Hunter's thumbs drummed on his thighs as he scanned over the equipment at the gym, looking for something to take out his frustrations on. His eyes finally settled on a hanging bag near the back corner, this was exactly what he needed.

  "Alright, let's do this," he muttered under his breath as he wrapped his hands with tape.

  The sweat from a good workout usually brought him a sense of accomplishment, but today it felt pointless, like it didn't matter whether he was fit or not. Hunter decided a good pump would lift his spirits, hoping each rep would give him that hit of dopamine he was craving, and take his mind off the fact Rodney had rejected him.

  "Why do I care so much, we weren't even together, to begin with," he tried to convince himself, glancing at his reflection in the mirrored wall. Yet, the guy staring back at him seemed lost and sad.

  "Enough," he exhaled sharply, abandoning the weights mid-set. He needed air, a change of scenery and maybe some food.

  Outside, the puddles from the melting snow soaked his boots. With every step down the street, Hunter felt the invisible tug preventing him from going straight home as usual. And then he spotted the golden arches, inviting him into a place he had never been before. His feet seemed to have a mind of their own, as they brought him closer to the counter before he even knew what he wanted.

  "Can I help you?" Madison's voice snapped Hunter back to reality as he finally noticed her behind the counter, she had clearly noticed the zoned-out look in his eyes.

  "Uhh, yeah. I got um a coupon in the mail which is why I'm here," Hunter's hand patted his pockets in a poor attempt at finding the imaginary coupon. "Looks like I lost it, but since I made the trip, I'll grab a double Big Mac."

  Madison's lips quirked up in a half-smile, skepticism dancing in her eyes. "Right. One double Big Mac," she said, punching in the order. "Is that for here or to go?"

  "Oh um, for here," Hunter mumbled, paying for his order and retreating to a table where he assumed no one he knew would spot him.

  "Didn't peg you for a fast food guy," came a voice from the table next to him.

  "Oh, Steven. I didn't see you there." Hunter felt like his cover was blown, but also noticed a sadness in Steven's features he recognized all too well. "You good? Where's Jordan, you two are a thing right?"

  "Oh, I'm great actually. Just grabbing a chicken wrap for dinner," Steven lied as smoothly not wanting to share his heartache with Hunter of all people.

  "Order 216! One double quarter pounder extra mayo, cheese and bacon!" Madison's voice called through the restaurant. When no one claimed the monstrous double quarter pounder, she walked it straight to Steven, who couldn’t have turned redder if he’d been dipped in ketchup.

  "Seriously, you couldn't have walked the ten steps to the counter for this," she huffed before sauntering away.

  "That's some chicken wrap, look's like we're both out of it today," Hunter said, receiving his own tray laden with the kind of calories he usually shunned.

  "Seems like it," Steven managed, shaking off his embarrassment before taking a resigned bite of his colossal burger.

  Chewing mechanically on a frie, Hunter glanced up at Steven and could feel the sense of rejection seeping off of him. "Hey did you and Jordan break up or something?" He stuffed the chewed-on fire back into the container, the rest of the fries snapping from the force. "I know it's really none of my business, It's just I get it. I kind of went through a weird breakup too."

  "Man, that's rough," Steven murmured, his voice low, eyes tracing the patterns of salt scattered across the table. "Yeah, Jordan and I have been through for a while now. Sorta wish I was still with them, honestly. It's kind of messing with my head."

  "Yeah, but you know what? my dad always says moping won't solve your problems." Hunter straightened up, he had come up with an idea that was sure to make them feel better. "We need a distraction from our exes. What if we work out together? We can work out after school and keep each other focused. Then, when we're both ripped, throw the biggest bash of the year and find some new dates."

  Steven had to think about it for a moment before he responded. "Yeah? We don't need them, we can find new people to date, better people." The corner of his mouth lifted in a half-hearted attempt at a grin.

  "Exactly!" Hunter's enthusiasm began to push away his desire for greasy and sweet foods. "Imagine their faces when they see how well we're doing without them."

  "I'm in, let’s do it," Steven agreed, wrapping up the rest of his own burger.

  The next seven days transformed into weights and reps, with each of them pushing their limits. Steven watched Hunter attack each set with ferocity as if it had insulted him in some way, driving Steven to push even harder. "Dude, you’re like... insanely dedicated."

  "My dad always said if you only put half of yourself into something, you might as well quit," Hunter admitted between sets, muscles rippling with exertion. "Also fitness is non-negotiable in my house, we weighed in every quarter."

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Intense." Steven shook his head, momentarily halting his dumbbell curls. "But hey, you've got some amazing results. I'm impressed."

  "Thanks. You're pretty dedicated yourself man, clearly you hit the gym more than most." Hunter dropped the weights with a satisfying thud, wiping sweat from his brow.

  Exiting the gym, the air felt lighter on their skin, the sky stretching wide with possibilities. "So, about this party..." Steven ventured. "What are we thinking?"

  "Well I was thinking we have a pool party, I do have an indoor pool," Hunter declared confidently. "Ans it is the best way to show off our gains, we can even shave our chests."

  "Shave our chests?" Steven raised an eyebrow as they walked back to the car, clearly a little weirded out by the idea.

  "Come on, man, everyone does it. All the celebs. It's way more attractive than a hairy chest." Hunter clapped him on the shoulder, a charismatic smile plastered across his face.

  "Alright, alright," Steven relented, throwing his bag in the back seat of the car. "Let’s make this party legendary."

  ---

  The next Saturday the stage was set, and the lights from the indoor pool shifted between colours as Steven entered the room, his eyes scanning the setup. A long table sat by the window filled with all the traditional foods for a Hawain Luou, and a row of live palm trees lined the room, making the place feel like a tropical resort.

  "Hey," Steven called out, catching Hunter as he adjusted a palm tree. "Do you think Jordan's gonna show up to this?"

  Hunter stopped turning the base of the vase and flashed a grin. "Forget about Jordan, man. You're looking sharp. Anyone would be lucky to have you."

  Steven offered a half-hearted chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, but I—"

  "Look," Hunter interrupted, his voice firm but encouraging. "I invited our entire grade and then some. They're all coming, which means Jordan and Rodney can't bail without some serious FOMO."

  "Right I guess so," Steven nodded slowly, hoping Jordan would see how amazing he was doing and ask to take him back. "I just wanted to make sure." He grabbed a chair and sat down by the edge of the pool.

  "I'm sure they'll be here," Hunter affirmed, securing the last palm tree upright. "And tonight, we're proving we're better than ever."

  ---

  Rodney laid on his bed, the blue glow of his phone illuminating his face. Every ping from his socials discussing Hunter's party felt like another weight pressing down on him. Everyone seemed to be going but Rodney was desperate for a reason not to.

  "Ugh," he groaned, burying his face in his pillow when his phone vibrated again. It was a message from Matt: 'What do you get someone for an engagement party?'

  "Finally something that isn't about Hunter's stupid party," he muttered, seizing the opportunity. 'Whose engagement?' Rodney typed back, trying to sound casual.

  Matt replied quickly, 'My cousin's. Mom and I are driving to Woodstock for it later today.'

  A spark of hope ignited in Rodney's chest. "Woodstock..." he murmured, fingers tapping on the screen with newfound energy. 'Sounds cool. When are you leaving?'

  'Soon. Why?' came Matt's response.

  Rodney hesitated, not wanting to seem too eager. 'Just curious,' he wrote, then added after a moment, 'Got room for one more?'

  There was a pause before Matt replied, 'You're trying to dodge Hunter's party, aren't you?'

  Rodney let out a sigh, typing truthfully, 'I don't want to hurt his feelings.'

  'Fine, but you need to be on your best behaviour,' Matt finally conceded.

  "Thank you," Rodney whispered to no one, relief washing over him as he grabbed his jacket and headed out to meet his escape.

  ---

  The bass of the music throbbed like a pulse through Hunter's indoor pool area, where a constellation of fairy lights flickered above the pool's shimmering surface. Wearing swim trunks that clung to his toned physique, Hunter scanned the throng of partygoers with a practiced smile plastered on his face. He greeted each guest with a nod or a high five, being sure to address each of them by name. His eye however always looked past them, searching for the one person this night was really about.

  "Hey, man, you've been circling the pool like a shark," Steven called out, emerging from the crowd, his spiky hair damp from an earlier dip. "Your ex still MIA?"

  Hunter exhaled a cloud of frustration, his gaze lingering on the pool's entrance before returning to Steven. "Yeah. I thought for sure they'd come, I mean they hate disappointing anyone."

  "Well maybe it's time to call off the search party and just enjoy what we've got here," Steven suggested, gesturing toward the pool filled with their peers.

  Hunter shook his head and made his way towards a secluded table. The weight of disappointment settled over him as he sank onto a stool. "This party doesn't really matter... I can throw a party anytime I want and they are usually better than this. The whole point was to prove I was ok and how do I do that now? they didn't even bother to show up, looks like they are more okay than I am,"

  "Sounds like you've had a bit of a reality check," Steven remarked, joining him at the table. "I get though, I thought showing off that I am doing great would make me feel better. But Jordan has avoided me this whole time and I feel guilty if I am ruining the party for him."

  "I guess we both got it wrong, didn't we," Hunter muttered, raking a hand through his tousled hair. "I just want to know why I care so much about someone who drives me crazy. I mean why can't I stop thinking about them."

  Steven's expression softened. "That's an easy one dude, it's because you are in love with them." His words held a simple truth that pierced through Hunter's gloom, the conclusion Hunter had been trying to avoid the entire time.

  Their moment of reflection was interrupted by a gaggle of girls approaching, their laughter piercing the evening air. "OMG Hunter, who's your hot friend? You should come swim with us" one of them giggled, flipping her hair flirtatiously.

  "Look, we're not really in the mood—" Hunter began, but another girl cut him off.

  "Come on, you are always the life of the party. What could someone who has everything like you do possibly be sad about?" she scoffed. "Lighten up and take a swim."

  Before Hunter could give them a piece of his mind, Ally swept in taking a seat between them, her long blonde hair framing her face. "Give it a rest, ladies these two are all mine for the night," she said firmly, her striking blue eyes commanding their retreat.

  "Thanks, Ally," Steven said, relief evident in his voice. "We're just not ourselves tonight."

  "Trust me everyone's noticed," Ally replied, taking a seat beside them. "Look you don't have to talk about it with me, but after everything that happened with Rodney. I just want you to know you can talk to me... about anything, really..."

  Steven reached out, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders. He pulled her into a hug, something he had needed more than he realized.

  "Thanks, Ally, I guess I am still getting over Jordan," Steven murmured into her shoulder.

  "That must be hard for you," Ally whispered back. "I know you cared a lot about them. Why don't we get out of here?" She looked over to Hunter, "You can join us if you want." Hunter looked around the room one last time before nodding and following them out.