The work day is as boring and monotonous as ever. Clean the equipment, check people in, restock towels. Lather rinse repeat. I’d rather be boxing right now but I have to wait until my shift is over to practice. I’m in the process of cleaning down a rowing machine when the door to the gym opens and a new face walks in. 

A person with long bright blue hair walks in. They look a little nervous but look killer in their black tennis skirt and an olive colored cropped racerback tank top that fits tight to their body.  I drop what I’m doing immediately so I can be the one to welcome them. They’re lean and muscular but not in a bodybuilder type way. I can see the slight outline of muscles peeking out from under their tight shirt. I’m not sure of their gender because they definitely don’t look cisgender but I don’t think it’s an appropriate question for me to ask so I just kind of flounder as I figure out what to say to them. 

“Hi,” They say with a shy smile as they come up to the counter to check in. “Mell, right?” Their voice is androgynous and soft but it sounds a bit like they’re working hard to make it higher than it naturally is.   

I’m confused as to how they know my name until I remember I’m wearing a nametag. I grin and lean against the table. “That’s my name,” I say smoothly, “It’s nice to meet you. What’s your name?” They look confused, so I hastily add, “So I can sign you in.”

“Um…” They hesitate for a second. “Melanie,” They finally say and give me a warm smile, their shoulders relaxing slightly. “You can call me Lanie. Um…Lanie Yoon.” 

I don’t see them in our system. “Have you been here before?” I ask, looking back at them. “I don’t see you in the system. Also, um, sorry, what are your pronouns?” I feel awkward asking but I’d prefer to get it right so I don’t accidentally insult them.

Lanie looks shocked and taken aback like they didn’t consider the question. I notice they stop and think for a moment before saying, “I use she and her pronouns. Also, I have a friend pass,” She says nervously, handing me a small card. 

I take it and look at it. “That sure is a friend pass,” I say with a grin, handing it back. I plug her name into the system and lean back against the counter. “Need me to show you around the gym?”

“Sure,” Lanie says with a small smile, running a hand through her hair.

I help Lanie work out while she’s here. There’s not much I have to do since she seems like she already knows her way around the machines and weights. “Have you done this all before?” I ask, standing up straight and dusting my hands off after helping her put some weights away.

Lanie nods, slightly out of breath with sweat gleaming on her forehead. “Yeah, I go to the gym often. I’m a dancer,” She states proudly. 

“What kind of dance?” I ask, curious.

“Ballet,” She responds, warmth in her voice. “I’ve been taking daily lessons for it since I was little.”

“That’s awesome!” I exclaim. She blushes and looks away. “I mean it,” I say earnestly. 

“Thank you,” Lanie looks back at me after a moment, that blush still in her cheeks. “You’re a boxer, right?” She asks, tilting her head slightly to the side. 

I blink. “How did you know that?” I ask.

“I’ve been to one of your fights,” She replies casually, “Pretty impressive.” 

My face heats up. “Thanks,” I say gratefully, “I do my best.” I shuffle in place as I try to find the courage to ask her to go get coffee with me. My shift is almost over and I really like her. She was relatively quiet during our time together so I guess I’m going mainly off of looks right now but she gives off kind vibes. She seemed so elegant and graceful in her movements. “Wanna get coffee?” I finally blurt out.

Lanie looks shocked. “I, um…” She seems unsure.

“If you don’t want to, that's okay,” I say quickly, not wanting to seem too eager. Maybe that’s a turn off or something.

Lanie shakes her head. “No, coffee sounds nice,” She says softly. She smiles warmly at me. 

I grin back as butterflies flutter in my stomach, hoping to be able to learn more about her over coffee.