Page 31 of Ride the Wave

What am I doing?

‘Flora, I have to go,’ I say, jumping to my feet. ‘There’s somewhere I need to be.’

‘That’s my girl,’ she grins. ‘Oh, and Iris, wear the teal yoga leggings and matching bra. You packed that set, right?’

‘Yeah.’ I hesitate. ‘Why?’

‘Because it will be very hard for anyone to say no to you when you’re wearing that.’

She winks at me and hangs up.

*

The moment I walk into the yoga studio, I see him. He’s sitting on a mat in the back row of the room in a white t-shirt and dark shorts, scrolling on his phone before the class starts. Now, I’m not sure if I believe in fate, but it just so happens that this is a very small studio and the only free mat left is the one at the back next to his.

Okay, fine, I believe. Thank you, Fate. You’ve done me a solid.

I slink across the room and sit down cross-legged on the free mat as elegantly as possible, smiling at the teacher at the front of the room, who gives a small nod in acknowledgement of my arrival. Leo glances over and does a double take.

‘Iris?’ he says in disbelief, his eyes widening as I pretend to have only just noticed him.

‘Oh! Hi Leo. You take this class too? Weird.’

‘Shall we begin?’ the teacher announces, sitting down on her mat at the front of the class, facing us all. ‘We’re going to start today on the flat of our backs so when you’re ready, lie down on your mat. Take your time, lie down and tuck your chin slightly and ease into things. Let’s take a moment to centre ourselves and let go of our day by closing our eyes.’

Following her lead, I do as she instructs, straightening my legs and lying back, before shutting my eyes. I’m soon interrupted.

‘What are you doing here?’ Leo hisses.

‘Yoga,’ I whisper, without opening my eyes.

‘I mean in this class.Myclass.’

‘Do you own the class?’

‘What? No, I don’t mean—’

‘Let your arms and legs relax,’ the instructor says soothingly. ‘Allow my voice to guide you through our practice today. Take a deep breath in, that’s it.’

I inhale deeply through my nose.

‘I know what you’re doing,’ Leo whispers.

I exhale through my mouth.

‘I hope you don’t expect me to talk to you here,’ he grumbles.

Turning my head slowly to look at him, I open my eyes and try not to laugh at how ridiculous this situation is, the two of us lying down next to each other. He’s glaring at me.

‘Would you mind being quiet? You’re disturbing my zen,’ I say softly.

‘I’mdisturbingyou?’

The instructor clears her throat at the front. ‘Whatever is going on with you in your external life, now is the time to kindly let go as we go inward, deepening our breath and relaxing our body.’

‘I really—’ Leo begins in a low voice.

‘Why don’t we talk after class?’ I suggest politely. ‘Unless you want to carry on disturbing everyone in this room?’

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