σ=F/A

A/N: Surprise, I've returned 6 years later to add this chapter in the middle and also finish this story.

I'm just staring at my phone. Should I? No. But it's totally normal, I'm not even being weird. I should just message her. This is Faith's fault.

I groan and push Send before I can think too hard about it. The buzz a couple of minutes later confirms that I was freaking out over nothing. I grab my gym bag and blast Kaylee Parry the entire bus ride over until I can't focus on anything else but predictable pop tunes. It's possible I look a little intense right now, but I'm already hopping off the bus as I have that thought so it's too late anyway. Hopefully I didn't throw anyone an accidental glare.

I shut off the Kaylee Parry right before I push through the gym doors. It's just as bright in here today as it is outside. I give reception a wave before grabbing a spot by the corner with mats and weights. It's supposed to be my off day but I'm feeling a little extra motivated.

Oh, there's the ponytail I'd recognize anywhere. Looks like she's noticed me, too.

"Hey," Aika says. She's still tensing her forearms. It makes me laugh a little, which makes them relax.

"Hey. It's my off day, but I was feeling a little bored."

Aika laughs softly. For some reason it keeps echoing in my head. Maybe I need an ibuprofen or something? "Well, uh, I don't mind the company."

"Great! Just ignore me, I'll be doing some sets over here." I pick up some 8s and start on some curls.

Aika gets right back to it. When she isn't flustered, her focus practically radiates around her. It's like a prickly energy that catches your attention, even if you aren't right next to her. It's sort of... electrifying. I felt it when she walked on stage, and I'm feeling it now as I catch her throwing slow, weighted jabs out of the corner of my eye. We're in sync again. It keeps happening, it's like it's contagious or something.

Something feels different, though.

No, Evren, this is just because you've done way more reps than you said you'd do.

I put down the weights and stretch my shoulders. I throw in a little side lunge while I'm at it. I'm hoping no one's noticing my lazy form right now. I'm also hoping coming in wasn't a bad idea.

Am I obsessing a little over Aika? Yes. Probably. I'm not telling Baba though, and especially not Iida or Faith. But, I mean, look at her. She's a lightning rod: sleek, stable, strong. She's a holder of so much energy. It's exhilarating.

Maybe I'm a little bit of the lightning.

I can't shake the feeling that it wasn't like this last week, the last time we were at the gym together. That session was totally normal. I think. Maybe. I'm catching myself watching Aika again and now I'm really wondering.

"Is... my form off?" Oh no, Aika's noticed me. Quick, Evren, look at her form and find something to comment on. She's just brought her leg down from either a knee or a kick. She's still putting virtually all of her weight on her supporting foot, but I imagine she hasn't adjusted because I distracted her mid-winddown.

"Oh! Looks like you're still repositioning," Aika finally rebalances her weight as I'm speaking, "but I didn't catch the rest. You were a little too fast for me." I go for a believable truth.

Aika just gives me a curious look. "Too fast for you? I can't even catch you moving when I concentrate."

It's too warm. It must be the weights. Put the weights down, Evren. The clack of the rerack sends a cool drizzle of relief through my fingers. I adjust my hair and turn back to Aika, who is still looking my way, unblinking.

...What are words, again?

I shrug, but my shoulders feel like lead. "What are you focusing on today?" I ask, trying to steer my brain toward something useful.

"Just some light weights, practicing my form," Aika replies. "Especially on the arms. I need to be doing some better blocking." She absent-mindedly taps her head.

I nod. I've had injuries like that before. It's not hard to have getting knocked around a little level up to a full concussion. The head's not really a fan of getting wrecked so often. "I'm glad we have mandatory headgear, even if I can't hear much through it."

I watch Aika exhale. Or... did she just grumble? That's... hilarious. Oh, damn, her eyes are on me now.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh!" Think fast, Evren. "Just, the way you were pouting just now reminded me of a dog." Wait, no, that sounded rude. Aika raises a brow. "Sorry! What I mean is... Well, Faith does that around me all the time. I'm weak to it." I force out a laugh but Aika seems to buy the explanation. In fact, she starts to chuckle herself.

"I'm not used to being the one called the puppy. That's usually Lev."

"I totally see it."

"It's hard to miss." She laughs again. "He's a bit dramatic but he's still cute at the end of the day. It's hard not to love him."

Cute? Cute? Wait a minute, there isn't something going on between them, is there...? "Oh? You two a thing? Sorry, I didn't realize-"

"Oh no, he's super gay."

This would be the time to say I didn't expect that, but to be honest, it's really not that surprising at all. I can't help but chuckle. Where am I getting all these weird feelings from today? "How do you earn the title of 'super' gay?"

"By crushing on, like, seven different guys at once. Or maybe it was eight?" Aika's eyes seem to darken even beyond their normal almost-black. Now her smile reminds me of Maeva, and I know exactly what that means. "Though, I don't think he'd have time for anyone with the amount he's been falling asleep at library desks."

"Aw, poor guy."

"He'll be fine."

The stopwatch's sudden beeping distracts me. Looks like Aika, too: she's moving back to the weights.

"Sorry, I'm distracting you. I should let you do your thing," she says, throwing me a guilty look.

I sigh and shake my head. "Hey, don't worry about it. It's an excuse to get to know you more." I throw in a wink for a reason I don't want to think about, but Aika's already turned back to her sets. I should work on mine, but now that I'm holding my weights again, I can't remember what number I was on.