LISA
There is nothing better than going to the gym after a day of work. I have talked to who I needed to talk to and I have done everything I am supposed to. All I have to do right now is relax and the only thing that I do when I want to relax is going for a run. As I walk through the gym doors I see that I am almost the only person there. That is exactly the way that I like it.
I find my favorite treadmill and start to run. I stare out of the window and I watch everyone go to their different accommodations. The sun has already set and the stars are beginning to play in the sky. I like to clear my mind and just find whatever inner peace I can get.
That's how I forget that I am busy exercising and before I know it I have been longer in the gym than what I thought I would be. I look at my watch and I realized I should go back to get some sleep but just as I get off my treadmill, I see a familiar face walking through those doors.
I thought I was flustered by the exercise that I did but now, exercise has nothing to do with the way that I feel. It is the man from the mess hall, the one that I should not waste my time on according to Tina. But I do not know how I am going to do that when he is looking like he is looking.
He has a tank top on and his arm muscles are now teasing every sense in my being. It is clear that he takes care of himself as his muscles are well defined and I know it takes a lot of work to look that way. Then I realized that I am probably sweaty from the running and my hair must be a disaster.
I want to leave the gym because, in my mind, I know that I am with Steve but it is clear that my heart does not want to leave. So, without realizing what I am doing I try to act as if I have not seen him. I get on the first gym equipment that I can find and try to not look at him but concentrated hard on the equipment.
BRIAN
I get into the gym and I see that I am the only one in the gym. I make my way to the weights and I am glad that I am not going to run into my arch enemy again. I just want to have some peace and get some gym time in. But as I walk through the gym I see someone and at closer inspection, I realize it is that woman that does not seem to leave my thoughts.
It is clear that she has been in the gym for quite some time as I can see the sweat on her neck glistening in the lights. Her hair is in a high pony and strands of her hair have fallen out of the pony. It is strange that after what seems like a thorough exercise routine, she still seems to keep my attention.
I try not to stare for too long as I make my way to the weights and I realize maybe this will be an opportunity for me to make up for the embarrassment in the mess hall. Maybe if she sees me lifting some weights, I will be acknowledged as a man in her eyes again.
I make sure to make as much noise as possible to get her attention and this time I am putting on more than 200 pounds. I will show her that I am not just a man but a manly man. Then I lift up a weight and drop it on the floor on purpose to see if I can get her attention.
I see her turning around bewildered and then I acted as if I do not see her at all.
LISA
I realized that I sat on the gym equipment that I have no idea how to use but there is no way that I am going to let him see that I do not know what I am doing. So, I try my very best to figure it out and maybe just do some stretches as if I am preparing.
But then suddenly, I hear a loud clunk sound and I quickly turn to look in the direction of the sound. Then I see him lying down on the bench with his hands on the bar and weights on the sides. I know that I should not stare but I can not stop myself as I watch his muscles stretch and bulge by lifting the weights up and down.
It is almost as if I am looking at something that is so pleasing to my eyes that it is almost overwhelming. I am already swept off my feet just to see him walking through the room and now that I am staring at him while he is gyming, I realized that I need to get out of here. This time I do not need to run on the treadmill but run out of that door. I am with Steve after all.
But there is just one small problem with my plan, I can not seem to take my eyes off him. So, I force my feet to start to step away from the situation. I start to walk backward but my eyes just do not want to leave him.
Then the most embarrassing moment of my life happens.
BRIAN
I can feel her eyes on me as I start to lift up my weights. I do not know why I have been such an idiot because now I am struggling with these extra weights that I put on. But I am not going to dare to stop and I will show my strength. I can feel my arms starting to shake but I have to push it through to at least ten counts.
Then just before I reach ten, I hear a loud thump and I quickly put the bar back on its hooks. I hear a moan in the far distance and when I get up I see that exquisite woman on the ground holding her foot. In an instant, I walk over to her without realizing that I will be meeting her for the first time.
LISA
I can not believe that I have fallen over some equipment and I can feel the pain radiating in my foot. I know that I must have hurt my foot a lot as I can not move my ankle. Then when I look up I see that incredible man walking my way. He must think I am a fool, not knowing how this equipment work.
But just as he is a few feet away and we stare at each other as if we are calling each other closer, another man steps into the view. I have not even realized that there was anyone else in the gym. He bends down in front of me and then he says.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I think I just hurt my foot"
"Can I help you to the chair? We have a first aid kit in the office. I think you are going to need to put a bandage on to steady that ankle"
I realize that he must be the manager of the gym as he has access to the office and I can really use a bandage right now.
"That is nice of you, thank you"
He helps me up and then we take a seat at the chair close to the office.
BRIAN
I watch this man jumping in front of me and helping the woman that I wanted to help. I stop dead in my tracks as I am not sure what I should do now. I could go over there and then start to feel like a third wheel and make a fool of myself or I can be happy that someone is taking care of her.
Then I remember how Jim begged me not to date anyone in the Navy. I shake my head as I turn around and I wonder whether it is fate that we should not be together. But if it is fate why am I feeling so awful about this decision?
I take my bag and walk out of the gym. I just need to get some fresh air. I need to clear my head and I need to get sleep. I make my way back to the hangar. I know if I can just look at a jet, I will get a lot of perspective about a lot of things.
LISA
I look up as the manager is going to the office to get a first aid kit and then I realize that the man that makes my knees weak, is not here anymore. Suddenly, I experience an emotion that I do not think I have ever felt with a man before. I feel miserable that he is not here.
Then I start to feel anger at the manager that is helping me. I wanted it to be him that helps me but now I am stuck with this random guy. I know that I should be happy and thankful and grateful for what he is doing but all I can feel is anger.