The shy's girl crush

Chapter seventeen - Challenges

Loren's POV:

Last week, I trained every day. I spent one hour in the gym. That's it. I can't do more. Girls are not that durable. I mean, boys do better than us. Once, I tried the plank. That thing is not for me. I was supposed to do it for thirty seconds. I fell on the fifteenth. That is a sign for me. I will never do this again, or at least not soon. I don't do many exercises, but I see some results. My stomach got a bit flat. It's not like I was aiming for that. The good news is that this is my chill time. I listen to music while I train. It's more than enough for me. That's why I usually go for a shower and start studying when I finish. After all, I don't want to betray my lessons. I should say that not many people come to the gym. Probably it's because I come in the afternoon. Someone has to work. Honestly, I have never seen my parents training. Maybe they did before I was born. I will ask them. I want to know why I'm not athletic. Apart from the joke, I'm curious. I asked Alice to come with me, but she cut me off. According to her, she will sweat too much. I told her that boys come, but it didn't work. Sometimes I forget that she has a crush. Two days ago, we had a bit longer chat. I asked her how things were between her and Jackson. She didn't say anything. I wanted to tell her something, but I don't know if Jackson talked with her about that. It's better if I keep my mouth shut. My best friend can't understand this from me. Well, I can wait for a while. Soon is my PE test. I'm trying to score good points, but it's hard. Maybe the gym will help me. The teacher gave me A's for my effort. Also, for not ruining my other grades. This time, I want to prove what I can do. I hope that I will show better results. I want to know my effort wasn't useless.

Today are the history presentations. Half of the students presented them in the previous class. I was one of them. Now are the rest. Yesterday, I read Dylan's notes. This time, I did it with the cut-offs. I should say that he did a good job. This boy did what I told him. I'm not always right, but that was my personal opinion. I know what teachers want. I'm sure he will do well. Dylan studied hard for this day. Also, the presentation is not that bad. He sent it to me three days ago. Let's hope that the teacher thinks the same as me.

Currently, I am in history class. I am listening to Dylan's presentation. From time to time, I look at the teacher. Sadly, he didn't have an expression. Them doing it is not something I like. How am I supposed to know if I did well? They need to say or do something. Dylan stopped talking and left the questions that he got prepared. Honestly, from all the students, which passed, only five included questions. They were obligational. I guess no one heard the teacher's explanation. Well, the problem is not mine. The teacher told him to sit down.

- Thank you, Dylan. You were one of the few students who included questions. I guess that no one paid attention to the presentation.

- We did. - Alice said

- Yes. Except for you two, no one else did it. Can someone answer these three questions? Loren and Alice are disqualified from the discussion. - the teacher said, chuckling

- That's not fair. - I said

- I know, but I have to make the students do something.

- Let them speak. They will save us time. - Christina said

- Whoever answered them without searching online or in the textbook will get a higher grade on the next test.

- Explain, please.

- If you have a C, I will give you B.

- Ohh. Let me think.

- Christina, don't search for it. If you want to answer, come here. Stand up and come here. - the teacher said, which made Alice and I start laughing

- What? Why?

- If you want a higher grade, you have to do it.

- Fine, but I don't know the answers. Loren and Alice do.

- I know. That's why I'm not asking these girls. Dylan, you will have an A. Great job.

- Thank you. - Dylan said, visibly happy

On the lunch break, Alice went to take a table. I had to take something from my locker. When I was ready, I turned around and flinched. Dylan was in front of me.

- I'm sorry. I didn't want to scare you.

- It-it's ok.

- Thank you for the help. I wasn't going to do it without you.

- N-no. The whole presentation was good. I-I didn't do anything.

- You helped me a lot.

- If you say so.

After school, I went home to leave my things. I want to train early today. I will study later. Also, I need some fresh air. I took my backpack and walked out. Of course, I checked if my headphones were there. I never go out without them. They are my number one thing. Let's say that I listen to a lot of music. When I arrived at the gym, I tied my hair in a ponytail and walked to the treadmill. I always start by warming up my legs. I put my headphones on and chose level two. I prefer to increase the speed slowly. As I was running, someone appeared in front of the treadmill. I almost fell. Luckily, he caught me on time.

- D-Dylan?

- Hey. I'm surprised to see you here. - Dylan said, letting me down

- M-me too. W-what are you d-doing here?

- I came to train here. I guess you too.

- I-I come here for like t-two weeks.

- Great. Can I join your session?

- S-sure. I-I don't mind.

- Thanks. I will start with the treadmill as well. Do you want a challenge?

- What?

- We'll put it on level ten. Whoever falls first loses.

- It-it's too high for me.

- How about eight?

- It's better.

That's how it started. Of course, I was the first one out. Boys are more durable than girls. That proved it. Later, we did a plank challenge. I failed this one as well. Why can't he pick something more suitable for me? Maybe I can use him to teach me. Since he is so good, he must have some tricks.

- Teach me.

- What?

- You are good. Teach me. I want to be good too.

- What do you want to know?

- Everything. How are you so durable? I failed the plank.

- It takes practice. That's it.

- How long have you been doing it?

- Like a year.

- What? There is no way that I will do it.

- I think you can. I will help you with it.

- I want to score good points in PE.

- Don't worry. That's why I am here. I will make you better than me.

- It's better if you don't do it. I don't want people to come at me.

- Relax. I will keep your back.

- If you say so.

Dylan and I continued with the challenges. He left me to win one, which only made things worse. One hour of training is enough for me. It looks like he wants to train more. Well, I will go home.

- Where are you going?

- Home.

- Will you wait for me?

- What?

- Will you wait until I finish my workout?

- Look, I have to study.

- Me too. If you wait for me, I will study with you.

- You won't give up, will you?

- Nope. You don't have a choice.

- Fine.

Dylan trained for a whole hour. I shouldn't be staring at him, but I can't control myself. In my defense, this is the first time I have seen him doing it. Let's hope it will be the last one. I don't know how long I can keep doing this. Later, I went home to take a shower. Dylan said that he would call me when he was ready to study. I can use the time to do my homework. I can wait for him, but I have other work as well. Also, we spent enough time today.

After an hour, I received a call from FaceTime. Luckily, I was on my laptop. I put my books aside and answered the call. Dylan was with wet hair. It won't be an easy session.

- Hey.

- Hi. You will get cold.

- What?

- Your hair is wet.

- Don't worry. It won't be my first time.

- Ok, but it's not summer.

- So? You can chill.

- With what do you want us to start?

- How about math?

- No problem. You can tell me when you finish your homework.

- You did yours, didn't you?

- Yes, I did.

- I wish I was that fast.

- It's ok. One day you will be.

- Yeah, when we graduate. - Dylan said, chuckling

We studied until dinnertime. I ended the call and went to eat. Today we'll have turkey. I don't know how my mom had time to make it, but it looks delicious. I want to eat it all. No matter that this is impossible.

- This looks so good.

- You can eat as much as you want. Leave some for us, please. - mom said

- Very funny.

- I'm only saying. Sometimes you are one hungry girl.

- I know, but today is not the case. The turkey is guilty.

- Always blaming others. - my dad said, chuckling

I took a piece of the meat without saying anything. My parents love to make fun of me. Honestly, I'm not mad about it. Mom and dad were talking about their work. Meanwhile, I received a message from Dylan. He wanted us to talk before he went to bed. I didn't think much before answering. From now on, I will start using every chance I can have with him.

- Who is the lucky one?

- What?

- I asked who the lucky one was. Your eyes can't get off the phone. - my mom said, chuckling

- It's Alice.

- Honey, you can't lie to me. If it had been her, you wouldn't be looking like that.

- Why do you care?

- Because I like it when you socialize. How is your day? I know you still go to the gym. Did you make any friends?

- No, but I saw a classmate there.

- I believe it's a boy. - dad said

- Seriously?

- You can't get mad at us.

- I'm not mad. The thing is that I don't understand what my love life has to do with you and mom.

- I never said that you have to date someone. Every contact from your side is a miracle. - my dad said, laughing

- Do we have a dessert?

- There is a*****e close by open twenty-four hours. - mom said

- A simple no would've been enough.

- I know, but that would be too easy.

- Now I wish Alice was here.

- Why?

- To save me.

- Do you want us to watch a movie together? You loved to do it as a kid. - dad said

- Thanks, but I will finish one book.

- Why did you start lying so much? - mom asked

- I-I'm not.

- We promise not to annoy you if you tell us the truth.

- Fine. Someone wanted to talk to me. Please, don't ask who because I won't tell you.

- F or m? - dad asked

- What?

- Female or male?

- Unknown. - I said, chuckling

- I have the right to know.

- Dad, you can't keep an eye on me all the time. Also, I am in my room.

- Fine. If he becomes your boyfriend, I want to see him.

- That will happen only in your dreams. I don't date.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am.

After dinner, I walked into my room. My parents want to know what is happening to me, but I don't need to tell them what I do every minute. I was about to close my laptop when I received a call. This boy knows when to call me.

- Hey.

- Hi. How was dinner?

- It was good. I had turkey.

- Yummy. Can I have some?

- Sorry, dinner is over. What was your meal?

- I had pork and rice.

- Can we switch?

- Sorry, dinner is over.

- Well played.

- I know.

- For what did you want us to talk?

- Nothing specific.

- I don't understand.

- All I wanted was to talk with you. It doesn't have to be about something.

- Oh, ok. I'll let you speak.

- Do you plan to go to another party in the future?

- No. I don't want to do the same thing.

- Be happy that it was me.

- Why?

- Because someone else won't leave you in one piece.

- WHAT?

- I'm kidding. I mean that we didn't do anything.

- Almost anything. You forgot something.

- Hey, it wasn't that bad. It's not like I remember much.

- I appreciate your words, but it doesn't make me feel better.

- What if you weren't drunk?

- Huh?

- If you weren't drunk, would you do this?

- What? Of course, not. I won't even go out of my house.

- But you did.

- Because Alice made me.

- One day, you have to get carefree and enjoy your life. I'm not saying that you have to go in the wrong way.

- Look, I like myself the way I am.

- That is a lie. I know it.

- I like my life. I don't want to change anything about it.

- Does this include having a boyfriend?

- For now, yes. Even if I want to, I won't do it.

- Why? Not every boy is a heartbreaker.

- You aren't, but I can't be sure for the rest.

- Come on. It's not that bad.

- Why are you so interested in my love life? My parents asked me the same questions at dinner.

- I'm not that interested. Mostly curious.

- It's the same thing.

- No, it's not. If you have a boyfriend or not won't affect me in any way.

- Are you sure?

- Yes. We are only friends, and I will be happy for you.

- You never said that I was your friend.

- I think I did.

- No, you didn't. I appreciate it.

- You are my friend.

- Thank you.

Dylan and I talked until midnight. He was doing it most of the time. Listening to his voice is music to my ears. Well, I won't tell him that. I don't know how or why we became so close, but I like it. I have wanted this for a long time. Finally, I have it. Dylan is not mine, but at least we made progress. Maybe things would've been different if I wasn't so shy. He said he liked this side of me. Also, I can't control it much. Everything happens for a reason, and I believe in that. Someone made a plan for us to get close this year. I hope that things between us will go in the right way. Dylan is the only boy I want to date.