"Mats said, you wanted to work out," Dingo said and at my nod, he continued, "let's get you set up."
He gave a tour of the place, while he questioned me on my training history - none and my fitness level - zero.
"Well, that's a great starting point," he laughed, making his giant shoulders bounce. "Start out with a couple of times a week." He stepped closed and asked in a hushed tone, "now do I have to get an extra fire extinguisher or something for the gym with you here?"
I paled and shook my head. I wasn't supposed to say anything, but the line between knowing and not knowing was blurry. Dingo knew, but he didn't ask to my power and he didn't ask openly.
"Good", he concluded with a wide smile.
Despite Mats' referral, it was daunting stepping into Titan Fitness the first few times, but it grew on me. The guy who had called me 'puppy' was a mechanic and father of five, another younger guy was called Toot and trained for an amateur boxing league, and I was a girl who wanted to get stronger with Dingo's help. Dingo was a strict trainer, who wasn't above laughing out loud at my occasional snarky comments. After a training session, I could barely get in the car or hold the steering wheel the entire ride back.
"Repetition is the name of the game," Dingo said.
"Isn't that an ABBA song?" I replied.
I liked Titan Fitness and it kept my thoughts occupied. I was surviving, thriving even. I didn't admit the fact that back in my bedroom, my desk was overflowing with scraps of paper with drawings of Brandt. His face. His floppy hair. The way he held his shoulders. Our fingers touching. When I was alone, I drew and drew with a need, I couldn't quell.
The steady routine of my days kept me going. I tried not to fall into my thoughts. They were a vortex of need and worry. Stay present. That was my mantra. I met with Andrea and Penny at the cafe. We talked about a party being held next Friday.
"Now is the time, Harper," Andrea said, "it will be fun." I never went to any of the parties. I never saw the reason to see the same people I saw in school, but with louder music.
"You need this quintessential high school experience." Penny added as a matter of fact.
Perhaps they were right. I fumbled with a packet of sugar between my fingers as Penny slurped the rest of her chilled latte through a straw. The hair on my arms stood up on end. It felt like Brandt. I looked out the window. Was that him, down the street? He turned and walked away. I felt it. I'm sure of it. I scanned the people on the street, but couldn't find him. I was positive I felt his energy. A rush flowed through my body and I felt alive.
"Harper?" Andrea waved her hand in front of my face. "We were having a conversation." She flicked her shortish dark hair over her shoulder more as a communicative gesture than because it was in the way.
"I'm here," my cheeks were warm and I was completely present, "I will go with you to a party on Friday."
Andrea and Penny erupted with party-related subjects, gossiping among themselves as I began to regret my affirmative answer. I had just said something, giddy with the prospect of Brandt.
"I think I'll wear my sequin skirt," Andrea said, mentally flicking through hangers in her closet. "What about you?"
"I'm sure, I'll find something," I answered, my thoughts on something else.
————
Hello reader,
I hope you enjoy this story and the slow burn between Harper and Brandt. What will happen at the party? Wink, wink.
Please, comment, follow, vote or give feedback.
The last couple of weeks have been busy at work, but my summer holiday is near and I have major plans of writing a lot.
Xoxo
ChapterToo
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Crossfire - a sizzling slow burn with supernatural powers
Teen Fiction"I... I didn't see anything." I tried, not knowing where to look. I was curious enough to take glances at him. His dark hair was flopped into his face to obscure his chiseled jaw. He laughed out loud. "What exactly didn't you see, Harper?" He said...
