Irene Ivy
Oh yeah, I seriously need to throw some fists after the day I had.
Lately, the only good part of any workday is Simon, my current crush, and one of the professors I support as an administrative assistant. He’s the only professor who stops at my desk before and after his work day. Rather than fill my email inbox, he takes time to talk face-to-face. Simon is genuine and caring and makes me laugh. Today was no different, as he boxed the air while he asked about my stats on SuperBoxing, my virtual reality game. He reiterated that I should sign up for a women’s class at his brother’s gym.
Not an evening goes by when I’m not in my comfortable living room, boxing—in virtual reality, that is. Here I am again in my Kate Hudson-inspired Fabletics, ready for the artificial silver and black orbs to fly toward my face until I send them back into the glistening unknown. Sounds of boink and swish fill my headset, and pride ripples through me. I relish the confidence that surges throughout my body each time my hands connect with those orbs, but the thought of boxing in real life knots my stomach. I wasn’t sure I’d feel the same boxing in person, but the charismatic Simon dared me more than once, and I would finally do it tonight.
Anxiety flares, but I refuse to let it win. For now, I’ll enjoy the safe virtual aspect of my boxing reality. I’ll beat user TravisBeatsLife, once again.
We’ve been VR friends since the first time he messaged me to comment on my stats. Of course, I’ve never met him in real life, but in my mind, he is my perfect type: six feet with broad shoulders, nice biceps, and a charming smile. I’ve imagined Simon as TravisBeatsLife on more than one occasion. Hey, a girl could dream, right? Signing on to SuperBoxing, I have a message waiting, and my heartbeat quickens.
TravisBeatsLife: Ha! 189 out of 200 hits. Let’s see if you do better than that!
My smile blooms, and a whispered chuckle escapes me. “Bet,” I mouth.
I start my session, tucking the long ends of my wispy bangs behind my ears. Currently, I stand on a synthetic blue yoga mat on my living room hardwood floor, but in VR I’m situated on a metallic oval platform with nothing but a vastly deep ocean view in front of me and the warm glow of a sunset that’s convinced my conscious I’m somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic. I can almost feel a cool, wet breeze on my neck and cold, salty waves lap at my red polished toes.
Music begins slow, with deep beats that pick up the pace as the orbs zoom in my direction. One by one, I punch those orbs as hard as I can. Sweat slides down my back. I weave left and bob right to stay within glowing triangles. My arms and thighs burn from jabbing and ducking. I slowly stand as the music quiets to a lull. My final score comes into focus—195 out of 200. I grin.
JulesKnocksOut: Looks like I win, again.
I press back to the main screen and glance at my steady four-star rating in the upper left-hand corner. Simon was right. I was ready for real-world boxing. I reach up to power off but spot another notification, and my heart rate rises.
TravisBeatsLife: Maybe you should teach me your ways then?
He’s logged on now. I bite my lip and type my response.
JulesKnocksOut: Ha! In your dreams, maybe.
TravisBeatsLife: Or we could hang out while awake instead?
I pause and hold my breath. I’ve never dated online or done anything remotely similar, never mind that I haven’t had a real date in over a year. Simon’s face flashes in my mind. I quickly press the sign-off button. I’ll revisit this later. I need to get my butt to the gym for real boxing.
Perched on silver bleachers, I wrap my hands and watch the other gym newbies silently assess each other and eagerly await our coach. What kind of coach was late to his first meeting with new members? My mind wanders back to TravisBeatsLife, and my heart sinks a little. I don’t want our banter to stop, but I’m scared. I would have to think of something to say.
“Good evening, ladies! Are we ready to throw some punches?” the coach asks in a voice that is all too familiar. “So sorry to be late, I got caught up.”
I stand and hold my breath and turn to get a look at my new coach. My cheeks instantly warm at the sight of Simon. He looks at me with an intensity that makes my legs feel wobbly.
I shake my head and quietly laugh in disbelief. Simon makes his way towards me.
“Simon, what are you doing here?”
“Didn’t I mention I coach the ladies’ class at my brother’s gym?” He glances at my wrapped hands and offers an impressed nod.
“You definitely didn’t.”
Simon takes a swig of water and his Adam’s apple bobs. He licks his lips as our eyes meet. I’m speechless at the sight of him. My body shakes with nerves. When he steps closer and leans in to whisper, his stubble gently grazes my cheek. My body temperature escalates.
“Well, I hoped you’d show up here eventually, JulesKnocksOut.”
My eyebrows furrow. Wait. What?
Simon pulls back a fraction and looks at me in a way he hasn’t before, desire in his gaze. “Travis is my middle name. Also, your avatar looks just like you, bangs and all. I wanted to find a romantic way of asking you out.”
The bell dings for a match to begin, and I’m ready for it.
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