Mel had mentioned doing some exercises with me that afternoon. I was really nervous about it, though. More often than not, I was awkward when it came to talking to girls, so I hoped I wouldn’t say anything weird or make her think I was any weirder. The “weird boy” comment had stuck with me. I put on basketball shorts and a large black t-shirt so that if I sweated a lot, it wouldn’t be see-through.

When I got to Mel’s place I found her sitting on her steps.

“Hey, weird boy,” she greeted.

I frowned.

“You’re frowning already? It’s all downhill from here, buddy.” Mel laughed. “Come on,” she commanded as she started walking. I followed her.

“So, uh . . . what are we doing today?” I asked.

“A bunch of stuff. I want to focus on your core, though.”

“And that requires . . . what?”

“Doing what I tell you to do.”

“You like bossing people around, don’t you?” I said.

“I like giving guidance. Sometimes that requires me to be a bit of a hard-ass. But don’t worry, you’ll thank me someday.”

We walked to a big open field by her place. There were some dogs running around and a few people having picnics. It was a very open area that had enough space for everyone, but that was what made me nervous.

“Uh . . . so we’re going to do this in public?” I asked.

“Yep. I suppose so. We don’t have gym memberships, and it’s gorgeous out here. Where’s a better place to do it?”

“Somewhere where people won’t stare at the fat kid trying to exercise.”

“You’re shy,” she realized. “But listen, if people make fun of someone who is overweight and trying to change that, then they’re assholes. I got your back. Don’t be afraid to fall back every once in a while.”

I took her word for it. I hated being so vulnerable out in the open, but I didn’t want to go back and we were already there. I didn’t want to let Mel down, and I didn’t want to let myself down, either.

I sat down on the grass and watched Mel do some stretching. I admired the passion she put into herself. Though it got uncomfortable when she looked me in the eye.

“Stop staring at me and start stretching, weird boy.”

She’d called me “weird boy” twice within twenty minutes. That wasn’t good. I shouldn’t have stared. It was a bad look. I extended my legs forward and leaned against them as far as I could, then stretched my arms one at a time.

“All right, we’re going to do some planks,” she instructed.

“Like, lying on top of weird things like cars and sidewalks?” I said sarcastically.

“Funny.” She wasn’t impressed. “You know what a plank is, right?”

“I do. I hate them,” I sighed.

“Then don’t wait for me.” She grinned.

I let out another sigh and got into position. A plank is when you have your body straight and lift your stomach off the ground. Both arms rest by your head to hold you up, and your feet stick beside each other so they keep you in position. Then you have to hold yourself up without letting your stomach touch the ground or having your butt too far in the air.