Page 20 of The TV Show Rival

Jess, intensity is great, but it’s not everything. You wouldn’t expect to build a house with just a hammer, would you? Yoga builds the foundation - strength, flexibility, focus - that allows you to push yourself even harder in other workouts.

Okay, that metaphor was actually kind of good. But she wasn’t about to let her have the upper hand.

Maybe not, but you wouldn’t get very far just laying the foundation either, would you? Sometimes you gotta put on the hard hat and get to work!

The comments were lighting up faster than she could refresh the page. One user chimed in, seemingly on Jamie’s side:

Preach, Jamie! Yoga isn’t just about stretching – it’s built mental grit too. I used to get winded walking up the stairs, but after a month of yoga, I hiked a whole mountain! Strength comes in many forms.

Another user threw their support behind her:

Jess is right though! My friend went from barely being able to do a pushup to crushing her first Spartan Race after joining boot camp. You gotta push yourself to see real change!

The argument kept going for hours nonstop.

Who is this bloody Jamie Nguyen anyway?

The insistent ring of the doorbell cut through the apartment. Groaning internally, Jess pushed herself away from the computer, expecting the usual delivery guy, probably standing there with the boots she ordered.

Instead, a familiar face broke into a wide grin, framed by a mess of wild red curls that accentuated their sharp cheekbones. They were rocking a band t-shirt and ripped jeans, the very image of effortless cool.

“Hey girl! How’s the queen of boot camp been ruling the fitness world?”

“Isa!” Jess shouted, throwing her arms open in surprise.

Her childhood best friend, Isabel, stood on the doorstep, their backpack slung over one shoulder, a mischievous glint in their hazel eyes.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were in Mexico for another month?”

Isabel, non-binary and fiercely proud of it, threw their head back and laughed.

“Surprise!” they said, pulling Jess into a tight hug. “Turns out, Mexico got a little too… relaxing. I needed some real Jess energy in my life.”

Here, in front of her, stood the person who’d known her since scraped knees and trading Lisa Frank stickers, the one who’d patiently listened to her rant about boys (and now, maybe, fitness instructors) for hours on end.

“Come on in,” Jess said, pulling Isa inside and shutting the door behind them. “Let me get you some water, and then you need to tell me everything about your trip.”

Pushing open the fridge, Jess scanned the shelves, bypassing the sparkling water in favor of two cold beers.

Isa flopped down on the couch, flinging their backpack onto the floor with a dramatic sigh.

“Here you go,” Jess said, handing them a bottle. “Local IPA, perfect for rehydration after a Mexican adventure.”

Isa took a long swig, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Mmm, that hits the spot. So, what’s all this I hear about you stirring up trouble online?” they asked, a playful glint in their eyes.

Jess knew this wouldn’t stay a secret long. Isa always had a nose for drama, even from miles away.

She grinned. “You know me too well,” she said, taking a long swig. Briefly, she explained the back-and-forth with Jamie bloody Nguyen, the yoga instructor practically living rent-free in her head.

There was something about Jamie that drew her in and pissed her off all at once.

“Jess, you instigator! You know you could have just scrolled past her post, right?”

“But where’s the fun in that? Besides, someone needs to stand up for the glorious world of boot camp sweating!”

Isa took a thoughtful sip of their beer, then grinned. “Okay, okay, I get it. But seriously, can’t there be room for both yoga and boot camp in the fitness world?”

“Who cares?”

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