Gemotions

The gym felt oppressive, the air thick with the smell of sweat and forced exertion. David went through the motions of his workout, his movements mechanical, his mind miles away. His gym buddy, the always reliable Mark, had cancelled their workout last minute. Again. He felt numb.

He saw a woman near the weights, dropping them, her fists clenched. She stared at the ground. She seemed to be fighting back tears. He recognized her. It was the same woman Mark had shown off in the café, the same woman he had been saying that "he has a crush on"

He approached her cautiously. "Everything okay?" he asked.

"No," she said, her voice tight. "He stood me up again."