Rachel had been on a mission for weeks: Operation Get Cassandra to the Gym. Her friend needed a healthy outlet, a space to de-stress, but getting her there and keeping her motivated was proving to be a full-time job. The irony wasn’t lost on Rachel, who, despite her fervent encouragement, abstained entirely from public gym life herself.

For Rachel, the idea of a public workout space was anathema. Growing up, any attempts to get to a gym meant negotiating with her brothers, who would inevitably throw out ridiculous "cabbie fees" or shrug off her requests entirely. Now, living away from their endless demands, she cherished the freedom from navigating public traffic and, more significantly, the pressure of conforming to gym fashion. Ladies' gym clothes, with their cut-outs and compression fits, were a far cry from her preferred modest style. She didn’t want to feel eyes on her, judging or observing, as she tried to focus on her form. Her home training sessions were private, comfortable, and tailored to her needs.

Still, Cassandra needed a push. So, at the usual morning hour, after her own invigorating home training session, Rachel found herself accompanying Cassandra to the sprawling community gym. Instead of her usual comfortable athletic wear, Rachel had chosen the most voluminous, flowy fabric she owned – a long, loose tunic over equally loose leggings, looking less like gym attire and more like something one might wear to a spiritual retreat. Her destination wasn't the weight room or the cardio machines, but the quiet, sparkling blue of the pool. She didn’t know how to swim, so her plan was simple: settle into the shallow end like a human tea bag, just existing in the water, waiting.

She’d just lowered herself into the cool embrace of the chlorinated water, the fabric billowing around her legs, when a familiar voice cut through the gentle lapping.

“Ah… what are you doing here today??”

Rachel looked up. Alexander stood at the edge of the pool, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. He was in his usual practice outfit for the gym and basketball, the fitted material showing off the lean, powerful muscles of his arms and chest. He looked like he’d been carved from a block of granite and then handed a protein shake. Rachel, by now, kind of knew his schedule by heart; he was always here, early, relentless.

“Being a tea bag in the pool,” Rachel quipped, letting the water lap at her chin. “And you’re morning training now already?”

Alexander let out a soft chuckle. “Yeah, full session before classes. I don’t get why you don’t exercise in the gym like everyone else.”

Rachel sighed, a ripple disturbing the water around her. “Well, to start, it feels like someone is watching as I exercise, and it is uncomfortable to wear ladies’ gym clothes that show off too much skin in public. So no thanks, I don’t want to.” She shrugged, pulling a piece of stray fabric out of her eyes. Her reasons were simple, logical, and personal.

Suddenly, a bright, cheerful voice chirped from behind Alexander. “What are you guys talking about??”

Heather, a vision of athletic chic, joined them. She was in a cute sports outfit – perfectly coordinated top and leggings – and her long blond hair was pulled up into a sleek, high ponytail, not a strand out of place. Her smile was wide, but her eyes held a spark of curiosity, perhaps even a hint of something else as she glanced between Rachel and Alexander.

“Being a tea bag while waiting for Cassandra to finish her training,” Rachel repeated, a small smirk playing on her lips. “Which reminds me!” she announced, suddenly sitting bolt upright in the water, sending a small splash towards Alexander. “Are you busy this weekend, Heather??”

Heather blinked, taken slightly aback by the abrupt shift in topic. “I’m not sure, why??”

“Well, Harls offered her fashionable help with Cassandra, and we can make it a hang out since Emily and Evelyn are coming too.”

Heather looked at Alexander, who was now leaning against the pool edge, an amused expression on his face, then back to Rachel, who was still bobbing in the water like an enthusiastic buouy. “Sure, I guess,” she said, her voice a little hesitant.

“Great! See you there!” Rachel said, already pushing herself up out of the pool. A shimmer, almost imperceptible to the casual observer, passed over her, and by the time she was fully standing on the tiled deck, her flowy clothes were bone dry. She bypassed the locker rooms entirely. “Enjoy your training! Both of you.”

Rachel walked away a little before stopping for a moment. “Oh, right!” Rachel spun around, pointing a finger at Alexander. “Don’t forget to breathe, Alexander! And drive your way safely to your house, no checking emails and calls while driving!” She knew he did that often, having been in the car with him when he’d driven her to Brad’s office before classes and again when they both had to head to their own lectures.

Alexander threw his hands up in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, mom! Even Aunt Claire doesn’t do this to me!” he teased, a wide grin stretching across his face.

Rachel pulled out her tongue at him childishly, then turned and scampered off, her loose clothes flowing around her as she went to find Cassandra.

Heather’s perfectly coiffed eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly as she watched Rachel disappear. That easy camaraderie, that natural give-and-take, felt like a secret language she was excluded from, and for a reason she couldn't quite place, she found she didn't like it.