One Week To Love

Friday

On Friday morning, Justin woke up earlier than usual to find Ava exercising in the living room. He watched her for a moment, mesmerized by the way she moved through her routine with grace and concentration.

Unable to tear his eyes away, he finally made his presence known. "Good morning, Ava."

Ava looked up, surprised to see him awake. "Good morning, Justin. Did I wake you up?"

Justin shook his head, smiling. "No, I just woke up and saw you. Do you do this every day?"

Ava nodded, returning to her poses. "Yeah, it's part of my routine. Helps me start the day feeling refreshed and centered."

Justin moved closer, a playful grin on his face. "Mind if I join you today?"

Ava's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Sure, but it might be more challenging than you think."

Justin grabbed a spare yoga mat and rolled it out next to hers. He tried to mimic her movements, but it quickly became apparent that her routine was more demanding than it looked. His clumsy attempts made Ava giggle.

"Hey, no laughing at the newbie," Justin said, trying to balance in a warrior pose and almost toppling over.

Ava moved closer, helping him adjust his stance. "Here, let me show you."

With Ava’s guidance, Justin managed to follow along, their laughter and playful teasing turning the workout into a fun bonding experience. By the end, both were slightly out of breath but exhilarated.

"That was actually really fun," Justin admitted, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Thanks for letting me join you."

Ava smiled warmly. "I'm glad you did. You did great for your first time."

After showering and changing, they headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast together. The easy banter continued as they cooked, their teamwork in the kitchen another way to strengthen their connection. Justin handled the chopping while Ava took care of the stove, their movements synchronized in a comfortable rhythm.

"What's next on the menu, Chef Ava?" Justin asked playfully.

Ava grinned. "How about we make a vegetable omelette with a side of toast and some fruit salad?"

"Sounds perfect," Justin agreed, focusing on his task.

Once breakfast was ready, they sat down to enjoy the meal, the conversation flowing effortlessly. After eating, Ava hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"There's something I've been wanting to share with you," she said, a bit nervously. "Follow me."

Curious, Justin followed her to her bedroom. Ava knelt down by her bed and pulled out a small box hidden underneath. She opened it to reveal a collection of books, their covers slightly worn but well-loved.

"These are my hidden treasures," Ava explained, a shy smile on her face. "I've had to keep them hidden from my family because they only want me to read academic books. But these... these are my escape."

Justin's eyes widened in admiration. "Wow, Ava. I had no idea. Can we read some of these together?"

Ava's smile grew, and she nodded enthusiastically. "I'd love that."

They settled on the couch, choosing a book from the box and taking turns reading aloud. As they immersed themselves in the stories, Justin could see how much these books meant to Ava. Her passion for reading was contagious, and he found himself getting lost in the narratives too.

Hours passed without them noticing, the day slipping away as they shared their love for literature. Ava's eyes sparkled with excitement as she discussed the characters and plots, and Justin felt privileged to be a part of this side of her life.