Page 19 of Fever Dream
He sighs dramatically. “Like I was saying. If we had anormalworking relationship, we’d be meeting at the club for a Pilates session and then I was planning on doing some round ball work.”
I perch on my elbow, an idea flooding my head. “You know, there’s a dawn Pilates session down on the green around a block from here. I’ve never done it before but I’ve run past it loads of times. Looks really cool.”
Harrison is quiet but I can see he is contemplating my idea. “What time does it start?”
“No idea but I usually go for a run around now so we could go check it out.”
“I might be interested.”
“Yeah? Come on then,” I say, jumping off his bed and offering him my hand. He eyes it warily, still clutching onto his quilt.
“You go ahead and get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs,” he says.
“Come and borrow some clothes from my room first,” I return.
Harrison lets out a breath of air. “How about you go get dressed and give me three minutes of peace to myself and then you can bring me the gym clothes here.Afteryou’re dressed.”
I look down at the pair of tight blue boxers I’m wearing, not seeing the issue at hand but I shrug and drop my hand.
“Okay, Harry,” I agree, backing out of the room. “You got three minutes.”
***
Five-point-five minutes later, Harrison and I are walking down the footpath in the direction of the neighbourhood green, just down the block from my house. Harrison is pretending he doesn’t love being up at this hour with the morning birds and the sun just skirting the horizon. But I love this time of day, especially in Sydney where the mornings are warm and there’s a buzz of a new day in the air.
We round the corner and my eyes light up when I see the group of fifteen or so people congregating around a circle of date palms. I share a grin with Harrison as we make our way there. The teacher looks up as we arrive, sharing a welcome as we find a space at the back on the grass.
The teacher, Andy as he introduces himself, starts the class with some breathing exercises which then turns in to more of a blend of yoga, tai chi and Pilates, starting with sun salutations. I glance across at Harrison, pleased to see he seems to be enjoying this as much as I am as I breathe in and breathe out in time with the teacher’s instructions.
By the end of the forty-minute session, I am feeling beautifully stretched and at peace with myself and nature. Even my head feels blessedly quiet as I share a glance with Harrison, noting the relaxed look on his face too.
“Good?”
“Yeah. That was good,” he agrees. “I didn’t realise how much I miss actually doing Pilates classes rather than running them.”
“Sure, Harry. That makes sense. Maybe we can incorporate this into our routine? That way, we both get to enjoy it.”
He eyes me warily for a moment before he nods his head in agreement. “Yeah, sounds good.”
The other attendees seem to be dropping varying amounts of money into a bucket beside the teacher while he chats with a couple from the class. I feel a pang of worry.
“Shit. I didn’t bring any cash. Reckon he takes card?”
Harrison chuckles. “Don’t worry, I got it.” I watch in relief as Harrison steps towards the front of the class and drops a twenty into the bucket. Andy smiles and thanks him and they end up chatting for a few minutes while I wait where I’m still lying on the grass.
The morning sun spills through the date palms, tracing golden streaks across Harrison’s face. I don’t know what it is about dappled sunlight, but it makes everything look so beautiful and Harrison is no exception. I guess I already thought he was beautiful, but in the moment I can’t look away as he shares a laugh with the teacher, golden dust motes crowning his curls.
Andy places a proprietary hand on Harrison’s elbow, and something tugs in my gut. I mean, he’smybest friend and I don’t think I like the way Andy is looking at him or touching him like that. Only Iget to touch my best friend that way.
Harrison turns to me, sunlight catching on the golden flecks in his brown eyes, and for a moment, I’m completely spellbound. His head tilts, curiosity dancing in those chestnut eyes—and that’s when I realise I still haven’t looked away. I laugh to myself as I shake away the thrall. I blame this class for that weird headspace I’ve found myself in.
Harrison is quiet as we walk back home to my place, and I leave him to his thoughts. I know quiet time is a rarity around me and it’s an effort not to constantly speak my mind. But I’m still feeling a little weird too, so I don’t mind the peace this morning.
“Shower?” I ask once we’re back inside my house.
“Ah …” Harrison mulls, confusion in his eyes.
“You want one?” I clarify, not sure what is confusing about my question.
