Lust Front

"HARD WORDS"

Her name is Nova, a blonde with near-impossible muscles, a stylish vine crown on her head, and she commands a whole entire group of her own. She is part of us now, trying to fight the world disaster along with the goverment. For some reason, she saw interest in me a TON.

"Hey stud. What are you doing at Murder Burger?"

"I'm really hungry, I didn't have breakfast and I almost died out at training today."

"PFFF. And you want Murder Burger for lunch? Come to my place, I'm gonna show you how to make something GREAT."

Out of everyone in line, she picked ME to show her the "best ribs" in town.

Goddamn she was right.

"This tastes amazing."

"I know, right? Not many people get to try Lost Nova's famous barbeque ribs~!"

The way she said that was really adorable, in a cute and tough coach way as well.

"Thanks for the lunch. I have to run, though. Got lots of work to do at the office."

"Oh my god, the office?! I'm not letting you go back there, I'm gonna show you what you can spend your break on!"

Then she took me to the only gym inside the walls to pump iron.

"Come on, I made us protein shakes before we left. Now, drink up and pick up a dumbbell!"

"Why are you this nice to me?"

"Not often, do I see young and eager boys like you around here. I was surprised I even saw you at Murder Burger of all places. I had to whip you into shape, I wouldn't want a pretty boy wasting all those looks on FAST FOOD, dear god!"

"You're... eager, too. I guess."

"Enough talking. Hurry up and lift those weights!"

I had never gone to that gym before, but now I have inspiration going there. We brought those weights up and down so much. She took me to the gun range, the obstacle course, she really wanted me to be active all the time.

It was about a month into spending so much time training that I didn't realize how much I bulked up. She called me to a coffee shop in town to talk.

"What did you call me here for?"

"You already know, Conner. Look at you. I know you'd be perfect for it."

"Huh?"

"Come on, we both have it in mind, let's say it at the same time."

Of course, I was thinking of something else. But when we said it at the same time, different things came out of her mouth.

"You want to go steady?" I say.

What she said:

"You want to join my group?"

Both of us froze.

"Erm... Uh, Nova, I..."

"I understand... Did you... really think that?"

"For a while, yeah. I thought that's what you wanted, so..."

"Well, you're not wrong, I did have feelings for you for... a while. But I'd be a simp if I had trained you for just me to have you."

"I really appreciate you doing that for me."

"I appreciate me taking the time to help you, for just the sake of helping..."

"So, what now?"

"I'll leave you alone. It's not gonna work out, the two of us. I like you and all, but know that our friendship doesn't need to end."

"Do you already have a husband? Or partner?"

"Nah. I just never saw you more than a friend - only when I realized it wouldn't be right... to crush on you."

"Oh. I'm sorry for putting you through the trouble of..."

"Ah, shut up. I think you're really cool, but your heart can break for someone else, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, Nova."

"Stay strong."

She gives me a brief peck on the lips before she walks out of the cafe.

I could taste how tough those hard words were from just the touch of our lips.