Leo's eyes fluttered open, greeted by a sliver of sunlight filtering through the small window. It took him a second to realize that his hand was resting on something soft, warm—*Samantha's chest.* His face flushed in panic as he quickly pulled his hand away, careful not to wake her, but the feeling lingered, and he felt his pulse quicken.
Leo swallowed hard, mentally scolding himself. Samantha was older, mature, and breathtakingly beautiful, her curvaceous figure often a distraction he fought to ignore. But moments like this didn't make it easy.
Samantha stirred, opening her eyes groggily. "Good morning," she said, her voice still heavy with sleep.
Leo, red-faced, muttered a quick "Good morning," trying to seem normal. Samantha raised an eyebrow, studying his flustered expression but didn't press further. Instead, she gave a small nod and stretched, her movements somehow graceful despite her fatigue. Leo couldn't help but notice her toned form, her fitness accentuating her curves in a way that left him momentarily speechless.
As they got ready for the day, they agreed to skip their breakfast order to conserve points. With only 300 left, they would have to be careful. They decided to eat sparingly, taking advantage of the free meals the officials would provide later.
After a quick bite, Samantha started her morning exercise routine in the room. She was focused and disciplined, her movements controlled and precise, as if every stretch and every rep had a purpose. Leo couldn't look away, captivated by the strength and dedication she put into every part of her routine.
Noticing his gaze, Samantha raised an eyebrow. "You should join me," she suggested. "We'll need every bit of endurance we can get for what's coming next. Physical preparation could make the difference."
"Uh, yeah… Sure," Leo said, a bit hesitant but determined. He was still flushed, but her words struck a chord, and he didn't want to seem weak. They spent the next hour training together, working through stretches, endurance exercises, and agility drills. Samantha kept a steady pace, and Leo tried to match her, pushing through despite the burn in his muscles.
When they finally finished, they were both exhausted, beads of sweat clinging to their skin. Samantha grabbed her towel and headed to the washroom to freshen up, leaving Leo to catch his breath. As she disappeared behind the door, he caught a glimpse of her bra left on a chair, noting her size as he quickly turned his eyes away, mentally berating himself for even noticing.
When she re-emerged, she was dressed in a simple but well-fitting outfit from their shopping trip: jeans and a fitted shirt that accentuated her figure effortlessly. Leo swallowed hard, doing his best to keep his expression neutral. *She looks… amazing,* he thought, though he kept the compliment to himself.
After Leo took his turn to wash up, they decided to explore more of the campus. Despite the harsh conditions of the competition, the campus was oddly well-equipped, offering facilities that seemed more like a luxury resort than a prison or test grounds.
Their path led them to a small park area, lush and green, with benches and paths lined by trees. A few pairs were scattered around, some relaxing, others discussing strategies or simply enjoying a rare moment of peace. Leo and Samantha found a bench and settled down, observing the others in silence for a moment.
"So… yesterday's race," Leo started, breaking the silence. "What did you think of it?"
Samantha gave a small nod, folding her arms as she spoke. "It was designed to test more than just speed. Endurance, coordination, mental focus. I'm guessing each test will push different limits."
Leo considered this, nodding. "Makes sense. And I think… I think we make a good team," he said, glancing over at her. He hadn't planned on saying it, but it felt right.
Samantha's gaze softened, and though she didn't say much, her slight nod seemed to acknowledge his words. As they sat there, a comfortable silence settled between them, their partnership slowly beginning to take on a foundation of mutual respect.