Maia

18

Word Count: 1776

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MAIA'S POV

I slip into a pair of snug tights and a fitted long-sleeve shirt, preparing for my training session with Giovanni. As I tie my hair up into a messy ponytail, I take a moment to examine my reflection in the mirror. With a deep breath, I focus on calming my racing heart.

As I slowly pull my pants down a bit to get a better look at my hip, I notice the old cut that has become increasingly worse. It looks more alarming than I remembered, with redness surrounding the wound, and I can't shake the feeling that it might be infected. Over the past few weeks, I've been carefully monitoring the area, and I've noticed a distinct change. A slight yellow tinge is now appearing, and it seems to be spreading gradually around the affected region. 

I reach for the roll of toilet paper on my left, as I tear off a piece, I can't help but wince at the sharp prickling sensation in the affected area. Gently, I dab at it, my breath hitching as the stinging intensifies. Once I've tended to the discomfort, I flush the used paper down the toilet, watching it swirl away. In a moment of frustration, I bite my lower lip, trying to suppress the discomfort that lingers.

A few days before my arrival, Jacob had cut me, and since then, I hadn't been able to treat the wound properly. It throbbed slightly, a reminder of that day. With a resigned sigh, I pulled my pants up, feeling the fabric brush against the tender skin. I stepped out of the small bathroom, the scent of soap lingering in the air, and made my way into my room. The light was dim, casting soft shadows on the walls. I glanced down at the floor and reached for my sneakers, which I had carelessly left by the door earlier.

A firm knock echoed on the door, drawing my attention. "Are you ready to go?" Gio's voice sounded from the other side, filled with anticipation.

"Yes, I'm just putting my sneakers on," I called back, my heart racing a little with the excitement of the day ahead. I settled onto the edge of my bed, feeling the soft fabric of my blanket beneath me, and reached for my new sneakers. As I slipped them on, I tugged at the laces, making sure they were snug and comfortable.

I sprang out of bed and opened the door to reveal a beaming Gio standing there. As we started walking toward the gym, I couldn't help but notice his outfit. He was wearing comfortable grey sweatpants that fit perfectly, along with a snug top that highlighted his athletic build. His sneakers were laced tightly, ready for a workout. Good I was wearing the right outfit.

As I step into the gym, my eyes are immediately drawn to the large boxing ring dominating the center of the space. Surrounding the ring, I notice an array of exercise machines, each designed for strength and endurance training, gleaming under the bright overhead lights. To the right, there are heavy punching bags swaying gently, inviting me to unleash my energy but also looking quite intimidating.

I turned to Giovanni, curious about our training session. "Where are we starting?" I asked, glancing over at the treadmill in the corner of the gym. Gio flashed a reassuring smile and replied, "We're not going to use that today. First, we need to warm up to prevent any injuries." He gestured toward the mat. "After that, I'll take a closer look at your stances and we'll see what we need to work on" With that, he moved confidently to the mat, ready to guide me through the warm-up routine.

I followed him to the mat and watched as he started stretching. I copied some of the moves, although they weren't nearly as flawless as his. I wasn't able to do everything, but at least I tried.After completing his final stretch, he turned to face me, a quizzical eyebrow raised in surprise at how breathless I was. My chest rose and fell rapidly, and I could feel the heat flushing my cheeks. He seemed to study me intently as if he were mentally jotting down observations about my level of fitness and stamina. The slight smirk on his lips suggested he found my struggle both amusing and perhaps a little concerning.