Lucy's POV


Deep breaths. I repeated this over and over in my head, using my hands to mimic the actions. Today I was going to have my first lesson with Harry. Actually, it was a workout day.

I slid on my leggings and a gray tank top. Then I slowly creeped over to the mirror in the locker room. These new leggings were really showing off my curves.

My small hands pushed open the gym door and a burst of fresh air fanned my body, giving me goosebumps on my bare arms.

My nerves were at an all time high. Which Harry would show up today? The cold and distant one, the one that ignored me, or the one who I could actually stand and sometimes enjoy?

I took a deep breath and walked over to the training mats. Of course, Harry was nowhere to be found, late most likely.

Trainers swarmed around the gym, most of them guys. Some were punching bags, others were just fooling around.

I drifted off watching some guy beat mercilessly into a bag. The muscles in his back moving with each thrust.

"Hey there," a familiar raspy voice spoke in my ear, sending nervous shocks through my core.

My body flinched in surprise and I turned around to see Harry standing behind me with an amused twinkle in his eyes. Today he had on black sweatpants with a muscle shirt. The first words that came to my mind?

Holy shit.

Harry came in front of me, holding out his hand to help me up off the ground. Who was this, and what had they done with Harry?

I took his large hand in mine, crazy sparks ignited where we touched, but I ignored them while he effortlessly lifted me off the mats, setting me on my feet.

"Are you read for your workout?" he asked, the end of his lips were tugged up, as if trying to smile.

He was so adorable.

"Uh, yeah let's go," I replied. My cheeks were burning with a blush. Then I remembered I hadn't even said sorry from the other night, "Harry I'm really sorry about the drink, it was an accident." My voice came out heavy.

A grimace took over his features, but went away in an instant.

"Yeah, um, it's okay. Just don't do it again," he said whilst walking over to the mats.

I followed him, a little confused about what we were doing. Usually Carter and I would do my work out on the machines.

"Are you ready?" He asked, his eyebrows raising significantly. He looked pretty smug. I hope this workout wasn't going to be too harsh.

"I think so," I told him and straightened my back to appear taller. Even though Harry towered over me, I wasn't intimidated.

He sauntered over to the music station and fiddled with the stereo, flipping it to a random station which happened to be blaring rock music.

He clapped his large hands together and jogged back to the mats.

"Let's go!" He yelled over the music.


~


"Come on seven more!" Harry bellowed in my ear. My arms were burning, literally on fire.

My body was shaking, I couldn't even do one more.

"I-I can't," I screeched, my voice shaking. Sweat dripped off my forehead, hitting the soaked mats below.
Suddenly I was pushed on my back, and Harry was hovering over me, his huge hands place at either side of my head.

What just happened?

"Wha-what are you doing?" My breaths were uneven and shallow.

"Partner push-ups," he informed me, "I'll do a set of fifty and then we'll switch and you'll do the same, encourage me while I'm at it."

He set off, his muscles bulging from his arms as they pumped. I was mesmerized by all of it.

I softly told him he was doing great, to keep going, to push himself. In a matter of seconds he was already done, and had flipped us over.

My body quivered as I went down the first time.

"Come on Lucy, nice and easy." Harry's voice comforted me.

After a couple, I started going faster even though my body was shaking more than before.

"Be careful, slow down!" Harry warned cautiously, but it was too late.

As my hand slipped from the sweat on the mat, my body collapsed, colliding with his. We squished together, a messy heap.

Then I started laughing hysterically, don't ask why, it just happened. I chuckled so hard that I was almost crying. If the rock music hadn't been blaring, we would probably be getting some weird looks from people.

Harry wrapped his arm around me and set me on top of him.

Oh. My. God. I was straddling Harry.

"Put your arms above your head," he barked.

I thought he would be laughing with me, but he obviously was upset. My arms hesitantly rose and rested on top of my wavy blonde hair. Harry say up off the ground with me still sitting on his lap.

"Lucy, when I tell you to stop or slow down, you listen, got it?" His deep voice thundered.

What? I thought the purpose of him becoming my trainer was to push me harder, not let me slack off! I needed to be able to defend myself, for reasons I hoped no one would ever find out.

I crawled off of him, immediately feeling cold from the loss of contact.

"You aren't my father!" I yelled back. I knew it was childish, but at that exact moment, I couldn't care less.
I began to storm off towards the locker room, our lesson was almost done anyways.

"You could've hurt yourself," Harry told me as he stubbornly trailed behind me. His hand reached out and grabbed mine.

The spark was heated now more than ever.

"Lucy, I'm just looking out for you." He said whilst bowing his curly hair and staring at the floor.

My temper died down a little, he could be so sweet. Lucy! He doesn't care about you that way.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I think I'm gonna leave though.." I told him and sneaked past the door before he could respond.

Well that was definitely...interesting.


~


I locked up the front door of the bar before heading to my car. It was ten, but the pub was always dead during the week so I closed up early. Rick said I had been doing a great job and rewarded me with my own key.

I listened carefully to the sound of my sandals crunching the grit beneath it. The smell of rain still hung in the air even though it had only sprinkled a little.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

An eerie figure stood across the street from me in all black. Alert ran through my blood, preparing me with caution. I bent my head trying to get a better look at the person as the chilly air bit at my exposed skin.
I guess I should've covered up more, in my shorts and short white shirt, most of my body was left to see.

http://7ths.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/fashion-in-world-cup-shorts-for-summer-world-cup-trend/ Lucy

"Hello?" I called out to whatever it was.

Just as I was about to go check it out, my phone began to ring in my pocket. I dug in my shorts trying to grab it.

Oh, it was just Carter. I pressed ignore, to focused on identifying the stranger.

My head jutted back up to examine the figure, but it was gone. Maybe it was just a shadow, or my imagination.

I shook it off, not wanting to think about that instinct feeling in the back of my mind, and went to my car,

He couldn't be back for more, right?


~


Two days later, June 25th


I was having a blast with my lessons. Harry and I were in the middle of our third session, and we were going to box, each other! With Carter I had only practiced on dummies and bags, but this was the real deal.

Harry had taught me a lot of terms and showed me new techniques just the day before.

First, we performed a boxer's handshake, where we pretty much hit each other's knuckles through our bulky gloves.

Second he taught me counterpunches and crosses. When I had those down, we threw in a jab. We practiced those for awhile before ending yesterday's lesson.

Harry had told me today, if we were going to do box, it was gonna be real. The thing is, he didn't warn me how real.

He had gone all out and invited Carter and Layla to be our referees for the match. Harry had reserved the only boxing ring in the building and had bought water bottles, towels, and outfits for the referees.

I was beyond excited, but confused on why so much work had been put in it. I wondered if Harry treated all his pupils this way...

I would have to ask Carter later.

Layla and I sat in my corner of the ring and I shot a small smile at Harry. He just narrowed his eyes, and I watched as his plump lips confidently whispered, "You're going down," then he shoved his teeth guard in and started to put on his head gear.

I shook my head, small wisps of my hair coming out. I was feeling edgy, the first time I had met Harry, Carter told me he used to be a professional boxer. I was learning self-defense! Not pursuing a career.
The only reason I had succumbed to Harry's mischief, was because he had seemed so thrilled about the idea. Now I was starting to regret it.

"Hey! I see that scowl on your face. Little Harry's got nothing on you!," Layla told me encouragingly, she was a great support system. "Just get inside his head. You're quick and small, use it to your advantage!" She kept on.

Layla's boyfriend was also a trainer here, that's how everyone was connected. She knew her stuff.
She placed my teeth guard in my mouth and I secured my head gear. I must've looked absolutely ridiculous.

Harry and I stood at the same time and met each other in the middle of the box. Carter and Layla had on serious expressions and we're ready for action.

I couldn't say the same.

We did the handshake and the round began. Harry and I agreed to not go full out on each other, just learn some experience.

As we circled each other around, no one daring to make the first move, I remembered what Layla had told me.

Get inside his head.

I grinned in satisfaction to myself, here goes nothing. I swished my guard to the side of my mouth, so I could speak clearly.

"How's it going? Curly?" I tantalized Harry in a high-pitched voice.

For a second he paused and stood up straight, I took my chance and dove in, giving him a jab and retreating back.

His toned muscles contracted with the hit, and green eyes set hard with determination.

To make a long story short, I had enraged the beast and was screaming mercy in less than a minute.
Harry was on top of me and had my arms pinned, he had basically tackled me to the ground and delivered some soft punches to my sides, though none had caused any pain or damage.

But I knew I could never beat him.

I surrendered and the refs raised his arm in victory. I stuck out my tongue at him and gave him a low blow to the stomach, I was such a sore loser.

"You wanna play dirty? We can do that too," Harry said cornering me.

He launched forward and began to tickle me.

"No, Harry! Stop!" I screeched as his long fingers assaulted my tummy, sending enormous shocks everywhere they touched.

After awhile we were both laughing, with Layla and Carter snickering in the middle, while we lied on the ground side by side.

Wait, Harry was laughing!

The same Harry that I had never even seen smile was in a fit of giggles beside me.

This day was just getting better and better.


~


9:30 p.m.


The bar was packed and my armpits were beginning to sweat. It was karaoke night, an idea I had talked Rick into. This Thursday was the first time we had hosted it, but I was beginning to see why Rick hadn't done it before.

Drunk adults and college kids were littered everywhere singing bar favorites.

Party in the USA had just ended followed by Tequilla, causing the crowd to gargle out the half-forgotten words.

It was going to be a long night.

After our boxing match, I had invited everyone over to karaoke night. I knew for sure Carter, Layla, and Lance would show, but I wasn't so sure on Harry.

Green eyes, curly, hair, and long eyelashes flashed through my mind.

Today with him was great, I just didn't know how long this mood was going to last.

As I washed off the counter yet again, a group of people entered the pub.

Layla rushed over to me, reaching across the counter and giving me a quick hug. Her eyes were wild with party as they scanned the building of rowdy people.

"This is so fun!" She exclaimed. Lance nodded at me before she whisked him off into the horde of people to dance.

Carter was left behind with me. My spirit dampened a little, upset that a certain guy hadn't come. Carter flashed me his charming smile and ordered a bottle of beer before taking a seat at the counter.

"You look great tonight Lucy," he said, flattering me.

"Thanks! You too C," I responded with a fake smile.

Why didn't Harry come?

I left Carter there and spent the rest of the night pretending to serve customers so I wouldn't be force into a conversation, I just wasn't up to it anymore.

The bar finally began to clear out around midnight, leaving me behind with drunk friends and a mess.
Lance wasn't a big drinker fortunately, so he hauled Carter and Layla home as they chanted out slurred words to Teenage Dirtbag.

I wasn't going to get home for another hour at least, just great. I slowly began cleaning up the pub, humming the words to the music that still played over the speakers.

When She Looks So Perfect filled the room, I couldn't help belting out he lyrics and thinking of a specific boy...

Notes

Longer update! It was fun writing this chapter.

I really like building up the flirtation between Lucy and Harry before something big happens.

Hopefully it's making you guys want more!

I guess today wasn't that bad..

I got some new subscribers, votes and, drumroll....

One comment! I'm gonna take that as success.

Keep it up, I love you guys(:

~lex~