King of my Heart

On Friday afternoon we convinced Angus to cut our session down to half hour, he agreed under the condition that we did an hour and half session Monday. I have the feeling Im going to regret this arrangement come Monday but today Im grateful for the shorter session.
"And why exactly are we cutting our time short today girls?" Angus asks, looking suspicious 
"We are going to the Stargazer Lounge to celebrate Declan's 18th" Tess explains
"Well I suppose I we better push ourselves today girls, to make up for the amount of sugary cocktails I know you two will consume tonight" He laughs and points in my direction "Especially this one"

We hadn't spoken about what happened on Wednesday night, the night of the blizzard, I didn't bring anything up because I only remembered parts of the night and those memories made me cringe and Angus didn't bring it up at all the next day, he left as soon as the streets were cleared.

"You should join us Angus, Declan won't mind and you will get to met our friends" Tess asks, "Plus, you know the Stargazer Lounge is known for its romantic aura vibe, you could come along and protect Zoey from getting hit on by some undesirable douchebag"
I shoot her a death stare but she takes no notice of me, she's scheming up a plan.
"I'll consider it, I've got some things to do at home tonight, nothing too big, I'm expecting a FaceTime call from Imogen sometime over the weekend, she's not good with remembering that we are in different time zones so when she says she'll call Friday night it could happen anytime tonight or tomorrow morning" He explains, "But you can leave your school bags in my office? It will be locked so they'll be safe in there and I'll get them back to you on Saturday" 

Angus' office is at he back of the gym, just a small room containing a desk, chair and a laptop, no photo's in frames, no motivational posters on the walls. As rooms go, it's somewhat boring. Tess, never one to shy away from pointing something out "Remind me to get the details of your interior decorator Angus, I just love what you've failed to do with the space" We all laugh.

The Stargazer Lounge is located just across from Skye Fitness, on top of some of the most expensive apartments in San Myshuno, it features an undercover bar, karaoke and even a massive heated pool. Tess made me wear my swim suit under my dress, I thought she was crazy though considering how cold it is tonight but when we arrive the pool crammed with people.
Tess spots our group sitting in the back, Declan and Sam are doing shots, while Mika and Cassandra are sipping on vodka sodas. The girls greet us both with hug, Declan kisses Tess on the cheek and Sam just waves. 

Tess sends Declan to the bar with our drink orders, she explains to the group that she could go up to the bar herself but her heels are really only for decoration, she can barely walk in them. I, on the other hand wore sensible, knee high flat boots, dressed for warmth and comfort, not decoration. 
Declan returns with 2 cosmopolitans and tells us he ordered food for the table. We settle in for the night, laughing and talking about our weekend plans, what we plan to study at university and where we are holidaying during Winter break. The drinks are flowing, everyone's having fun and then Sam suggests we should go swimming, I look over at the pool which is still crowded. Everyone starts stripping off down to their swim suits and running towards the pool. 
"You coming in Zoey?" asks Cassandra
"Too many people Cass, Im gonna sit this one out"
she nods understandingly, all my friends know I don't like crowds.
I don't want to stay sitting at our table alone though, that just screams "loser", so I get up and take a seat at the bar. The mixologist approaches me and asks "what will it be miss?"
Before I can even answer I hear a familiar voice behind me "she'll have a cosmo and I'll have a light beer"
"Beer has carbs Angus" I tease him without even turning around.
"I'm making a rare exception tonight" He explains, taking the seat next to me. He smells amazing and looks divine. 

"Why are you not swimming Miss Green?" he enquires
"Ah, did you see how many people are in that pool right now?" 
"And here I was thinking that the girl may not know how to swim"
"Are you joking? I live in Brindleton Bay, we spend every day of Summer in the lake"
Our drinks arrive, I try to pay but he won't let me.
"Ok, but Im getting the next round" I tell him firmly "Otherwise you'll have expectation that you'll be getting laid tonight, I know how these things play out, I've seen it in all the Frat House, boys club movies, you by the girl drinks and she sleeps with you" I laugh at my little joke. 
"Do you really think I'm that kind of guy? The type that goes around picking up girls in bars and sleeping around?" He asks, clearly insulted.
"I'm sorry Angus, shit, I was trying to be witty and I just say the wrong thing. You're right, I don't know what kind of guy you are and I shouldn't just assume based off of movie stereotypes"
He turns to face me, pulling my bar stool closer to his and says "Zoey I don't sleep with a woman unless I'm in a committed relationship with her and it's been 2 years since Steph so..."
"Steph? She's the one who cheated on you with your best friend?"
"Yep"
"what an idiot she must be then"
He looks at me and smiles, "And whys that Zoey"
"Because you're hot" I reply
"And you're drunk Miss Green"
"Yeah but I'll be sober in the morning and you'll still be hot so there's that"
"And you'll go back to avoiding talking to me so there's also that"
"I like you Angus and I know I'm speaking with the help of liquid courage right now but I want you to know I am attracted to you, like a lot" I confess but he's looking past me, I turn around to see what's caught his attention and I see it's Tess, wrapped in towel and smiling to herself, she heard everything I just said, great, now these two will spend the whole Monday training session making fun of me.
"Zoey, Declan wants me to stay at his tonight, being his birthday and all, he wants to have some private "Celebration" time, if you get what I mean" Tess says
"So I'm catching the train back to Brindleton Bay alone?" I reply
"You could stay at Cassie house?"
"The Goth House? No way, that place is haunted, I'd rather take my chances on the train with the murderers"
"You can stay at place, you can sleep in Immie's room" Angus offers
Tess locks eyes with me and says "Zoey and I need to have a private conversation", she grabs me by the hand and leads me to an empty table
"Zoey you don't have to do anything you don't want to do OK? If you stay at his house it doesn't mean you owe him anything. Don't let him pressure you to do anything that you don't want to do"
"I won't, I don't think he would either"
"I love you Z"
"Love you too T"

Tess walks me back to the bar where Angus is sitting, staring at his beer.
"Zoey is going to stay at your place tonight but if you do anything to hurt her, anything at all, I will punch you in your pretty boy face, you got that buddy?" Tess threatens
"I'd never do anything to hurt Zoey" he promises.
Tess hugs me goodbye and leaves with Declan.
We sit in silence for about a minute until he speaks
"I mean it Zoey, I'd never do anything to hurt you, I remember everyday what it felt like to have my trust broken"
"I know you would hurt me Angus, if I thought you would then I would never have agreed to come back to your place.Do you have edible snacks and netflix at your apartment? Or do we need to make a pit stop?"
"I have Netflix and carrot sticks"
"pit stop needed and we will need vodka too"
"Zoey?" he asks
"yeah?"
"Can I kiss you?"
I don't answer him, instead I lean over, place my palm on his check and move my lips in to meet with his. My first kiss, it feels like time is standing still, I can feel my heart rate is racing, don't overthink this Zoey, just go with it.
"I wasn't expecting that to happen tonight" he says after we pull away. 

We step out into the night, the air is chilly. He takes my hand and leads us, first to the mini mart for snacks and then on to his apartment.  Angus lives in a huge, two story penthouse  apartment overlooking the river. He gives me a private tour, showing me the backyard oasis and the swimming pool on the deck.
"No crowds here" I muse, he laughs, wraps his arms around my waist and whispers in my ear
"We could take a dip?"
"Tempting as that sounds it's freezing out here and there was talk of Netflix before"
He leads me to the lounge room and hands me the remote, "You pick the movie and I'll get the snacks ready"
This is the last thing I remember before waking up, alone, in a strange bedroom in the middle of the night with a pounding headache

Enchanted

I woke up well before my alarm went off, every muscle in my body felt like it was being pulled apart. How do people do this exercise thing and just love it? This is torture and now this trainer guy wants us to do personal training 3 times a week, ugh kill me now. Stupid Angus with his stupid pretty face making it impossible to say no to. Stupid Tess for roping me into this stupid pack, I swear she just wanted to see me suffer while convincing me "It's for the greater good, think of how fit we will be come Summer". Stupid Summer, I can't hide under layers when it's boiling hot. Curse everything!!!
I reach for my phone to shut off my alarm and I notice I've got a text message from a number that I don't know.

See you at 4pm, looking forward to it

Clearly it's been sent to me by accident because, lets face it, I very rarely make plans with anyone and if I I do then I spend all week trying to think up ways to get out of them, Im just going to reply and tell them they have the wrong number.

This is Angus BTW, Your personal Trainer

Great, Mister perfect is a morning person who sends early morning messages reminding his victims he hasn't forgotten he scheduled more torture. 

Upstairs I can hear Tess dancing around the kitchen as she makes her breakfast. Tess is also a morning person, it's extremely annoying when you're a night owl like myself and you get woken up by the sound of her singing out of key. 
The dancing has stopped and has been replaced the sound by her shoes stomping down the stairs

"Zoey, wake up, we are leaving in 30 minutes" she bellows down the hall "and pack your gym clothes, we have training after school and I don't wanna have to make a trip home and then back into the city, it's easier to go from school" 

"Im up, going to shower now" I reply, while I still lay there knowing she won't leave without me

My door flies open suddenly and she's now invading my space with her perkiness.

"you're not up at all, get up!!! Did you see Angus' texted us, I'm so excited to start personal training, arn't you?"
Why must she be so happy all the time?
"Im sore Tess, all over, maybe I shouldn't go today, I'll start PT on Friday" Please Tess, please hear my plea, don't make me go back there but no, she doesn't listen to a word I've said, instead she's shoving my gym clothes into my school bag.

Im up, Im showered, Im ready for school and it only took 40 minutes. 
We attend a very elite private school in the heart of Forgotten Hollow. I love going to school here, Tess and I share a great group of friends and Im a straight A student. 

Tess' Boyfriend Declan meets us the the school gate, just like he has done every day since he and Tess started dating in year 9, he kisses her on the cheek and greets me with a wave.

"Our personal trainer has a thing for Zoey, I know it, Im never wrong about these things" Tess greets him every morning with useless information that he pretends to take an interest in.
"Way to go Zoey" He enthuses, as if he really cares
"He doesn't have thing for me, he was just being friendly to get us to sign up for his stupid torture sessions and now we have to go back there again this afternoon so he can whip us into shape" I moan
"Tess we have school captain meetings after school today, did you forget?" Declan reminds her.
"Oh shit, I did forget, sorry Zoey, you're facing the torture chamber alone today, don't worry, you'll be fine though" she said, not looking one bit apologetic, she's almost laughing, "You should see Zo in front of this guy Declan, she goes bright red and he just keeps staring at her, he's so into her" 

That afternoon I board the train alone to San Myshuno, arriving at the gym just before 4. As Im checking in at the reception desk Angus comes running up to me. 
"No Tess today?" he asks and Im left wondering if he's somewhat disappointed that he's realised he's going to be stuck attempting to make conversation with the socially recluse twin
"She forgot she had a meeting to attend today so Im sorry but it's just me this afternoon, did you wanna cancel?" I struggle to get my words out through bouts of shyness creeping in.
Please say yes, we can cancel and wait until Tess returns.
"That's ok, her loss is your gain because now you get me 100% to yourself for a whole hour. How are you feeling after yesterday's session?" 
"If I can be honest with you, Im hurting a lot, everywhere"I reply, in the hopes he will send me home to rest. 
"I thought you would be sore today but you put in an amazing effort last night, you should be proud of yourself, Im really proud of you, Ive had a lot of women run away mid class and never come bak but not you, you stuck it out, that shows you've got stamina" He flashes me that million dollar smile and I feel my face going bright red, "Ok, lets get started, I'll take things nice and slow with you today, due to the recovery pain you're in"

He leads me to the treadmill and starts me on a low setting, just as promised. 
"We're going to be working pretty closely together a lot so what do you say we work on kicking this shyness to the curb too? Lets get you to be a strong, confident woman"
The redness is creeping back into my cheeks, why does he care if I'm shy and not confident?
"We can try but I can't make any promises, I'm socially awkward, Tess is the social butterfly, she loves going to parties and to clubs whereas I'd much rather sit at home binge watching Grey's Anatomy" Why am I volunteering information about being a wallflower? He's going to think I'm such a loser.
"McDreamy and McSteamy are the way to any girls heart" he laughs "I love a good binge watch myself"
"You watch Grey's Anatomy?" I ask, shocked, Ive never met a guy who likes Grey's, but to be fair I don't really talk to many boys, just Declan and only because he's always hanging around Tess. 
"I live with my older sister and she's somewhat obsessed with it, she rewatches it every Summer and we only have one TV in the apartment so I'm also forced to watch it too" He laughs, "Do you like movies?" 
"I love movies, it's one of the only times I enjoy leaving the house, when something new comes out. I sometimes think I just go for the popcorn though" I reply "what about you?"
"I also love going to the movies but I don't go for the popcorn" He explains "I usually bring my own snack, I don't do carbs, Im just really careful about what I put in my body" He winks at me like I'm in on some secret joke. Is he flirting with me? Is this what flirting is? No way, he's just being cocky, I'm sure of it, Who would flirt with a sweaty introvert who just admitted to carboloading as an excuse to see a movie?
Ive got a plan, if I just stop talking then he will stop talking and I can just stop overthinking everything. I blame Tess, she got into my head with this whole "He likes you" bullshit that she carried on with. I wish Tess was here so the focus wasn't all on me. Why did she have to be popular and be voted in as School Captain? Why couldn't she just think of what coming here alone would do to me. 
My plan is working, he's not even trying to talk to me, he's typing something on his phone. Good, just stay focused on your phone buddy, no more chatty chats to Zoey.
My plan lasted all of 3 minutes, he looks up from his phone and asks "Your surname is Green right"
"umm, yeah"
"and it's Zoey, spelt with just an E or EY?"
"EY, why?"
"Im just searching for you on simstergram, oh yeah, there you are. Following and I expect a follow back"
"Do you also expect interesting content too because you will be sadly disappointed" I throw in my own wink at the end and he just laughs. 

As I'm about to leave I see that it's started to snow, it wasn't even forecast to snow today, it's been unseasonably warm since the middle of last week so I didn't even consider to bring a jacket. The train station is a 10 minute walk from the gym and the another 15 minute walk to my house. Im going to freeze if I go out there without cover. Best to wait inside and call Don to come pick me up. I pull out my phone and start typing in my home number, hoping that he's home, when I hear Angus behind me.
"Oh wow, it's snowing.How are you getting home Zoey?"
"I was going to catch the train but I didn't bring a coat so Im just going to call my step dad and ask if he can come get me"
"From Brindleton Bay? That's crazy, I'll take you home"
"Oh no, you don't have to, that's well out of your way"
"How do you know Im not already going that way?"
"I just assumed you lived in San Myshuno when you mentioned you live in an apartment"
"ah, umm, yeah I do but really it's no trouble, you were my last client for the day anyway and I'll just be going home to an empty house, my Sister is travelling at the moment, so I really don't mind and it would give you someone to talk to on the way home, although Im sure Im no substitute for Tess"
"Tess could talk under water, I swear." I laugh "well as long as you're sure it's no trouble. I'll call Don though and tell him we are having a guest for dinner, can't have you driving me all the way to Brindleton Bay and back in the snow on an empty stomach"
He smiles "Thanks Zoey, you're a sweetheart"
Here comes the blushing again

The traffic leaving the city is congested with everyone finishing work at 5 and heading back to the suburbs and the snow storm is picking up.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we get a blizzard tonight" Angus muses
"I would love that, Tess and I have a tradition of watching movies and getting drunk in our basement on nights of a blizzard because school get cancelled for the next day"
"That's awesome. You two are really close hey?"
"Yeah, she's not just my twin sister, she's also my best friend. She pushes me out of my comfort zone all the time, which can be annoying but she's always got my back whenever someone pushes me around"
"she pushed you into coming to the gym didn't she?"
"Is it that obvious that I don't want to be there?"
He laughs, "Ah yes but I think you'll slowly warm up to it. I hated it at first too but I had a lot of weight that needed to come off, not like you, little miss petite"
"Are you seriously trying to convince me that you didn't always have washboard abs?"
He looks at me, raising an eyebrow "Have you been checking me out Miss Green?"
SHIT!!! I've somehow stumbled into unknown territory, flirting, I can feel my breathing becoming more rapid, I'm going to have a panic attack, which is not unknown territory but Im trapped in a car with a virtual stranger.
"Oh fuck, Zoey, shit, I can't pull over, just deep breaths hun, in and hold it then out" He's trying to not get panicked himself as he's trying to calm me down and it's working.
A few moments of silence pass until he asks me "Does that happen often?"
"unfortunately yes" I tell him, embarrassed. "I just get overwhelmed with some social interactions"
"like flirting?"
"Yeah, I don't  flirt, ever"
He looks over at me again and says with a smile "We're gonna work on that"

We arrive at my house just as the storm starts to get worse. We make a mad dash to the front door where we are greeted by Tess, who is obviously amused with the whole situation.
She yells out to our Mother Ruth and Don "Zoey brought a boy home"
I could kill her, I really could, she has no tact but Angus just laughs like he's in on her joke and I just roll my eyes. 
Don ventures out from the kitchen to greet today's unexpected dinner guest, he use to Tess bringing Declan for dinner but this is a first, Zoey with a boy. 
Don reaches out to shake hands with Angus, "Hey, Im Don, Zoey and Teresa's step father, their mother is around here somewhere" He turns around to yell out to mum
"Ruthie, come meet Zoey's friend" he turns back to Angus "Sorry, I didn't catch your name"
"Angus, Angus McKennzie"
Tess and I exchange looks, we didn't know his surname until now either.
"McKennzie? You're not Imogen McKennzie's younger brother are you"
Angus smiles, "Yes, how do you know Immie?"
"We were high school sweethearts back in the day, I use to help her babysit you, you've certainly grown, granted you were only around 2 or 3 back then" Don explains
"Oh look out, old Donny boys got his throw back thursday voice on" Tess muses and I laugh. We love Don but he does like to go on, a lot, about "back when I was in high school"
"Girls, stop picking on Don, he's cooked us a lovely roast for dinner" My mother says as she enters the room. "Hi Angus, welcome to the mad house, these two like to stir their step father non stop"
"He loves it" Tess and I say in unison. 
"What's Imogen up to these days anyway? I imagine she's still travelling the world and  breaking hearts" he laughs to himself
"well it's funny you say that, she's on a jungle adventure in Selvadorada right now but she'll be back in a few months. We own the gym together and coming into summer we get an influx of new sign ups so I'll need her help real soon"
Tess and I again exchange looks, He owns the gym?

After dinner, Tess and I do the washing up and Don goes outside to look how much snow has fallen, he comes back inside and informs us that the streets are covered in a thick blanket of whiteness. "You're not going to be able to get home tonight Angus and I highly doubt there will be any work or school tomorrow so it looks like you girls have a playmate for drunken shenanigans, best go make him up a bed in the basement"
"Im sure he wouldn't mind bunking in with Zoey if he had to" Tess teases and I shoot her a dirty look. 
"Come along Angus, you can help us mix cocktails" Tess says, taking charge.

We've never had an intruder join us on Blizzard night and Tess is finding it all too exciting.
"Full warning, the more drunk Zoey gets, the less awkward she becomes" she informs Angus, I throw a cushion at her to try and get her to shut up and Angus sits there grinning at us.
We pick out "He's just not that into you" to watch and set our drinking rules. I can feel I'm getting tipsy midway through the movie, "She's such a light weight" Tess announces to Angus.
"No I'm not, you just made my drinks really strong for your own amusement" I protest
Tess and Angus exchange looks and just burst out laughing, I knew it!

"So Angus, don't you have to call your wife and tell her you're not coming home? That you're staying with your mistresses tonight" Tess asks, not so subtle 
"I'm 22 Tess, I have no wife"
"Girlfriend then?" she presses on, I know where she's leading us to and Im sure he does too.
"No girlfriend either" he explains and we exchange looks, "very much single and have been for 2 years now"
"Why did you break up?" there's never a question Tess doesn't feel she can't ask, no matter how personal
"She cheated on me, for months, with my best friend"
"Aww Angus, that's heartbreaking, isn't that heartbreaking Zoey?" 
"What a bitch " I interject and they both look at me shocked, ok I may be a bit more than tipsy
"Zoey, you should give Angus a hug to heal his broken heart"
"Ok" I reply "But only if you let me feel your abs"
Angus looks at Tess "Is she drunk?"
Tess nods, laughing "I told you, less awkward, she can't overthink when she's drunk"
"Stop talking about me as if Im not here" I shout as I run my palm over the bumps on Angus' torso, while looking him in the eye.
"sorry Zo" he whispers in my ear.

We reach the end of the movie and the bottle of vodka, which isn't surprising when Tess is the mixologist.
"That's Zoey's favourite movie" Tess informs Angus
"It's pretty good but I think they need to do a sequel and call it "He is into you but can't tell if you're into him" what do you think Zoey?" Angus asks
"I'd watch the shit out of that" I reply
Angus and Tess both burst out laughing, I've clearly missed the joke and I just don't care, Im having too much fun.
"Angus you are welcomed to join us again for blizzard night, you're too much fun and Tess, he's so pretty too"My speech is becoming slurry 
"Well  Angus, I think she just answered your question without even realising it was directed at her" Tess muses
"Stop talking about me like Im not here" I shout, yet again
"Sorry Zo" they both say in unison.