2nd
He didn't have a lot of experience with girls. He didn't date in high school and college consisted of a few double and blind dates that his best friend set up for him. None of them worked out though. The few dates he went on in college, most likely ended with the girl leaving angry and him sitting there trying to figure out what he had said. Talking to girls was something he always struggled with.
So when he found himself wanting to know more about this girl, he became frightened. Frightened that he'd screw it up and offend her. Frightened that she'd reject him and he would have to find another time to go to the gym. Frightened because he'd never been this captivated by a girl, and this feeling he had was very unfamiliar. He wanted to ask his best friend for help. How to talk to this girl without screwing it up. But he didn't know how to word it. The irony in not knowing how to ask his friend how to talk to a girl.
And in this moment he didn't even realize that she was running right beside him.
...
His phone alarm he had set this morning rang, interrupting his music. He took out his earbuds, slowing down the speed of the treadmill as he turned off the alarm and his music. He checked the time even though he knew he set the alarm for 6:50am. He had to cut his gym time short this morning because of an early meeting. He slowly began to lower the speed until he reached a walking pace. He wasn't breathing too heavily but he opted for some water. He knew it was important to drink plenty of water after a workout. As he puts his mouth to the opening, he can feel a pair of eyes on him. He takes a large gulp of the refreshment and moves his eyes to the left side. He almost chokes on his water when he sees the girl quickly looking away from him. He looks away as well, but not before noticing the pink on her cheeks. Was she staring at me? He thought, suddenly a little giddy. He's caught multiple girls staring at me multiple times but he's never enjoyed it. But this wasn't a regular girl, staring at him across the bar. This was the girl who was at the gym from 6:00-7:00 am who gave him this weird thing. This weird feeling. And the thought that she might've been looking at him, well it was another feeling he's never experienced before.
He screws the lid back onto his water bottle and completely stops the treadmill, grabbing his phone and earbuds in the process. He gives a quick glance at the girl beside him before stepping off the treadmill. She looks focused in front of her, running at a fast speed. Her long blonde hair in a ponytail, swaying as she ran. The athletic shorts that would rise just a little after every step, and the gray tank top, revealing her intoxicating form. He lets a quick grin escape him as he walks to the locker rooms.
...
Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought, bumping her speed even faster.
She had heard the sound of his treadmill slowing down and the softer his steps were becoming. Her eyes followed the sound without thinking and there she was, staring at the olive-skinned man. A bead of sweat slipping down his forehead and the way his muscles would contract as he held his water bottle to his lips, well it was a sight she didn't expect to see at 6:50 in the morning. And when he noticed her gaze, and looked over to her, well now her muscles in the blood vessels of her cheeks were contracting. She focused on a piece of machinery in front of her and prayed to God that he would be gone soon. The thought of being caught staring a guy, the thought made her cringe. She didn't want to be seen as a girl who stared at men all the time, because she didn't. But she did stare at this particular guy, this particular guy who was quiet and reserved and intriguing. And she didn't know why. Maybe it was that weird feeling.
After he left, it was finally time for her to stop running. She continued to yell at herself in her head all the way to the locker rooms.
...
He decided to change for work in the gym today. It would be a waste to go back home for a shower and he was already short on time. After showering and changing into the appropriate suit and tie for work, he began the trek to his car.
He walked out of the locker room, turning the corner and walking right into her. But he didn't realize that. He set his bag on the ground and kneeled down to help stack all the papers that had fallen out of her hand and onto the ground. They restlessly gathered all the sheets until they were all back in her hand. And when she thanked him, he looked up. And he saw her up close.
Her long eyelashes protecting the blue-gray orbs that were entrancing him. Her slender nose above her soft pink lips. Her clear skin that was the perfect skin tone.
They both stumbled onto their feet, now standing still just taking in each other's appearance. She was now was wearing a sweatshirt, probably over her tank top.
"Uh sorry for bumping into you." She finally says, her voice soft and kind. He's never heard her voice before. He quickly shakes his head, not letting her take the blame.
"No, I wasn't really paying attention. I'm sorry for knocking all your papers out of your hand." He responds, glancing down at the stack of papers.
"Oh it's fine." She reassures, still a little flustered with pink returning to her cheeks. They stand there for a second, not saying anything, not knowing what to say.
"Four!" The sound of his name pulls his attention away from the girl in front of him and he turns around to see who the owner of the voice is.
"Yeah?" He calls back to his best friend, now walking towards him and the girl.
"I have your speaker." He says once he's close enough to hand it to him. He had forgotten that he let him borrow it. He takes the portable black speaker and nods his head. He notices Zeke look over at the girl in front of him. "Hey Tris." He says smoothly. Tris. That's what her name was. He never knew her name, until now. He turns back around to face her, to finally connect a name with the girl.
"Hey Zeke." She greets back with a smile. A smile. Something he'd never seen her do. And he wondered why he would ever miss the moment when she smiled. Because that damn feeling inside of him, the one already twisting after bumping into her, was now growing at the sight of her smile.
"Thanks for letting me borrow it man." Zeke thanks, bringing him out of his head. He nods again.
"Yeah sure." He replies back, finally taking his eyes off the girl in front of him. Off Tris. His friend smiles back at him, a smile he knows too well.
"Well I have to get back, I'll see you guys later." His friend exclaims after giving Four another look. He begins to walk away and now it's just the girl and him. Four and Tris. He gathers his gym bag that was resting on the floor and she grabs hers. Does he say something? Do something? He thought. He didn't want to say something unknowingly rude to her, so he stays quiet.
She finally speaks up again.
"Uh have a good day." She attempts, not knowing what else to say. He nods quickly, taking this opportunity to not mess this up.
"Thanks, you too!" He says, almost nervously. She nods again and gives him a close-mouthed smile before starting to walk away, past him.
He stands there for a second, not really caring about his meeting that he needs to be at in twenty minutes. Just this girl. Tris. The blonde hair, blue-gray eyed, petite, girl.
And this damn feeling. This thing in his chest and stomach and head it was confusing and complex and it was something he couldn't name. It was annoying. It was something he never felt before.
It was intriguing.