Page 57 of The Rookie

I’m sprawled out on my mat, arms and legs splayed, sweat still dripping from every pore. My body feels like it’s been wrung out like a dishrag.

“This,” I whisper loudly to Avery, who’s next to me, looking relaxed and annoyingly composed. “This is the good stuff. I could do this all day. I think I’m a pro.”

She turns her head slightly, glaring at me with one eye open. “Shh.”

“What’s this music?” I ask, equally loud. “It’s so calming. I feel like I’m floating. I need this in my life.”

Avery groans, pressing her hands over her face. “It’sFaith’s Hymn. And you’re supposed to be quiet duringshavasana.”

“Faith’s Hymn,” I repeat reverently, staring at the ceiling. “Damn. I’m putting this on my playlist immediately. It’s life-changing.”

Jake, from a couple of mats over, hisses, “Bro, pipe down. You’re ruining my zen.”

“Let me enjoy myself,” I whisper back. “I’ve reached nirvana.”

“Knox,” Avery snaps under her breath. “You are not reachinganythingexcept my last nerve.”

“Please, no talking duringshavasana!” Luna’s voice is soft but firm, like a gentle wind scolding us. “You’re supposed to be resting your weary souls…and downloading.”

I peek one eye open.Downloading?

“Uh, downloading?” I whisper loudly, raising my hand like I’m back in kindergarten. “What’s that mean? Downloading what?”

Luna glides over, her linen pants billowing like she’s floating. She crouches next to me, her voice reverent. “Downloading. Receiving messages from the universe. Quiet your mind, and you will receive them. Are you receiving anything?”

I stare at her blankly, trying not to laugh. “Uh, I think my signal’s down. I got nothing.”

Avery snorts softly beside me, whispering, “That’s because the universe doesn’t waste its time on you.”

“Or maybe I’m on a delay,” I shoot back under my breath. “You don’t know.”

I close my eyes again, trying to take this seriously. For exactly two seconds.

But the second I try to empty my mind,that’swhen it happens—my brain starts downloading.

Not peaceful, meditative thoughts. Not wisdom from the great beyond. No. Instead, I’m downloadingimages of Avery.

Avery laughing earlier in class, her head tilted back, hair spilling over her shoulders.

Avery stretching on her yoga mat, her tank top riding up just enough to expose a sliver of skin at her waist.

Avery now, lying perfectly still next to me, her chest rising and falling under her shirt in a way that feels so…distracting.

No. Nope. Not now, Knox. Focus.

I roll my shoulders, trying to shake it off.

“Are you receiving anything yet?” Luna asks gently, still hovering nearby.

I crack an eye open and catch Avery smirking at me, her face half-buried in her mat.

“Nothing,” I mutter. “I’m getting…uh…interference.”

When Luna finally rings the little bell to end class, I groan in relief, rolling onto my back and spreading my arms like a starfish.

“That’s it?” I ask, blinking up at the ceiling. “We’re done?”

Luna nods serenely. “We are complete. You have done the work.”