[Josh Taylor]

Josh set his duffle bag on the floor when he walked into the gym. He popped the rest of the brightly colored chocolates into his mouth. Candy before a work out didn't seem like the brightest idea. One step at a time towards the healthy life Josh was attempting.

Somehow the sweat in the air made Josh a little uncomfortable. Hopefully that would go away the more he came around. As he was sitting down on a weight lifting bench Josh noticed a familiar face.

"Hey, Susan!" He waved and flashed a smile. Maybe that wasn't such a good move considering they hadn't talked much since the kiss. But Josh thought nothing of it.

[Susan Foster]

Susan looked up from where she had previously been staring at her feet and sent the brightest smile in Josh's direction.

A man who could only be Susan's coach gave a semi-disapproving look and remarked to Susan that she would have to land this next one before she could have a break to socialize.

After a running start and what sounded like a blast from a cannon, Susan performed a series of flips and somersaults before ending in a full and complete split along the top of the balance beam.

The coach exchanged some suggestions and Susan collected a bottle of water and approached Josh at his weight lifting station.

"I didn't know this was your gym." She grinned. "How long have you been working out?"

[Josh Taylor]

"I didn't know it was yours." He laughed. "I'm still kind of new at it." Josh admitted with a bashful smile.

"But you, you're amazing at gymnastics!" Josh complimented. "I should have known." He smirked.

[Susan Foster]

"I told you I was offered some pretty heavy scholarships." She shrugged.

"Don't feel bad, you're a real natural. In fact, you look like you've worked out for ages." She added encouragingly.

[Josh Taylor]

"Guess I should have dropped by during practice a few times." Josh said.

"Thanks!" A grin spread over his face. "You're the face of sportsmanship." He smiled.

[Susan Foster]

"My coach can get pretty testy during practices, but there's always a seat for you at local meets and championships. That's when I do my really cool tricks." She promised.

"I'm really happy you're here. Only Mark ever visits."

[Josh Taylor]

"Awesome. Let me know when the next one is and I'll be there." Josh nodded.

"Really?" Josh raised a brow. "Then expect me around more often. I've been meaning to get my gym on anyways." He grinned.

[Susan Foster]

"I'm sorry I bailed after the kitchen fire. I didn't know what to say." She shook her head.

[Josh Taylor]

"Don't worry about it." Josh offered her a smile.

"How much do you bet I can bench?" He changed the subject with a challenging smirk.

[Susan Foster]

Susan considered this carefully. He had lifted Prim before, hadn't he?

"Two hundred pounds easy." She thought out loud.

[Josh Taylor]

"Close." Josh looked impressed. "Two forty." He answered proudly.

[Susan Foster]

"Oooh, pretty swanky. Can I see?" She asked as she pointed to the weights in the station.

[Josh Taylor]

"Of course." Josh agreed without second thought. He was a bit rusty. Who was to say he could even lift that anymore? Yet Josh piled on the pounds and laid back on the bench.

Here goes nothing, he thought to himself and with one push in the air he heaved the bar up with little to no effort. The bar dropped back down to his chest and a bit of color rushed to Josh's face. Again he thrust it back up seemingly without a sweat. Although he was a touch out of shape it didn't look that way. Meanwhile his heart was pounding in his chest.

[Susan Foster]

"Pretty amazing, muscle man." Susan replied as she clipped the weights back in safely when he placed it back on the bar.

It was dangerous territory -- seeing Josh all sweaty. Susan hardly ever thought of boys that way, her boyfriend included. Still her heart hadn't fluttered like this since that doomed afternoon when Jason started calling her sunshine.

The coach gave a whistle, and brought her back to reality.

"My turn on the un-even bars." She chirped. "Maybe after your workout we can meet up for a seaweed smoothie at the juice bar? 100% protein...." She coaxed.

[Josh Taylor]

"Not as amazing as you, scholarship girl." Josh smirked though he certainly appreciated the compliment.

"Good luck." Josh told Susan. "Yeah, sounds great." He grinned. Actually, that sounded like it tasted horrible but Josh couldn't say no to Susan.