Chapter 13: When Worlds Collide
767 Words
The gym felt different today.
Or maybe…
Amara felt different.
“You’re getting used to this,” Lily said, watching her stretch.
Amara shrugged.
“I still hate it,” she admitted.
Lily laughed.
“But you keep showing up.”
Amara smiled slightly.
“Yeah… I do.”
They moved toward the treadmill area, settling into their usual routine.
But today—
They weren’t the only ones there.
“Wait…” Lily squinted across the gym.
Amara followed her gaze.
And froze.
Ethan.
Standing near the weights section.
But he wasn’t alone.
Three guys and a girl stood with him.
Talking.
Laughing.
Clearly comfortable.
Clearly his people.
“Ohhh,” Lily whispered. “This just got interesting.”
Amara’s heart picked up slightly.
“I don’t think we should go over there,” she said quickly.
“Too late,” Lily replied.
Because at that exact moment—
Leo turned.
Saw them.
And his entire face lit up.
“GUYS.”
Ethan didn’t even need to turn.
He already knew.
“…Don’t,” he muttered.
Too late.
Leo waved dramatically.
“HEY!”
Every head turned.
Including Amara’s.
Including Lily’s.
Including—
Everyone nearby.
Amara froze.
“…I’m leaving,” she whispered.
Lily grabbed her arm.
“You are absolutely not leaving.”
Marcus leaned toward Ethan.
“Well… this is your moment.”
“I didn’t plan this,” Ethan said.
Sophie smirked.
“Life planned it for you.”
Daniel simply watched.
Calm.
Interested.
And just like that—
They were walking toward her.
Amara’s heart was racing now.
“Lily,” she whispered. “I’m not ready for this.”
Lily grinned.
“You were ready the moment you stopped caring.”
They stopped in front of her.
For a second—
No one spoke.
Then Leo broke the silence.
“So you’re Amara.”
Amara blinked.
“…Hi?”
Leo placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
“I’ve heard nothing about you.”
Ethan closed his eyes briefly.
“Leo.”
Marcus laughed.
“He means the opposite.”
Sophie stepped forward, offering a small smile.
“Hi. I’m Sophie.”
“Amara,” she replied.
“I know,” Sophie said, glancing briefly at Ethan.
That glance said everything.
Daniel nodded slightly.
“Nice to meet you.”
Marcus gave a casual wave.
“Hey.”
Amara looked at Ethan.
He looked… slightly uncomfortable.
Which, somehow, made her feel better.
“You didn’t tell me you had a whole fan club,” she said softly.
A faint smile touched his lips.
“They’re not a fan club.”
“We are absolutely a fan club,” Leo interrupted.
Lily stepped in suddenly.
“Oh, I like this one,” she said, pointing at Leo.
“I like you too,” Leo replied instantly.
Marcus groaned.
“This is getting out of hand.”
There was a brief pause.
Then—
Sophie crossed her arms, looking between Amara and Ethan.
“So… gym buddies?”
Amara hesitated.
“…Something like that.”
Ethan didn’t correct it.
Leo leaned closer to Marcus.
“Gym buddies. That’s what we’re calling it now.”
Marcus whispered back—
“Give it two chapters.”
Amara let out a small laugh.
She couldn’t help it.
The tension…
Was breaking.
“You’ve been coming here consistently,” Daniel said calmly.
Amara nodded.
“Trying to.”
“That’s how it starts,” he said.
Ethan finally spoke again.
“You’re doing well,” he said.
Simple.
But it hit.
Amara smiled.
“Thanks… coach.”
Leo gasped dramatically.
“OH? Nicknames already?”
Ethan sighed.
“You’re making this worse.”
“I’m making this better,” Leo corrected.
Lily leaned toward Amara.
“I approve of this group,” she whispered.
Amara nodded slightly.
“…Me too.”
For the first time—
She didn’t feel out of place in the gym.
Not awkward.
Not judged.
Just…
Included.
As the group slowly split back into their workouts—
Ethan stayed behind for a second.
“You handled that well,” he said.
Amara raised an eyebrow.
“They’re not as scary as I thought.”
“They’re worse,” he said.
She laughed.
A small pause.
Then—
“I’m glad you came today,” he added.
Her heart softened.
“I almost didn’t,” she admitted.
“But you did.”
She looked at him.
Smiled.
“Yeah.”
Across the gym—
Jason had just walked in.
And the first thing he saw—
Was Amara.
Laughing.
With someone else.
His expression darkened.
- Writer
