Meet Taylor

You approach the light-skinned black girl on the rower. She is wearing dark clothing and her straightened hair is tied back into a ponytail. Unlike the other day, she is not dressed to impress. You wait for her to complete a set before you introduce yourself.

But she cuts you off, "You gonna give any pointers?"

"Well, I mean, you could--"

"That was sarcastic," she says. "Too many guys come in here assuming they can moonlight as personal trainers, and every girl they talk to is someone they can train. I think they just want to be alpha. Think it'll get them laid."

"Oh," you say. "Oh, no. I'm sorry. I had no intention, you just asked--"

"--Good, glad you didn't," she says. She sits up and examines you. {if Lacrosse = 1}"You're the one who's trying out for the team."

"That's right," you say. "My name's Ryan Brown."

"I mean, I know," she seems to look at you with a little more respect now that she recognizes you. "It's Taylor."{else}"What's your name?"

"Ryan Brown."

"Taylor," she says, looking you up and down. Almost as if...assessing you?{endif}

"I honestly just wanted to say hi," you say.

"Well, you've said it," she says. "So hi back."

You look at her for a second. Her eyes are cool but hard. And you realize it: you are not getting anywhere.

"Nice meeting you," you say, somewhat awkwardly, and walk over to your own area to work out. She watches you go with those same cool eyes.

At the very least, now, you have nothing to focus on but actually working out. You get some good reps in, but feel distracted by something. When you look up, you see that Taylor has not stopped watching you. Her eyes are just as cool, but now intense. You find that you can't properly work out or put in effort under the scrutiny of that gaze. You're not sure if it's hostile, challenging...or something else. For now, you get up and leave.

Taylor watches you go.