#life coach in dubai

[coachskillsacademy]

Certified Life Coach Program in Dubai

A life coach is a wellness expert who supports individuals in managing their relationships, careers, and everyday responsibilities. Their responsibility is to assist clients in reaching peak performance and mental peace. Does this job catch your attention? Then, the Certified Life Coach Programme in Dubai might be able to help you proceed. As a life coach, you will discover how to unleash people's inner potential through individualised programmes created for each individual based on their current circumstances.

For more information visit: https://www.coachskillsacademy.com/certified-life-coach-program-in-dubai

[amana2024]

Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy in Dubai: Empowering Personal Growth and Mindful Transformation

Dubai is a city known for innovation and progress, and its residents are increasingly seeking ways to enhance both personal and professional lives. Amidst the fast-paced lifestyle, life coaching and hypnotherapy have emerged as two powerful tools for self-development and healing. These services cater to those aiming for personal clarity, emotional well-being, and transformative change, offering tailored approaches to navigate life’s complexities and achieve their fullest potential.

Life Coaching in Dubai: A Path to Personal and Professional Success

Life coaching in Dubai provides individuals with a structured, supportive process to define their goals, overcome obstacles, and grow. Life coaches are trained to work with clients on various aspects of life, including career ambitions, relationships, self-confidence, and overall fulfillment. For many people in Dubai, life coaching represents an opportunity to gain clarity and direction amidst the city’s competitive and vibrant environment.

What Does Life Coaching Involve?

Life coaching is a personalized journey where clients collaborate with a coach to explore their goals, values, and aspirations. Coaches use proven methods to help individuals gain insights into their patterns, strengths, and potential challenges. This process involves setting achievable goals, creating actionable plans, and identifying strategies for personal growth.

The benefits of life coaching include:

Enhanced Clarity and Focus: Life coaching helps individuals identify their true desires and goals, bringing clarity to their path and providing them with a stronger sense of direction.

Improved Confidence and Self-Belief: Through coaching sessions, clients learn to trust themselves, build resilience, and overcome limiting beliefs that may have held them back.

Personal Accountability: Coaches provide the accountability many people need to stay on track with their goals, helping clients stay motivated and committed to their personal growth journey.

Why Life Coaching in Dubai?

Dubai’s dynamic and rapidly evolving environment often presents both opportunities and challenges. Whether it’s achieving work-life balance, excelling in one’s career, or building meaningful relationships, life coaching addresses these areas with a personalized approach. People in Dubai turn to life coaching to realign their lives, foster greater self-awareness, and embrace a more fulfilled life in the bustling city.

A key advantage of life coaching is the guidance it offers in cultivating positive mindsets and habits. Coaches encourage clients to adopt mindfulness practices, prioritize their well-being, and build resilience against the demands of daily life. For many, life coaching has become an essential part of living a balanced, fulfilling life.

Hypnotherapy in Dubai: Uncovering the Power of the Subconscious Mind

Hypnotherapy in Dubai has become a popular form of alternative therapy for those seeking deeper emotional healing and behavioral change. Rooted in psychology, hypnotherapy uses the state of hypnosis to help clients access their subconscious mind, where deeply ingrained beliefs, patterns, and memories reside. Hypnosis is a deeply relaxed yet focused state that enables clients to tap into this part of their mind, often uncovering hidden issues that impact their thoughts and behaviors.

How Hypnotherapy Works

During hypnotherapy, a trained therapist guides clients into a relaxed state through calming techniques. Once in this hypnotic state, clients are more receptive to exploring the root causes of their issues. For example, someone struggling with anxiety may discover underlying beliefs or past experiences that have contributed to their anxiety. The therapist then uses techniques such as suggestion therapy or regression to help the client reframe these issues, encouraging positive behavioral changes.

The benefits of hypnotherapy include:

Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Hypnotherapy can help individuals manage stress by addressing its root causes, making it easier to cope with challenging situations.

Behavioral Change: Hypnotherapy is effective for those looking to change habits, such as smoking cessation or weight loss, by addressing the underlying triggers of these behaviors.

Emotional Healing: Hypnotherapy can help clients release negative emotions and trauma, providing relief and a fresh perspective on past experiences.

Hypnotherapy and Emotional Well-being in Dubai

In Dubai’s fast-paced society, stress and mental health challenges are common, making hypnotherapy an appealing option for those who prefer a holistic approach. Hypnotherapy complements other self-care practices and mental health services, offering a way to address emotional and psychological issues that may not be as accessible through traditional therapy alone. Many people find that hypnotherapy provides a deeper level of insight, enabling lasting change that helps them lead happier, more balanced lives.

Choosing Between Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy

While life coaching and hypnotherapy share similar goals of fostering growth and healing, they approach these goals differently. Life coaching is generally more action-oriented and focuses on future goals, while hypnotherapy delves into past issues and internal barriers, aiming for emotional and subconscious healing. Depending on your needs, you may choose one or combine both for a comprehensive approach to self-improvement.

Consider the following when deciding:

Personal Goals: If you’re focused on goal-setting, building confidence, or career progression, life coaching may be the right fit. If you’re dealing with unresolved emotional issues or habits you’d like to change, hypnotherapy could offer deeper healing.

Preferred Approach: Life coaching tends to be more conversational and forward-looking, while hypnotherapy involves a relaxed, introspective process that taps into the subconscious mind.

Combining the Two: Some individuals in Dubai benefit from using both approaches in tandem. For example, they may use hypnotherapy to address subconscious blocks and life coaching to set and achieve new goals.

Miracles Wellness Center: Leading Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy in Dubai

For those seeking life coaching or hypnotherapy, Miracles Wellness Center in Dubai is a trusted source for transformational services. The center offers a range of wellness programs, focusing on both personal development and holistic healing. Life coaches at Miracles Wellness Center provide tailored sessions designed to help clients achieve their personal and professional aspirations. Their hypnotherapy experts offer deep, focused sessions that support clients in resolving trauma, managing stress, and achieving behavioral change.

Miracles Wellness Center creates a supportive environment that encourages clients to pursue their self-discovery journey, equipping them with the tools needed to overcome challenges and embrace growth. By focusing on both life coaching and hypnotherapy, Miracles Wellness Center caters to the diverse needs of Dubai’s residents, enabling lasting change and a heightened sense of well-being.

Empowering Lives Through Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy in Dubai

Whether you’re aiming to improve personal performance or seeking emotional healing, life coaching and hypnotherapy provide powerful pathways toward a fulfilling life. Dubai’s residents are recognizing the benefits of these transformative practices, incorporating them into their self-care routines to enhance both personal and professional life.

[kreuzfahrttester]

Mein Schiff 4 und Mein Schiff 6: Faszinierende Kreuzfahrten rund um Afrika

Ab Oktober starten die Mein Schiff 4 und Mein Schiff 6 zu faszinierenden Reisen rund um Afrika. Diese Kreuzfahrten führen zu atemberaubenden Destinationen wie Kapstadt, der spektakulären Küste Namibias sowie den paradiesischen Inseln Mauritius und La Réunion. Diese neuen Routen bieten nicht nur beeindruckende Reiseziele, sondern auch ein erstklassiges Unterhaltungsprogramm an Bord. Von…

[coach-transformation]

Life Coach Certification Dubai – Master Your Coaching Skills

Master the art of coaching with our life coach certification Dubai. Our ICF-accredited program provides extensive training, practical experience, and personalized mentorship. Join Coach Transformation to enhance your coaching capabilities and achieve professional excellence. Explore more at Coach Transformation.

[lifecoachinindia]

Priyankkaa emerges as the premier life coach in Dubai, revered for her transformative guidance. With a profound understanding of human potential, she empowers individuals to navigate life's complexities with clarity and purpose. Through personalized coaching sessions, Priyankkaa instills confidence, resilience, and a sense of direction. Her holistic approach addresses both professional aspirations and personal fulfillment, leading to profound and sustainable growth. Priyankkaa impact extends beyond borders, enriching lives and fostering a culture of empowerment in Dubai and beyond.

[sonulohiaems]

[bloomingkeyuae]

Blooming Key - Health And Well being Coach In Dubai

Blooming Key’s holistic bioenergetics coaching combines fundamental coaching methods with various complementary techniques, enabling you to become the best version of yourself.

Blooming Key also a health and well being coach in Dubai.

Using the foundation of the world-renowned CTI framework (Co-Active Coaching) to focus your growth and development in various aspects of your life, I also incorporate other proven methods, depending on your goals and objectives.

Website :https://www.bloomingkey.com/

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Call us at: +971552929419

Mail ID: info@bloomingkey.com

[holistifiedwellness]

Unlocking the Power of a Growth Mindset

Mindset refers to how we think about ourselves, others, and the world around us. It can be either fixed or growth-oriented. A fixed mindset means we believe our abilities, values, and beliefs are unchangeable. Conversely, a growth mindset is when we believe that our abilities, values, and beliefs can develop and improve through dedication and hard work. It’s important to realize that mindset significantly impacts our thoughts, feelings, and behavior, which, in turn, can significantly impact our achievements and life outcomes.

In the NLP Courses in Dubai, mindset refers to the patterns of our thoughts and beliefs that shape our behavior and our responses to the world. Additionally, NLP presupposes that “The map is not the territory,” meaning our beliefs and attitudes about ourselves and the world can change with time and experiences.

Several techniques in NLP and timeline therapy can help us shift from a fixed to a growth mindset. To name a few:

1. Identify limiting beliefs that hold us back from achieving our goals. Some of these beliefs are conscious, while others are unconscious, formed through childhood experiences and interactions with the world around us.

2. Reframe identified limiting beliefs and reprogram them into more positive and empowering ones. In addition to reframing techniques, anchoring can help shift our perspective and create new neural pathways in our brain for empowerment and high achievement.

3. Use visualization techniques to create a positive mindset. Visualize ourselves achieving our goals, living the life we desire, packed with all positive emotions. This can motivate us to take action towards achieving our goals.

4. Release negative emotions. Our unconscious mind represses events and memories with negative emotions that have not been labeled, sometimes for protection. Revisiting these events with timeline therapy and releasing all identified negative emotions is essential to avoid holding ourselves back from growth opportunities.

5. Be careful of what we tell ourselves. Increase positive self-talk to grow our mindset. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s study on cooked rice placed one-half in a jar labeled with positive words and the other half in a jar labeled in negative words. He showed how rice in the positive words jar stayed white while the rice in the negative jar became rotten and dark. Though these studies are not scientifically validated, they demonstrate how positive thinking and self-talk can impact our stress levels and anxiety.

A growth mindset can help us achieve our personal and professional goals by increasing our resilience, persistence, perseverance, problem-solving skills, learning from feedback, learning new skills, and ultimately improving our performance.

Research suggests that mindset can be affected by genetics and environment. However, NLP suggests that mindset is learned through experiences and interactions with others. Children who receive praise for their efforts and perseverance are more likely to have a growth mindset than children who are praised for their intelligence or natural abilities.

Maintaining a growth mindset can be challenging, but it’s important to stay persistent, remind ourselves of our goals, focus on progress, learn from mistakes, practice self-care, and surround ourselves with positive people. As Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

For my NLP Coaching, schedule your session at Amaal Ghadieh.

[sandragorman]

Dealing with Stress and Anxiety: Coping Mechanisms and Relaxation Techniques

Stress and anxiety are a part of our daily lives, and while they can be manageable in small doses, they can quickly become overwhelming and debilitating if left unchecked. Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to a variety of physical and mental health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and more. Fortunately, many coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques can help you manage stress and anxiety.

1. Exercise

One of the most effective ways to reduce stress and anxiety is through exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, and it can also help to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Any type of exercise can be beneficial, from running or weightlifting to yoga or Pilates. The key is to find an activity that you enjoy and that you can commit to regularly.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for managing stress and anxiety. These practices involve paying attention to the present moment, without judgment and can help to quiet the mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. There are many different types of meditation, from guided meditation to mindfulness exercises, and it may take some experimentation to find what works best for you.

3. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a simple but effective relaxation technique that can help to reduce stress and anxiety. To practice deep breathing, sit in a comfortable position and inhale slowly through your nose, filling your lungs with air. Hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth, releasing all the air from your lungs. Repeat this process several times, focusing on your breath and letting go of any tension or stress.

4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation is another effective relaxation technique that involves tensing and releasing different muscle groups in the body. To practice progressive muscle relaxation, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and focus on one muscle group at a time. Tense the muscle group for a few seconds, and then release the tension, allowing the muscle to relax completely. Move through all the major muscle groups in the body, from your toes to your head.

5. Journaling

Journaling can be a powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help to clarify your emotions and provide a sense of release. You can use a journal to track your moods and identify patterns in your stress and anxiety, or you can simply use it as a place to vent and process your emotions.

6. Social Support

Having a strong social support system can also be a powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety. Talking to a trusted friend or family member about your feelings can help you to feel less alone and more supported. If you don't have someone you feel comfortable talking to, consider joining a support group or seeking professional counseling.

7. Time Management

Effective time management can also be an important tool for managing stress and anxiety. When we feel overwhelmed and stressed, it can be easy to lose track of our priorities and spend too much time on unimportant tasks. By prioritizing our time and focusing on the most important tasks first, we can reduce our stress levels and feel more in control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, stress and anxiety are a normal part of life, but they don't have to control us. By using these coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques, we can learn to manage our stress and anxiety healthily and productively. Whether you prefer exercise, mindfulness, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, journaling, social support, or time management, there is a technique out there that can work for you. By taking care of ourselves and prioritizing our mental health, we can lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

[coachskillsacademy]

Leadership Skills Training Programs in Dubai

The Best leadership training institute in Dubai will help effective leadership programs conducted by Coach Skill Academy. The best faculty team responsive attention through your improving leadership skills. When you work in the corporate world and in any type of employment service they can help build your communication in front of others to effectively convey your ideas and opinions. Additionally, these services provide opportunities for networking and collaboration with professionals from diverse backgrounds, further enhancing your interpersonal skills.

[alienpossession]

Another take from my end on the continuation of this much-beloved story, this time solely focusing on Andrei & Mike as they meet the ill-fated Steven from the original series by @apushforfolly

Bodybuilding is a rather tight-knit global community. The people you competed back in Las Vegas would be your competitor again in Dubai, in London, yeah, you get the gist of it. So while the Prince is busy consolidating domestic power, what the Prince directed the rest of us to do is to basically get our grip within the bodybuilding community and the ever-growing and increasingly cocky finance bros as stealthy as possible. Sander handled the finance and all those podcast bros flocking to Dubai. Meanwhile, me and Mike are quite influential within the UK bodybuilding circles, and with us based in Dubai, we did leverage that to our benefit as we lured some of the aspiring talent and even several of our old friends for a free Dubai trip which would lead to the end of their life as freedom human entity. Take Rory over here, quite a rather close friend of Andrei before the Prince and then I took this British-Romanian hunk for a spin

Rory eagerly took the offer to rekindle the friendship that just severed out of a sudden as he based himself in Bali while Andrei got his mind fucked by me as I hyper-focused myself to serve the Master and enlarge his influence. I didn't like to waste my time so within the first day he landed, right after I showed him and his girlfriend around their apartment I said to be free of charge as it was still in the market anyway, I simply bitchslapped him until he passed out and then proceeded to infect his girl first, taking the delight of Andrei's fucked up mind that held grudges to Rory for stealing his first crush, her. She cried, obviously, and even harder when she could feel that something terrible is coming with my cock that somehow enlarged beyond her comprehension, because it almost doubled in length and clearly that's not normal and she knows that. As my contained sludgebros released like a damn broken faucet into her throat, her eyes rolled to the back as black sludge overflown her mouth. But she's quick to regain her consciousness and with her mind set to infect her passed out boyfriend, I simply put my sweatpants back on and left the two lovebirds to settle their business.

That's basically one example of our MO, but it's the most effective because these bodybuilders really trust each other, especially when they came from the same country. And when we reached more bodies, it means we have more field operatives to take care off potential puppets. For example, Nico, like Andrei, is Romanian, and he's been out from the spotlight for a while. But, his physique is still great and he's considered a legend among the younger bodybuilders. So, of course I utilized his eagerness to learn a thing or two to become relevant from Andrei as my entry into his tight straight cunt and basically turned him into a puppet.

The legend status he holds gives him easier access to reach the coaches and the more senior bodybuilders, not even a week and he's already turning Jerome Weeks into a puppet too, just look at that wide, slightly off-putting smile the two of them did, if people paid attention a bit more, clearly they can tell that something is a bit not right there

There's also this easily leveraged dynamic of leeching off each other or trying to be in the more influential person's good light, and Mike really milked the shit out of it. He's charismatic, he's also probably the most well-off among the others and you just don't want to mess with him as he can legitimately messed with your influencer career if you crossed him.

Olly and his older stepbrother Craig bumped to Rory and Mike in the middle of a gym, and of course they asked Mike and Rory for a quick pic. The two brothers already planned to utilize the picture for some clout but they are also legitimately looked up to Mike especially, hence the slightly tense pictures despite multiple takes.

What the two humans failed to realize was the fact that both Rory and Mike licked their lips as they watched the siblings walked giddily to the locker room after the pic sesh. They grinned to each other and decided to join the two brothers in the locker room to have some "pep talk". While Rory handled Craig, Mike sauntered the impressionable 20 years old blondie. At first excited to see his idol and tried to respectfully stand up, Olly found himself taken aback as Mike instead pressed Olly back to the seat and then smirked

"I see the potential from you, dude. You can be a jacked piece of shit in no time and fucking popular too. All you neeed to do is open up that mouth, I know you blondie want a piece of this meat,"

Bewildered, Olly tried to fight back but Mike asserted his dominance in a split second as Olly found himself unable to even stand up as Mike held his shoulder and forced him to stay seated

"Don't force me to use my strength, noob. Now, as I said before, you have the potential, just open up that pretty mouth and let me show you how to get big," Mike said with a shit-eating grin so uncharacteristic of him. His crotch just inches away from Olly's quivering lips, and from Olly's POV, he meant every single words he said. Olly still resisted, he tried to scream for help but Mike's hand quickly muffled his mouth, blocking him to even let out a sound. He simply wished that anyone will walk in and caught Mike red-handed, but it seems like it's not goint to happen anytime soon. Unfortunately for him, as his eyes wandered looking for any good samaritan that can help him out of this predicament, his eyes caught a bizarre sight as his married stepbrother bobbed his head up and down Rory's dick like a cum whore! Mike gleefuly said with sinister undertone

"Yeah, even your older brother knows it's the right thing to do. Heck, it's the only way to get big nowadays. It's time for you to also start accepting that as the truth. Now, I won't repeat myself again, open,"

Seeing the tight-lipped Olly, Mike then take the liberty to simply fish out his cock out from his workout shorts, revealing a mean-looking 7.5 incher semi-hard uncut meat throbbing with excitement. He's been going commando since this morning, and the tough workout regiment clearly caused him to accumulate quite some sweat in his crotch. Mike just grazed the tip of his meat right to Olly's pink lips before the young sophomore jock relented to the pressure. His throat felt sticky and sore from all the thrusting, but he found out that he got no gag reflex whatsoever which caused Mike to grin in the first few seconds after the entirety of his cock lodged into Olly's throat

"Ohhh fffuuuckkk you really meant to be a cocksucker bro!"

The whole facefucking lasted for about 6 minutes before Mike started to get tight and exasperated. When Rory and Craig circled around Olly, that's when Olly realized that something is not right when his stepbrother's eyes looking a bit empty and glazed. But not long from both Rory and Craig sauntered the both of them, Mike shot his copious load into the trembling Olly, his body went on a full seizure as the slug takes over his bodily system. Olly eventually regained his consciousness and the first thing he do is to cough out the sticky mess that filled his mouth when he passed out and replaced by an alien slug. He then smiled a very wicked smile

"Now, can I infect other human on my own?"

"Hahahahahah, love the spirit, but not so quick bro, not so quick,"

----

So when Steven Barnett, a bodybuilder with Mining Engineering degree, arrived in Dubai for an all-inclusive honeymoon after marrying his girlfriend for 3 years which also happened to be the daughter of a US Army General, the gym junkie decided to squeeze in several workout session since he knows some of his favorite bodybuilders are based in Dubai. Unfortunately for him, the Prince intel already put a target behind his back the moment he booked a flight to Dubai with his now-wife.

The penthouse arranged by Andrei, the tour around town with Rory, the workout sesh with Mike and Olly, everything is simply part of the plan to ensure that Steven is well-monitored 24/7 throughout his stay. The Prince believed that it's time for him to make another move after consolidating the power in Dubai, and America sounded like a solid plan. So, when Steven walked into one of the last gym that has been recommended by a lot of his online followers, it's already a trap ready to capture him to become yet another puppet in the growing collection of the Master. He's just simply oblivious to the fact that he posed with puppets controlled by mere black slug that looked like a pitch black oil he found in his day job.

[redtsundere-writes]

Jinx | Sukuna Ryomen

mma fighter!sukuna ryomen x femalecoach!reader

Part 5. New & Old

Beginning. ← Previous | Next →

Sypnosis: Sukuna is a world champion with anger issues. It's believed by many that he is untrainable. Yeah, you can't train him, but you can dominate him. Contents: Fighting. Sukuna being Sukuna. female reader being dom. Jinx AU (the BL, not the character from lol) Warnings: Mentions and sexual harassment. Angst. Humiliation. Cursed words. Word Count: 2743 words. A/N: Hello peeps! Another day, another slay. I really enjoy writing this fic and I am really happy that you seem to like it as well. Thanks! :3 Ps. Fuck me you Joo Jaekyung

“Cheers!” We exclaimed as we clinked our beers.

We had finally returned home after a great victory in Dubai. The bar was full, the food kept coming to our long table and the mugs seemed bottomless. The entire Team Black was gathered to celebrate the crushing victory of our terrifying champion. The air was filled with laughter, pleasant chatter and popular music. Sukuna was at the head of the table, watching everyone like the king he is while wisely drinking water.

“C’mon, drink one with your coach!” I asked with a goofy smile due to the effects of alcohol. I had two mugs already, and it was starting to show.

“No. Do you know how many calories that have?” He rejected me completely.

There were few things I knew about him in the short time I have been his coach. Sukuna was grumpy, foul-mouthed and a jerk in every definition of the word, but his strongest characteristic is that he is ridiculously disciplined. He was a fucking ninja with incredible mental strength. He invited the whole team to eat burgers, wings, nachos and drown themselves in beer, while he just drank plain water and ate a veggie burrito. Sukuna was a great athlete, but he needed to learn how to relax once in a while.

“That only means that I have to maintain my title. I can't lose focus now,” he answered without paying me much attention. He surely noticed my drunkenness.

“That’s why you are always so cranky, you are always thinking of fighting and being a champion. It’s okay to enjoy life once in a while,” I tried again.

“You enjoyed too much and look where you are,” he exposed me, pounding his glass against the table to emphasize his point.

My body moved away from him at the loud bang. Everyone turned to look at us to see what it was all about, but when they saw that it was just another Sukuna tantrum, they went back to their own thing. My hand went straight to my neck. I avoided his gaze and resigned myself to continue drinking.

“You say it like it’s something bad,” I mumbled before taking a shy sip. “I refuse to become a coach,” Sukuna spat angrily.

“You couldn’t become one even if you tried.” Someone behind me defended me out of the blue.

I turned around, and my cheeks burned instantly. It was Choso. He's standing there like a guardian angel with a dark aura ready to defend me from a mean demon. He gave me a mischievous compliance smile that I couldn't help but mimic.

“It’s good to see you, bro! Sit down,” Yuuji, who was seated next to me, offered him his seat.

“Who the fuck invited you?” Sukuna frowned.

“Yuuji. He said he wanted to introduce me to someone,” Choso answered without looking away from me as he sat down.

"This guy always knows how to surprise me," I thought as I scanned him from head to toe. Seeing him up close was like paying attention to a piece of contemporary art, simple yet complicated at the same time. His long hair was down and neatly combed, his unruly curtain bangs fell perfectly to the sides of his eyes, framing them perfectly. You could tell he was Sukuna's brother by his sharp features and outlined eyebrows. I could imagine him frowning without needing to experience it.

“He is all yours. I’m drinking with Megumi,” Yuuji said, after introducing me to his brother for a second time. He went to the other side of the table to drink with his buddy, who was drinking alone.

He gave me a discreet wink that I could only see. That's when I realized what he had done. This was the "date" he had arranged for us as a favor. I hadn't been on a date in years, so I was super nervous. How could I not be? I wasn't ready. My hair was in a tight ponytail, I was wearing athletic clothes, and I was tired from jet lag. He looked so good in his denim jacket, baggy jeans and his smooth cologne that brushed my nose.

“Yuuji has told me so much about you,” I said, trying to hide my shyness.

“What a coincidence. Yuuji had also told me so much about you.” That was unexpected.

“Really? What did he tell you?” I asked, curious.

“That you are patient, nice and very cute,” he complimented me with a shy smile. “He didn’t tell me that last thing, it's just what I am seeing,” he corrected.

"He's so cute!" I thought excitedly. I could feel my poor heart in love running around in circles in my chest and my hands were starting to sweat, but I was calm. Who am I kidding? My cheeks hurt from grinning like an idiot. I felt like an awkward teenager in front of her out of her league crush.

“Is that your pickup line?” Sukuna joked.

“Shut up!” I barked, so he wouldn’t interrupt us. “Thanks, I think you are really cute as well,” I answered Choso’s flirting, paying him all of my attention. He looked a bit shocked that I was able to scold his brother so easily.

“Yuuji told me you used to fight in the UFC as well,” he said, ignoring Sukuna’s comment.

“I was the best. There are some of my fights on YouTube, my nickname is ‘Medusa’s Snake’,” I flexed proud as I poured him a beer from the bucket in the center of the wooden table, surrounded by delicious greasy snacks.

“A very poetic nickname. Did you know Medusa means protector in Greek? I think it goes well with you.”

When my first coach named me like that, I was flattered. Medusa was the mortal gorgon, one of the three daughters of the god of the sea, Forcys, and the goddess of sea monsters and the dangers of the sea, Ceto. She became the main enemy of men after suffering a painful rape by Neptune in front of the sanctuary of Minerva. Although early poets depicted her as a monster from birth, along with her immortal sisters, later writers claim that she was originally a beautiful maiden, but was turned into a monster by Athena or Minerva.

“Thanks, you are the first one who says it,” I said as my cheeks blushed. “Do you like mixed martial arts?”

“I used to practice kick boxing regularly, until someone discouraged me from continuing.” I noticed that he looked at Sukuna when he said “someone.”

I couldn't blame him. The active UFC community is pretty small. I wouldn't want to continue coexisting in the same environment as my biggest traitor. Besides, sports publicists love to compare athletes who share some sort of bond and spread drama. If Choso kept practicing to a professional level, reporters wouldn't leave him alone if they found out the champ fucked his fiancée.

The night flowed its course and the conversation continued to flourish between us. We drank, laughed and shared funny anecdotes. Choso was so nice, just like Yuuji, but shared that strong aura like Sukuna. He was the best of both worlds. Elegant, kind and respectful - what more could a girl ask for in a man?

Choso had to leave early because he had to work in the morning. He said goodbye to everyone except Sukuna, and I offered to escort him out. The vibrant street was still alive despite the darkness that ruled the skies as it was so late in the afternoon. People were still passing down the street in beautiful attire under the colorful lights of passing bars and restaurants. It had been a pleasant evening. It had been a long time since I had had so much fun.

“It was a pleasure meeting you,” Choso smiled friendly. His shoulders were relaxed, and his kind eyes conveyed to me that he was more comfortable than before.

“I say the same thing,” I smiled at him as well. He slipped his hands into his pants pockets and avoided my gaze out of nowhere. That comfort turned to anguish again, so my smile gradually disappeared.

“Yuuji told me you were interested in me…” he sighed. “Look, you are a great girl, but right now, I have a complicated situation with my brother, and dating his coach doesn’t sound like a good idea.” He scratched his neck embarrassed, still avoiding my sight. “So it was about that,” I thought.

“I get it. Thanks for giving me a chance at least,” I said kindly. The last thing I wanted to do was make him feel bad for rejecting me, but I wasn’t going to give up so easily. At the end of the day, I am a fighter at heart. “The truth is that I am not planning on being his coach for a long time. Seeing him holding his belt with pride on the ring, reminded me that I will be there again one day.”

I caressed my injured area with nostalgia. I missed being the star with the white lights illuminating my every dangerous move. I missed the audience yelling my name with excitement as they watched me destroy another one of my opponents. I missed the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I fought for my honor. Choso looked at me again, seeming confused by my answer but hopeful for the explanation.

“What I am trying to say is that when I become a protector again, I’ll call you,” I said with a proud smile. His eyes widened, surprised when he understood what I was trying to say.

“I’ll wait for your call then,” he smiled.

With that, he kissed my blushing cheek goodbye and drove off down the sidewalk. As I watched him get into his car, I stood a while longer by the door processing what had happened that night. "You're going to be mine," I affirmed, sure of myself.

Another day at the gym. Another day in hell. By this point the gym was my hell on earth. Dealing with the devil himself was complicated, sometimes there were good days when he would do everything I asked him to do without batting an eye and others were the fights were no longer physical, but verbal. Over the months as his coach, I had learned to deal with his heavy attitude.

“¡Ten kicks!” I ordered as I placed the cushion he was supposed to kick at the height of my stomach. “1, 2, 3…!” I counted every hard kick. I made sure to hold the cushion tightly so it wouldn’t fly away. “…7, 8, 8, 8, 8…!” I repeated with a smug face.

“Stop it!” He yelled without losing the beat.

“Don’t give up! …8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9…!” I yelled, gripping the cushion hard. Sukuna huffed but kept kicking like the champ he is. “…9, 10!” I finished counting after 30 kicks.

“Go fuck yourself…” He sighed mad.

“For that, another 10,” I said, pulling the cushion back up.

“I missed seeing you like this.”

My heart stopped the moment I heard that voice. I could recognize it in any place, time or date. I knew exactly who it was and didn't want to turn around to confirm it, but I had to face it. The UFC world is small, so it was inevitable that we would meet again at some point, but I never thought it would be like this. Sukuna glared at the person behind me, sure he was wondering why a snoop was in his gym. I gulped dryly before confronting the biggest son of a bitch I'd ever met.

“Don’t frown like that, you will ruin your pretty face, beautiful,” he said with a pout. My jaw contracted when I heard such stupidity.

Naoya Zenin. One of the best fighters in the Zenin family, the current middleweight champion and my second coach. If I had to thank one person for teaching me how to deal with Sukuna, it would be this bastard. Because if I could survive him, I could survive anything. An arrogant, self-centered, stubborn man disguised as an angel incarnate. He was standing there with his stupid minions that followed him around like they were his ducklings.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I asked, mad at his bare presence. From my tone and volume, some fighters stared at the scene.

“Sukuna lets you talk like that? I think you need a muzzle, bitch,” he smirked, as if it was something normal to say.

I wanted to beat him to silence. I let go of the pad with a thud and took off my protective gloves as I approached him to jump him. I was ready to beat the fuck out of him. I didn't care if I got fired, ruined my neck, or got beat to death, I had to get that stupid grin off his face no matter what. I couldn't let him say those kinds of things to me just because.

When I was about to jump out of the ring, Sukuna grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him. He forced me to stay close to his body, so I could only see his chest. I tried to break free from his grip, but his arm wrapped perfectly around my wait. My body trembled like a Chihuahua ready to bite. I looked him in the eye, asking him to let me handle this, but he ignored me.

“Can you leave my coach out of this?” He asked, clearly annoyed.

“Yours?” Naoya laughed out loud. “She is mine since she gave me her weak ass,” he said with a wide grin full of confidence.

I closed my eyes in embarrassment as soon as he said that. I didn't want Sukuna to find out like that. I wanted to erase him from my life forever, but he always managed to infiltrate like heavy humidity. I couldn't see him, but I knew he had a relaxed posture, his sharp eyes scanning my figure up and down and critiquing my current position.

“I don’t give a shit about what kind of relationship you have, but now, she only listens to me. You better get the fuck out of my gym before I release her so she can beat your ass,” he barked in my defense.

I looked at him in surprise at that answer. His red eyes were calm but determined. He meant every word he said. If Sukuna allowed me to, I could beat him at my pleasure. I wasn't going to waste the opportunity, I would make him very proud.

“Get the fuck out?! I just arrived to introduce myself as your next opponent!” He yelled excitedly. The gym looked at him in shock at the statement, especially me. Sukuna was going to face Naoya for the belt of the light heavyweight category?! “The UFC accepted the fight today. I was so excited that I came all the way to see you! I am a big fan!”

“You already saw me, now fuck off. I won’t repeat myself,” Sukuna asked, surprisingly keeping his composure.

“At least let me say goodbye to my cute wife,” Naoya pouted.

“I am not your wife, motherfucker!” I yelled, turning around suddenly to dispute that fat lie he dropped. Sukuna held me back to not jump him.

“Awww, just like the good old days,” Naoya grinned. “That’s how it is going to be then, see you later…” he turned around to go back from where he came from with his stupid side chicks. “…maybe sooner than you think,” he winked at me before leaving.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists in frustration at not being able to say anything else to her stupid face. I pulled myself out of Sukuna's grasp. We both stood in silence while the others murmured and whispered about the strange encounter. I didn't know how to explain the situation to him, I didn't even want to, but I had to.

“I…”

“I don’t give a shit,” he said before returning my gloves that I tossed earlier. “Let’s get back to work.” I took the gloves, relieved.

“From now on, I won’t teach how to be a floor fighter,” I said as I adjusted my gloves around my fingers. “I will teach you how to kill that motherfucker,” I stated strongly. A wide grin appeared on his proud face.

“You have all my attention now.”

Next →

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[growingstories]

Vito

Vito, once a semi-successful soccer player, found himself comfortable settling down after his retirement at the age of 26. He got married, had children, and indulged in the pleasures of life. This newfound lifestyle resulted in him gaining a significant amount of weight, but Vito didn’t really care, his strict diet days as an athlete were a thing kf the past now.

After struggling to find purpose in post-retirement life, Vito managed to secure a job as an assistant coach at a big football club. Still basking in his past glory, he found himself attending numerous dinner parties and social gatherings, further contributing to his weight gain. Despite this, the club achieved success under his coaching. Vito's talent did not go unnoticed, and he eventually landed a position as the head coach of an English soccer club. Excitement and anticipation filled his heart as he embarked on this new journey, although it meant being far away from home. The first few months proved challenging as he resided in a hotel, relying heavily on room service and dining out every night. The restaurant owners and staff would celebrate his presence like a king, showering him with bottles of champagne and free food. Vito's weight continued to spiral out of control with each passing week. Amidst a tough season, where the club experienced both wins and losses, Vito resorted to snacking on packs of gummies during training sessions and indulging in big lunches with the club's CEO or players. They would even pass on their leftovers and desserts, further fueling his unhealthy habits.

As the press and media took notice of his expanding waistline, Vito reveled in the attention. The club managed to secure a third-place finish that season, but Vito's weight gain became a topic of concern. “Can he be a good example to the team at this weight?” The media questioned. Taking a well-deserved vacation, Vito's frustrations led him to overeat during his month-long all-inclusive stay in Dubai. Constant lounging at the pool and dining at extravagant restaurants only added more weight to his already hefty physique.

Upon returning to the club, Vito faced numerous remarks about his weight gain. Despite the criticisms, he remained focused on his work and became stricter with the players. No parties were allowed, and he would push them hard during training camps. However, unbeknownst to Vito, the players started using his weakness for food to their advantage. They would discreetly pass on their leftovers to keep him busy, providing them with some relief and relaxation. As the season progressed, Vito's weight continued to escalate. But he remained indifferent, solely focused on the success of his team. Parties became a regular occurrence, and hangover breakfasts started being a part of his daily routine. Snacking, lavish lunches, and dinners dominated his every waking moment.

When the moment of truth arrived, Vito's team emerged as victors in his second year as head coach. The ecstatic celebrations and constant partying only added to his ever-increasing size. But in the face of victory, he couldn't care less about his physical appearance. Vito had become massive, but his unwavering dedication to his team defined him more than his physicality ever could. Despite the consequences on his body, he had achieved success, which meant the world to him. And as he continued his coaching journey, he learned that true fulfillment came from within, not from societal expectations of appearance.

[boasamishipper]

i think the biggest problem of season 3 (of which there are Several) is the shift away from football being the crux of the story, which has undoubtedly resulted in the aimless, overstuffed, unfocused narrative we've been seeing for the last eight episodes. season one was as excellent as it was because whether richmond won or lost a match actually mattered; if they lost too many matches, they'd be relegated, and relegation was always treated as a distinct, tangible threat. there were stakes. and while season two had its issues with pacing and unnecessary subplots, no one would call it aimless. the characters had a goal (pun intended): to get promoted back to the premier league. if they lost too many matches, they would stay in the championship league. we as the audience were invested in whether or not richmond won or lost, and the narrative was all the stronger and more coherent for it.

season one asked us, can afc richmond avoid relegation? and we were invested in the answer. season two asked us, can afc richmond be promoted? and we were invested in the answer. now we're eight episodes into season three, and the overarching goal of the season, the question it is asking its audience to remain invested in, is...what? what are we building towards? is afc richmond's goal to win the whole damn thing? to beat west ham? to beat man city? to do just enough to avoid relegation again?

and because we can't answer this question, the narrative has suffered greatly. how are we supposed to believe beard when he says man city is the team's white whale if we haven't even seen them play each other yet this season? if ted's total football epiphany was so life-changing for richmond, why did we speed past all the matches this episode where the team won using that strategy? if this is all leading to a final nate-ted west ham-richmond match, why haven't we spent any time with nate at west ham? why haven't we gotten to see him grow and develop as a coach? at one point, the team was doing so badly that higgins suggested firing ted, who has been visibly struggling on and off the pitch - and the narrative did not give that suggestion the weight it might have had in season one or two. we spent an entire episode watching rupert, rebecca, and chelsea fight over zava - and then two episodes later he was gone, and we haven't so much as mentioned him since. just last season, sam was being heralded as the star of afc richmond, highly sought after by other club owners - but we haven't gotten to see any of his alleged brilliance on the pitch this season at all. i have to kick a little ball around, which those same people love me for, sam said in 3.07, that is, until i fuck up or miss a penalty, or i decide to fight back - a speech that was excellently delivered by toheeb, but loses some of its weight because we haven't actually gotten to see any negative reaction to sam missing a penalty or fucking up or deciding to fight back (not even in season 2 after the dubai air boycott).

(all this to say: i do enjoy the show. i love the characters, i've been enjoying the episodes as individual units, and i'll continue to tune in week after week. but for a show that once boasted football was life, it's sure been suffering since it decided to stop focusing on that.)

[hopefulromances]

Long Time Coming I Chapter Three I It's Nice To Have A Friend

Summary: Being hired as the first female assistant coach in the league was a challenge of it itself. Being a football protigy and University Football Legend was easy enough. Coaching Jamie Tartt was a challenge all on its own.

Word Count: 2498

Warning: I have literally no clue how football works.

A/N: Hey fellas! I hope things are going well for y'all and that you're enjoying the story! I am like a puppy dog and thrive on words of affirmation so if you're enjoying pls let me know!

Prologue One Two

            “She said what?” Keely gaped, looking up from her laptop at Jamie.

            “She said that I made her feel like… like she didn’t deserve to be here,” Jamie repeated, leaning back in his chair.

            “Aw, poor girl,” Keely pouted at him. “What did you say?”

Jamie shrugged. “Nothing, she walked away before I could say anything.”

            “Well, what would you have said if she stayed?” She pressed.

            “I… I don’t know,” Jamie admitted, after a second. “It just made me think about… me dad.” Keely frowned at that. She didn’t know a lot about his dad, Jamie had always stayed mainly private about that part of his life, but what she did know wasn’t great. He continued. “I was just such a dickhead.” Keely snorted. “What? I’m opening me self up to you. Can you try not to laugh at me?”

            “No, Jamie, no! I’m not…” She cleared her throat, trying to appear serious. “I’m not laughing at you. It’s just, I’m pretty sure you’ve called yourself a dickhead about a hundred times since you’ve been back.” Jamie rolled his eyes and leaned forward in his chair. “Have you talked to Dr. Fieldstone about it?”

            “Yah, I have. She said I need to forgive me self so I can let them forgive me. Cause if I won’t forgive me why should they. Whatever the fuck that means.” He was frustrated with himself. It was like she could understand what the ball was doing before it even moved. Why couldn't he just tell her that. “I just want her to know I’m sorry. It doesn’t help that the rest of the team hates me to.”

            “Well Jamie, they aren’t going to just forgive you. You have to show them you’ve changed.”

            “Ted said not to buy them all PS5s.”

            “No, not like that! Just… let them show you how to make it up to them,” Keely clarified.

Jamie looked at her for a second processing what she said. “…. Keely?’

            “Yes, Jamie.”

            “Can you return 30 PS5s?”

            “Oh, Jamie.”

The next game was against Coventry City. The coaches didn’t usually spend a lot of time with the lads before games, but I loved the energy in the locker room. I walked around the room, talking with the boys, giving last minute tips, handing out fist bumps. I could feel Jamie’s eyes on me as I did. Every now and then I would glance over at him as he tied his shoes. I warded him off with a small smile, but I didn’t dare get too close to him.             

“(Y/N)! Look at this!” It was Colin, excitedly showing me his boots. “Had Will shine these bad boys this morning.”

            “Yes, Colin your shoes look great,” I rolled my eyes whilst giving Isaac a fist bump.

            “You’re not even looking!”  

I turned a looked at Colin. They did look really great.

            “You know what Colin, those do look great,” I conceded, reaching over to give him a high five.

Just then the sound of stretching tape caught our attention. I turned to see Sam pressing black tape over his Dubai Air logo. Someone cracked some joke about Dubai Air not paying him enough but he quickly explains that it was more than that. That Dubai Air owned by a compnay that was destroying the environment in Nigeria. There was silence in the locker room.

Then Jamie stood up.

I eyed him, ready to step in if he decided to make a stupid decision here. But instead, he stretched the tape and put it over his own Dubai Air logo.

            “Gotta wear the same kit,” he explained. As if it was simple. As if it was expected.

He patted his jersey before tossing the tape into the center console. I studied his face, looking for any signs of mockery, but there was none. Soon the whole team had stripes of black tape over the kits. The whole game, all the focus was on Sam, even though it was Jamie’s big return. But he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he celebrated Sam when he returned from the post-game interview. We lost the game, but no one seemed to mind.

            “All I’m saying is that objectively, this red looks better than the blue boots,” Colin insisted, motioning to his feet.

            “Colin, the red is going to get dirty so much more easily than the blue,” I counter, pointing at my own shoes.

            “Now that’s just- “

            “Hey, (Y/N), can I talk to you?” Jamie interrupted.

Colin and I took simultaneous sips of our beer, making eyes at each other before I nodded. Colin took that as his cue to leave, giving Jamie a cheer as he left. Jamie looked down at his shoes, looking a little nervous.

            “What’s up, Jamie?” I asked, trying to force him to meet my eyes. Then he pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to me. It was a ticket. “What is this?”

            “It’s my ticket to your final game at Imperial,” he explained, motioning to the ticket.

Surprised I looked down. Imperial College. Where I had gone to uni and played football all four years. This final game I lead my team to the league championship.

            “I-I don’t under- “

            “Me and some friends had heard about this crazy talented football girl,” he began, still not meeting my eyes. “I thought, there was no way a girl could be as good as they were saying.” He laughed a little. “So, we bought tickets to see you play. And you were that good. Like… even better than they was saying.”

My mouth was agape with surprise. I looked down at the ticket, shaking my head in disbelief.

            “Jamie, I- “

            “Wait, let me finish, please,” he interrupted, again. “You really were incredible that night. I thought I would see you in professionals but.... your name never popped up. Anyways, when I found out you were coming to coach here, I suppose I thought that I needed to prove me self to you. Make myself look bigger and better. But it was really because I was intimidated by you. I was dumb, and really stupid. And I know I’ve been saying it a lot but I really am sorry. I’m sorry I made you feel like you weren’t good enough for us because the truth is, you’re really better than most of us.”

I was shocked by his sincerity. “Thank you, Jamie.”

He finally looked up at me. His eyes were big and searching, it almost broke my heart. I smile at him and raise my beer towards him.  

            “We’re okay, Jamie,” I reassured him.

His face broke out into a smile, that stupid cocky smile that I had seen so many times before.

            “Good, good,” he clinks his beer against mine. We both took a long sip of the beers looking around at the room.

            “You know, what you did today, for Sam, it was really good of you,” I told him, sincerely.

He shrugged. “Any of the lads would have done it.”

            “But they didn’t, you did,” I press, nudging his shoulder. “It was good.” He kept his cocky smirk, but I could see his cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. “Doesn’t excuse you playing like rubbish out there today.”

            “What? I did not!”

            “Oh, yes you did!”

The two of us sat there bickering and chatting about the game until long after everyone else had left. But I barely noticed. Jamie was funny. He was sincere and honest in a way I didn’t expect. It was too soon to tell but I felt my heart jump. The same way it had that night with the ghosts. Maybe, just maybe, that Jamie was here again.

I had a routine. Since moving back to Richmond, I stayed in the same schedule. I woke up at 7:00am. Get up, get a quick workout in, shower, eat breakfast, and get to work early so I could have some time on the pitch. Occasionally, when I was leaving my house, I would run into a pap or two asking me some inane questions about my place in the league and what I was doing to single handedly fix sexism in the football industry. Keely just told me to keep my head down and keep walking.

But now there was a new part to my schedule. Now when I arrived at the pitch, Jamie was there waiting for me. We’d play against each other, throwing sharp jabs at one another for whatever tiny mistakes the other would make. It was fun. Jamie was a fun friend. Wasn’t that great. Friends? Almost best friends, I might say. It was distracting.

            “So, hows that puzzle coming?” Ted asked, as I walked into the coaches room after my daily session with Jamie.

            “Huh? Oh! Good, I suppose? He’s doing well,” I responded, sitting in my seat. “He’s a fun guy to be around.”

Ted gave an understanding grunt. “Aint, that just great. A new friendship. Beard, didn’t I tell you I knew what I was doing.”

            “Don’t gloat,” Beard grunted from behind his book.

            “Hooh! I love it when he gets bitter,” Ted giggled, smiling at me. “Turns his eyes a lovely shade of hazel!”

Beard lowered his book just enough to show me his eyes. They did look lovely.

The game that weekend didn’t go great. We ended up in the video room watching the loss on the television. Isaac’s leadership was taking a steep turn. His fear was coming out in aggressive rages on the field when his teammates didn’t make the plays they were supposed to. After one particularly bad defensive move by Jan Maas, Ted paused the tv.

He began his motivational speech. This time about romcommunism. An interesting play on words about getting through the dark forest of the season.

            “What about aca-teamwork?” I suggested referencing my personal favorite romcom.

            “Oh, that is a Pitch Perfect comparison,” Ted quipped, snapping his fingers. “Becca thought she was cool by trying to be independent but what she needed was teamwork.”

            “But wasn’t the real lesson in Pitch Perfect the understanding of sisterhood and how surrounding yourself with people you love creates strength?” Colin pointed out.

            “Exactly, Colin,” I agreed, leaning back in my chair.

Ted came to sit next to me as the lights went down. I scanned the lads to watch their attention levels when my eyes landed on Jamie. He was smirking at me. When he caught my eyes, he gave me a fist pump a la The Breakfast Club. I shook my head at him and motioned for him to pay attention.

As the boys were changing and packing up for the day, I erased the strategies off the board.

            “Good call today with the Pitch Perfect reference, I love that movie,” Colin shared coming up behind me.

I capped my marker and turned to look at him with a smile. “It’s only the greatest romantic comedy in the 2010s!”

            “I agree. We don’t talk about the sequels, though,” he pointed out.

            “What sequels?” I joked, raising my eyebrows. “I’m still waiting on Becca to choose a song for the next auditions.”

            “You get it, alright, I’ll see you around girlo!” He gave me a pat on the arm as he walked out of the room. As I watched him leave, I noticed Jamie sitting on his bench listening to us talk. I quirked an eyebrow at him.

            “Something to add, Jamie?” I asked, grabbing my bag.

He picked up his own bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Nah, I ain’t seen that one.”

            “What! You haven’t seen Pitch Perfect?” I gaped. Though I knew it wasn’t super surprising that Jamie hadn’t seen it.

            “I prefer 10 Things I Hate About You, I like… what’s his name…” He approached me as he thought about the name. “Heath Ledger’s character.”

            “Patrick?” I offered, shocked that Jamie knew about one of the best rom coms of all time.

            “Exactly!” He started towards the door. I followed him, walking close enough that our shoulders were brushing. “What are your plans for this weekend?”

            “Uh, beating Sheffield Wednesday?” I replied, raising my eyebrows at him.

            “I mean besides that.” He rolled his eyes.

            “Dunno, maybe sleep in for once? Eat a French fry?” I shrugged. “What about you?”

As we rounded the corner to leave the room, I spied the newest sponsorship that Keely had hooked up for the boys. Keurig coffee makers.

            “Woah, maybe make too much coffee with my brand-new coffee machine,” he gloated, picking up his coffee.

            “Change of plans, I will be at your place drinking too much coffee with your new coffee machine,” I joked, glaring jealously at it.

He laughed. I decided I loved that sound and smiled at him. When I went to follow him, I heard a loud throat clearing. I turned and saw Rebecca and Keely looking at my expectantly. I frowned at them and turned back to Jamie.

            “I’ll see you around, yeah?” I called after him.

He turned back and for a second it looked like real disappointment on his face. But it cleared up quickly when he saw Keely standing behind me.

            “Oh alright, see you at Sheffield,” He turned to walk away but not before calling out, “Bye Keely!”

I don’t know why but it made my heart drop to hear him address his former girlfriend. I waved at him before turning back to face the two women behind me.

            “What do you two want?” I pouted, leaning against the wall next to Rebecca.

            “You like him!” Keely shouted, clapping her hands excitedly.

I snapped my head in their direction. “What are you talking about?”

            “She’s right,” Rebecca concurred, starring at her phone. “Everyone can see it.”

            “Everyone?”

            “Everyone,” Keely concluded. “Except, apparently, you and Jamie.”

I looked incredulously between Rebecca and Keely. I do not like Jamie. JAMIE! Of all people. Just a few weeks ago I couldn’t stand him and now they think I like him.

            “Seriously, that is just ridiculous, Jamie is just my friend,” I clarified, shaking my head.

            “Your friend that you go to work with, hang out with while at work, and walk home with?” Rebecca inquired, finally looking up from her phone. Her stare as piercing. But no, there was no way that I liked Jamie like that.

            “I think the two of you need to get laid,” I finished, pushing myself off the wall. “Instead of getting in other people’s business.”

I walked away from them, back to my office where I could pretend to be mad at them. I wasn’t mad, not really. Just annoyed. So, what I wasn’t able to have a friend in Jamie? I wasn’t able to admire his physique in a friendly way? Or laugh as his naivete and honesty? I finally felt like I had someone who respected me in this field. That’s all he was. A friend.

Tag list:

@optimisticsandwichgladiator, @oxxolovemelikeyoudooxxo, @ajax-petropolus-wife