…22, 23, 24, 25

Chloe exhaled once finishing her fourth and final set of push ups. She stood up, wiping her forehead with her towel and placing it around her neck; grabbing her water bottle in the process. Wincing as a cold water droplet fell on her bare stomach, she tilted the bottle and drank a few sips. Sighing in satisfaction, she made her way to the punching bag—the final part of her morning routine.

The girl put on her earphones and adjusted her wrist wraps, sliding her boxing gloves in. She smiled down at them, remembering all of the matches she's had with them. They're a bit worn down, so she just uses them for her routines and training now.

She got into fighting stance and started.

Left hook. Right hook. Jab. Left Hook. Right Hook. Jab.

She kept the sequence going, increasing the speed and force as time went by, the girl completely in the zone as punk music blasted through her earphones.

A girl walked in, lightly knocking on the open door as she did so. She looked at the punk punching the bag, impressed.

The girl eyed her from behind, she could see her glistening back muscles tense as she threw her punches, and how her black sports bra complimented her fair skin. She shaked the thoughts from her head, remembering why she was here in the first place.

"Ahem."

Chloe stopped and took away an earphone, looking over her shoulder at the girl.

"Can I help you?" she replied, a bit too hostile for her taste.

"Uh- my name is Max. I was wondering if I could train in here? Or, you know, be taught?"

Chloe chuckled, taking away her other earphone, and turned herself completely to face Max.

"What makes you think you can handle this?" she replied with a mocking tone.

"We all have to start somewhere, or did you know how to do that punch sequence as soon as you left the womb?" Max scoffed. "You don't have to be such a dick about it, fine I'll go somewhere else—"

Chloe genuinely laughed at the girl's retort. She was surprised by the sudden audacity and spunk that came out of her. The fire in her eyes reminded her of herself when she's in a match. She could work with this.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, I'm just really picky with my clients. It's my gym after all, not anyone can come in here and be part of this, or else it would be a hell hole."

Max was taken aback by the punk's change in the demeanor, she was more welcoming now.

"Wait, am I in?" Max said, her smile increasing as she said each word.

"First, you need to show me what you got."

"Take off your jacket—and shirt." she added with a wink.

"What? Why?" Max said, crossing her arms.

"You think you'll be able to train in that? You're going to get hot, although you already are." Chloe said, revelling in the girl's blush. "But seriously, I won't do anything, I just mess around like this. I promise. Scouts honor." Chloe added reassuringly, doing a symbol with her hand.

Max laughed.

"That's the Vulcan salute doofus."

"I know, it's better right?" Chloe replied, wiggling her eyebrows.

"You're ridiculous. Alright, don't look."

Chloe turned her back and covered eyes. It wasn't exactly a walk in the park, but she was able to resist her temptation.

"Okay, done. Now what?" Max said, a bit nervous, evident by the way she was fidgeting with her hands.

Chloe took a good look at her, surprised by how toned her stomach was. Her biceps were on the right track too, she could see some light definition there.

"How long have you been working out?" Chloe asked, trying her best to be professional and not look down again, but it was a bit distracting.

"Like 4 months? I think. I haven't exactly been keeping track of time as of late…" Max trailed off, a sudden darkness filling her eyes for a split second, Chloe noticing it.

"Okay, well you're actually in pretty good condition. Is there any reason you started working out?" Chloe asked hesitantly.

"Ah–uh, it's a bit personal, but I feel like I can trust you." Max replied.

"My parents were concerned about me, I wasn't talking or eating for a while. I have a severe case of depression & anxiety. My pills just made me feel emotionless and numb. They thought I should have some sort of outlet to focus my energy in, and the doctors said kickboxing was a good one. I thought I should at least work out a little first, so I wouldn't be a complete noob, and then join a gym. So here I am." she added with a weak smile.

"Oh wow. That hella sucks dude, I'm sorry. I've had depression ever since my dad died. I started kickboxing as a way to vent all of the anger I had with the world, and ended up growing pretty close to it. Built this place from scratch with my step-dad, my mom even gave me some money to start it. I'm so lucky to have them. I was such an idiot, it took me a while to realize it."

"Wowser. I'm happy you're in a better place now, Chloe." Max said, meaning it.

They were both surprised by how easily they could say those things to each other, it felt natural. They didn't quite know why, but the pair felt they could trust each other.

"Thank you. I hope you'll get better too, Max. It's long journey, but eventually you'll get there, I know it. But anyways, let's get that mushy shit out of the way, it's time to do some kickboxing!" Chloe said with a smile, taking a wrist wrap from the table.

She grabbed one of Max's hands delicately, the contact feeling like electricity.

Chloe cleared her throat, trying to deflect the sudden sensation.

"B-Before putting on boxing gloves you should always cover them with this, in order to protect them against injuries from punching." Chloe said as she proceeded to bandage them, mentally kicking herself because of her stutter.

Max nodded as Chloe talked. Chloe's sentences faded into the background as her eyes trailed from her blue hair, to her eyelashes, to the curve of her lips, to her girl couldn't help but gawk at her trainer's physique, she was beautiful. She bit her own lip as unholy ideas interrupted her train of thought, if she even had one to begin with, her attraction to the punk was almost palpable. Max shaked her head lightly, focusing herself back into hearing Chloe's words.

"…which is why Cotton wrap is better for training. Is the tension alright?"

Max almost laughed at the question, she looked up at Chloe, only now noticing her blue eyes, and Chloe just now noticing the girl's freckles.

"Oh, the tension is perfect." Max answered with a coy grin.

Chloe laughed nervously, feeling her face heat up.

"Okay. Now, you try." the punk said, as she handed her the wrap.

Max did as she was told, trying to hold back her smug grin, and started wrapping it around her wrist. She had to redo it a couple of times because of wrinkles, but she did it.

She stretched her hand out, trying to determine if it's comfortable or not; it was manageable.

"Good job." Chloe smiled at her, placing her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Let's get started."