Chapter 14

‘I think you should take up a new hobby’ Gloria was saying to her.

‘But I don’t want to’ Emilia yawned.

She lay on the bed now, stretching out like a cat, one leg up in the air, her arms above her head, her other leg on the floor.

‘I just want to sit indoors and read poetry’ Emilia went on.

It had been a few days since Naomi had rejected her, and Emilia, while she had seemed to have retained her happy composure, had kept more to herself.

When she wasn’t in lessons, Emilia had stayed in her dorm room, reading and doing little else.

‘I think you should do something a little more physical’ Gloria told her. ‘It will keep your mind distracted, not to mention it’s good for your body.’

‘And how do you know what’s good for my body? Also is that an invitation?’ Emilia asked teasingly, turning her head towards Gloria and raising an eyebrow.

‘In your dreams’ Gloria replied flatly.

‘So, what do you think I should do?’

‘Well,’ Gloria thought aloud. ‘You’ve never really shown much interest in the riding stables.’

‘There’s a good reason for that’ Emilia said to the ceiling. ‘I don’t like horses at all. I touched one once, and you can’t get the smell off yourself. No matter how much you wash, the stink of horse is still there. Plus, they’re dangerous.’

‘Dangerous?’

‘They could kill you.’

‘You could die walking down the street’ Gloria countered.

‘That’s a comforting thought’ Emilia droned.

‘There are safety measures for the horses. Wearing helmets is a requirement.’

‘What if I get kicked in the face?’

Gloria sighed. ‘Ok then, something else.’

‘Right. Well, I used to do kickboxing, but it was never the same after the doctor took my leg.’

‘Right.’

Gloria pondered to herself for a few moments.

‘What about gymnastics?’ Gloria offered.

Emilia was silent.

‘Is that a thoughtful silence?’ Gloria prompted.

‘Hm.’

‘I think gymnastics would be great’ Gloria repeated. ‘I do it from time to time and…. I think it would be good for you.’

‘Ok’ Emilia relented. ‘I guess you’re right.’

‘You don’t have to huff like that.’

‘I didn’t.’

‘I’ll talk Annabel’ Gloria said.

‘Who dat?’

‘She’s head of the gymnastic team. She’s so pretty. Even I can’t help but stare at her.’

Emilia’s ears perked up then.

‘Right?’

‘She’s been doing gymnastics since she was very young’ Gloria went on. ‘She’s so talented.’

Is she flexible I wonder?

‘Ok’ Emilia said. ‘I think you’re right. But you’ll go with me won’t you? I don’t want to go alone.’

‘Absolutely.’

Emilia sighed. ‘That’s a relief.’

‘You’re not scared, are you?’

‘Of course not’ Emilia told the ceiling. ‘I just like your company.’

‘Ok then.’

Gloria rose to her feet suddenly.

‘Then let’s go!’

‘Now?’

‘Of course,’ Gloria said, turning back to her, ‘no time like the present, right? Now get up. I’m tired of seeing you sulking on your bed.’

‘I wasn’t sulking’ Emilia grumbled, sitting up and grabbing her prosthetic leg from the floor, quickly fixing it in place.’

She rose to her feet too quickly and fell forwards.

Gloria heard a crash. She glanced around to see Emilia on the floor.

‘Ow ow ow.’

‘Are you alright Emilia?’ Gloria asked, only half-concerned.

‘Yup yup’ Emilia hastened, quickly rising and acting like nothing had happened. ‘I’m coming.’

 *

Minutes later, Emilia and Gloria stood side by side in front of Annabel in the gym hall.

Emilia glanced Annabel up and down briefly, when she was looking at Gloria, before meeting her eyes again.

She’s so beautiful.

‘I’d love to teach you’ Annabel was saying.

‘That’s great’ Gloria smiled, looking back at Emilia excitedly. ‘We can practice together. That’s exciting right?’

‘Yeah, excited’ Emilia echoed.

Her eyes travelled over Annabel’s body again quickly, roving over her tall and lean frame, before snapping back to attention.

‘When would you like to start?’ Annabel asked them both with a smile.

Gloria spoke up before Emilia had a chance to do so.

‘Well, you’re practicing now, aren’t you?’ Gloria smiled sweetly.

‘Yes I am.’

‘We could start now’ Gloria said. ‘Wouldn’t that be great?’ she said to Emilia with a big grin.

‘Oh yeah’ Emilia grinned back. ‘Very great.’

This is all happening so fast. How did I even get here? I few minutes ago I was on my bed, now this…?

‘Do you have anything you can change into?’ Annabelle asked them both.

‘We do, don’t we?’ Gloria asked glancing towards Emilia.

‘Oh yes. Well I do, I got some shorts and a shirt in my bag…’

‘Good’ Annabel nodded. ‘That’s great. You can get changed in the locker room then meet me back here.’

‘Ok!’ Gloria spoke for both of them. ‘Come on Emilia.’