Self Improvement, chapter 23

Previous chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/self-improvement-95899964?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

To Rachael's chagrin, the weather hadn't exactly facilitated well for running in her most recent garbs. Still set on keeping her routine going strong, she'd instead used what little weather-appropriate gear she had. But finally the sun was out, and she couldn't wait to get going. Her mind buzzling with excitement and anticipation as she tied her shoes tightly.

While the sun was pretty warm that day, the breeze was cool enough to make up for it, making it the perfect running conditions. Small amounts of sweat built up along the edge of her hairline, a few drops sneaking their way down her cheeks before they were either caught by the wind, or by Rachael's own hand. As she paced down the paved pedestrian path, she reflected upon the monumental changed she'd made over the past few months. Anything to keep her mind of the fact that she was recently "dumped", although they were never formally together to begin with. No matter, the shitty way it had her feeling after being turned down still stung all the same. To think that the same Rachael, even half a year ago, had never been in a relationship, let alone kissed another man. Back then, the last thing on her mind was probably finding a partner. In her new state of mind, her new life even, Rachael found it difficult to properly rationalize her former behavior. How could she have ever turned a blind eye to all these incredible experiences, all for the sake of ..academic pursuit? No. That might not be entirely right. Was it perhaps more correct to call her career-oriented? Then again, she'd not actually formally started a career yet, with her focusing all her resources on school and all that.

As she pondered the difference, Rachael kept her stride, not missing a beat as she progressed deeper into her route. Somewhere around the halfway point, in what she considered to be the nicer part of her round, she did something she never usually did. She stopped to take a breather. A short pause, not because she was tired or exhausted, but because she came across a peculiar sight.

"Are you, like, okay mister?"

A short, old man was kneeling while facing away at an angle from the young runner. She couldn't tell if he'd fallen or otherwise needed help. But when it comes to old people, you just can't be too careful.

Upon hearing her soft words, the old timer turned his head just enough to catch a glimpse of the blonde bombshell.

"Oh yes, I'm quite fine, just picking up after Jimbo here.."

His voice was coarse and quiet, yet at the same time warm. Tilting her head to the side ever so little, Rachael could barely make out that part of the gray mass she'd assumed to be the man's beard was in fact a dog. Probably towards the later end of it's life, the two made up a cute pair of seniors.

Schnauzers are soooo adorable!

Cute indeed, better yet, the man and the dog carried a striking resemblance to one another. Rachael couldn't help but grin like a moron when the man turned around fully after finishing up, seeing how he had the exact same beard as the dog.

"You make a good pair!"

The old-timer chuckled. He'd heard that one a few times over the years.
For the first time, he could fully see Rachael in all her bimbo-esque glory. The blonde hair, blue eyes and completely pink attire. A culture shock to be sure. Women nowadays were so open with their sexuality, nothing like how women of old carried themselves.
The old mans expression changed. Not to one of disapproval or disgust, but rather, one of concern.

"You must get an awful lot of catcalls wearing something like that on your morning jog, no?"

"Haha, you don't know, like, half of it mister!"

"Figures. Just don't.. don't let yourself be forced into something you don't want to do. Men can be pigs sometimes."

Rachael was put off by his sudden lecture. What was it with old men and thinking they knew better all the damn time?

"Well, duh! Who'd do something they don't want to??"

Not the sharpest tool in the shed, huh?

"You never know, people can be quite ..convincing. Take it from this old fart, the key to a happy life is to do what YOU want, and what makes YOU happy! Don't worry about the advice of others, they don't know what's best for you, only YOU Know that. Happiness is found within. You do what everyone else tells you to, and you'll find yourself picking up the pieces for as long as you live."

Rachael was knocked off her metaphorical footing for a moment. Somewhere, a part deep in her mind had taken a severe hit just then. Like a thorn that'd been stuck there for a while had suddenly been pulled right out, it was numbing, et refreshing at the same time.
She looked at the man, quizzically for a moment, as if trying to piece together what he just said. Never mind the words, the feeling she was left with was euphoric.

"Uhm, I don't totally get it, but I feel totes better now. Thanks gramps!"

He gave her a reassuring smile before heading off, leaving Rachael to herself. She took a deep breath and continued on her way, her eyes filled with a newfound optimism and certainty that everything was gonna be alright. Not even the notion of her almost-relationship could break her stride.

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The end is near. Just a couple of chapters to cover the epilogue and Rachael's journey will have come to an end. Sorry for taking so long to finish this particular story! Hope you've enjoyed it this far, and that you liked the last image! Til' next time.