She shook her pre–workout vigorously, making sure to mix it well. Her eyes gazed on the room, her mind distant as she tried her best to tear her mind away from the previous conversation. She couldn't help but feel out of place, she was already so different from the others, Christine's death only alienated her more. She downed her pre–workout, grim acing at its tangy, sweet flavor. She wasn't a big fan of sour things, that was more of Christine's forte, but she had to admit this flavor appealed to her. Ahead of her Dean did a walk around of the gym, leaving the students wide-eyed as if they'd never seen a gym before.
Auburn rolled her eyes, taking a quick swig of her pre-workout before walking over to a secluded corner of the workout, pulling out a blue gymnastics pad and standing over it with her feet planted on both sides. She took another long swig of her drink, downing half out it in one go before she stretched. She began with head rolls, feeling the heavy weight of her head roll fluidly from one side to the other, feeling the muscles pull and relax. She wasn't aware that Dean was watching her from across the room. He had dismissed the class, allowing them to do their own workouts. So far, she was the only one doing the right thing by stretching first. She moved on to shoulder rolls, loosening her rotator cuffs and making sharp eye contact with Dean. She placed her earbuds delicately in her ear, turning her iPod on. Waiting by Chris Brown started and she timed her workout with the rhythm. She flattened her back out, keeping her head down and slowly bent forward until she was able to touch the floor, her legs shoulder width apart. She felt her hamstrings straining then release with sudden relief. She touched her right foot, fully aware of Dean's eyes on her. She saw black ring shoes come into view and blinked.
"Hey, Auburn. Need any help?" Amber's sweet voice just barely broke through her music. Auburn stood up straight and smiled at her.
"Yeah, actually would you mind helping me with my splits?" She asked, Amber gave her a weird look but accepted. The two sat on the floor with Amber sitting with her legs opening only a few inches farther than her shoulders whereas Auburn was full spread save for an inch. Amber blinked and gawked at her new found friends flexibility.
"What the actual fuck?"
"I told you I was a dancer," Auburn laughed softly at Amber's reaction. Amber planted her feet on Auburn's knees and pulled at her arms. Auburn straightened her hips and allowed her groin muscles to stretch.
"Yeah, but still,"
"We'll get you to this point, too, if you want? Personally I'm just happy you came along. I was afraid sir kick ass over there was going to have to help me." She mumbled, purposefully avoiding Dean's watchful gaze. Amber snorted suddenly, making Auburn jump.
Dean watched intensely, cocking an eye brow at the startled Auburn. Huffing, he made his way over to the chest compress machine, though he preferred training in the out doors. He sat down, adjusting the weights to the appropriate number and braced himself. He hadn't stretched yet, nor had he used work out machines in a while. Normally he just drove out to the desert with two dumb bells and a weight belt and trained in the shining, golden sand. Out of his peripheral he could see Auburn and the shorter red head stand, making their way to the treadmills. Part of him wondered if she loved running as much as he did. From the looks of it, she did. His mind reflected on the night prior, when he told her to quit. He wasn't technically wrong, she had no real want to be on wrestling. He never let her tell her story. She was dedicated and loyal, selfless and cut off from the rest of the world it seemed. He was intrigued by her, he had to admit. He'd have to see the way she wrestled.
Auburn had started her pace slow and steady, slowly jogging and tuning into her music. She fought the urge to stare at Dean's perfectly toned biceps as he focused on his workout. She'd never forgive herself if he caught her staring, that would just be one more thing for him to hold over her head. She'd been jogging for ten minutes, Amber was next to her, exhausted but still pushing herself past her limit. Unlike Auburn, Amber had started her workout at full sprint. Auburn smirked slightly, turning her pace up from a 3 to a 7. Nothing she couldn't handle. At this rate her new found friend wouldn't last five minutes more of the workout. Auburn snuck her hand over and brought down her friends speed.
"Relax girl, you'll hurt yourself if you just jump into it like that. Try going slower, you'll last longer and you will work on your endurance and stamina." Auburn advised. Amber gave her an appreciative glance and continued her workout. Dean had just finished his and had decidedly taken up the treadmill beside her. Auburn glanced over at him when he hadn't started his workout. An ice cold shiver ran down her spine as she found that his blue eyes were staring straight at her. He lazily leaned to his left, looking down at her as he chewed his gum. She took an earbud out of her ear.
"Can I ask why you are staring at me?" Auburn grumbled.
"You can, doesn't mean I'm gonna answer you."
"Of course not. That would be too easy." She rolled her eyes and went to place her earbud back in to her ear only to be stopped by a moist, too hot hand. She glared up at him.
"Have a beer with me and the guys tonight." It wasn't a question. It was an order, as much as Auburn hated it when someone ordered her around she couldn't help but think about how wonderful a refreshing beer would taste. She paused before answering, mulling it over.
"Buy my beer and it's a date." She said, wincing once she realized what she said and the smirk that came from him. She wasted no time in putting the earbud back in her ear before continuing her running, hoping he'd mistake her blush for a workout flush. She'd never be that lucky though, she never was.
