Mint Romance

Chapter 2 - Happiness

It’s Monday evening; I’m just out getting some groceries near my place. On my way out the store I notice it’s started raining so I put my umbrella up. I better hurry home before the weather turns too grim.

But I stop as I notice someone ahead of me. It’s… It’s Joshua! He looks like he’s… crying. My heart sinks. I can’t just leave him. My legs move on their own before I’ve figured out what to say to him. I notice his black jacket doesn’t have a hood so I hold my umbrella over him.

“Hey… You OK?”

He looks up at me. “Um… Yeah, I’m fine.”

He steps away but I make sure to keep him sheltered from the rain. He passes me off as a stranger. It is dark out, maybe he doesn’t recognise me. It pains me to see him sniffling as he wipes his tears away. I suddenly remember something I just bought that can help him.

“Here. Hold this for a second!”

I need a hand free so I give him my umbrella to hold, which startles him. I dig around my bag of groceries for something. I hand him a can of minty fizzy drink and he looks bemused at the flavour. The drink and the umbrella trade hands.

“You’ll feel better if you rehydrate after crying.”

Joshua thanks me half-heartedly. He takes a swig of the drink and appears pleasantly surprised, admitting that it’s not bad. I’m kinda chuffed that he likes it, it’s an underrated flavour.

He looks up at me, then he realises. “Oh! You were in the gym class on Saturday! Yeah, you were the guy who kept falling behind! Sorry, I didn’t recognise you in normal clothes.”

I laughed politely. Why’d he have to remember that about me? God, he probably thinks I’m an idiot. Still, I’m happy that I managed to cheer him up a bit.

“I got dumped today.” Joshua says. “The guy was cheating on me too. I wonder what I’m doing wrong to end up with such knobheads like him. Maybe I should just swear off men.”

“I, uh… I can kind of relate. I have bad luck with men too. I can’t even get a date since every guy I ask out ends up being straight.”

He snickers slightly. “That does suck.”

I notice the rain is easing off so I bring my umbrella down. Joshua starts to head off in the direction I came from.

“Thanks again for the drink. Hang in there, OK? I will too.”

I call out to stop him. “Oh! I… I signed up for the gym so I might see you there!”

He smiles. “I’ll see you later then.”

I wave back to him as we part ways. I feel pleased that I got to stand so close and talk to him for a little bit. And this is great, I like a guy and he’s actually gay!! He’ll probably want some time after his breakup, but maybe I can use that to get to know him better.

Oh God… I just told him how much of a loser I am…

-----

On Thursday after work, Mia and I go to our first gym session. We’re both sat on a sofa waiting for our assigned personal trainers. A tall, dark hunk with a big build comes over and asks for Mia. He introduces himself as Kyle who’ll be working with her. She’s obviously enamoured at how hot he is and she gives me a quick grin as they walk away. I’m happy for her, they honestly look pretty good together. I’m waiting on tenterhooks to see what kind of guy I’ll get.

“Hi, you’re David, right?”

I look up and I can’t believe my luck. I can hear my heart thumping in my chest.

“Oh, it’s you again!”

I stand up. “J-Joshua!! Y… you’re gonna be my personal trainer?!”

“Looks like it.” He smiles sweetly. “I’m happy you remembered my name!”

He shakes my hand. I can feel my face going red. Ugh, keep it together!! But his eyes, that smile; he’s so dreamy! I get to have one-on-one sessions with him. Working out. Becoming hot and sweaty. God, I’m getting nervous.

I go to Level Up Gym three times a week, seeing Joshua on Thursdays and Saturdays. We work on my cardio and strength exercises. It’s tough, but he’s such a professional at what he does. He’s guiding and encouraging; he knows what my body can be capable of. I was in OK shape before, but it does feel good that I’m getting some exercise in.

I’d try to start a conversation about something, but it never went anywhere. He’d be too focused on the training. I’m yet to really learn anything about him, but I do know he’s passionate about his job. I like that about him.

I was always too exhausted to talk afterwards so before we started was my only chance. I noticed something different about him today.

“Hey, uh, Joshua? Did you get your hair cut?”

“Hm? Y-yeah…” He scratches the back of his head. “I’m surprised you noticed! I didn’t get it cut very much…”

“It looks good! It brings out your jawline more, y’know?”

“You think so?” He smiles. “Thanks.”

I couldn’t help but smile back. His hair really did look sexy. He got his fringe cut a little on one side and the back cut short. It uncovered a cute little mole on the back of his neck. Ah, I want to discover the rest of his body.

I was looking forward to the days I would see Joshua. My productivity at work was up. Mia and Emi pointed out how much I brighten up when I talk about him. I’d be so excited to go to the gym, then get totally nervous as soon as I saw him. But still, the chance that I could talk to him a little more each time, made me so happy.