Don't Let Me Go

Jonathan was at the gym trying to get a work-out in afterschool.

Usually, he did two hours but his mind wasn't in it that day. There was a lot going on in his head and usually going to the gym helped but today was different.

He felt like he needed to punch and destroy a few things. Maybe that would make him feel better.

His leg had been hurting him too which didn't help. He had started going to practice this week and he was probably overexerting himself. The Physical Therapist had told him about that but he was determined to play.

It had only been ten minutes since he'd walked into the gym and his motivation was lacking.

He was sitting on a bench trying to find a song to play when he looked up and saw Iris.

She had just walked into the gym with her headphones, a water bottle, a towel, and her phone.

Since when did she go to the gym?

He got up, a grin on his face, heading over to her and placing his arms on the treadmill she had just stepped onto.

"Jonathan! Hey!" she said smiling.

"Hey," he said grinning, "Since when do you go to the gym?"

"Two months strong," she told him grinning.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yup," she said, "You should be proud. You always used to talk to me about my lack of gym appearance,¨

"Oh, I am but also surprised,"

"You know I've been doing a lot that's surprising people lately, I'm not sure if that's good," she said grinning.

"Well if it's stuff like this then I can't imagine it would be bad,"

She grinned, "Did you just get here?" she asked.

"Yeah, but I think I'm going to leave. I have zero motivation to do anything,"

"Well, luckily you have me. Come on. We'll work out together,"

"Really? Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, come on. I'm sure you can teach me a few things,"

He shrugged, "Alright,"

He grabbed his stuff hopping onto the treadmill next to her.

"I usually do a mile for a warmup," she told him.

"Me too," he agreed.

"Alright, rookie, let's do this," she said

"Rookie?" he asked causing her to laugh.

She plugged in her headphones pressing the start button.

She hated cardio but she knew that she needed it. She realized that going to the gym helped her have a clear mind.

On the treadmill, her phone rang and James' face popped up on her screen.

She still hadn't spoken to him about what Jonathan told her the other day but she wasn't sure how she would approach that conversation.

"Hey," she answered, "Can I call you back?"

"Hey, why do you sound like that?" he asked chuckling.

"Treadmill," she breathed.

"Oh, okay. You're by yourself?" he asked

"No. I ran into Jonathan actually,"

A pause, "Oh. Okay, cool."