My Brother's Best Friend

the first morning

I was up at 6:30 when the light shone through the window. I scrolled through my phone. I had a notification on i********: letting me know I had 3 follow requests. Two were from Stacy and Bridet, I also realized the posted pictures we took last night to their stories tagging me. When I clicked to see who the last one was, my phone fell on my face. I winced with pain but picked it back up. It was Ben Wisheman. I'm sure he was only adding me to add to his followers. I haven't posted in over a year. I pretty much still only have i********: to watch reels and look at old photos. My last post was before Matt passed. It was a reel of me wake boarding on my dads boat. Mat was driving and Caleb took the picture. What I would do to give that moment back.

I quickly pulled myself back. Matt would kill me if I sunk into my old habits of feeling sorry and let it wreck my first full day on the campus. I accepted Ben’s request but didn’t follow back. I got myself out of bed and went to the entrance way where the sinks were. I got myself ready for the day. Same outfit but different color and picked a zip up to go with. I brushed through my hair, threw some dry shampoo in it and started french braiding. What is the point of showering if I am going to work out?

When I got back in the room Hailey was up. “Good Morning! I'll get ready and we can head out?”

“Sounds good to me!” I sat down on the disc chair I brought from home. I turned on the tv to the office and scrolled on my phone some more. When Hailey was about ready I texted Riley that we were heading down. When we got downstairs Riley was waiting with 3 coffees.

When we got to the book store we all went through our lists and tracked down the used books due to the price difference. Getting books made me excited to start. We dropped our books off at the dorm and headed to the gym. Riley and Hailey were talking and I would chime in every now and then. “What do you guys plan to do at the gym?” Riley asked.

“I am an elliptical girl, with added yoga from time to time.” Hailey replied.

“I'm going to warm up on the treadmill and then it's leg day for me.” I said. I used to work out with my brothers. They always had me weight train with them. Matthew and I would hit the gym all the time together. I love running and lifting. It is something that always got my endorphins ramped up.

“I'll do legs with you then, but after can we get something to eat? I’m starving!” said Riley.

“Yes, let's check out the cafeteria everyone says is the good one!” Hailey beams back.

The football training field is right next to the giant health center. As we walked past the field we could see the football team practicing. I spotted my brother. His number is 42, he was running plays. There are 3 floors to this gym with a separate walking and running track. “I’m headed to the elliptical. I'll meet up with you guys later.” Hailey says.

I get on the treadmill and get my air pods in. I hit my running playlist, the first song hits and It instantly puts me in a good headspace. I start out at a nice job and once I feel good I pick the pace up. Before I knew it 30 mins had gone by and I was at three and a half miles. I slowed the machine down and got my phone to pull up the workout plan for leg day. I looked over at Riley to see if he was ready. “Damn girl, I thought you said you were warming up on the treadmill”

“Sorry I got carried away, it just felt so good.” I laughed.

We headed over to the free weight area. Riley was curious about my training so I showed him my phone. It was a picture I took of a written schedule Matt made me. Riley followed my workout, with heavier weights. When we were done we grabbed Hailey who was doing abs in the free area.

“Oh thank god you guys are finally done i'm starving!” She said,

We headed in the direction of the cafeteria Hailey had referenced earlier. As we were heading there I noticed Caleb and Ben walking that direction from the football field. Ben instantly made eye contact with me. It was like he anticipated I would be coming from that direction.