AROUND THE HEART IN 80 DAYS

Twenty Four

The gym didn't open till eight but staff of the gym house had to be up and at it to dry up the floors, wipe off mist, dust or re-sanitize equipment, besides, they had just overcome a pandemic. It wasn't disturbing to resume by seven, since they were full-time instructors and when they went home, they went home to a full-time rest.

Tess slouched against one of the wiped mirrors as her other colleagues chatted with each other, the usual talks about matches and hockey, something to keep them hyped for the days' burnouts. Her own aerobic colleagues did their own stretches while complaining (as usual) about the early resumption that was just a tad too early for them.

"There are already two people waiting out in the hall." Lord proclaimed while entering their gym hall. A blue towel hung over his neck with its ends touching his breastbones. He was one that was ever ready.

"For Jacqueline?" Phoebe, a fellow aerobic instructor said while releasing her leg from a calf stretch.

"You know it." He answered.

Tess rolled her eyes. She didn't like Phoebe either.

"Who would have thought so many people wanted to do yoga in this town?" The tallest of the instructors, Tanner, slid his earphones downward to his neck.

"Well, life is tougher and everyone must be angry about the situation of the state currently, the whole money and everything. If they see a place where they can ease their minds, I think it's only normal that they should go for it, yeah?" Lord said.

"They're having money issues and they still pay for the yoga class? Make it make sense." Tess huffed, causing five heads to turn to her. She continued nonetheless. "If she was so generous, she should have done it for free. Hell, even I'd go."

"That is just the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Phoebe said, unprovoked. She was the most outspoken anyway, so Tess didn't bother to interrupt. "We also do things for the good of others, don't they pay us?"

"No, Lord was implying that they sought peace, that's why they keep coming for Jacqueline's classes. Where is peace being paid for? We don't do peace! We make you get your summer body. Of course, you have to pay."

Phoebe exclaimed. "Jealous! Jealouuuusss..." she sing-songed out loud, earning laughs from her fellow crew for purposely torturing.

Lord recovered from his own fits and went to Tess, who was already getting tainted with red in her cheeks. He, Phoebe and Tess were the veterans of the gym and he knew about her temperament more than anyone. Her head ducked an inch when he approached.

"You don't like her. It's so obvious..."

"But you do, don't you, Lord?" Her voice drawled out, her tone going lower as she came to the end of the question.

"Why not? She's cool and okay. She doesn't even give a damn about whatever is going on. And she's not even in our department."

"I swear, she thinks she must be special. How can you just strut in an exercise studio that was already standing and beg to create a division. Creating a division of our customers too."

"She bringing customers is good for business. We still get paid normally. And the center does well. How is that bad?"

"Yeah. If you say so."

"Come on. It was Imogen who invited her."

"I don't even like Imogen. She talks too much."

"Who do you even like?"

She shot him a glare and swore she knew what to say next but was interrupted when a head popped in from the entrance door.

The subject of discussion.