Andrea's phone buzzed on the bench beside her, the screen lighting up with a familiar name. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her heart sinking slightly as she saw "Mom" flashing on the screen. With a deep breath, she picked up the phone, trying to compose herself.
"Hey, Mom," she said, her voice deliberately cheerful as she pressed the phone to her ear.
"Hey, honey," her mom's warm voice greeted her, but there was an undercurrent of longing that Andrea couldn't ignore.
Andrea shifted on the bench, the towel around her neck damp with sweat. She stared at her reflection in the gym mirror, forcing a neutral expression. "How are you?" she asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from herself.
Her mom's voice softened, carrying a mix of concern and excitement. "It's been so long since we talked. Where are you right now?"
Andrea hesitated, glancing around the bustling gym. A guy was adjusting weights nearby, the clang of metal plates adding to the background noise. "Uh, I'm at the gym," she said, her tone light but clipped. "Did you need something, Mom?"
There was a brief pause before her mom continued, her tone tinged with a subtle plea. "I was just thinking… why don't you come home this weekend? It's been ages since we've had some family time. I haven't seen you since you started college, and I miss you."
Andrea felt a pang of guilt twist in her chest. Her mom's words brought with them an image of the warm, cozy kitchen back home, the scent of freshly baked cookies, and her mom's ever-watchful eyes.
She pulled her knees up onto the bench, curling into herself. "I miss you too, Mom," she admitted softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on her towel. "But things have been so hectic. Dance rehearsals, schoolwork—it's all piling up." She bit her lip, knowing it sounded like an excuse even as the words left her mouth.
Her mom's voice softened further, a trace of disappointment slipping through. "I understand, honey. I just thought it'd be nice to see you, even if just for a day. But if you're too busy…"
Andrea's stomach churned with a mixture of guilt and longing. She looked at her reflection again, her eyes meeting her own. What was she so afraid of?
"I'll try," she said finally, the words feeling heavier than she expected. "No promises, though."
There was a pause, and then her mom's smile was audible through the phone. "Okay, sweetheart. Just know we're always here. I love you."
Andrea swallowed hard, her voice quiet. "Love you too, Mom."
As the call ended, she stared at the dark screen of her phone, the guilt settling in her chest like a stone. Her reflection in the mirror seemed to question her, as if asking why it was so hard to go home.
She slung her gym bag over her shoulder and stood, resolving to figure out the answer to that question later. For now, she needed to focus on the here and now—even if part of her longed for the comfort of her mother's embrace.
Andrea's heart skipped a beat when she saw Joe walking toward her, fresh from his workout. She'd always been drawn to him, but today, something about the way his eyes locked onto hers made her pulse quicken. His confident smile made the butterflies in her stomach flutter harder.
"Hey, Andrea," he greeted, his voice smooth, like a melody she could listen to all day. "How's it going?"
She forced herself to focus. "Hey, Joe. Everything's good." She flashed him a smile, but her nerves were evident, the tiny quiver in her voice betraying her.
"Good to hear," he replied, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of unease. He stepped a little closer, just enough that she could feel the warmth of his presence. "What are you up to?"
"I was thinking," she hesitated, her fingers nervously playing with the strap of her gym bag, "maybe if you're done with your workout, we could grab breakfast together?"
Joe's eyes brightened, and the corner of his lips curled upward. "Yeah, I'd like that. Just give me a second to finish up here."
Andrea nodded, her heart racing. She watched him for a moment, his back turned as he packed his bag, the muscles in his shoulders flexing with each movement. She found herself looking for any excuse to stare a little longer, but she quickly snapped out of it, shaking her head and forcing herself to look away.
When he finally turned back to her, ready to leave, his gaze softened. "Shall we?" he asked, his tone casual, yet there was something about the way his eyes lingered on her that made her feel both seen and desired.
"Yeah, let's go," Andrea replied, a smile tugging at her lips. She followed him, the tension between them palpable with each step. Her mind raced, half-fearful that she might say the wrong thing, but also hoping that Joe felt the same chemistry she did.
At the restaurant, Andrea sat across from Joe, her legs crossed tightly beneath the table, a mix of excitement and nerves swirling inside her. She couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to him. There was something so natural about the way he listened, the way his smile made her feel as though she was the only person in the world.
Joe broke the silence first. "So, what's new? How's the academy going?"
"It's been great," Andrea replied, the words flowing a little easier now. "I'm actually seeing some progress with my flexibility, thanks to you."
Joe chuckled, and Andrea felt her heart flutter. "Glad to hear it. You've been working hard."
Andrea smiled shyly, her gaze dropping to her coffee cup. "I have to admit, I've been looking forward to seeing you at the gym. You're definitely one of the highlights of my day."
The compliment caught Joe off guard, but he didn't let it show. Instead, his eyes softened, and he leaned forward slightly. "I'm glad to hear that. You're one of the reasons I look forward to my mornings too," he said, his voice dropping a little, the words more intimate now.
Andrea's pulse quickened, a warm flush creeping up her neck. She could feel the weight of his words sinking in, and for a brief moment, she thought about how easy it would be to cross the line between friends and something more. But she held back, not sure if Joe felt the same way or if she was imagining things.
"Okay, so," she said, trying to lighten the mood, "I have a challenge for you. Why don't you give me your number, and I'll send you a dance video later?"
Joe's expression softened, a playful glint in his eyes. "How about you dance for me live instead?" he teased, his voice low, filled with an unspoken promise.
Andrea's breath hitched at the suggestion, her heart racing. "We're at a restaurant," she replied, trying to laugh it off, but her cheeks flushed with heat. "I'm too shy for that."
Joe chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on her. "Fair enough," he said, his smile widening as he reached into his pocket. "Here, take my number. I'm looking forward to that video."
Andrea's heart fluttered again as she took his phone number, her fingers brushing against his as she did. A wave of electricity passed through her at the touch, making her wish she could reach out and close the distance between them.
"I'll send it to you by the end of the day," she promised, her voice suddenly much softer, almost shy.
"I'll be waiting," Joe replied, his tone hushed and teasing. The way his eyes lingered on her made Andrea feel as though there was something more to their connection than simple attraction.
As they left the restaurant together, Andrea couldn't help but think about the intensity of the conversation. Every word, every glance between them had been charged with something undeniable. She couldn't wait to send him that dance video, but more than that, she was already anticipating their next meeting. The thought of Joe seeing her dance, seeing her in a way he hadn't before, sent a jolt of excitement through her.
The chemistry between them was undeniable, and Andrea couldn't help but wonder where it would take them next.