The bus came to a halt, and Alex stood up, glancing out the window at his stop. He stepped off and felt the night air wrap around him like an embrace. His stomach grumbled, He decided it was the perfect opportunity to treat himself to a good meal. As he started walking down the street, he spotted a new barbecue restaurant that had recently opened, its vibrant sign glowing with promise.
Curiosity piqued, Alex made his way to the entrance. He opened the door, and a delightful aroma enveloped him, instantly making his mouth water. A friendly waiter approached and greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome to Smoky's BBQ! How many in your party?"
"Just me," Alex responded, returning the waiter's smile.
"Right this way!" the waiter said, leading him through a busy dining area filled with laughter and the sounds of sizzling meats. Alex took in the rustic décor—wooden tables and bar stools, walls adorned with vintage BBQ signs.
They arrived at a cozy table, and the waiter handed him a menu. Alex scanned it, his stomach rumbling louder with each passing moment. Just as he was about to decide on a hearty plate of ribs, a familiar voice broke through the din.
"Alex!"
He turned to find Mia standing a few feet away, her face illuminated by a big smile. She was with another girl, whom Alex assumed was presumably a friend, and both looked pleased to see him.
"Mia! What are you doing here?" he asked, scratching the back of his head with a chuckle.
"I saw they opened this new restaurant a few days ago and wanted to check it out," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hey, why don't we sit together?
"Sure, that sounds great," Alex replied, feeling a spark of enthusiasm. The waiter returned and gestured for them to take a seat at the table he had just been shown.
Mia introduced her friend, "This is Anna. We're on the volleyball team together."
"Nice to meet you, Anna," Alex said, nodding as she greeted him back.
They settled into their chairs, and after a moment of browsing the menu, they placed their orders. As they waited, Anna leaned in, her curiosity evident. "So, how did you and Mia meet?"
Alex chuckled again, recalling the story. "Well, I was in the park, and I ran into some bullies" He held Anna's gaze, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. "They where being jerks to me again and ,Well I ran into Mia sitting on a bench and she was kind to me".
Anna said "I'm sorry you went threw that Alex". " As Alex sighs "You don't know the half of it Tyler pulled a knife on me. I was lucky a cop showed up,"
"Wow, those guys are assholes," Anna replied, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Yeah," Alex echoed. "But all that's in the past. I'm in training now and won't let that kind of stuff happen to me or anyone I care about again."
Mia laughed lightly, "I bet you'll be a real Schwarzenegger soon!"
They all erupted into laughter, and the lighthearted moment further eased any tension in the air.
"So, what are your plans for tomorrow?" Alex asked, changing the subject.
"Well, actually, we want to go to the movies," Mia said. "There's a new haunted woods movie we want to see."
Mia paused, then turned to Alex with a bright smile. "If you want, you should come with us."
With a grin spreading across his face, Alex replied enthusiastically, "I definitely want to go! I love horror movies." The idea filled him with excitement; he appreciated the invitation.
"That's awesome!" Anna said, her enthusiasm matching Alex's. They made some more small talk about their favorite horror films and what they were expecting from the upcoming release.
Their meals arrived shortly afterward, the smoky scent wafting from platters piled high with ribs, pulled pork, and sides of coleslaw and cornbread. They eagerly dug in, the conversation flowing freely around bites of delicious food.
As they finished their meals, Alex felt a warm sense of camaraderie. They shared anecdotes about their training and volleyball practice, laughing and teasing each other, enjoying the moment of friendship. Once they had paid the bill, they stood up to leave, exchanging goodbyes.
"See you tomorrow, Alex!" Mia called as they walked out of the restaurant together.
"Yeah, can't wait!" he shouted back, waving goodbye as they parted ways.
Alex made his way home, energized by the pleasant evening he had spent with Mia and Anna. He couldn't shake the smile from his face as he thought about the movie plans—something to look forward to.
The next morning, he woke up to the sun filtering through the curtains. He stretched out his limbs, shook off the remnants of sleep, and got ready for the day. After a quick breakfast, he laced up his sneakers, ready for his morning jog.
Stepping outside, he relished the fresh air filling his lungs. The early morning sun bathed the neighborhood in a golden light, and the rhythmic sound of his footfalls against the pavement began to set the tone for the day ahead.
The route he took wound through his neighborhood and a nearby park, the familiar scenery helping him clear his mind as he focused on his breath and each stride. As he jogged, he worked on his form, recalling the advice Sebastian had given him about movement.
Not only was it about endurance, but it was about control and grace. He imagined how he would be moving in the ring—the techniques, the footwork, the balance. With each step, he felt more in tune with his body, more prepared for the challenges laid out ahead in his training.
After completing his jog, he stopped by a local diner for breakfast. Inside, the cozy atmosphere and the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted him. He took a seat at the counter, ordering a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast—just what he needed to refuel after his run.
As he waited for his food, he pulled out his phone, thinking about the plans for that evening. The anticipation of going to the movies with Mia and Anna brought a lightness to his mood. After a quick shower and changing his clothes, he figured he would make the day productive.
With breakfast brought to him, he savored every bite, appreciating the little things in life. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to check the notification. It was a message from Mia, reminding him about their movie plans and asking what time he wanted to meet.
He replied quickly, letting her know he was looking forward to it and suggesting they meet at the theater an hour before the movie started, giving them time to grab popcorn and drinks.
After finishing up and settling the bill, Alex rose from his seat with satisfaction. He stepped outside into the sunlit day and decided to run a few errands before the movie. He made his way to a nearby sporting goods store to pick up some gear for his training.
Venturing through the aisle, he selected a new pair of hand wraps and some gloves, feeling the excitement of building his arsenal for the gym. With his purchases in tow, he checked the time and realized it was getting closer to when he needed to meet Mia and Anna.
Heading toward the theater, Alex felt a thrill bubbling up. Something about the anticipation stretching out before him—watching a horror movie with friends.