Her legs were starting to feel the strain and her lungs filled and emptied rapidly. She pressed the increase speed button and lengthened her stride, moving into a full sprint. Her music blared in her ears and helped to block out the voice in her head. She slowed when the sweat was pouring down her body and her lungs felt like they would burst. She checked her heart rate and kept slowing the treadmill down as her heart rate slowed. When she finally slowed to a stop she stood next to the machine and grabbed her towel, quickly wiping her face and neck. She almost choked on her water when Hanna Marin, of all people, walked into the empty school gym.
"Uhm Hey Hanna." Paige walked over to her after watching her look around like a deer in headlights for a few moment. She rolled her earphones up, shoving them into her pocket.
"Paige, Hi." There was a moment of awkward silence as Hanna looked around the room and Paige watched her, contemplating what to do. "I don't want to ever be Hefty Hanna again." Hanna finally broke the silence, looking down at her hands.
"Okay?" Paige looked at her curiously, why would Hanna even think about the stupid name Alison had once gave her. "Oh, uhm okay." She continued when Hanna looked at her expectantly, "Come on."
Paige led her through some warm up stretches. When Paige was confident that the other girl was properly warmed up she led her over to the punching bag. After quickly wrapping her hands and helping her to slip on the gloves, Paige stood behind the bag.
"Make sure to keep your thumb under your knuckles. Never inside your fist." She advised, giving Hanna an encouraging smile.
Hanna hit the bag softly, causing Paige to chuckle gently. "Don't be afraid to hit it Han. Whatever or whoever made you think you would become who you used to be, focus on proving them wrong and just let it go."
Hanna's hits became harder and came faster, and under Paige's guidance about her footwork she started feeling the exercise. When her energy started waning Paige stopped her and handed her, her own water bottle. Hanna took it gratefully and sat down, clumsily taking a drink with gloved hands.
"Paige?" Hanna held out her hands and Paige deftly untied the laces and pulled them off. They sat in silence as Hanna finished the water.
"Paige?"
"Hmm?" Paige looked up and found Hanna biting her lip.
"Do you think I could be a jock?"
Paige's eyes furrowed at the range of emotions playing in Hanna's eyes. "Do you want to be a jock?"
"I don't know." Hanna laid back, her arms behind her back. "I don't want to be Alison 2.0 anymore."
"Hanna." Paige's voice was so soft and full of empathy that Hanna couldn't help but look over at her. "You are nothing like Alison."
"Mona tried to make me like her." Hanna broke their eye contact. "My hair, my clothes."
"Mona failed. Because you are nothing like her." Paige repeated.
"Then who am I?" Hanna sat up, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"Sweet, caring, hilariously funny." Paige grinned, "You go above and beyond for the people you care about. You're also much stronger than anyone thinks. You are the most amazing Hanna Marin."
"It's never that simple." Hanna murmured.
"It can be. Once you start living for yourself instead of others it gets better."
Hanna was quiet as she contemplated what Paige said. The silence was broken when Hanna's phone beeped. She took it out and read the text with a sigh. "I have to go."
Paige smiled and nodded, standing and helping Hanna up. " Do what makes you happy, and never let anyone make you feel bad about it, live for you. See you around Han."
"Paige?" Hanna paused waiting for her to meet her gaze. "Thank you."
Paige knew she wasn't just talking about the work out. "Anytime."
Hanna walked out leaving Paige to her thoughts.
The next day Paige was at her locker when Hanna entered the school, she chuckled when she saw Hanna had changed her hair and the slight changes in her clothes. When Hanna walked passed her she placed a hand on her arm and smiled before she continued on her way.