Chapter 1: Introduction
The gymnasium door squealed open, the sound reverberating off the glossy wooden floors and high bleacher seats. Samantha Thompson walked in, already warmed up and flushed from her conditioning on the field. She tucked her earbuds into her gym bag, and glanced up at the empty bleachers. Empty, except for one figure. A tall, broad shouldered guy sat there with his elbows on his knees, watching her. Intently.
A strange excitement thrummed in her stomach. He must be new here.
The school was pretty small and she made it her mission to know who came in and out of its doors, but this guy was unfamiliar. She felt a little flattered that he was watching her so studiously.
As Samantha stretched and prepared for her floor routine, she couldn't help but steal glances at the mysterious guy. He had short dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was tall, taller than most guys she knew, and broad. His muscular physique was emphasized by the black t-shirt he wore, tucked into his well-fitted jeans.
As a gymnast who practiced upwards of five hours a day, the body types she was most attracted to were strong, athletic, and lean. This guy ticked all those boxes without even trying.
He caught her gaze several times and offered her a small, crooked grin. Samantha's cheeks warmed involuntarily. She turned her attention back to the mat and signaled to her teammate to start the background music.
The haunting melody played and Samantha was transported, a graceful yet powerful force as she moved swiftly across the mat.
She had been doing gymnastics since she was a little girl, and now as a high school senior, she had become one of the best in the state.
During the routine, she noticed the guy clapping with the rhythm of her jumps and flips, his eyes still locked on her. She felt wanted and desired under his gaze, which made her more determined to perform her best. She executed every round-off, back tuck with confidence and verve.
The gymnasium's sound system played a haunting melody that only amplified the grace and beauty of Samantha's movements. It was impossible to avert one's gaze from her lithe, muscular body as it moved with the fluidity of water and the strength of steel.
As the final note of the music subsided, her teammates cheered and clapped for her. The mysterious guy in the stands was on his feet, clapping with enthusiasm. His reaction stood out to Samantha, making her heart beat faster.
She offered a small wave in his direction as she caught her breath and collected herself. With a dazzling smile, he returned the gesture, which made her heart skip a beat.
Later that day, during a break between classes, she couldn't help but sneak a peek at him from behind her locker.
He stood alone, seemingly waiting for someone. And when her eyes met his again, he gave her another one of his crooked grins, accompanied by a wink. It was enough to send her pulse racing all over again.
The way he looked at her, with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, stirred something within her.
Despite his undeniable attractiveness, Samantha knew she didn't have time for a boyfriend. Her senior year was quickly coming to a close, and she had her sights set on a gymnastics scholarship at UCLA. She couldn't risk losing focus.
But just as she had that thought, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a text from an unknown number.
"Hi Samantha, it's Josh from the gym.
Just wanted to say you were incredible up there. Looking forward to seeing you at the pep rally tonight!"
Josh. So the mysterious guy had a name. Her heart fluttered as she read the text again. The attraction she felt towards him was unexpected and slightly unnerving.
She couldn't help but respond, "Thanks, Josh! I'll definitely be there. Looking forward to it."
Throughout the day she couldn't focus on her classes, she kept replaying their encounter in her mind.
The way he watched her with rapt attention as she danced on the floor, the smile on his face, and the thrill she felt when he clapped and stood up to give her a standing ovation. She couldn't deny her curiosity towards this new guy any longer. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, she decided to approach him at the end of the day.
After the last bell rang, Samantha quickly made her way to the gym once again. She wanted to catch Josh before he left. She spotted him talking to one of the coaches near the equipment room.