Indefinite

four.

I took a deep breath, staring out of my car window at the gym that Kathleen had told me she owned. I grabbed my purse, and got out of the car, hoping she was working today.

Rule Number Twenty-One: Remember all of the details: Big or small. They might come in handy some day.

I walked up to the front desk, ringing the bell. I heard someone yell that they were coming, before I saw Kathleen emerge from the employee area. It took her a moment to recognize me, but the moment she did, a large smile broke on her face.

"Eden?" She rushed over to give me a hug, and I quickly returned it. "It's been so long!"

"I know!" I exclaimed, feigning a large smile. "I'll be in town on business for a few days, and I knew I had to come and say hi."

Rule Number Twenty-Two: Have multiple excuses and alibis, detailed or not.

"Why didn't you give me a call? We could have made plans!"

"I wasn't sure if the number was still the same."

"Still is." She smiled, "Where are you staying?"

"Haven't made it that far yet." I laughed.

"You should come stay with me for a few days!" She suggested. "It will give us some time to catch up!"

"Are you sure it's ok?" I made my voice sound worried.

"Definitely! I live alone now, so I'm in total need of a sleepover."

"Thank you so much." I said sincerely. She had just made things significantly easier.

"I get off in about two hours, then we can go out and do something." She told me, motioning to the gym around us. "You're welcome to use anything here, as long as you have some workout clothes."

I gave her a smile, nodding, before running out to my car and grabbing a pair of shorts and a sports bra.

I changed in the womens locker room, and locked up my clothes and purse with a lock Kathleen gave me. I set up my headphones, before going out onto the floor and claiming a tredmil. I may as well get some cardio in while I can.

Rule Number Twenty-Three: You must be in shape, and it always helps to be stronger than an opponent.

I ran at a steady pace for about an hour, before switching to some weights. I had just got started, before Kathleen came over.

"My three O'clock canceled on me," She told me excitedly, "Do you still do martial arts?"

"It's been a while." I admitted, setting the weights I was using down.

"Up for some sparring for the last hour?"

"Always." I smiled. This would be a great way to see how much of a challenge she would become.

Kat lead me into a private back room, that looked like it would be some sort of martial arts classroom.

She quickly warmed up before we began, glad I had already been warmed up. We gracefully danced  around in a circle, waiting for the other to make the first move.

Making the first move, I swung my leg up, but she easily caught it and pushed it upwards, causing me to have to roll backwards so I didn't lose my balance. She had gotten better since the last time I had seen her.

Rule Number Twenty-Four: Evaluate your targets strength before hand, so you know what you are up against.

"I got my brown belt last year." She explained, motioning to a display on the far wall. Taking this moment of distraction, she kicked me in the stomach, causing me to stagger backwards. It was definitely going to hurt tomorrow.

"I can see." We laughed, throwing a few punches and blocking a few return ones. The hour passed by quickly, and by the end we were both covered in a thin layer of sweat.

She suggested to go back to her apartment to shower before we went out, and gave me the general directions in case I couldn't follow her. We made it to her little apartment building in close to ten minutes, with only minor hiccups.

Her apartment was average, and I took the time to survey it when she was in the shower. We cleaned up quickly, laughing and making small talk, before getting ready to leave.

"We should go back to that karaoke bar we went to!"she enthused, mentioning the place we had met.

"You're still not going to get me to sing." I pointed out, making sure my purse had everything I needed in it.

"Your loss." She laughed grabbing her purse and a coat off of the hooks by the door. "Then we will just go find you a man."

I genuinely laughed at her words as we put our coats on and walked out the door, linking arms as we walked to her car.

What horrible thing had she done to make it on my list?