Safe Haven

Nick

Hey! Whoever just read this has made my day, you reading my story makes me so happy! I would love any feedback/questions so lmk in the comments about how ya feel, about the stories, about the characters, about me, anything.

This story is still very incomplete even though I have published a few parts, so expect to check back and reread some chapters marked with a ++++++++++

Thanks :)))

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As a request from my track coach, I needed to start lifting weights because apparently I "looked too soft to be a sprinter".

My journeys to the gym were short at first, and often ended in me trying not to collapse on the floor in an exhausted heap.

But as time went on, and after many YouTube videos and awkward conversations with trainers, I managed to collect a plethora of knowledge on the realm of weightlifting.

I have to admit, I do look leaner and stronger than I was a few months ago.

My visits to the gym are routine now. Drop my bag in my locker, put in my earbuds, wrap up my wrists.

And eye the gorgeous blonde guy that always seems to be in the gym the same time I am.

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5-6-7...

The bar rested on my shoulders and I squatted low, propelling myself up with my legs.

8-9--....10!

I stand up from my last squat and rest the bar on the rack.

Shaking out my legs, I unbuckle the leather belt around my waist and hang it up.

I turn around, earphones in my ears, my intense music blasting through my headphones.

I let out a grunt and focus on the weights I'm about to lift.

I can do this. I can do this.

I lay down on the bench and start off benching, the weight of the bar supported by my tired arms.

I bring the bar down, making sure my form is right. Sweat beads up and trickles down the side of my face. Salt droplets make their way towards my mouth, and a salty taste lingers on my tongue.

I know I'm tired, and my arms shake.

As I'm pushing the bar up, I feel the weight getting heavier in my hands.

"You need someone to spot you."

I don't respond because music is still blasting in my ears.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, and see an attractive face looking down on me, trying to get my attention.

I rack the bar, and get up from the bench and morph my face into an intimidating look. Attractive or not, this person was a stranger, so I keep my guard up.

"Uh, excuse me?" I ask this kid with an obvious annoyed tone. I turn around to glare at him. "What do you--"

I stop mid-sentence and just stare.

I finally get a good look at this "kid". It's Nick Ashton from school, actually, and he looks at me amusingly, unaffected by my demeanor.

His dirty blonde hair catches my attention-- it's deliberately parted to the side, tousled nicely. He regards me with amber eyes, a smile tugging at his lips

Shit, he's hot...

Snap out of it, Elena. He's not that hot.

"Uh, what were you saying?" I ask again.

"I was just saying how you need someone to spot you. If you're lifting weights too heavy for you, it's dangerous."

"The weight isn't even that heavy. I don't need a spotter." I snap back, annoyed. I shouldn't be though, because I know I'm in the wrong.

Nick raises an eyebrow. He shrugs and grumbles, "Sorry, just thought you needed help," and begins to turn away.

I sigh inwardly. "Alright fine, I don't know anyone here well enough to have them spot me."

He turns back around, and to my surprise he laughs.

"Yeah I get that. I mean, you can't exactly ask that old lady over there to spot you right?"

We both glance over at the treadmills and see this woman slaving away on the machine.

"Her gym vocabulary probably doesn't include much more than cardio." Nick decides to add on.

I eye him, irritated.

"Okay, okay, sorry. Didn't know you had a cardio thing too"

I roll my eyes at this guy. "Yeah, I like cardio."

He pauses for a second.

"Just think about my offer okay?"

"Uhh..."

"I'll see you around."

He shoulders his gym bag and saunters off, then turns back around and strides towards me.

He finds an old sticky note in his bag and scribbles something on it. "Here," he says, handing the scrap to me. "just in case."

He gives me a quick smile and walks off, leaving me on the bench to contemplate his offer.