Hold on damn it." Hopefully Ruth heard that. Charlie didn't want to fix her door up. Especially this early. God, hadn't she set an alarm? Whatever the case, Charlie hurriedly got ready. Having the likely aggravated girl outside her door probably helped her rush. Charlie was afraid she really would kick the door down.

Finally she opened the door. "I'm up!" She swore, trying to tame her bedhead hair into a ponytail. Charlie imagined she looked like death. "Remind me why I agreed to this?" It was muttered through the hair tie in her mouth as she gather her hair. Finally she managed to get it calmed down enough to put up.

[Ruth Mason]

Finally there was a voice. It was Charlie. She was awake. From the panic in her voice, she must've just woken up. Ruth rubbed her face in exasperation. She loved her friend. Really. Yet sometimes Charlie could frustrate her. Then again that went without saying for everyone. It was just Ruth's personality. "Hurry it up then." It was unneeded, but Ruth said it anyways. It might make her go faster.

The door opened. Finally Charlie stepped out. Ruth had to raise an eyebrow at her appearance. Fight back a smirk or snicker. The disheveled look on her friend was amusing. Cute, but mostly funny. She swore she was up. From the looks of it, just barely. Ruth turned on her heel and headed for the exit. There was a question. Why had she agreed to this? "Because I'm persuasive." Ruth responded. "Besides, you promised."

[Charlie Jarrett]

The little remark to hurry didn't help. Well, help Charlie's state of mind that is. It did make her go a little faster. She wasn't even all that aware of the outfit she was choosing. Her tired brain didn't care. Then she got outside. She could see the hidden smirk. Charlie rolled her eyes. "Yeah yeah, I look like a hot mess. You would too if you just woke up to run with some exercise junkie." She stated. Charlie exercised, sure. Not nearly as much as Ruth would, but good enough. At least in her own opinion.

Charlie followed her out the door. Despite the abrupt wake-up, she wasn't that angry. She was actually looking forward to it. Ruth said she agreed due to her persuasion. Charlie rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Right. That's definitely it..." It was more of a mutter than anything. Still, Ruth had a point. Charlie had promised. She wasn't about to go back on her word. "Alright alright. Let's get this over with."

Eventually they got outside and Charlie shivered slightly. It was a little chilly. She'd probably warm up though. Wasn't that the point? "Now don't you go leaving me in the dusk." She said it pointedly with a hint of a smile. She had no doubt Ruth could leave her in the dust.

[Ruth Mason]

She called Ruth an exercise junkie. Now Ruth did snicker. She enjoyed it. That was true. "I'm not a junkie." She insisted. She liked the feeling of exercise. Getting to stretch her limbs. Find her limits and push them. Sometimes break that. That was best of all. Although she understood it wasn't for everyone. Yet Ruth figured Charlie was protesting more out of embarrassment.

She followed. They headed out. Charlie muttered something. Then said they would get it over with. Ruth glanced at her. Raised a brow. "Why didn't you set an alarm?" That would've solved all of her problems. And Ruth's. They could've left on time. She didn't think Charlie was that forgetful. Then again who knew? Still, she was coming now. Ruth was content with that.

They got outside. Ruth breath in deeply. tasted the morning air. She loved it. Charlie spoke up. Commanded Ruth not to leave her behind. Ruth looked at her. Noticed the faint smile. her face mirrored it, only wider. More mischievous. "Then keep up." She responded. She stretched a little. Then nodded to Charlie and started. "Come on. If you want to get showers before breakfast, let's go."

[Charlie Jarrett]

Charlie snorted at the claim. There were worse than Ruth. Charlie knew. But she wasn't about to admit it. So she said nothing instead and kept following her. Until Ruth mentioned the alarm. Charlie puffed up. "I did set one!" She responded. But then she had to think. Had she? Maybe she'd gotten up and turned it off before falling asleep again. Or forgotten altogether. Charlie winced. "Or... Well I thought I did. Maybe I fell back asleep since I got up so early." She remarked. She really didn't know.

Ruth gave her a look Charlie frowned at. There was a glint in her eye. She said Charlie better keep up. Charlie pointed at Ruth. "Don't you dare." She warned. But there was hardly any bite. Charlie felt herself smiling too. Ruth would see right through it. But Charlie didn't think she'd be that cruel. Besides, Ruth had already dragged her out of bed. Wasn't that punishment enough? Charlie joined Ruth in stretching and then went after her. The comment made Charlie raise an eyebrow.

"You're the one telling me to hurry for breakfast? I could've just kept my ass in bed you know." Charlie replied. Although Ruth had the advantage since Charlie had been the one to make them late. Didn't mean she wouldn't fight back.

[Ruth Mason]

She protested. Insisted she set an alarm. Then faltered. Thought. Ruth watched her think. She might've woken up and turned it off before falling back asleep. It made sense. Charlie didn't look like she was lying. Ruth knew she wouldn't. Charlie was surprisingly honest. It was nice. Rare. Part of the reason they were friends in the first place.

She frowned. Pointed at Ruth. Warned her not to run off. Yet there was a smile there. Ruth wouldn't run away. Charlie likely knew that. They were playing with each other. Ruth was fine with that. It was fun. Much like running. She was glad to see Charlie went after her. Although she spoke up. Mentioning how she could've stayed in bed. Ruth gave her a look. She smirked. "If you'd woken up at the right time, we wouldn't have to worry." It was the truth. Ruth doubted they had to worry anyways. They had plenty of time.

[Charlie Jarrett]

Ruth was giving her a look. Charlie already knew the response she'd get. it was all thanks to that damn alarm. Charlie growled and grumbled. There wasn't much she could say. It was more or less her fault. She didn't like it but it was the truth. So she didn't comment. Besides, she ought to focus on running. Which honestly was pretty nice. Charlie hadn't known what to expect when she agreed to run this early. But so far it was ok. Peaceful even. It helped no one else was up.

She enjoyed the quiet for a while. Her breathing was getting heavier, but she didn't mind. That was the point wasn't it? Still, eventually she decided to pipe up. "So what's up Ruth?" The response was a little breathless. Which was expected. Besides, wasn't there something about talking and running that said it was good for you? Something about lung capacity. Charlie didn't care that much. "Anything new? Anything exciting?"

[Ruth Mason]

She hadn't commented. So they fell into a comfortable silence. Ruth took the time to look. Observe. Absorb the scenery. The school was beautiful. Even she had to admit that. It's why she loved running it. That and the outdoors. They were so peaceful. Ruth spent as much time in it as she could. She wasn't afraid of being social. Yet most times she found herself alone. Withdrawn from most of the crowds. Anti-social wasn't the word she'd use. She just like having time to herself.

There was a question. What was up? Ruth threw her friend a look. it was harder to speak when running. Still, Charlie went on. Was anything new or exciting? Ruth had to think back to her week. For the most part, it was the same. Simplistic. Uneventful. Except for one thing. A phone call from her father. Ruth frowned slightly. "Not really, other than a phone call from my dad. He asked if I wanted to come home for some shindig with some of his business friends." Her tone already gave her opinion on the matter. She looked at Charlie. "What about you?"

[Charlie Jarrett]

The silence felt pretty comfortable. A mutual sort of thing. But Charlie still broke it. She was curious. She wanted to catch up with her friend. Somehow it felt like ages since they last spoke. Which didn't make sense, since Charlie was certain it had only been a few days. Fortunately, Ruth didn't seem bothered by the question. Although there was a slight frown. Was she bothered? had she brought up bad memories of the week? But no, it was just a phone call. Charlie was already aware of the slight rift Ruth had with her family's business social side. Sometimes she was glad to be from her tiny family.

Then the question was directed at her. Charlie didn't have to think too much. "Not really. Spent a lot of time with my dad in town." She responded. She loved spending time with her dad. Sometimes he felt more like a big brother than anything. He definitely was her best friend. And she wouldn't trade him for the world. "Although so guy came in with this amazing Ferrari. You should've seen this thing. It was a Dino 246 GT." Charlie couldn't help but light up a bit. It always happened. "I've got some pictures of it on my phone. I can show you once we're done this torture."

[Ruth Mason]

She was quick. It was the same. Not much had happened. She'd spent time with her dad. Ruth wasn't surprised. They seemed close. Closer than Ruth and her dad. Then again Charlie only had him. It made Ruth sympathetic. Yet Charlie brushed it off. She didn't care. Ruth supposed she should do the same. She added on. Someone had come in with a ferrari. Ruth glanced over. She smiled. She didn't care too much for cars. Yet it was always funny to watch Charlie light up. She even had pictures. Ruth laughed.

"You get so excited when you talk about this stuff." It was obvious and both girls knew it. Ruth was teasing her. She didn't mind. It was cute. The last comment turned smile into smirk. "It's not that bad." She responded. She was being overdramatic. Ruth could tell. It was a joke. One she'd happily return. "I thought you did well in your PE classes anyways. Why're you complaining so much?"

[Charlie Jarrett]

She pointed out how excited Charlie got. Which naturally made a hint of heat rise to her cheeks. Thankfully it was already a little flushed from the cold air. It might've been obvious. Charlie never noticed until after the fact. Or until someone like Ruth pointed the fact out. "It was a Ferrari Ruth! And there were like... only 2000 of this model ever made!" She returned. She knew Ruth wasn't into cars as much. Charlie was fine with that. She'd still try to point how wrong Ruth was for it.

She did well in her PE classes? It was a little jab. Especially when she mentioned Charlie complaining. "Yeah I do well. And I'm not complaining!" She insisted. "I'm just speaking the truth." She wasn't complaining. At least not in her mind. But Charlie didn't want to keep going with the chatting. It was getting harder to breath. If she was really doing this, she'd need all the air she could get. So she lapsed back into that comfortable silence for a while. It was actually easy.

Unlike the run. Which had her panting when they finally finished and headed back to the showers. Although "limp" was the more accurate term. At least it was for Charlie. "Dear god... I swear you sped up halfway through." She accused, throwing Ruth a look while she shoved open the door to the locker room.

[Ruth Mason]

Was that a blush? It was hard to tell. She was probably a little embarrassed. She protested. Claimed it was a ferrari and a rare one at that. Ruth only smirked and shook her head. She didn't share the passion. Still, it was entertaining. Like her next remark. She was only stating the fact. Ruth scoffed. "Yeah, right." Her tone was sarcastic. She'd be able to pick up on it. Ruth didn't doubt that.

The rest of the run was in silence. Ruth cherished the moment. She loved running. Particularly early. There was something to it. The silence. The lack of others. For just a moment, it felt like she had the whole world to herself. Only this time was different. Charlie was by her side. She didn't mind. It was nice. Which surprised her a little. Yet not too much. They were friends after all.

Finally they stopped. Ruth was breathing hard. Yet he loved it. The burn in her lungs and legs. She on the other hand looked beaten. She accused Ruth of speeding up. Threw her a glare too. Ruth only laughed. "Hey, it's over right? Don't worry about it." It didn't exactly answer the unasked question. She had sped up. Only a little. But she had still kept up, so it didn't matter. "Anyways, you wanted to get your shower. So quit griping and get one." Ruth had already gone to her locker and unlocked it, undressing. A cold shower would feel like bliss after that.

[Charlie Jarrett]

Charlie had ignored the sarcastic tone. She'd gotten used to it at this point. Besides, she had to focus on keeping up with Ruth while running. Especially when she'd sped up towards the end. That had been what really killed her. Ruth in contrast seemed winded but fine. She also made no real comment to the accusation. Which only convinced Charlie. "So you did! Last time I trust you to set the pace." Charlie muttered before limping her way to her locker. Thankfully she kept plenty of items inside for occasions like these.

"I like griping." Charlie responded, smirking. Until she realized Ruth was undressing. Heat soared to her cheeks and she turned away subtly. While there was a speck of temptation, Charlie never felt comfortable like this. Ruth was her friend first of all. Second, Ruth didn't know. Charlie wasn't very vocal on what, or rather who, she was interested in. In turn Charlie had no idea what team Ruth played for. It wasn't really a topic that came up. Or one Charlie really wanted to come up. She feared it would make things awkward. Charlie did not want to risk ruining their friendship. Even for a peek.

"What time is it?" She asked, heading for the showers in a towel. She felt far too sticky from the sweat. So almost immediately after getting into a stall, she hung the towel and turned it on. Except she forgot something. "Oh dear god it's ice cubes!" She exclaimed, backing out. She hissed. "I wanted cold, not 'freeze your ass off!'"

[Ruth Mason]

She was sure now. She also muttered. Ruth only vaguely caught that it was about her setting the pace. To which she smirked. "If you set the pace, we'd miss breakfast." It was a tease. Even a little bit of a taunt. A jab. Ruth knew better. Charlie wasn't slow. Just not as fast as her. And being pushed was a good thing. At least she thought so. Charlie might not.

She liked griping. "I can tell." To her credit, Ruth had heard far worse. She suspected Charlie only griped for fun. To tease her, or something similar. When it came to the bigger picture, she wouldn't. Ruth was sure of that much. They turned from each other before Ruth headed for a stall. She'd smartly moved out of the way before turning it on. Charlie hadn't. Instead she yelled something about ice cubes. Ruth had to laugh. "What did you expect? You barely gave it time to warm up!"