Valerie didn't do a lot of physical activity, but it was that time of the year where you made a resolution and attempted to stick to it. She had wanted to start running again because she was feeling out of shape and she needed something to do to clear her head when she got stressed out. School was starting up again (her final semester!) and she had student teaching to get through. At least her co-teacher didn't seem completely horrible like the last one she had suffered with.
As she rounded the park she made her way by the duck pond and she could feel herself getting exhausted. There was a bench just up ahead and she made her way towards it. There was already a man there and she approached at a walk as she reached up to wipe her face off with a towel, "Hi. Do you mind if I rest on the other end of this bench for a moment?"