Ed manages not to completely fuck up his first day*

Ed did as instructed and wiped down the machines, collected towels, put weights away, generally tided up and cleaned up the studios after classes.

What he quickly found was that wearing a cleaners tabard made him effectively invisible. Women who might have smiled at him when he was last there last week looked away when they saw the cleaners uniform. He felt a little self conscious that they wouldn't look at him wondering whether it really was the uniform, did they just feel uncomfortable about having a man there, was it something about his looks, did they feel awkward about his loss or had he just become repulsive from self pity. He suppressed the observation to his subconscious, whatever the problem was it was theirs and not his, he was working and earning an honest wage.

As instructed he did his best to avoid staring at the women who worked out at the gym and after awhile most of the tits and asses bouncing on display faded into the background. Of course there were some exceptions and despite his determination the 19 year old male found himself transfixed by a particularly attractive ass. Ed cleaned the machines until he got closer to the woman stretching and pretended to clean something from the floor behind her.

The woman turned around and smiled down at him.

Ed looked up and saw his neighbour Jasmine looking down at him. "Hey... how are you? Well I guess I shouldn't ask that after everything that's happened. I mean it's crazy and sometimes since it happened I've wondered what I would do if it happened to me. But then I feel bad because it seems selfish to make it about me but what else can I do because that's my reality that I live and I don't live someone else's. Then I wonder whether empathy is real, like do I show empathy because I care about the other person or am I just glad something bad didn't happen to me. Does it matter either way? Like does the intent behind the action matter to the external party who I feel bad for as long as they know that I feel bad that a bad thing happened to them even if I never really knew them that well."

Ed stood and looked at her quizzingly "that's the most you've ever said to me."

Jasmine blushed "yeah, I know, sorry." She rubbed her armed awkwardly "I just don't really know the correct words to say about... you know..."

Ed frowned "yeah I know..."

"Well of course you know, I know you know, I mean we all know... it's just... its sucks" Jasmine continued

Ed laughed at the understatement "yeah"

"My mom always tells me to stay quiet or my mouth will run away from me and I'll say something stupid like" she rolls her eyes and imitates her mom "if you don't have something smart to say then don't say anything at all" Jasmine scoffs then returns to her normal voice "yeah, as if I'm always going to listen to her for the rest of HER life."

Ed stared at Jasmine.

Jasmine's mouth widened in shock and she bit her hand "oh my god, I'm doing it again, frecklesnacks" She pressed her hands together "I'm sorry, I'll stop now because I think I'm about to get into trouble."

Ava approached them and smiled at them professionally "is everything ok here?"

Jasmine smiled "it's my bad, I just keep putting my foot in it"

Ava frowned "so he's not disturbing you?"

"Oh gosh no!" Jasmine replied "he's a sweetie really".

"Do you know each other?" Ava asked

Jasmine looked thoughtful "no, I wouldn't say so, I mean we are neighbours and went to the same school but we never really hung out and my mom didn't like his mom but I guess that's not a problem anym..." Jasmine face went pale.

Ava smiled at Jasmine "well you seem like a very interesting young lady but Ed has some work to do".

Jasmine smiled at Ed "you work, that's cool. Maybe we can see each other around some time."

Ed nodded "yeah... I guess"

Ava guided Ed back to her office and asked "what happened there? Is everything ok?"

Ed burst out laughing "yeah, it is. I always thought she never spoke because she was too cool and self important but instead she's... that..."

Ava laughed "we get all sorts in here. I'm just glad you took my advice. I have to admit I was worried a handsome man like you would just try to fuck his way around my staff and clients."

Ed blushed "well I..."

Ava stretched in her chair which caused her impressive breasts to strain at the fabric of her top. It was a wonder of modern technology that they could be restrained. "I don't blame you, when I first worked in a gym I felt as though I was in a candy shop will my choice of snacks" she closed her eyes smiled, her hands subconsciously rubbing the outside of her thighs. She flicked them open again "maybe this old woman will regale you some stories from my glory days when we have a few drinks at our Christmas party. I used to have quite the adventures."

"I'm sure you could still have all the adventures you want" Ed remarked.

Ava smiled "maybe...."

The rest of the day remained uneventful and he cleaned the ladies lockers at the end of the day without incident. Cory drove him home that night and parked outside his house.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come in?" Cory asked.

Ed shock his head "no, I need a shower and unwind" he rubbed his shoulder "I'm not used to hard labour"

Cory laughed and squeezed her breasts "it's not exactly a gulag and the view is surely more than compensation."

Ed grinned "its certainly a perk"

Cory placed a hand on his thigh "I could give you a massage if you'd like."

Ed hesitated as his cock twitched in reply to the offer. Cory had stayed over a few times but nothing had happened between them since that night. He wasn't sure whether it was something he could or should allow to happen again.