"Harder," Coach spits in my face. I give his glove another swing, breathing out as I exert.
"I said harder! Can you hear?" he pushes me again.
I hit him more forcefully this time and he takes a step back.
"Better. That's good for today, hit the showers," Coach tells me.
"Same time tomorrow?" I ask.
"You bet. If you want to be ready for the tourney, we are going to have to work this hard everyday," he tells me.
"Of course, Coach. I want to be as ready as possible," I say.
"Good. See you then," he dismisses me.
I pick up my towel to wipe the sweat off my forehead, face, and neck. My body is aching but it's the best feeling.
I grab my bag and step out of the multi-purpose room and head over to the bathroom to shower.
The tournament is in three short months. I know that sounds like a lot of time, but there is never enough time. Time will run out, everything will run out.
My thoughts cloud my mind as I feel myself bump into a firm arm.
I hear the person scoff and I look up to apologize.
"Helga?" I say, completely surprised. I haven't seen her in years.
"Football Head?"
"Hey," I say. I'm not quite sure what to say. The last time I saw her was junior year of high school and here we are five years later.
"I didn't know you come to this gym. Hey where have you been the last few years anyway?" she asks. I use this time to finally take in her appearance.
She's wearing navy blue shorts and a gray tank top. Her legs are toned and her arms are shaped. Her tight stomach constrains against her clingy top. Wow, she is in shape. Her shoulder looks as though it has been indented from an accident.
"Um, I was moving around a bit but I'm back now. How have you been?" I ask and sling my bag over my other shoulder. I don't know why I am suddenly nervous. It's Helga, we have been friends for years.
"I just got back from stationing at Iraq last week," she says like it's no big deal.
"Oh I didn't know you served," I say. "I guess I missed out on a lot," I say.
"Yeah I have been writing letters back and forth with Phoebe though so she keeps me up to date on everything. You just kind of left though. Where did you go again?" she asks.
"Um, with my cousin. Remember Arnie?" I almost laugh of the memory of him being in love with her.
"I sure remember him," she half laughs. "So did you just get done with your workout?" she asks. I'm surprised by how normal of a conversation we are having. We both sort of left each other alone in high school years and I haven't talked or seen her since I left.
"Yeah, I was working on the punching bags then my coach comes to train me," I explain.
"Oh, so you're a boxer," she smirks. "Never imagined the lover Arnold turning into a fighter," she laughs.
"Hey, it's not fighting, it's a sport," I try to defend and keep a straight face but I end up cracking a smile as well.
"Whatever you say, Arnoldo. It's still fighting," she smirks and crosses her arms.
I only roll my eyes at her. "Really? We are twenty two and you are still going to call me those childish nicknames?" I say.
"Of course. I can't let you forget where you come from," she smirks again. "Anyway, I got to get on with my work out. I can't let these muscles go to waste," she says and flexes her arms.
"Show off," I smile at her.
"Whatever. Maybe I'll see you around, Football Head," she says and passes by me into the weight room.
As I walk to the bathroom, I ponder over what just happened. I just bumped into Helga Pataki, my past tormenter, bully, classmate, partner, friend, and we had a normal conversation. We didn't talk much in high school but I guess I never noticed how much she changed.
Her personality is lighter somehow, and she seems more at peace with herself and stronger about her persona, but there is no doubt she could tell me off any minute. I guess serving did her good.
I start to think about what to do with the rest of the day and I get an epiphany. It's crazy, but what is life if you're not a little crazy sometimes?
I walk back to the weight room and see Helga doing one hundred pound bicep curls. Jesus.
"Hey," I say after she finishes her set.
"You again?" she teases me with a smile. "What's up, did I drop something?"
"No, um. Are you doing anything tonight?" I ask. My eyes dart from hers then I focus back on them.
"Uh… no." She's surprised by my question.
"Would you like to go out for dinner tonight? I was just thinking of going to Vince's," I ask.
"S-sure," she says after a few moments of silence. "I'd love to," she replies and her voice picks back up.
"Okay, should we exchange numbers? I can pick you up whenever is convenient for you. How about six thirty?" I ask. I feel like I'm rambling.
"That sounds good," she says and leans against the bar rack. "You have your phone? I'll put my number in," she says and I dig through my bag to find it.
I place it in her hand and wait as she punches her number in.
"That should do it. I'll text you for my address later," she says and goes to move up her weights.
"Okay, great. See you then," I say and almost hop out of the gym.
Why am I so giddy? I guess I just miss talking to people from my hometown who actually understand me. Even though we have had our differences, I know Helga is one of my true friends and wouldn't judge me.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked her. I know it's not good of me to get close to people, but it's just one dinner. How far could that go?
A/N: I'm back :) I have missed the fanfiction community! Someone hacked my account and deleted my stories, so they are gone now… I changed my password though so I hope I won't have that problem again. I miss everyone :)