Options

"And what kind of membership package would you like, Mr., uh... Hanson?" Joe checked Taylor's application for his name.

"What options do you have?" he replied, resting his elbows on the front desk counter.

"Six months, one year, two years, or five years." Was the immediate reply. If he didn't think Joe was intelligent enough to know how to read, Taylor would've guessed he'd gotten the answer right out of a textbook.

"I'll just start with the six month plan." Sounded the safest for right now.

"You sure? You look like you might need a couple years work before you see results." Taylor flushed with embarrassment at his small size. He couldn't believe what he was doing, most of all for the reasons he was doing it.

"Good morning Joe." Mia greeted him as she walked past the front desk. She sent a smile in Tay's direction that made him melt. He couldn't help but notice the great figure she carried on her small frame and her beautiful dark eyes as they curiously searched his face.

"Where's Maggie?" She asked Joe, her gaze still fixed on Taylor.

"Late, of course."

"Ok.. I'll start class for her again this morning. How're the numbers looking today?"

"A little smaller, but Spring Break is coming up in a few weeks." Joe replied casually. "They'll hit their year-time high then. Meet Taylor, our newest member here. He's trying to pick out a plan."

"Hey," Taylor stuck his hand towards Mia. As she took it, he could have sworn he felt a little spark fly from her soft touch.

"Mia." She said softly. She stared into his deep blue eyes, amazed at the tiny amount of chemistry that had just occurred between them. Didn't help he was absolutely gorgeous looking either. Her new job definently had its advantages.

"I've gotta run, but I'll catch you later."

"Nice meeting you." Taylor mumbled, watching her retreating figure.

"Hey," Joe snapped his fingers impatiently in front of Tay's face, startling him. "How long do you want your membership here?"

"What's the longest time you have again?"

"Maggie, I have to tell you something," Mia said excitedly, pulling me over to the side after class.

"What's up?" I asked curiously as I sat down on the floor and started taking off my shoes. I'd never seen her so bouncy before in aerobics.

"I met the hottest guy this morning!" She whispered.

Ok, that's it.

"Really? Here?" I sighed as I stood up and put on my sweatpants. Hot guys here, yes it was possible. Hot guys with a decent personality, a slimmer chance. Hot guys with a decent personality, and morals, go across the street to the Boys of America Hotline Agency; there weren't any here, that's for sure.

"Yes! I didn't get to say too much to him, but I am hooked already."

"Wow, must be some guy." I smiled vaguely, unable to really relate to her feelings. Actually, as it turned out I could, but I just didn't know it yet. We walked out of the aerobics room together towards the locker room. As we passed the weight lifting center, she went on:

"He's so hot. He had blonde hair, absolutely amazing blue eyes, the cutest smile- Oh my god! There he is!!" She grabbed my arm excitedly, making me drop my exercise bag.

"Calm down." I shook her off me and picked up my bag. "You're acting like a junior high school girl with a crush on a movie star."

"Look at him." She put her hands on her hips indignantly. "How can you not fall for something like that!?"

"Just who am I looking for?" I scanned the weight room, taking in about thirty different guys.

"Him." She pointed to a guy bending over the drinking fountain. All we had a view of was his rear.

"Not bad, I'll admit." I laughed. As he turned around, my giggles immediately jumped down the back of my throat.

Taylor? What the hell is he doing here?

"His name's Taylor. Isn't that a cool name?"

"Y-Yeah.." I blinked, unsure if it was him. Sure enough, it was. I'd recognize HIM anywhere.

"I'm going over to talk to hi-wait. I think he recognizes me." I vaguely heard Mia say as Taylor looked straight in our direction.

Uh-oh.

"I wonder if he remembers me." Mia thought out loud, waving him over towards us.

"Looks like you'll get your chance." I mumbled, watching him return the wave and walk over. I cautiously watched every step he took.

"Mia," he greeted her warmly and ignored me.

Nice, I thought, my ego slightly burned.

"Hi Taylor. Enjoying your first day?" I vaguely heard Mia's greeting because of my critical examination of Taylor. It was too much of a convenience seeing him here, of all places.

"Absolutely." He smiled pointedly at her, as if he knew I was watching. I rolled my eyes and dropped my exercise bag against the door frame loudly, announcing my presence.

"Oh, Taylor, this is Maggie." Mia pointed at me.

"We've met before." He answered coolly.

"Hey," I replied quietly. I wasn't sure if he was still upset about the whole Zac situation, or just at me in general. Probably a combination of both; I just couldn't win with the guy. Nonetheless, I was surprised at what he said next.

"Mia, would you mind joining me for dinner this Friday?" I gasped. He couldn't have possibly met her before today. This was shit. Pure, simple shit. Not wanting to stick around for her answer, I figured I'd hear about it every day until Friday.

First Zac, now Taylor? What's her secret? I was secretly itching to know.

"Sure!" I overheard her say excitedly as I picked up my gym bag again and walked towards the exit disgustedly.

How could he? The same damn thing again.. that total bastard.. Wait a minute. I contradicted my thoughts.

Why am I so upset? I caught myself. He can do whatever he wants..

So why did I have such a problem with it?

"Hello?" Sarah picked up the phone.

"Sarah?" A male voice asked her.

"Speaking.. who is this?" She made sure to speak quietly so she wouldn't wake up Mark.

"This is Isaac and I can barely hear you."

"Just a second. Let me switch phones."

Isaac? She went into the bedroom she normally shared with her lover, who'd abandoned sharing her bed for being along on the living room couch ever since he'd been laid off. Shutting the door partially, she picked up the bedroom phone.

"What's up?"

"I was wondering if you could meet me Saturday night."

"Umm.. why?" She sensed the firmness in his voice.

"I need to talk to you about something, but not over the phone." Glancing through the crack between the door and the wall, she caught sight of her sleeping fiancée on the couch.

"I.. don't think that's such a good idea."

"I need to talk to you." He repeated, not wanting to beg. Although, given the circumstances, he was afraid he might have to.

"All right. Saturday night. Call me at work with the time, though ok?" She gave him the number.

"I've gotta go. Bye." She whispered.

"Thanks." Ike said before hanging up. He left Sarah puzzled over what could possibly be bothering him. She didn't get much of a chance to worry about it though, for Mark had woken up.

"Who were you talking to?" he demanded.

"Just my m-mother." She stammered, walking into the living room. "Are you hungry, honey?"

"No, I'm not fucking hungry. Go get me some aspirin."

"We're out. You took the last eight caplets yesterday."

"I said go get me some fuckin' aspirin!" He rubbed his forehead in his hands.

"Ok, ok." Sarah grabbed her coat and purse from the closet, exiting quickly for the nearby gas station.

Four and a half weeks, not even one attempt to look for work again, she thought, waiting for the elevator to arrive at their floor. After the doors opened in front of her she noticed, to her dismay, her elderly neighbor Mrs. Clements was standing inside it.

"Hello, Sally." It was useless to correct the woman, so Sarah chose to be polite.

"Hello, Mrs. Clements. How are you today?" She made an effort to talk loudly as she pushed the ground floor button.

"Just fine. You look like you're gaining quite a bit of weight." She peered at her over the rims of her bifocals. "May I suggest one of these?"

Mrs. Clements fished around in her gigantic purse and pulled out a can of Slim Fast. After handing it to Sarah, she explained,

"They work wonders for a girl's figure."

"Thanks." She said, accepting the gift and leaning against the back wall of the elevator. She didn't know whether she would burst out laughing or into tears.