He hits the gym

The first night of winter break felt strange.

The dorm was almost completely empty. Doug, Jeff, and Chase were all gone, and for the first time since moving in, I had the whole place to myself.

I could have stayed in my room and watched TV all night, but sitting around in an empty dorm didn’t sound appealing. So I grabbed my gym bag and headed across campus.

The gym was much quieter than usual.

A few people were scattered around the weight room, but most of the machines were open. There were maybe a dozen people in the entire place.

There were still a few cute girls working out, though.

I noticed them when I walked in, then put my headphones on and started my routine.

I’d been working out consistently for months now, and the difference was pretty noticeable. My shoulders were broader, my arms were bigger, and I was stronger than I’d been when I’d first arrived on campus.

I finished my last set and started putting the weights away.

As I grabbed my water bottle, one of the girls I’d noticed earlier walked over.

“Hey,” she said.

I pulled one earbud out. “Hey.”

“I’ve seen you here before.”

“Yeah, I’m here pretty often.”

She glanced at my arms and smiled. “I can tell.”

I laughed. “What does that mean?”

“You’ve gotten bigger.”

I looked down at myself. “Really?”

“Definitely.” She smiled. “You work out a lot?”

“Usually five or six days a week.”

“Okay, that explains it.”

She looked at the weights I’d just been using.

“How much were you lifting?”

I told her.

Her eyebrows went up. “Okay. You’re actually strong.”

“I guess.”

“Don’t act all humble now.”

I laughed. “I’m not trying to.”

She smiled and leaned slightly against the nearby bench.

“I’m Jenna, by the way.”

“Ethan.”

“Nice to meet you, Ethan.”

“You too.”

She looked me over again, just enough that I noticed.

“So, are you here over break too?”

“Yeah. Couldn’t really afford to go home.”

“Same.”

She smiled. “Guess that’s one good thing about the campus being empty.”

“Yeah. It’s definitely quieter.”

“Maybe too quiet.”

There was a little pause.

Then she smiled again.

“Although I guess it’s not completely empty.”

I knew what she meant.

I smiled. “No, I guess not.”

She laughed softly.

“Well, Ethan, I’ll probably see you around.”

“Probably.”

She started walking away, then turned back.

“And seriously, keep doing whatever you’re doing.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

She smiled.

“Because it’s working.”

Then she walked toward the locker rooms.

I stood there for a second before putting my earbud back in.

I couldn’t help smiling.

My first night alone on campus was already a little more interesting than I’d expected.