Belle sighed as she leaned back in her desk chair. Another day of working in her community college's fitness center. It's not that she hated her job, it was money and she needed it to continue school, but it got very boring after a while. Sitting at her desk, signing people in, cleaning the equipment, and watching people work out was all she could really do. Sure, she could take some time to do homework but the constant, upbeat music playing from the stereo made it hard to concentrate. No, Belle would usually just pine for quitting time. That was, until today. Her staring off into space was cut off by a soft, feminine voice saying "Hi, I'd like to work out." Belle looked up and instantly her breath was taken away. The young woman standing in front of her was the most beautiful woman Belle had ever seen. The first thing she noticed about the girl was her striking green eyes. They were bright and seemed to jump out at her regardless of being hidden behind glasses. Next Belle took in the long, straight brunette hair tied up in a tight ponytail before glancing at her body. The workout clothes were baggy but Belle had an inkling it was killer. Coming to her senses and realizing she was staring, she stammered out "I-I need your school I.D."
The girl smiled, pulled it out, and gave it to Belle who put it away then said "enjoy your workout."
"Thanks."
With that simple reply, the girl made her way to the treadmills. 'Good going...' Belle thought. 'She probably thinks you're a freak...I wonder if she's lesbian-no! Stop thinking like that, she'd never be into you...' Belle inwardly groaned at her mental argument. That was, to her, the only downside to being lesbian. She never knew if the girl she was into was straight or what. Not that Belle had trouble attracting women. Starting from the top, she had short, straight blonde hair ending a little before her shoulders. Throughout the blonde, there were streaks of red, something different Belle thought. Going down she had midnight blue eyes with no glasses. As for her body, she had double d breasts, not a completely toned stomach but not fat, and curvy hips. And usually women didn't affect her like this but Mary, she had seen the name on her I.D., had something about her. Belle didn't want to seem weird by staring but she couldn't look away. Realizing it would be bad to be caught looking, she returned to her book but stopped every little while to steal glances. When Belle was seventeen, she had a girlfriend but it ended shortly into the relationship. They were drifting apart too much. Now at eighteen, she couldn't help but want someone new.
Mary wiped the sweat off her brow before turning up the speed of the treadmill. Somewhere inside her mind she knew she didn't have to push herself this hard but she couldn't help herself. For most of her life she had felt like her body wasn't balanced. Meaning, she was small up top but had hips that belonged to a curvy girl. So, here she was, back in the fitness center working away her free time. Usually when she worked out, her mind would wander to random topics but it kept going back to the receptionist that took her I.D. For some reason, Mary felt like she kept watching her. Her logical side chalked it up to it being her job to watch the people but there was a small, hopeful side that thought 'maybe she likes me...maybe she's lesbian!' Mary shook her head against the thought. At eighteen years old, she had never had a girlfriend so she couldn't see how someone would be into her now. But the thought was still there. Maybe that's why she turned up the speed even more. Mary tried telling herself it was because she wanted good exercise but it was really to impress the receptionist. And it seemed to be working. At one point, Mary looked up and saw her looking at her. Mary blushed and quickly looked away but still had a smile lighting up her face. But a little while later the smile was wiped from her face as she started feeling woozy. Being sensible, she turned off the treadmill but when she tried to step off, she almost fell over. She had to grab the handle and wait for the world to stop spinning.
Belle had glanced back up to look at Mary right when she stepped off the treadmill. Immediately Belle's protective instinct kicked as she raced over to help the girl. Putting her arm around the girl, she said "easy now...are you alright?"
Mary smiled reassuringly but her voice sounded weak. "I'm fine. I think I just pushed myself too far. I don't want to burden you..."
"You're not burdening me and I've worked here long enough to see the signs of exhaustion. Let me help you to the locker room."
Mary hesitated for a few seconds then realized she lost the battle. "Okay. Thanks-that's really nice of you."
Belle smiled. "Anything to help."
Keeping her arm around Mary, Belle walked with her to the ladies' locker room and to her locker room. Once there, she sat Mary on the bench, got her some water, then sat down next to her. Mary chuckled. "Done this before?"
"A few times. I guess it comes with the job. Oh! I'm Belle by the way. Yes I know, like the Disney princess but I'm not some girly girl."
Mary laughed. "It's ok, I like that name anyway. I'm Mary-but you already know that after seeing my card..."
Belle smiled at seeing Mary blush. "Yeah, but it's nice to hear you say it...I suppose I should leave so you can get changed..."
Logically Mary should have said yes but something inside her didn't want Belle to leave. "No, you can stay. I mean if you want to...I like your company. But I don't want your boss to get mad-"
Belle cut off Mary's rambling by chuckling. "I like your company too and my boss won't get mad. He saw me leave with you."