Change of Plan

1. Sherlock or Einstein?

"So today, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to do a intense, strenuous 25 minute work out."

"I swear strenuous is basically the same as intense." I muttered.

"You. Are. Going. To. Die." My friend, Noah, chuckled.

"Oh... did someone invite Sherlock into the building?" I retorted. "Tell me something I don't know Einstein."

"Sherlock or Einstein... which one is it Hollie?"

I rolled my eyes as a response and tried to concentrate on something other then the fact I had to do a "intense, strenuous 25 minute work out". I honestly never knew six words would bring about this level of mental suffering. You see, I'm not a sporty person. I don't like sport or any other kind of exercise for that matter. It's torture for me. I am physically and mentally not able to do any workout that lasts longer then 3 minutes. I'm a "three minutes of work then an hour of rest" girl.

"Hollie? Coach is going start screaming at you if you don't look like you doing something."

"I am doing something though... I'm thinking."

Noah pivoted around, yep he was in sport mode, and glared at me. I flashed him a cheesy smile, my signature look when I was being a smart-ass, and his stone-cold eyes thawed out and he smiled in return. I seem to have a knack at getting out of things, I mean I've had seventeen years of practice. However, I had a feeling getting out of a workout would be a little difficult. I grabbed my tangled hair with both hands before tying it up with two blue hair ties. With a mane like mine, it's necessary to have two hair ties at all times.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1." Coach shouted and because of the span of the gym, his voice ricochet against the walls and bounced back in everyone's faces.

"Hey, Noah, if I don't make it, tell my family I love them."

His slight nod told me that he had registered what I had said but that there was no chance I was ever getting a proper answer. It was all too late now anyway, the coach had begun and everyone was plunged into the world of burpees, squats and press-ups. My idea of hell.

***

You know that feeling you get when you've slept on your arm weirdly and you wake up and can't feel it? Well that's exactly how I feel now. Except with my whole body. I could barely change back into my standard t-shirt and jeans look. 

After I had finished tying up my converse, I walked - more like hobbled - over towards the mirror. My face was flushed red like I had just seen a cute guy smile at me and my baby hairs were sticking out all over the place. I lifted the handle of the facet next to the mirror and quickly splashed the water onto my hands before patting the baby hairs back in place. My hair was still a mess, it mostly always was, so I pulled on the hair ties holding it in place. During the removal process, one of the hair ties decided that it didn't want to leave and got tangled within my forest of a mane. 

"Seriously." I groaned.

I continuously struggled but the hair tie was not loosening the grip on my hair. It got to the point where I couldn't even see it. My hair has begun to look like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards. I was near the point of giving up and just looking like a demon for the rest of the day when my phone buzzed. I grabbed it quickly from the locker room bench and a sudden burst of pain shot through my side and arm. 

"Hollie, never do that again." I winced as I turned my phone on.

Nooaaahhh: Hollie... what's taking you so long? I've been stood waiting for you for like ten minutes.

Me: I'm trying to get a goddamn hair tie out of my hair, which is a difficult process so quit complaining.

Me: Actually... can you be a babe and come help me? I can't find it Noah, my hair has engulfed the hair tie.

Nooaaahhh: You want me to go into the girl's locker room and retrieve a hair tie from your head?

Me: I promise you no one is in here. Plleeeeaaasssee. I'll buy you food.

Nooaaahhh: No one is in there?

Me: No one.

Nooaaahhh: Fine.

Me: Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you.

A few seconds later, Noah popped his head into the locker room sheepishly. He did a round sweep before walking in and quickly shutting the door.

"Hollie, I can't believe I'm doing this. If coach sees me he'll freak out."

"Noah, Coach can't come in here anyway so don't worry about that. Also, live a little. It's only me and you've known me since we were ten so I think we're good." I reassured him.

"Ok we good, it's all casual here." 

I laughed back as his 6ft self leaned against the pink tiles. His ash brown hair was pushed back into a sort of quiff and there were a few sweat beads near his hair line. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt that showed off his defined arm muscles as well as collar bones, black skinny jeans and black vans. His face was in perfect alignment and eyes bore the colour of turquoise seas. His jawline was noticeably sharp and made him stand out from crowds. He was attractive, clean-cut, handsome, hot, whatever you would call it. You wouldn't think we'd be friends judging on appearance. He is good-looking while I'm just unattractive. I have a wild dirty blonde mane and slate eyes as well as borderline pudgy cheeks. I have a hourglass figure, which is something I do like, but I just don't wear the right clothes to pull it off. My wardrobe consists of darker colours, denim, t-shirts and maybe the occasional dress. I bet when people see me walking next to Noah they think I'm his little sister or something. Doesn't really boost my confidence, especially when I think about it while I have a hair tie stuck in my hair.

"So... you gonna help me get it out or...?"

"Oh yea." He replied before moving off the pink tiles and standing behind me.

He searched for a minute before finding it and then began fiddling with my hair to try and make it come loose.

"Sorry if this hurts."

"It's fine." I responded before glancing up at the mirror. 

His face bore the mark of true concentration as he tried to remove the hair tie from my head. Around thirty seconds lately, he held it up and looked into the mirror at me. He grinned before handing it back. 

"Thanks so much." I smiled back before quickly putting my hair back into a ponytail and giving him a quick hug.

I grabbed all my stuff and walked over to the door, Noah walking slightly behind me, cracking it open slightly to check if anyone was there. 

"Noah, you're good."  

He nodded as we both walked out the locker room and down the corridor towards the doors of the gym. As we went past another locker room, I noticed a few girls check Noah out and I laughed to myself. Everyone looks at him, which is understandable, but I think that in my entire 17 years of living, not one guy has checked me out.

I guess I'm destined to be lonely for my entire life.

______

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for checking out my new book and I hope you liked the first chapter. It would be great to know what you think, so please leave comments (but no hate)! I will be updating this book every week so please do check it out. Thanks again!