Chapter 9: Sweat

I won't survive this. My half of the bed looks like I've wet myself repeatedly. But it's just sweat, I swear! This incredibly expensive school doesn't afford its students' air conditioning, and the weather isn't even the worst part.

It's Miko who thinks she has to put her arm around me in her sleep. In all my previous fantasies, this would be a reason for pure ecstasy, but the reality is harsh and unfair.

"I'm going to take a shower," I announce quietly, Miko answers with incomprehensible mumbling and turns onto her stomach. I have no idea how she can sleep like this.

By the way, yesterday was more or less relaxed. Whoever planned our stay didn't schedule us anywhere for the first day. So, we were able to fill our stomachs in the dormitory cafeteria and then spent the rest of the afternoon chilling in our room.

When I used the shower for the first time yesterday, I found school uniforms for Miko and me in a laundry basket next to the sink, with matching armbands identifying us as guests.

While I'm standing under the water, lathered up and ready to shower me off, the door to the bathroom opens, and Miko walks in. She gives me a quick glance and sighs. I look over my shoulder in disbelief. The naturalness with which she sits down on the toilet to take a pee eliminates any chance of me being embarrassed in any way.

"I told you to let me go to the toilet first."

"As if I could understand that! Next time, open your mouth when you speak."

"Oh, do we have a morning grouch here?"

Huh? She's provoking me, isn't she?

"Might get cold." Before I realize her warning, I'm startled by the sudden cold water splashing over my body.

Miko washes her hands calmly and grins at me shamelessly. Standing in the doorway to leave the bathroom, she looks over again.

"Make sure you don't stab anyone with these two." She points in my direction with a spread middle and index finger before closing the door.

It's lovely how she made eye contact with my nipples before even treating me to dinner. After I could end my shower without any further disturbances, I dry myself off and put on the school uniform. I'm unsure where they got my measurements from, but it fits perfectly.

"How do I look?" I present myself to Miko, who is lying in bed watching TV.

"Make yourself a ponytail. It'll look cute." The speed at which her reply came reveals her words as a disguised tease. But she could be right. Maybe I'll tie my hair into a ponytail.

"Well, I'm off to take a shower now. Then breakfast and off to the gym hall?" she looks at me questioningly.

"Sounds good." I give her an unenergetic thumbs up and delve into my backpack in search of hair ties.

But then I hear a noise that gets my attention. The click of the bathroom door lock that Miko has just used. Was her demonstration earlier just a lesson that I should lock up if I want privacy? Honestly, I simply forgot that I could use it and assumed that Miko was unlikely to walk in when I was showering.

Maybe, just maybe, she just wanted to peek a little. But why should she?

◆

"I've never seen you do sports before, so we'll be in this gym for the next few hours so that I can get to know your limits."

"But other students are here too."

"And? Would you rather do it outside?"

I shake my head. "No, I'd rather not!"

"One lap on the running track should be 400 meters. We start by running two or three laps at a relaxed pace. Pay attention to your breathing, and don't go too fast."

Relaxed pace? I wouldn't know how to do fast anyway.

The first hundred meters feel surprisingly easy. It reminds me a little of the old days when running was still fun. But before I've even completed half the course, I find it more and more difficult to breathe. Miko adapts to my tempo and gives me a slightly annoyed look. I'm out of breath far too early to expect anything like sympathy from her. So, I grit my teeth and keep running.

On the second lap, my breathing problems are joined by the first signs of my muscles tightening up. I feel nothing but shame for this sad body I call my own. But whatever! As long as I don't end up on the ground, I just keep going.

"Don't you want to stop?"

Why is she asking this? Can't she see that I'm giving it my all?

"No!" The word comes out weaker than intended, but she grins widely anyway and continues to run alongside me. Huh, wait a minute. I've stopped paying attention to how many laps I've completed.

"We're on lap seven. The confusion is written all over your face."

The number seven functions like an emergency stop button. I search for a suitable spot where I can let myself sink to the floor. My heart is racing, my breathing is way too fast, and my legs are burning.

"Take a deep breath and have a drink." Miko takes a big gulp of an isotonic drink and puts the bottle down next to my head. As I try to just get on with life, I hear footsteps approaching.

"Is everything okay with her? Do you need any help?" asks an unknown voice. I am too weak to turn around and find out who is speaking.

"She's doing great. Is there a reason why you're watching us all the time?"

"Oh, you've noticed?"

"Wasn't that hard."

"I am sorry. I can't help it. After Hannah told me about you and I saw you walk in here, I couldn't take my eyes off you." All right, maybe I'll see who Miko is talking to after all.

The woman is wearing white shoes, black sports leggings, and a white oversized hoodie. Her light green hair is tied back in a cute little ponytail and is probably no more than shoulder-length when left loose.

"My name is Alex."

"I'm Kayla." By now, I'm getting whole words out again.

"Miko." Oh, she sounds a bit annoyed.

"I didn't mean to bother you guys. I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."

"Thank you."

Lying on the ground, I wave after her as she walks away, slightly shattered. I understand it's not so easy not to get hurt by Miko's attitude.

"I think that was enough running for the start. We're going to do a little full-body workout now."

I lost all sense of time during the torture. I search for a clock while we sit on a bench at the edge of the hall and observe other students doing their training.

"What a show-off." Miko clicks her tongue and points in one direction with a nod of her head. I look around and see Alex walking through the hall in a handstand. It's difficult for me to imagine exactly how to do this because I lack any sense of balance and the necessary strength.

"I want to see her fight."

"Huh, why?"

"The way she moves, I like it."

Wow, I've never heard any praise like that coming from Miko's mouth.

"I'll go talk to her." And with that, she hops up from the bench and heads straight for Alex.

It's a strange feeling. Since I've known Miko, she's never shown any interest in anything or anyone but me. I don't think it's because I'm such an exciting person. It's more that our work inevitably brings us together. So, I don't really understand why I'm getting so jealous right now.

Miko's back is turned to me. I can only see Alex's face as the two of them chat. She smiles the whole time and often waves her hand modestly. She's probably fending off Miko's compliments. She likes the way she moves. She wants to see her fight... Where? In bed or what?

It makes everything worse that I realize how stupid and unnecessary my thoughts are. I'm seriously sinking into self-pity right now and feel betrayed by my colleague because she's talking to another woman.

"I can't stand her. I couldn't get anything out of her." I'm a little startled internally by the fact that Miko is suddenly back beside me.

"Unlucky. I thought she was really cute." I don't know why I say that. I didn't even look that closely at Alex.

Miko puffs air through her nose. "I'm sure you'd get along."

"Who knows?"

"Why are you grinning so smugly? You love it when I'm pissed off, don't you?"

"I wouldn't put it like that."

"Let's run a few more laps and get out of here."

Why do I have to suffer now because she's in a bad mood?