Joining circles.

After the bell rang, I parted ways with my girlfriends and went to look for my sister, as I wanted to talk to her about Thomas’ plan before I had to leave for the gym. I found her and we talked in her now empty classroom.

“I see… Sounds like a good plan to me,” Isabelle said, easily agreeing.

“I hope it is.” I groaned. “They shouldn’t have to act like they barely know each other.”

“I’m with you there. It still hurts that Noelle and I only just found out that they’ve been friends for so long. Seriously, Alice never even brought them up before.”

I rubbed my neck. “It goes both ways. The girls want to protect Alice, and Alice doesn’t want to burden the girls any more than she feels she already has.”

Isabelle smirked and poked my stomach. “Already know all about it, huh? Alice trusts you so much already.”

I felt my cheeks heating up. “A-Anyway. If you think you can help me with this, then I’d be really thankful.”

Isabelle puffed her chest. “Leave it to me. I can look like I’m on friendly terms with assholes like Julian Jenkings. Getting people used to seeing Alice with Mila, Grace and Sarah will be a piece of cake.”

“Do that and I’ll treat you to a whole cheesecake.”

Isabelle’s eyes lit up. “You’re just the most wonderful brother in the world.”

I chortled. “Save it. I have to go to the gym now. See you later.”

“Yeah. Oh, before that! How’s Thomas doing?”

Right. That. “Better. The nurse said there was nothing wrong with him, but that he should still go to the doctor. His mother came to pick him up and took him.”

“I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“You and me both.”

“Oliver, my boy! How are you today?” Mr. Carlos greeted me with his usual warm, booming voice. The huge mountain of a man walked up to me with a kind smile as I was waiting for my turn at the bench press.

“Doing well, Mr. Carlos. Thank you. How about you?”

“Always well, my boy, always well!” He laughed. “How is school going for you lately?”

I smiled. “Eventful, but… fulfilling.”

Mr. Carlos grinned. “That is simply a joy to hear.” Yeah. Wouldn’t have been able to say that six months ago.

The bench press became available, with the guy who used it before me even wiping off his sweat from it. Always nice to have people like that. “If you don’t mind, Mr. Carlos, would you spot for me? I… want to try going up to 90 kilos.”

The big man blinked and looked at me worriedly. “Are you sure, boy? You’re going up a whole 10 kilos in one go, am I right?”

I nodded. “I think I can pull it off.”

Ever since the day after… my threesome with Alice and Noelle, I had been feeling a little stronger, with more energy. Physical energy, at least. I was already planning on going up to 84 kilos, but now I felt like I could do more. Regardless, I’d rather have someone look out for me in case I was simply getting ahead of myself, and Mr. Carlos was never one to refuse giving a helping hand.

“You know your body better than anyone,” he said. “Of course I’ll help.”

He even helped me set up the weights. Also, he still shouted his encouragement in a voice that resounded around the entire gym, but I managed to hit my goal without feeling like it was much harder than lifting 80 kilos.

“Amazing! Simply amazing, Oliver!” Mr. Carlos clapped and praised me as I set the weights down. I was startled when other people joined him in clapping. They were people I knew in passing, other gym members who I saw often but never talked to much.

I smiled awkwardly and bowed my head, muttering my thanks.

“Your perseverance is showing its fruits, my boy!” Mr. Carlos praised. “Well done!”

“Thank you, sir. The longer I come to the gym, the more I enjoy it. It’s… nice to have this routine.”

“Just so, Oliver. Just so. This kind of exercise might not be particularly exciting like playing a sport, but I believe it builds as much physical strength as it builds mental strength.”

“I think I’m starting to see it.”

That said, it still felt… strange. There was a clear before and after my threesome with Noelle and Alice. I also remembered the feeling of accomplishment.

…

Forget it. No point speculating about things I have no idea. I’ll just keep the puzzle pieces in my pocket until I have enough, until I can actually determine what the hell is going on with me.

“Seriously, how come you don’t get to work exhausted after the gym?” Maria asked me as I returned from getting an order to a group of four girls from my school.

“I’m… used to it?” I offered, not really having an answer.

“Freak.”

“Rude.”

The bell at the door rang, making Maria and I immediately turn to it. When we saw who it was, I blinked, and Maria grinned.

Isabelle, Mila and Noelle.

“Come on. Go,” Maria nudged me.

“Can’t you do it? My sister’s not gonna leave me a tip.”

“I heard that!” Isabelle shot back while Mila and Noelle laughed.

I sighed in resignation and went to them. Realization came to me just after. A quick glance around showed that most of our customers were girls from our school, at least nine of them were, and from different grades.

Isabelle was already putting the plan in motion. Sure, it was Noelle instead of Alice, but she was subtly joining the social circles. Isabelle was always so quick to act. Bless her.

I approached the table, noticing the dangerous bedroom eyes Mila was looking at me with. {That apron looks so good on him.}

The black apron I had to wear at work? Odd thing to notice… but I couldn’t say it didn’t make me happy to hear that thought.

“Before you ask,” Isabelle started, “Mom is already home, so she’ll feed Cake.”

I nodded. “Alright.”

“How’s she doing, by the way?” Noelle asked. “Last time I saw her she had grown a lot.”

“She’s getting more independent,” I answered. “We don’t have to look after her every other minute.”

“She still runs to the door whenever we get home, though,” Isabelle said, chuckling.

“That’s cute,” Mila said. “Almost makes me want to get my own cat.”

“Sure, if you want it to scream in your ear on early Sunday mornings…” Isabelle sighed.

The sound of the bell ran again and I turned to look. Seeing the new customer gave me pause. A girl I hadn’t seen, yet she looked… familiar.

Dark skin and long black hair in a ponytail. Slender yet curvy. She wore blue jeans that hugged her figure and accentuated her butt, along with a black jacket. Her face, though… Why did she look familiar? I couldn’t pinpoint it. I was sure she had never come to the shop before.

“Someone you know?” Noelle asked me, noticing where I was looking.

“No, but she looks familiar.”

The girls looked, too.

“She doesn’t seem to be in high school,” Isabelle said. “Why would she look familiar?”

“Someone from the gym?” Mila asked.

“No…” Wait. Dark skin, golden brown eyes, hispanic features… “Ah.”

“Remember something?” Mila asked.

“She… might be a relative of a man I know.” I shook my head. “Anyway. Your order?”

Maria went to take the girl’s order, so I didn’t get a chance to talk to her. I kind of wanted to go and ask if she was Mr. Carlos’ daughter, but it felt like prying without reason, so I didn’t.

I finished my shift and went home.

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