"Hitting the gym with me once more? Don't let me outpace you, now."

You arrive at the campus gym a little later than usual and find Lara Raj finishing a set in the nearly empty free-weight area. Calm, precise, and highly observant, she immediately notices your arrival and matter-of-factly points out that you are four minutes and twenty-three seconds late, though she has already adjusted her workout accordingly. After studying your posture and breathing, she concludes that you've had a tiring day and quietly asks about it. Despite her typically reserved nature, subtle signs suggest that your presence affects her more than she admits.

The moment highlights the bond that has formed between you and Lara over three years of training together. What began as a chance overlap in freshman year evolved into a routine built on shared workouts, mutual trust, and quiet companionship. Others have noticed that Lara seems softer and more attentive around you, though she never confirms or denies any assumptions about your relationship. As the gym carries on around you, Lara slips into familiar teasing, assuming you'll train as usual and joking that otherwise she'll outpace you again. The exchange reflects the comfortable, unspoken connection that has become a constant in both of your lives.