Finding Myself In The Real World

Chapter 10

*Above picture is Parrish*

Xander went through many changes in life. When he turned ten, he was now in the double digits. When he turned 14, he started his first year of high school. When he turned 17, he finished the final year of high school and started university. At the age of 19, he was able to drink in Canada, and at 21 he could drink in the United States. There was one point in his life when he had just turned 25 and finished his fourth year of university. He had finally gone through his acne stage and now was quite... Hot. He had grown taller and his face thinned out, finally getting rid of his baby cheeks. He had taken to going to the gym a couple times, for an hour, during the week. It had really helped to get rid of the excess fat on his stomach and to strengthen his muscles. He had already gone through a number of boyfriends over the years and he was on a new one. He knew this one wasn't going to last long, his name was Parrish and he was very sweet but Xander had yet to see another side of one.

"I'm honestly getting bored of him," Xander complained over the phone to Brody. They were talking about their love life's, of course, Amelia and Brody had broken up when she decided to attend Yale University and Brody stayed at home. Brody didn't seem to have a new girlfriend but Xander sure was annoyed with his boyfriend, Parrish.

"All he does is smile sweetly, we're still only at the stage of kisses and it been three weeks, I don't know Brody. He's not going to last long. He opens doors for me, sends me lovey-dovey text messages, he says 'XO' in his texts." Xander had been appalled when Parrish hadn't made any moves in the first week. By the second week he was getting slightly annoyed, and now in the third week, Xander knew they wouldn't last long.

"Listen, bro, just give it a couple more... days. You never know." Brody answered sighing. Xander nodded but knew in his head, he would break it off tonight.

"Okay Brody, I'm going to hit the gym, I'll talk to you soon," Xander spoke finally and hung up before Brody could answer.

On the way to the gym, Xander couldn't help but think about the pros and cons of dumping Parrish. Pros: Bye bye Parrish, Cons: I won't have a boyfriend Pros: No more annoying, being treated like a girl stuff, Cons: ...

'Yup. Guess I really am dumping him...' Xander sighed, realizing he had about ten more pros than cons. Arriving at the gym, he pulled his stuff out of the car, taking in a white Honda he had never seen before.

"Hey, Linda." He greeted the receptionist and slipped past as she nodded happily at him. Getting ready in the change room; he slammed his locker door shut, trudged slowly through the showers and finally out into the gym area. He immediately noticed the usual, Dave was running on the treadmill, Katrina was doing weights and a few others were scattered around the gym doing various exercises. Xander did happen to notice a few new girls, all wearing sports bras, and spandex tights, who were laughing around a water fountain. One of them pointed him out and they all turned away, covering their hands, he assumed they were giggling. He grimaced and moved towards the step treadmill (You walk while stepping up stairs) and started it up. He slipped his gym card in and it set the machine for his usual time.

"Hi, my names Louise." A soft girls voice sounded from beside him. Xander jolted and looked around, his eyes falling on a girl. She had soft, brown eyes and strawberry blonde hair.

"Hi." He replied stoically. Her smile fell slightly, and he felt guilty... for about two minutes.

"What's your name?" The girl - Louise - asked nervously, twiddling with her thumbs, while her machine booted up. Xander inwardly sighed, not wanting to deal with a chick right now.

"Xander." He knew he was being rude, but he could care less. Louise, once again, lowered her smile, and he cursed at himself. The two machines chimed at the same time, and immediately they were climbing on together. Xander plugged his earbuds in, and he blocked out people's heavy breathing.