Page 32 of After Hours

Equinox was not just a gym; it was an experience. An expensive experience. The trainers were exceptional, the equipment top-notch, and the atmosphere motivating. I couldn’t come here everyday because it was definitely out of my budget but, I came here twice a month and have been doing so since last December.

Dressed in my workout gear, I made my way to the area where the weights and resistance machines awaited. The familiar clinking of weights and the low hum of conversation created a comforting background for my workout.

“You good handling all those weights?” A trainer asked.

I chuckled. “I am.” My eyes went to scan his name tag. Zidan. “Yes, Zidan, I am, thanks for asking.”

“You’re welcome, and now that you know my name, it’s only fair that I know yours.”

“Azzaria.” I giggled.

“It’s nice to meet you, Azzaria, I’ll see you around.”

I definitely hoped I’d see him around.

Tapping back into my focus, I began my routine. The minutes turned into hours and my timer went off. I finished an hour and thirty minutes of working out and it felt really great. With the determination to sort out the gym membership payment hanging over my head, I walked over to the front desk.

“Hi there,” I said to the gym receptionist, a friendly guy with a welcoming smile.

He looked up from the computer. “Hey, how can I help you today?”

I explained, “I’ve been receiving notices about overdue payments for my membership, and I wanted to discuss my options. I’m a college student, and I heard there might be a more affordable plan to help me clear off my debt.”

His eyes lit up, “You’re in luck! We have a college student plan that not only offers cheaper rates but also some great perks. Let me grab my colleague, he’ll explain it to you.” The perks weren’t my interest, I just needed to clear the debt and close this chapter of my life until I could afford to open it again.

He waved over his coworker, a fitness enthusiast who seemed genuinely excited to share the details. “Hey there, I heard you’re interested in our college student plan.”

I nodded. “I am.”

He started telling me about the switch and what the payment plan would entail. God really does have a way of working things out. “That sounds amazing! What do I need to do?”

“Are you employed?”

“I’m doing a paid internship right now, does that count?”

“It does,” he said and went on to explaining the process.

The process wasn’t hard, he advised me to get it cleared or pay something towards it as soon as I could.

“Thank you. This will help me big time.”

“You’re welcome.”

The staff was incredibly helpful, making the gym visit feel more like an exciting opportunity than a burden.

After finalizing the payment switch getting a plan, I went home and subsequently went to bed. Tiring day, tiring year.

CHAPTER 10

Dillon

Time has been slipping through my fingers like grains of sand lately. The weeks feel like minutes and the days feel like seconds. I’m in desperate need of some excitement.

My real issue was my intern. My attraction to her was becoming a problem. I think about her too often. Last week, I left my office three times just to see if she was sitting at her desk. It’s becoming bad and we haven’t even had a real, sober conversation.

I just knew two things. One: She’s gorgeous. Two: I needed to know her.

From her absence to sort out school issues some days ago, I haven’t seen much of her. I knew she was here but she was just not in my sight or in my space.

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