Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – The Fitness Crisis
Zatariel's POV

"All freshmen, report to the gymnasium for your Physical Fitness Test," the intercom announced in the same tone people use to read natural disaster warnings.

There were 128 of us total. Eight sections lined up like army platoons. Eight advisers. Eight gym instructors.

"LET'S GOOOO, LOSERS!" Asha screamed like she'd been waiting for this her whole athletic life.

She tied her hair into a high ponytail and immediately started doing warm-up jumps.

Meanwhile, Jayson stared at the ceiling.

"I haven't touched my tablet in seven minutes," he whispered, hollow-eyed. "I can feel my IQ deteriorating."

"You're still breathing, soldier," I said, patting his shoulder.

"I want my tablet," he groaned.

Then there was Thyron, also known as Mr. Muscles 
The gym literally got louder when he peeled off his jacket, revealing arms that looked like Marvel's CGI team had sculpted them. 

I stood beside him.

The PE instructor blew the whistle.

The Test Stations:

Sit and Reach – Flexibility

Push-ups – Upper Body Strength

Sit-ups – Core Strength

Jump Rope – Coordination

Shuttle Run – Speed and Agility

Standing Long Jump – Explosiveness

3-Minute Step Test – Cardiovascular Endurance

BMI, Height & Weight Check – Standard Metrics

I started with Sit and Reach. Bent forward. My hamstrings immediately screamed betrayal.

"Ay, ay, ay—wait—timeout," I hissed, inching forward like I was negotiating peace with my own legs.

"Wov," the PE teacher sighed, checking the ruler. "Final reach: 19 centimeters."

Nineteen.

That's not flexibility. That's a polite bow.

Beside me, Thyron was pumping making push up effortlessly. The girls were counting on him like he was doing them a favor.

I did one too.

Lowered myself to the floor.

And honestly?

The floor felt welcoming. I stayed there.

Asha burst out laughing.

"You okay, bro?! You taking a nap mid-test?!"

"No," I muttered. "I've transitioned."

"To what?"

"A decorative rug."

She wheezed.

Sit-ups were worse. My so-called abs clocked out immediately. I came up halfway and saw my life flash before my eyes.

Jump rope?

I tripped on swing five.

Jayson didn't even participate. He was on the bleachers sulking, I genuinely don't know how he survived military training last summer.

And then... I saw her.

Miexha Verra.

Sitting quietly on the floor, near Jayson but not quite close enough. Her cardigan sleeves swallowed her hands. Her bag hugged her knees. She looked so small, like she'd fold in half if someone looked directly at her.