"It's only Monday..."

Grunt.

"and I already wish the..."

Grunt.

"weekend was here."

Grunt.

Jeremy collapsed on the floor, flushed red.

"How many was that?"

Kip shook his head. "Man, you're slipping. That was only 40 sit ups. You know the booze doesn't help right?"

Jeremy groaned.

"You work at a store so you're more active than I am."

Kip scoffed, "Excuses."

"Did I mention I hate your guts?"

Kip offered a hand and pulled Jeremy up. The two-story campus gym was surprisingly packed. In combination with the upbeat music pumping through the speakers, athletes in cut-off shirts and basketball shorts grunting, clusters of women in colorful and form-fitting sportswear stretching and laughing as they attempted new workouts, and scattered conversations made it almost impossible for Jeremy and Kip to hear each other. Jeremy watched as Kip wiped the sweat from his face with the bottom of his shirt and felt a pinch of envy at the sight of his defined six-pack abs. The six-pack Jeremy had was sitting in the refrigerator back at the apartment. They walked past several specialized rooms. A dance studio. A spin class. A boxing room. Jeremy froze when he looked through the window. Alex was covered in sweat. Her arms and abs were toned. Her hands were wrapped in black bands and her feet moved swiftly around the punching bag. Her punches landed with precision and enough force to move the bag back slightly.

Kip turned to follow his gaze.

"Is that...?"

"Yup."

"And she's..."

"Yup."

"Well, then you're..."

"Yeah." He knew with absolute certainty that he messed with the wrong girl.

Jeremy turned to leave but Kip held him in place.

Laughing, he said, "Oh no, you don't. Go in there."

"Come on, we've been working out for almost two hours. If she comes at me, I don't know if I'll have the energy to fend her off."

"Excuses! Get in there!" Kip opened the door and shoved Jeremy in.

Alex jumped slightly at his appearance and pulled the earbuds from her ears.

"Hey, this room is reserved."

"My bad. I just wanted to-"

"I just want to work out in peace, alright?" Alex nearly barked the last word.

Jeremy looked between her and Kip through the window. Kip flashed him a thumb's up.

"I'm sorry."

Alex put her hands on her waist, breathing heavily.

"Say that again."

Jeremy knew she heard him. She was rubbing salt in his wounded ego.

"I'm sorry. I was drunk which is no excuse for being a dick," Jeremy looked to the punching bag. "I hope you weren't imagining my face."

Alex laughed sharply, "Not just your face."

Jeremy ran his tongue across his teeth.

"Well, I said what I wanted to say. I'll see you in class, Alexis."

He opened the door when she said, "Call me Alex."

Jeremy looked over his shoulder and smiled.

"It was nice to meet you, Alex. I'll see you later."