02.

"ARMS UP!"

A slosh of water echoed through the room as the group imitated my actions. I stood in front of the pool, lifting my arms above my head.

"And stretch!"

The water rippled as everyone stretched side to side, their arms lifted high. I smiled, watching the class carefully.

"Dolores!" I called, pointing at her. "Come on, stretch. I know you can do better than that."

The greying woman smiled, stretching deeper to the left and I nodded, satisfied. I'd been training this group of people for months now. Mostly, it was old people with arthritis issues or general health concerns looking for an easy workout.

But today, one person stood out.

Jace. That's what Piper had called him. Jace Wilson.

He was young – much younger than everyone else in the group – but probably my age, if not a bit older.

It was strange. Young people didn't attend these classes often, especially not people who'd just moved into the town. I couldn't help but wonder why he was here.

When I'd seen him at school, he'd worn an oversized sweater and a limp, but now, seeing him shirtless in the pool – I was surprised.

He was muscular. His abs were defined, and his biceps were distinct with each movement he made. I had to fight a blush and tear my eyes away to lead the session. I mean, I had to at least try to act professional.

Yet, I still found myself glancing at him every few minutes.

I wondered if he'd been an athlete. Maybe that was where his limp was from.

I furrowed my brow, studying him as he stretched beside Dolores. He was pale, so it must've been an indoor sport. Swimming? No, he'd been too clumsy getting into the pool this morning. Basketball possibly? He was pretty tall... Volleyball?

A bell sounded and I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. He met my eyes and I blushed, quickly fishing my phone out of my pocket and turning the alarm off.

"Alright, class is over everyone!" I called. Sighs of relief echoed as the group lowered their arms. "Thank you for coming! Have a great weekend!"

I made my way around the pool to the bench with my belongings, making polite small talk with the clients who passed on their way to the lockers.

I was tired. My mom had signed me up to volunteer for the 9am classes every Saturday since the old volunteer had another baby. I'd agreed because I didn't have any other excuse.

What was I supposed to say? "I can't mom. I stay up all night just lying there, and I can't find any motivation to get out of bed in the morning."

No. Because according to her, I was better. According to everyone, I was better.

It had been a year, after all. How much longer could I be so depressed about it all, right?

So, I dragged myself to class every week and did as I was told with a smile. No complaints.

I was better.

I picked my clipboard up from the bench, filling in today's log sheet. I'd already taken attendance. I scribbled down the finish time and signed it off with my name, dropping it at the front office and grabbing my bike before making my way to the parking lot.

I ran a weary hand over my face, the cold morning air hitting my skin. I'd already promised Piper I'd meet with her for brunch. Even if dark circles bruised the skin under my eyes and my body ached with fatigue, I couldn't go back on my word.

No, she'd probably text my mother. Something like:

Hi, Mrs Ali. Jasmine skipped out on brunch this morning. Better lock her up in a psychotherapy office until she's all rainbows and butterflies!

Okay, so it was a bit exaggerated, but that was how my mother would read it. She tended to do that – hear only what she wanted to hear. See only what she wanted, no matter if the truth was glaring at her right in the face.

I sighed, wheeling my bike towards the road and preparing to meet Piper, when he caught my eye.

Jace.

Most of the elderly patients at the physio centre stuck around for coffee in the café afterwards or caught the complimentary bus home. But Jace was standing in the parking lot awkwardly, running his fingers through his dark hair and searching up and down the road.

He leaned on his crutches, shifting uncomfortably every few seconds to change position.

Still not used to them, then.

He was handsome. Not that I hadn't noticed it before.

His eyes glistened in the sun – a bright honey colour that almost turned gold in the light. His jaw was chiselled and matched his cut cheekbones and crooked nose. There was something ruggedly handsome about him. And it certainly helped that his muscles were much more visible beneath that tight t-shirt he wore today.

Suddenly, his head snapped to the side and he met my stare.

My face warmed at being caught and I rolled my bike forward to step beside him.

"Hey," I managed, sending him a polite smile. "Waiting?"

He shrugged. "Yeah. My mom's picking me up."

"Oh," I said stupidly. I blinked, grasping blindly for topics of conversation. "How was your first session?"

He quirked a brow at me, his deadpan face not betraying any hint of emotion. "Good."

"Right," I said uncomfortably. "Great." There was a pause and I shifted my weight. "Because I want to make sure you feel welcome, you know? It can be tough adjusting and you're, erm, not to intrude or anything, but you're new to town, aren't you? I mean, I haven't seen you around before but..."

I trailed off, suddenly feeling incredibly self-conscious. He broke eye contact, turning to scan the roads again.

"Yeah," he said finally. "I am new."

I blinked, surprised he'd actually answered. I released an awkward chuckle. "Oh, well, welcome to West Mormet. There's not much here other than the lookouts a few minutes south and a drive-in cinema, but..." I trailed off again, realising I was painting a rather pessimistic picture. "It's home," I finished eventually with a sad excuse for a grin.

There was a pause and I chewed on my lip, regretting starting the conversation in the first place. The poor guy moved to West Mormet and I'd just intruded on his private life and painted the worst picture of the town possible. The silence was painful, and I searched for a way to diffuse the tension when he spoke.

"There's also the physio centre," he added finally.

I sputtered out a laugh and sent him a half-shrug. "Right. There's that."

He turned to me then, his lips tugging up slightly in a vague imitation of a grin and I felt my heart jump at the sight.

"It really was a good class," he said sincerely.

I blushed. "Thanks."

"Dolores was really kind too," he continued slowly. "Although Frank was showing a bit too much in the locker rooms afterwards."

I laughed loudly then before grimacing slightly at the image of seventy-year-old Frank in the locker rooms. "You don't even want to imagine what the ladies' room looks like."

We both laughed then, and I found myself smiling, liking the sound of his laughter.

We fell into silence and it felt a lot more comfortable than before. A thousand questions ran in my mind. Why did he move here? How did he get his limp?

Instead I settled with, "What grade are you in?"

He faced me, furrowing his brow. "Huh?"

"At school," I said sheepishly. "I'm a senior. What about you?"

"Oh," he said. "Me too."

"Really? Maybe we have some classes together." I hummed in thought before asking, "Are you taking chemistry with Mr Phillips?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "I've got my first class with him on Monday."

"No way. You're going to love it. He's honestly crazy."

He quirked a brow. "Crazy, you say?"

"Oh, yeah. He lit a lab bench on fire once. Not even sure what the lesson was, he just," I waved my hands wildly, "did it."

Jace laughed and I grinned at his reaction. "Well, I guess I'll see you in chemistry on Monday."

"Yeah, definitely." I blushed further then, realising I probably sounded too eager. I shrugged, trying to play it nonchalant. "I mean, I guess."

At that moment, his eyes fell over my shoulder and widened slightly. I turned just as a blue minivan pulled up behind me.

The window had been rolled down, revealing a smiling woman with Jace's honey eyes and brown hair. She waved a hand in our direction.

"Hello!" she called; her voice much too chirpy for ten in the morning. "Sorry I'm late Jace. I got completely lost on the way over here! Who on earth said this was a small town?"

I shifted my weight awkwardly, feeling like a spectator to the conversation. My fingers tightened around the handlebars of my bike and I wondered when would be a good time to casually leaved, when Jace turned to me, his mouth partially open, causing the woman's eyes to land on me.

"And who might you be?" she asked, her voice lilting in curiosity. "I'm Anna, Jace's mother."

"Hello," I smiled, my voice quieter than I'd hoped. "I'm Jasmine."

"Jasmine," she repeated thoughtfully. Her eyes lit up as she scanned me carefully. "Do you attend the classes here too?"

"Oh, no," I laughed, uncomfortable with the way her sharp eyes were scrutinising me. "I actually run them."

"You?" she asked, her brows shooting up. "But you're so young! How old are you?"

"Mom," Jace whined.

"Oh, sorry! Where are my manners? I didn't mean to –"

"I'm seventeen," I cut in, smiling politely. "It's fine."

"Seventeen," she hummed. She paused, her eyes flickering conspiratorially between me and Jace. "Well, it's lovely to meet you Jasmine. Would you like a ride?"

"No thank you," I said quickly, eyeing the car.

A chill ran down my spine at the sight of the rough wheels, the vibration of the engine, the flimsy doors that seemed to be the only thing separating you from the road. Metal that could bend at the slightest bump. Metal that could stain with blood and dig into muscle and bone.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and gestured towards my bike.

"I'm good."

"Oh, come on, Jasmine," Anna continued, grinning widely. She glanced at her son. "We're happy to take you. Hop in."

"Oh, no, really," I said as politely as possible. I subconsciously took a step back, my throat beginning to burn. My fingers went to the cuff of my sleeve, tugging at the material and scratching at skin.

"Come on, Jasmine, I'd love to get to know you. We're new –"

"No," I interrupted, my voice firm. I shook my head and she stared at me with wide eyes and raised brows. I frowned, taking another step away. "Sorry. Sorry, I'm meeting my friend. It's just down the road, but it was nice meeting you."

"Oh," Anna said, the disappointment clear in her voice. "Okay, well... I hope to see you around Jasmine."

I nodded quickly, tugging at my sleeve again and taking a step back. My face burned in embarrassment, but I felt the ache behind my eyes and lump in my throat. The promise of tears. I needed to leave.

I turned, meeting Jace's eyes for a moment. He stared at me, his brow furrowed, and shame flooded me. Because I was supposed to be better. I was supposed to be normal.

I avoided his eyes, the shame weighing heavy on my chest. So heavy, it burned to breathe. My ankle throbbed painfully, and I tightened my hands around the grips of my bike. I couldn't even speak. It was like all the air had escaped my lungs.

I spared one last glance at the car, still humming on the road beside me. Wheels that could easily skid off the road. Metal that could wrap around a tree like it was nothing.

Amber.

Am I going to die?

I ripped my eyes away from the car.

Am I dying?

I didn't look at Jace.

We'll be okay.

Liar.

I grabbed my bike, pushing off the ground and leaving before either of them could say another word.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thank you for reading, commenting and voting! looks like Jace is starting to warm up to Jasmine a lil hehe I'd love to hear your thoughts and predictions!! See you next time 😊