Won't Be Sleeping Any Time Soon

Chapter 3- What the Hell are Bear Crawls?

"Why the hell are you in such a rush? You normally come home and sleep," Mag was unsettled with my urgency. I would've expected her to be used to me after being my roommate for two years.

"I got a job and I'm supposed to get prepared for the training in the gym but I don't remember the last time I worked out and I can't find my exercise clothes and I'm actually not sure that I've ever owned exercise clothes not to mention that I don't even know if I want this job and-" There those leggings were. I sure hope they fit.

"Dara. Calm down. Can you explain this to me a little bit slower and in more detail?" Mag tried to mediate the situation as I struggled to pull the leggings over my thighs.

"I can when I get back!" I responded as I hopped out the door, realizing it was the second time I'd cut a conversation short in the past five minutes.

I stopped at the water fountain to fill up my bottle. I pulled up the map on my datapad and double-checked the fitness center's location, and then I was on my way.

***

After about five minutes, I finally managed to find the locker room. It took an additional five minutes for me to figure out how to open the locker, and then five more minutes to find a list of exercises that seemed legit. I went with Confirmed Stormtrooper Training Exercises, although I doubted they were accurate.

My exercises were going well until about half way through.

"What the hell are bear crawls?" I mindlessly said out loud, not expecting anyone to hear me. Then I heard a chuckle. I turned around to see a younger man sitting on one of the weightlifting machines.

"Oops. I didn't think anyone was listening." Not gonna lie, slightly embarrassing.

"It's okay." He didn't seem to be judging me for not knowing what bear crawls were, so that was a good thing. By the way, what are bear crawls?

"They're kind of hard to explain. Mind if I show you?" He got onto the ground on all fours and began to crawl around the floor. After a more than decent amount of crawling, he stood back up, brushed off his hands, and looked towards me.

"Growling is optional."

"So they are literal bear crawls?"

"Pretty much!"

"Oh. Now I feel stupid." Nice going Dara. How many times can you make a fool out of yourself in one day?

"Don't worry about it. I'm Taren!" Oh no. He wants to have a conversation.

"I'm Dara, nice to meet you!" I extended my hand, and he shook it. Was my handshake firm enough? I made a mental note to stop overthinking everything.

"Are you in your third year?"

"I graduate this year." How was I supposed to cut off this conversation?

"Oh, I'm only in my second year. That must be why I've never seen you before."

"That makes sense. I'm super sorry Taren, but I actually have a meeting to go to tonight. Maybe I'll see you around?" I mean, it was an attempt at letting him down kindly.

"Oh okay. See ya, Dara!" He didn't seem too disappointed, so success? Is it bad that I don't want to see him around? Yes. Stop that. Don't be a dick.

Thankfully, opening the locker to take my stuff out was a lot easier than opening it for the first time was. I figured I'd run back to my dorm since my workout was cut short by my social awkwardness. Good going.