Author's Note: I probably should have posted this before the last chapter, but I just wanted to say it's been awhile since I wrote so hopefully I can get the flow going again. Also the last chapter and this one lacks much action, but hopefully you enjoy it anyway. More action coming soon. Thanks.
-------------------------
When my eyes opened the next morning I was surprised to find myself still on the couch where I started the night. It was obvious that I must have been even more exhausted than I thought, and to be honest I really needed a good night's rest, be it in a bed or on a couch.
I pushed myself up on the couch and sat there, trying to gather my thoughts. I picked up my phone and checked for messages, nothing. My day of freedom had begun and I wasn't really sure what to do with it. Part of me wanted to do nothing, just relax and recharge, but the other part of me said I should do something I wouldn't usually be able to do.
I decided the first thing I should do is have a shower and maybe that would help me figure out what to do with my day. The water woke me up just like I needed and helped to clear my head. There was no way I was going to waste this day, and I was determined to spend it without thinking about my blackmailer. My goal for the day was to just be me, Madison.
Robe on, towel around my hair, I headed downstairs to make a coffee and some breakfast. Sam and Emma were still in their rooms, most likely still sleeping like teenagers do. I read a magazine and sipped my coffee in peace, taking glances outside to see the sun shine through the window. It was a beautiful day and there was no way I was going to spend it sitting inside. What I decided to do was something I rarely did, but I knew it would make me feel better, go to the gym.
With my coffee finished I cleaned up the kitchen and headed up to my room to get ready. Panties, dark blue leggings, black sports bra, black t-shirt, socks and a pair of running shoes, I got ready to go to the gym for the first time in a long time. I grabbed my bag, a change of clothes and texted both Emma and Sam that I was headed out, but didn't expect to hear back from them anytime soon.
On my way to the gym in the car I realized how nice it was to just be doing something that I wanted to do without having to be on edge about what was coming, about a message, a task, a potentially life ruining thing I had to do. I felt myself smile, a real smile for the first time in a while. I rolled down the windows, put some music on and enjoyed the very regular drive through the city.
Walking into the gym I felt like a fraud, like I shouldn't be allowed into it, since I hadn't been there for so long. I paid for a monthly membership and really I was just giving them money for nothing. But today I was going to get my money's worth, which probably meant thirty minutes on an elliptical machine followed by lunch.
I scanned my membership card and walked through the weights sections towards the cardio area. As I walked my eyes scanned the other people as they worked out. My eyes eventually picked up on a familiar face ahead of me, Tina, running on a treadmill. God did she look amazing. Her eyes were focused and didn't see me at first giving me just enough time to lust over her body. She had pulled her short blonde hair up into a small pony tail and there was a layer of sweat across her face. The hot pink Nike sports bra held on tightly to her breasts and she moved quickly on the treadmill. Her toned stomach was on full display, and she wore a tiny pair of grey spandex shorts which allowed her long legs to be seen by all. Pink running shoes finished off the look of sexiness. My eyes rose from her feet back to her eyes to see them looking over at me, followed by a wave. I blushed immediately and waved back before quickly working my way over to the elliptical machines.
I placed my headphones into my ears, tried to get Tina out of my mind, and started to move my legs back and forth as I picked up the pace. It was hard to get that hard body from my head. She looked so hot, her sports bra let me see her whole toned stomach, the light glistening of sweat coating it. Her shorts were exactly what you would think an Eastern European would wear, way too short for an American, but they looked perfect on her, like they were meant to be there. Based on how fast she was running it was no surprise she was as sexy as she was, part of it was natural, but it also required hard work. I wished I could look like her, but I knew I never would, so for now all I could do was fantasize about her.
I still had 20 minutes left in my workout when I saw Tina walk up beside me and shine her smile. I slowed down and took my headphones out as it was obvious she wanted to talk.
"Hey," I said, wiping sweat from my forehead a little out of breath.
"Hi Madison! Sorry to stop your workout!" she replied with a lot more energy then I had.
"No problem...," how could I resist talking to Tina?
"I just wanted to see if you wanted to grab lunch after you're done... I don't know many people here and..."
Before Tina could even finish I blurted out, "ya! Sounds good!"
She smiled back at me, obviously happy, "OK! Awesome. Should I wait for you out front?"
"Ya sounds perfect, I'll be another 20mins, and then I'll change and come out, is that OK?" The smile on my face was almost as big as hers now.
"Great! See you in a bit," Tina said and smiled again. As she turned and walked away my eyes focused on her perfect ass in her tiny shorts. God she was amazing.
For the rest of my workout it was impossible to think about anything else other than Tina. I felt like I was drooling every step I took. Part of me wanted to end the workout early, but I didn't want to be too obvious. The 20 minutes felt like hours as I just wanted to get it done, but eventually it did end. I got off the machine and almost jumped into the change room.
A quick shower and outfit change later and I was walking out front to meet Tina. I felt pretty good in my black leggings and black flowing t-shirt, but once I saw Tina my confidence fell. There was just no way to compare to her. She sat there in a pair of purple leggings, white sneakers and a sleeveless white t-shirt which looked like it covered a white sports bra that was visible from the side. Her hair was still up in it's high ponytail and she was focused on her phone when I walked up.
"Hey... are you ready to go?" I said softly as I looked down at her.
"Ya!" Tina responded, grabbing her bag and getting up to join me.
She suggested a new vegetarian spot around the corner and we started to walk over to it.
"I hope you don't mind vegetarian food? I'm not actually a vegetarian, but I don't eat that much meat, but if you want to go somewhere else that's totally fine," Tina mentioned as we walked. She could have suggested any place and I would have been fine with it.
"Oh no, this sounds perfect... I'm sure it's going to be great," I replied.
The small talk continued until we arrived and grabbed a table by the window.
"Well this all looks very good," I said as my eyes scanned the menu.
"Ya, I know, I can't decide what to get!"
I lifted my head and smiled at her while she continued to focus on the menu.
A few minutes later our waitress came by the table and took our order. I ordered a salad and Tina ordered a sandwich, and we both were getting juice.
