The shy's girl crush

Chapter sixteen - I need a new place

Dylan's POV:

For the last three days, I haven't talked with Loren. I decided to train for a while. I stopped doing it and started losing shape. That is not something I wanted, but I did other things. Let's say that this girl took my attention. Well, it was for good. She is good company. The thing is that I have to focus on myself too. I am going to one gym close to my house. There are many in town, but they offer the same. I have a membership card. After all, I used to train three or four times a week. That's why I don't do it that often now. My parents thought I was doing it for someone. Later they saw it wasn't like that. I don't want to impress anyone with my workout. Also, that is something I chose on my own. No one made me do it. Honestly, when I trained more often, there weren't many people. I guess not everyone likes to do it. I have to say that it takes time and consistency. That is if you want to have good results. My goal was to stay fit and in shape. Well, my wish came true after some time. Some people hire personal trainers. I don't have the money for that. I think that is not necessary. With a good workout, you can have the same result. I had been to the gym three days ago. There is a new woman as a cashier. I feel like she is looking at me when I am there. The problem is that I have no idea how old she is, but this woman is older than me. Honestly, I find it inappropriate to look after a young boy. It's not like I am doing something. Well, I sweat a lot. That's why I remove my shirt before training and put it on when I finish. That doesn't help much. I still smell my sweat. So, I tried to ignore the woman, but it was getting annoying. Maybe I have to find a new place to train. I hope that there won't be a person like her. I don't want to deal with this again.

It's the weekend. I have to finish one essay and work on my history presentation. Where is Loren when you need her? I'm not that bad, but compared to her, I am nothing. That's why she is the best student in school. Maybe I can call her for advice. She can tell me how to make my presentation better. After all, I have to talk about it. The teacher wants more pictures and less text. It's like a story that I have to tell. Let's hope that I will do well. I want to have high grades.

I woke up and went to get ready. Since I started training again, I decided to drink protein shakes. They are tasty and good for my body. I made myself one and walked out. I will drink it on the way to the gym. It's around twenty minutes from here. When I arrived, I noticed the woman. I ignored her and went to the treadmill. I left my backpack on the ground and put my shirt in it. Soon, she came up to me. That is the last thing I wanted to happen. Well, that's for my calm workout.

- Hey, Dylan.

- Can I help you, um, Marta? - I ask, reading her tag on the shirt

- No, but I can. If you have a problem with any sports device, feel free to call me. I will come immediately.

- Thanks, but I will be fine.

- I am saying it in case something happens.

- Oh, there is a customer.

- I will be back in a second.

God bless that man. I put on my headphones and turned the threat mill on level five. I increase the speed every five minutes. I spend around half an hour here. When I was ready, I went to lift weights. I pick up ten kilograms with each hand. Once, a man looked at me. It's not that hard. Well, for me. I don't think a girl can do this except if she is strong. After that, I made some push-ups and planks. I wish Jackson had been here. He used to train with me but stopped doing it. According to him, it's a waste of time. I don't think the same. The last thing I did was sit in a chair and lift weights again. Now I had to use both of my hands. Usually, I spend around two hours in the gym. When I was ready, I got up to see Marta. Ok, that's it. I am leaving this place. I put my shirt on and took my membership card.

- Hey, are you ready? I see some results.

- Here is my membership card. I'm returning it.

- Why? If you want, I will give you a new one.

- No, I want a new place. Far away from you.

- What? I didn't do anything.

- Except for staring at me all the time. I am seventeen, and you, probably over twenty-five.

- Hey, I am twenty-four.

- You are still older than me. Why don't you go after someone your age?

- Because I like you.

- Ok, but I like someone else.

- Who?

- That is none of your business. Bye, Marta. I hope I won't see you again.

- Hey, that wasn't nice.

- I don't care. - I said and left

I walked out of the gym and texted Jackson. He sent me a location of a restaurant. We agreed to meet there after an hour. That leaves me enough time to go home and take a shower. The question is where I will go to train. I don't want to go back to this place. Not when Marta is there.

I put on clean clothes and walked out. When I arrived, my best friend was already there. He is hungry or has something to tell me. I won't be surprised if it's both.

- Hey, man.

- Hey. Am I late?

- No, I came like ten minutes ago.

- Good.

- How was your workout?

- Well, not that bad.

- Something happened, right?

- There is a new cashier. For the last three days, she has been watching my whole workout. That was creepy.

- Maybe she likes you.

- Don't tell. Jackson, this woman is twenty-four.

- Oh. That changes things. Did you tell her something?

- I tried to ignore her.

- Maybe you should've given her a chance.

- No way!

- Come on. She can't be that bad.

- Are you kidding me? There is no way I will go out with her.

- Why?

- Because I like Loren.

- So, you admit it.

- What?

- You said you liked Loren.

- Oh, um. Maybe.

- Hey, there is nothing wrong with that. I still don't know what to do with Alice.

- Why?

- I feel like she likes me, but I don't know how to respond.

- Do you like her?

- I don't know. I haven't looked at her as something more than a friend.

- Maybe you have to do it.

- I'm not sure.

- I might be wrong, but you have a lot in common.

- We do like some things, but we also have differences.

- I think you have to try. It won't hurt you.

- I know, but I don't want to hurt her.

- That is something I can't guarantee.

Soon our food came. I was one hungry boy. The workout took some of my energy, and I need it back. Jackson kept talking about Alice. I think he has to tell her. She will be happy to hear it. Maybe I have to do the same with Loren. That reminds me that I have to call her later. I need some help with my history presentation.

- What will you do later?

- I have to call Loren.

- Ooh, why?

- I need help with my history presentation.

- I thought you would make a move.

- Maybe I will, but not today. Why don't you invite Alice to study with you? Her grades are good.

- Man, studying is not for me.

- I think you will like it. Since I started doing it with Loren, I have enjoyed it more. We don't talk much, but it's enough for me.

- Let me think. Um, no.

- Do you want me to text her?

- No! I don't want to study.

- You can use this as a pretext. I mean, it can be an excuse to do something with Alice. Once, I watched a movie online with Loren.

- How?

- There were party rooms. Online sites in which you invite friends to watch movies or tv shows.

- This girl is too shy. Why do you mess with her?

- There is nothing wrong with Loren.

- I didn't mean that.

- You focus on your girl. Don't think about me.

- I have to do it.

- Do you have a plan?

- No. I don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt Alice, but I can't be sure I like her.

- I think if you talk to her about it, she can help you.

- Really?

- Yes.

- What about you and Loren?

- For now, I will keep it friendly.

- Can you do it? I can't tell if she likes you, but you do. It's visible.

- I will try my best. Now I want to find a new place to train. I stopped for a while, and my body changed.

- Come on. The girls still walk after you.

- Maybe, but I still want to do it.

After lunch, Jackson and I walked for a while. Later, he went to talk with Alice. Since I had nothing to do, I walked home. I need to work on my presentation. I saw that Loren was online and texted her. She responded to my message after ten minutes. I told her to use FaceTime. As usual, she was with a bun and glasses.

- Hey. Thanks for answering me.

- No problem. Do you need something?

- Yes. I need your help with my history presentation. I made it, but I don't know what to include when I talk. So, I have notes, but I feel that is too much.

- Ok, can you send them to me?

- Yes, I will send you the file.

- I thought you wrote it.

- I did, on my computer. I will try to memorize everything.

- Good luck. Maybe you can remove something if you say it's too much.

- Yes, but I don't know what.

- Ok, let me see it.

While Loren was checking my file, I worked on my essay. I remembered what she told me the last time. This time, I will use that. It doesn't have to be too long. What matters is the text. I tried to include only the most valuable things. With Loren's help, I will get better. Maybe I have to hire her as my teacher. Of course, I will pay her.

- Dylan?

- Yes, I'm here.

- I can see you. - Loren said, chuckling

- Sorry.

- What you have written is perfect, but you pay too much attention to the war. Try to cut it a bit. Maybe two-thirds of the text will be enough. Check which is valuable for you. If you say all this, it will be good. The problem is that you won't have much time. It's like ten to fifteen minutes per person.

- I know. That's why I asked you for help. I don't know how to shorten it.

- You can take out the details. Talk about the main events. Of course, you can include something. That will show the teacher you got prepared.

- Ok, something else.

- Calm down. I know it's weird to say it, but don't stress too much.

- Said from you means a lot. Let's hope you will listen to your advice.

- I won't be so sure.

- Why?

- I can advise others. When it comes to me, things change.

- I have some work to do, but do you want us to watch a movie later? It can be like the last time.

- Let me bring my popcorn.

- Only if you save some for me.

- No problem.

- Ok, I will call you later. I have to finish my essay and fix the presentation.

- You can stay online if you want. I won't mind.

- What will you do?

- I have to finish one book.

- Ok, I'll be here if you need me.

- Thanks.

I did everything that Loren said about my text. In total, I left like two-thirds of the whole text. It was a good clean. Otherwise, all of this was too long. I need to work on this skill. Later, I finished my essay. Let's hope that it's good. I looked at Loren and saw her focused on the book. I watched her for a couple of minutes. I went online to find a movie. When I was ready, I created a party room. Here you can set the hour. It will be after dinner.

At 8 pm, we were in front of the laptops with a bowl of popcorn and a drink. I don't know if Loren will like the movie. Since she is not complaining, I must have made a good choice. Both of us were watching it peacefully. I would love it if we were in the same room, but that works too. After two hours, the movie ended. Loren was singing the song in the credits.

- Will you make a private concert for me?

- What?

- I want a concert from you.

- Why? I can't sing.

- I won't be so sure. Do you know the song that was in the credits?

- Yes, I have listened to it before.

- It looked like you know the whole lyrics.

- Can we change the topic?

- For what do you want us to talk about now?

- I don't know.

- How was your day?

- It was good, thanks. Yours?

- Most of it was fine.

- Did something happen?

- I don't want to talk about this now. By the way, Jackson will talk with Alice.

- I wonder when they will get together.

- So, about that.

- Yeah?

- Jackson is not sure if he likes Alice. He doesn't want to hurt her feelings.

- I understand. They have to talk about this. I don't think she will get mad at him if the feelings are not mutual.

- Maybe, but she won't like it.

- That's for sure. Let me talk with her.

- I suggest you wait. I don't know if he has talked with her about that. It's better if she understands it from him.

- Yeah, you are right.

- Do you want another movie?

- My popcorn finished.

- Mine too.

- Can I pick it?

- Sure.

- Ok, then. Be prepared.

- Oh, no.

- Don't worry. I want a comedy.

- Thank you.

Loren and I watched another movie. Later, we talked for a while before she went to bed. I would love to do it every day, but we have work. Jackson will have a chat with Alice. Maybe I have to do the same with Loren. The problem is that I don't know what to tell her. Honestly, I have a lot of things to say, but I don't know if it's the right moment for that. I can wait, but then it might be too late. Now I wish I didn't fall for her. Well, I don't mind. She is good to me, and we understand each other perfectly. If I want something to happen, I have to make a move. I hope that Loren won't reject me.