So, this is how it’s going to be, I guess. “Yeah, sorry about that."
To be honest, I’m not really sorry. I’d rather not be here at all.
She rolls her eyes, walking further into the studio, not turning around as she says, “Shoes off, put your stuff by the bench there and come into the Pilates room.”
I remove my shoes, putting my things where she instructed before following her into the studio. I take note of the faint scent of eucalyptus in the air which is… surprisingly calming?
I spot a mat and some resistance bands, which is all pink. My eyes continue to move throughout the space, the multiple machines, baskets filled with weights and props. The green of the plants a pop of colour against the off-white walls.
“Alright, let’s begin.” Scarlett speaks, clapping her hands together once.
I glance at the mat before meeting her eyes again, “Are you sure this counts as training?”
I notice her jaw clench slightly, her eyes narrowing before she responds, “Oh, it absolutely does, Levi. I need to test your current mobility before I plan any further, so,” She clicks her fingers pointing down at the mat, “Get down there so we can stop wasting time.”
Ambling down onto the mat, I sit with my legs crossed.
“Alright,” She starts, “Grab your band, it’s time to warm up.”
I pick up the pink band from beside me, eyeing it, my face scrunching involuntarily. I scoff, “Really? Pink?”
She rolls her eyes, “Different colours for different tension. This is the tension I have assigned for you so stop being a baby. Now, wrap the band around your wrists, keeping your wrists shoulder width apart, we want to have slight tension on your shoulders here.”
I wrap the band around my wrists accordingly, before awaiting her next instructions.
“Perfect, now pull your hands apart, slow, and steady. Focus on the control, focus on the tension, Carter.”
I start to pull the band, rotating my hands out, feeling the back of my shoulders starting to engage.
Scarlett starts to walk around behind me before speaking, “Good, do we feel it here?” She brushes her fingers across the back of my right shoulder causing my breath to hitch at the contact.
Her touch feels so good. Why does it feel so good? I can’t remember the last time I’ve received intimacy, so that has to be the reason for my reaction… Right?
We stay quiet as I get through a few more reps, feeling the stretch, my shoulder starting to open up to slightly more movement. Thank God for that, it’s been driving me insane.
“Alright, Carter. How’s that shoulder of yours feeling?”
“Fine, I guess.” Though, it’s not really fine, nor is this situation but I’m not gonna say that.
She shoots me a look like she knows I’m lying, but she doesn’t push me. Instead, she just instructs me on the next exercise. “You’re ready for a lying band press now to focus on that shoulder control.” She instructs me to place the band down across the mat, “Lie down on your back, shoulders resting against the band.” I do as she says before awaiting my next instruction.
Walking over she lifts the sides of the band, placing them in either hand before giving me my next cue. “Basically, think ofthis like a bench press. Pelvis in neutral position, keep that core engaged, yeah? Belly button to spine.”
Belly button to spine? The fuck does that even mean?
Slowly, I start to press my hands up toward the sky, simulating a bench press. My shoulder is screaming in discomfort. My face twists as I try to push through it. Obviously, Scarlett being the observant little thing that she is, notices.
“Easy, Carter. Let your body tell you when the range of motion is enough. Don’t overextend yourself.”
That’s easy for her to say. She doesn’t have her entire life relying on this. I need to get better quick.
Slowly, I release the band to bring my hands back down toward my chest.
“Good, another one now, press up.” Scarlett says as she kneels propping her hands under my elbows to assist the tension as I press into the next rep. I jolt away from her touch, hating that her hands on me feel this good.
My jaw clenches as, once again, I feel my shoulder shift, my body telling me that it hates this. But what else can I do?
“Good, Levi. You got this, keep going.” Her praise soothes me. Why?
