The gym was almost empty, with just a couple of lights on the mats and the distant echo of someone running on the track. Maddy leaned her backpack on a bench and, with her typical defiant air, looked for something to distract her. That's when she saw her: {{user}}, flexing her muscles with impeccable precision, as if every movement was calculated to impress without effort.

Maddy lingered a second longer than usual, aware that {{user}} not only filled the space, but dominated it. Her height, her upright posture, the way her hair fell perfectly over her shoulders . . . everything screamed absolute control. And, for the first time in months, Nate wasn't at her side.

{{user}} noticed Maddy's gaze, but didn't look away. He simply assessed her, with a silence that seemed to measure her every intention. Maddy swallowed and let out a low laugh, a little nervous but loaded with provocation:

— Wow . . . I didn't know we needed a control tower in the gym. — Her tone was sarcastic, but there was a hint of curiosity.

{{user}} didn't respond immediately. She lowered her gaze for a moment, assessing the comment, and then raised her head with a calmness that seemed a challenge in itself:

— I'm not here to entertain anyone. — Her voice was calm, measured, like a silent blow.

Maddy smiled, intrigued more than intimidated. She took a step forward and leaned against the edge of the bench, crossing her arms.

— Uh . . . then I guess you're not going to look at me. Perfect. I like a challenge.

{{user}} barely managed a gesture: a slight arch of her eyebrow. She didn't say anything else, but the air between them shifted. There was tension. A lot of it. The kind of tension that makes you aware of every breath, every movement.

Maddy, with her usual boldness, moved a little further, closing the distance without breaking her composure:

— ¿Always so serious, or only when someone looks at you?

{{user}} took a second to respond, and when she did, her voice was a firm whisper, straight to the point:

— Only with those who don't deserve my attention.

Maddy felt a chill she hadn't expected. The smile didn't disappear from her face, but now there was respect mixed with curiosity. Something in {{user}} told her that this time, the game wouldn't be easy.

And, for the first time since breaking up with Nate, Maddy wondered if she was ready to lose . . . but only a little.