Screech! I slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision with a parked car.
"Shit... that's why my parents don't want me to drive..." I muttered, dismounting the bike and taking off my helmet.
I looked up at the gym, its imposing structure looming before me. It was an impressive building, with sleek lines and modern architecture. A wave of excitement washed over me. This is where I'll begin my training.
I walked inside, the cool air conditioning a welcome relief from the humid evening air. The receptionist, a young woman with a friendly smile, greeted me from behind the counter.
What should I ask for? A membership?
Before I could speak, a familiar voice called out my name.
"Xian!"
I turned to see Dove striding towards me, a welcoming smile on her face.
"Just arrived?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
"Yeah," I replied, feeling a bit flustered. "I was just about to ask about getting a membership—"
"No need for that," Dove interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. "This gym is ours. You don't have to pay."
I glanced at the receptionist, who simply smiled and nodded. I returned the gesture, a sense of gratitude filling me.
"Alright, then..." I trailed off, unsure of what to say next.
I placed the helmet on the receptionist's desk. "Would you mind holding onto this for me?" I asked.
The young woman smiled and nodded. "Of course! I'll find a safe place for it."
I turned to Dove, who was already heading towards the elevator. "Let's go!" she called out over her shoulder. "We have a lot to do!"
I hurried after her, my mind buzzing with anticipation.
"So... what should I do to work on these muscles?" I asked Dove, walking beside her as we entered the gym. I couldn't help but notice her workout attire – an oversized T-shirt paired with tight leggings that accentuated her curves.
Is she even really my cousin? I wondered, marveling at her effortless beauty.
She caught me staring and flashed a playful smirk. "Let's start with biceps for now, I'll send you a detailed workout plan later, okay?" She winked, and I felt a blush creeping onto my cheeks.
We reached the weightlifting area, a vast expanse of mirrors and gleaming metal. Racks of dumbbells lined the walls, their weights ranging from a few kilograms to monstrous chunks of iron.
"Go ahead and grab the 2-kilogram weights for each hand," Dove instructed.
"2 kilograms each..." I mumbled, approaching the rack and reaching for the dumbbells.
Thud! The weights slipped from my grasp, clattering to the floor.
"Huh... you're weaker than you look," Dove teased, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
I looked at her sheepishly. "Haha... yeah, kinda."
She sighed, a gentle smile on her face. "Let's start with 1 kilogram each, then, we'll work our way up."
I nodded gratefully, ditching the heavier weights and picking up a pair of 1-kilogram dumbbells.
As I stood there, adjusting my grip, I felt a light touch on my hair. I turned to see Dove playing with a strand of it, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"This is going to get in your way, Let me grab some hair ties for you," she said, her voice soft and teasing
She walked away, leaving me holding the dumbbells and feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and anticipation.
Shit... This is embarrassing. I felt my cheeks flush as I looked around the gym, my eyes taking in the impressive physiques of the other patrons. Bulging biceps, veins like steel cables, muscles rippling with every movement.
Am I even allowed in here? I wondered, self-consciousness washing over me. I was a skinny, awkward teenager in a room full of fitness gods and goddesses.
I looked down at my own body, a sigh escaping my lips.
Just then, Dove reappeared, a triumphant smile on her face. "Here!" she chirped, holding up a handful of hair ties. "Found them."
I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the interruption. She chuckled at my obvious discomfort. "You were just standing there awkwardly?"
"Yeah..." I admitted sheepishly. "I didn't know what to do."
She stepped behind me, her fingers gently gathering my long hair. "Just pull your arms up like this," she instructed, demonstrating a bicep curl. "Feel the burn in your biceps. Ten reps, three sets." She deftly tied my hair into a ponytail, securing it with a hair tie. "There, done."
"Ten reps, three sets?" I repeated, trying to process the instructions.
"Yes, Ten repetitions of the exercise, repeated three times."
"Ah..." I nodded, finally understanding.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror behind the dumbbell rack. "Huh... a ponytail," I muttered, surprised by the unfamiliar sight of my hair pulled back.
"Well, from behind, you do kind of look like a girl," Dove remarked, a playful glint in her eye.
"Yeah," I sighed, recalling the taunts of my classmates. "People call me 'pretty boy' sometimes, so I guess they're not entirely wrong."
"Pretty boy?" She leaned closer, examining my face. "Well, you do have delicate features," she said with a teasing smile. "Maybe they're right, haha!"
I chuckled, feeling a warmth spreading through my cheeks. "Yeah, I get that a lot," I admitted, self-consciously running a hand through my hair.
Dove reached out and tucked a stray strand behind my ear, her touch sending a shiver down my spine. "Well, it certainly doesn't detract from your charm," she said with a playful wink.
I blushed, my heart skipping a beat. There was something about Dove's teasing that was both embarrassing and strangely exhilarating.
"Alright, enough flirting," she said, clapping her hands together, her tone shifting to one of focus. "Let's get started with your training. First, we need to assess your current strength and fitness level."
I was still holding the 1-kilogram dumbbells in each hand.
She glanced at the weights. "That's two kilograms total, right?"
"Yes,one kilogram on each side."
"Great, now, show me your form. Do a few bicep curls."
< Chapter 030 > Fin.