Darkness Vs. Light - A Zodiac Story

Chapter 5

Leo Pov:

I was at the student gym, getting in a solid workout because, let's be real, these superior good looks don't just happen by accident. I was on the treadmill, hitting my stride, headphones in, playlist on fire, and everything was feeling right. There's something about the rhythm of running that just clicks for me, you know? Plus, being the center of attention never hurts, and I'm sure more than a few people were taking a look.

It was one of those moments where I was fully in the zone, feet pounding in perfect sync with the beat, sweat starting to drip down the side of my face, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the gym's giant wall mirror. I mean, come on—looking good, Leo. The pump was real, and I could already tell my muscles were gonna be feeling this tomorrow, but it was worth it.

Then, out of nowhere, someone hopped onto the treadmill right next to mine. Not uncommon in a busy gym, but it threw off my vibe a little. I glanced over, not expecting anything, but when I saw her, I nearly stumbled.

She was tall, toned, and had this confident air about her that you couldn't ignore, even if you tried. Long, black hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, and the way she hopped onto that treadmill, it was like she was ready for a race. She didn't even look my way, just started running like she had something to prove, matching my pace instantly. No hesitation.

I slowed my pace just a bit, curiosity getting the better of me, and I pulled one of my headphones out, glancing over at her. I could feel a challenge brewing already.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual even though I was low-key impressed. "You always start at full speed, or is this just for my benefit?"

She turned to look at me, barely breaking her stride, and her eyes were bright with a playful spark. "What can I say? I like to make an entrance."

Her voice had this light, teasing edge to it, and I instantly knew she wasn't like most of the people I usually saw at the gym. There was no shy introduction, no small talk—just straight to the point. Confident. Bold. I could respect that.

I smirked, not about to back down. "Well, I hope you're ready to keep up then. I've been told I set the pace around here."

She raised an eyebrow, still running, and without a word, reached over and cranked her treadmill speed up a notch. Just like that. She didn't even break eye contact with me.

Oh, so that's how it's gonna be? Alright, challenge accepted.

"Alright then," I said, hitting the button on my treadmill to match her speed. "Let's see if you can last."

Her grin widened, and she looked back at the track in front of her. "I think you'll be the one trying to keep up."

I laughed, feeling that familiar rush of adrenaline. There was something different about her—this wasn't just about running or working out. It was like she knew exactly how to push my buttons, and I wasn't about to let her get the better of me. We were two strangers, but suddenly it felt like there was this unspoken challenge like we were testing each other.

I cranked up the incline on my treadmill a little, feeling my calves start to burn, but I kept my pace steady. I wasn't about to be outdone, not today. "So," I said between breaths, "you come here often, or did you just show up to try and race the king of the treadmills?"

She gave a quick laugh, light but full of confidence. "Im here often. Guess I picked the right person to compete with."

I shot her a sideways glance. "Leo," I said, offering my name. I figured if we were going to be running side by side like this, might as well introduce myself.