Dialogue prompts #43 “And you wonder why you’re single.” / #54 “Excuse me. I have to go make a scene.” / #64 “Do i regret it? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably.”
The General consensus of athletes says It’s always better to work out with a partner than alone—hence why Annie decided to bring Eren along with her to the new gym that opened up two weeks ago.
It was a small compact building, and since it was brand new, not lot of people came by it, which meant more weights and machines were available, and the showers weren't all taken. A good find for Annie, it was only a car ride away from her home too.
She entered the gym, Eren in tow; the sudden blast of the AC immediately sent shivers down their spines.
“Shit, it’s cold in here.” Eren rubbed at the goosebumps on his arms. “Where’s the Men's locker rooms?”
Annie adjusted her gym bag, “In the back, by the water fountain, I’m going there too, the Women’s locker rooms is right across.”
As expected, the gym was sparse of members, only two women occupied by the treadmills and there were a few guys occupying the machines meant to train the arms, one skinny red-head sat on the Chest Press bench more focused on his phone than putting the machine to use.
Annie was quick to change into her spare shorts and tank top—she'd usually opt for a sports bra, but she’d learned from the last public gym she went too, a sports bra usually warranted unwanted attention.
She stuffed her clothes into a locker, clicked the number lock tight and was good to go, water bottle already at hand.
Eren was known for taking his sweet time in the restroom; so, Annie went ahead and started her routine, beginning with the Leg Press machine. The strongest parts of her body were her legs, she intended to keep them as fit as possible.
She was putting her water bottle down onto the mat when the red-head who’d been preoccupied with his phone sauntered over to her.
Annie glanced at his equally red sneakers momentarily, slowly raising her head to meet a rather smug looking face. “Hey?”
“I saw you come in a couple of minutes ago, you new here?”
Annie perked an eyebrow, righting herself onto the seat of the machine. “This gym opened up two weeks ago, I think most of everyone is new here.”
“Right, right.” He laughed.
Annie began her work out, holding onto the seat and as she pushed out with her legs.
The red-head eyed her with his chin in hand, as if he were some damned coach. Annie did her best to ignore him as she finished one set of ten reps.
“Do you need any help?” The red-head inquired with a smile.
“Nope.” Annie grunted, starting again.
Then it was silent for a bit save for the loud clanking of weights being pushed—before he opened his mouth again.
“Y’know, I’m a runner, I used to do track back in High school, had to do all these exercises for the legs, was a real trip.”
“So, if you want any tips, I could offer you some?”
The red-head laughed then waggled an eyebrow at her, “Come on, maybe you can teach me than?”
Annie stopped abruptly, dropping her arms. “Look I don’t know who are, or what you want but you’re not getting anything from me.”
With that she fixed the cocky red-head with an ice-cold glare.
He shrank away a bit, “Jeez, I was just trying to make conversation.”
“I’m busy, or do you not see me trying to exercise in peace?”
“People don’t usually mind chatting when they work out.” He huffed, as if that was a valid reason for being so invasive.
Annie scoffed, “And men like you wonder why they’re single.”
"Well that’s pretty rude of you.”
She rolled her eyes, “Go away now.”
“Hold on! I didn't mean to come off too strong, I’ll start over!”
Annie slapped her forehead.
“My name is Floche, and—”
“I don’t care. I have a boyfriend.”
Yet the red-head continued to talk over her, he hadn't even heard what she’d said. Annie slumped into the seat, frowning. Irritation and the urge to kick the man’s teeth in rising.
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Back in the Men's locker room, Eren had just finished changing into a pair of cargo shorts and a gray T-shirt after a refreshing warm shower. He always preferred to bathe before and after an intense work out.
Beside him another young man was struggling to put his own sweatshirt on—his arms weren't bending all the way to make the task any easier, and he was groaning in pain.
“You good, bro?” Eren looked over at the other whose head was currently stuck inside his sweatshirt.
“Yup! Yeah, I’m— I’m good!”
The young man's head eventually popped out, he sighed in relief than winced as he slowly lowered his arms.
Eren smirked, grabbing his water bottle from inside the locker. “First time?”
The other groaned, shaking his head “You don’t even know. Everything aches.”
“Yeah, it’s like that in the beginning.”
The young man held a hand out, “I bet. You look like a pro dude, I’m Connie by the way.”
Eren took his hand giving it a solid shake. “Eren.”
Connie nodded, slamming his locker shut. “How long have you been working out?”
“Eh, four years, I think? I usually do exercise at home though; I don’t really like gyms.”
“I bet. I don’t really like’em either, people stare at you if you’re a struggling newbie.”
Eren made his way outside the locker rooms with Connie who feebly rubbed at his sore biceps.
Eren chuckled, “Already regretting it?”
“Do I regret it?” Connie sighed, “Yes. Would I do it again? Probably. I don’t know. I can’t feel my fucking arms.”
Across the gym area, there was a sudden loud crash followed by a girlish shriek. The two caught sight of a small seething blonde squeezing the life out of some red-headed man with her thighs.
The red-head seemed to be the one who was shrieking.
Connie whistled low, “Damn, wish I were in that guys place. Huh, Huh?” He grinned, nudging Eren with an elbow.
Eren blinked, sipping from his water bottle before handing it to Connie who awkwardly took it.
Eren shook his head, watching as the gym staff tried to intervene with the raging blonde.
He exhaled loudly, “Excuse me, I have to go make a scene before my girlfriend gets us banned from another gym.”
