The gym was already busy when we got there.
Lara walked in first like she owned the place, ponytail swinging, phone in hand. Jade followed, calm as always, adjusting her water bottle under her arm. I came last, tying my hair properly because somehow, it always loosened halfway through workouts.
"Leg day," Lara announced. "I hate it already."
"You say that every time," Jade replied. "And you still show up."
"That's because I'm disciplined," Lara said proudly. "And because I like pain."
I snorted. "You like complaining."
She gasped. "I do both very well."
We signed in, grabbed our lockers, and changed quickly. The routine was familiar enough to feel comforting. Gym days were usually my reset days — sweat everything out, think less, move more. Simple.
We stepped onto the floor together, scanning for free equipment.
"That one's free," Jade said, pointing towards the weights.
Lara started toward it, then stopped suddenly. "Wait."
I followed her gaze without thinking.
Ethan.
He was near the weights with Ryan and two other guys, sleeves pushed up, hair slightly damp already like he'd been there a while. He wasn't training or coaching, he was just… there. Focused and comfortable.
He noticed us almost immediately.
Just a glance that lingered half a second longer than necessary, long enough for me to feel it.
I looked away first.
"Of course he's here," Lara muttered. "Does that boy live at this gym?"
Jade shrugged. "It's his thing."
"I thought this was her thing," Lara said, nodding at me.
I shot her a look. "Don't start here again."
"I haven't even started," she said innocently.
We moved toward the stretching area. I dropped my bag and knelt to tighten my shoe laces, mostly to give myself something to do with my hands.
"You're suddenly quiet," Jade said casually.
"I'm normal," I replied.
"That wasn't convincing."
I straightened. "I just want to work out."
Lara smiled slowly. "Sure you do."
Before I could respond, footsteps approached.
I didn't need to look up to know who it was.
"Hey."
Ethan's voice. Close. Too close.
I looked up anyway.
"Hi," I said, hoping it sounded normal.
Ryan waved. "Didn't know you guys were coming today."
"We always come," Lara replied. "Some of us are committed to fitness."
Ethan's lips twitched. "I can see that."
His eyes flicked to me — quick, subtle — then away again.
He didn't complement or acknowledge me, not even a lingering stare. I didn't even know what to do.
And somehow, that was worse.
"What are you starting with?" he asked, directing it to the group, not just me.
"Legs," Jade said. "Unfortunately."
He nodded. "We're almost done here. You can take the rack after."
"Thanks," Jade replied.
There was a brief pause. Not awkward. Just… unfilled.
Then Maya appeared.
I already noticed her before she spoke.
She walked in with Zach and Chris, hair pulled back neatly, posture relaxed. I usually wonder if they all came from a common place, because they're seldomly apart. She scanned the room once, quickly, like she always did — observing, measuring — and her eyes landed on us.
On Ethan.
Then on me.
She smiled and walked over.
"Hey," she said lightly. "Didn't expect to see familiar faces."
"Hi," I replied.
She looked between us. "Gym people too?" like she didn't already know. If you ask me, I'd say that was a conversation starter.
"Unfortunately," Lara said. "It's character building."
Maya laughed. "That's one way to put it."
Zach went straight for the weights like nothing else existed. Chris hovered behind her, polite as always.
Maya's attention returned to Ethan. "You come here often?"
He shrugged. "Yeah."
"Thought so," she said. "I like your gym wear."
I stiffened before I could stop myself.
Not because of what she said, but because of how she said it. Casual... like she was filing it away.
Ethan didn't respond immediately. He glanced at me, then back at her.
"Yeah, I know that." he said.
Simple and neutral.
Just imagine, he couldn't just say Thanks.
She nodded, accepting it easily. "Mm."
Then she turned to me. "You're very consistent."
"I try," I said.
Her smile lingered a second longer. Not unfriendly. Just thoughtful.
"Well," she said, stepping back, "see you around."
She walked off toward the treadmills.
Lara leaned closer to me immediately. "She watches everything."
"I noticed," Jade murmured.
"I don't care," I said, maybe too quickly.
Ryan laughed. "You definitely care."
"I don't," I insisted.
Ethan didn't say anything. He just looked at me for a brief moment, something unreadable in his eyes — then turned back to Ryan.
"We're heading out," Ryan said. "Good luck."
"Yeah," Lara replied. "Survive."
They left, and the space they'd occupied felt… different.
Not empty, just changed.
"Okay," Jade said briskly. "Stretch first. No injuries."
We got into position. I bent forward, focusing on my breathing.
I was aware of Ethan again almost immediately. On the other side of the room.
I hated that I noticed.
Halfway through our first set, Lara leaned over. "He keeps glancing over."
I shot her a look. "Stop watching him."
"I'm watching you," she corrected. "You're distracted."
"I'm not, I'm fine. Just stop looking at me, we're not strangers or lesbians."
"You nearly tripped."
"That was the mat."
"There is no mat."
I exhaled sharply. "Please."
Jade said nothing, but her expression said everything.
We moved to the next exercise. Sweat had started to gather at my temples. My breathing evened out. Slowly, my body took over from my thoughts.
That was when Ethan walked over again.
Not alone this time. He had a towel slung over his shoulder, phone in hand.
"Quick question," he said.
Jade paused. "Yeah?"
"Are you done with the step platform after this set?"
"Two more," she replied. "Then it's free."
"Cool," he said. "Thanks."
He turned to leave, then stopped.
"Tasha."
I looked up.
"Yes?"
"You're rushing the reps," he said. "Slow down a bit."
Oh that was it.
No praise or smile, just observation.
My face warmed instantly.
"Oh," I said. "Okay."
He nodded once and walked away.
Lara stared at me. "Did he just coach you?"
"I think he did," Jade said.
"I did not ask for that, it's not like he didn't low-key ignore me earlier." I muttered.
"You didn't have to," Lara said. "He noticed."
I hated how pleased I felt.
After another twenty minutes, we took a break. I wiped my face, reaching for my bottle.
Ethan was sitting nearby now, scrolling through his phone.
"Are you done?" he asked, glancing up.
"Almost," Jade said.
"I'm done," Lara said. "Emotionally."
He smiled briefly at that, then looked at me.
"You good?"
"Yeah," I replied. "Just tired."
He nodded. "Same."
Silence settled again — easy this time.
"Library later?" he asked.
I blinked. "Maybe."
"I might stop by," he said. "I need to return a book. Done with trainings."
My heart jumped before I could stop it.
"Oh," I said. "Okay."
He stood. "See you."
"See you," I replied.
He left.
Lara stared after him. Then at me.
"I'm sorry," she said slowly, "but this is becoming a thing."
"It's not," I said.
"It is," Jade added calmly.
I sighed. "Can we not analyze everything?"
"We live to analyze," Lara replied.
Later, after showers and changing, we sat on the benches near the lockers.
"You're smiling," Jade said.
"I'm not."
"You are," Lara said. "Subtle, but yes."
I looked down. "I just… feel good."
"That's allowed," Jade said gently.
I hesitated. Then said, "He told me I was rushing my reps."
Lara gasped. "Practical concern?"
"Yes."
"Oh, this is serious," she said.
I laughed despite myself.
At home that evening, I sat at my desk again and wrote as much as my heart wished.