Chapter 5: Training Days and Shocking Truths

The next day, Chloe really showed up at the gym, this time in training clothes instead of a sundress.

She looked determined, her hair pulled back and her face set. I was impressed by her commitment.

“Why are you here?” Julian frowned at her.

He crossed his arms, clearly not thrilled to see her.

“Why? You can learn, but I can’t?” Chloe shot back.

She raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

“Don’t bother us.”

Julian tried to brush her off, but she wasn’t having it.

She glanced at him. “I used to like you, so I let you be. Now I don’t, so what you think doesn’t matter.”

She smirked, turning her back on him.

She smiled brightly at me as I walked in. “Sis, you’re here.”

She waved, bouncing on her toes. I couldn’t help but smile back.

Surprisingly, Chloe was very serious in class.

She listened carefully, copying my moves as best she could. I was impressed by her focus.

After class, as everyone was leaving, I was about to give Julian extra training when Chloe took out a handkerchief and wiped my sweat. “Sis, you work so hard, and you still have to give Julian extra training? That’s too much.”

She dabbed at my forehead, fussing over me like a big sister. I was a little embarrassed, but it was kind of sweet.

...

Julian fiddled with his fingers, then turned and made a phone call.

He paced back and forth, glancing at Chloe every so often.

When he came back, he smiled gently. “Savannah, I feel like I’ve improved a lot. Can you check for me? But is it too much to ask for extra lessons?”

He looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes, and I melted.

Looking into his eyes, I couldn’t help but nod. “Okay, I’m not tired.”

I smiled, ready to give him my full attention.

Julian’s smile got even brighter. He took my hand and led me to the center of the room.

He spun me around playfully, making me laugh. I felt like we were the only two people there.

Then he turned to Chloe. “You just started—no need for extra training. I just called Tyler; he’ll come for you.”

He said it so smoothly, I almost missed the mischievous glint in his eyes.

“What! Tyler!” Chloe panicked. “Sis, I have something to do today. I’ll go first, see you next time!”

She grabbed her bag and bolted for the door, leaving a trail of laughter behind her.

I waved after her, still grinning.

“Wait, who’s Tyler?” I asked Julian.

I raised an eyebrow, curious.

“A guy who’s been crazy about Chloe since they were kids,” he said, smiling.

He shrugged, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Don’t worry about them. Look at me, okay? Savannah?”

He tilted my chin up, his eyes soft. I felt my heart skip a beat.

Julian’s eyes always seemed to hold a thousand stars, making it impossible not to get lost in them.

I got lost in his gaze for a moment, forgetting everything else.

I heard myself say softly, “Okay.”

The word hung in the air, full of promise.

And Julian’s smile grew even brighter.

He squeezed my hand, his happiness contagious.

Next class, Julian was busy and couldn’t come.

I missed him, but Chloe kept me company.

Chloe brought cookies. “Sis, I made these—try one.”

She held out a Tupperware container, her eyes shining with pride.

She handed me a cookie. I ate it and nodded. “Pretty good.”

I took a bite, surprised by how soft and sweet it was. “You could open a bakery,” I joked.

Chloe smiled innocently. “Sis, I think Julian is weak and sneaky—he even lied to you. He’s not good enough for you. Break up with him.”

She said it so matter-of-factly, I almost choked on my cookie.

I was shocked. “He lied to me?”

My mind raced, trying to figure out what she meant.

“Yes, he’s not honest at all.” She nodded.

She looked dead serious. I felt a pang of doubt.

“Actually, Julian could swim since he was little. He even won competitions.”

She pulled out her phone, showing me a picture of Julian with a medal around his neck, grinning like a goofball.

“Sis, you didn’t know?”

She raised an eyebrow, as if it was obvious.

I froze, remembering how he’d told me he couldn’t swim.

I felt a mix of embarrassment and confusion. Why would he lie about that?

“Sis, my brother is better than Julian—handsomer, smarter, and I really like you. Be my sister-in-law—there’s no sister-in-law drama.”

She leaned in, her voice conspiratorial.

“My parents are open-minded. They’ll love you.”

She grinned, trying to sell me on the idea. I just stared at her, speechless.

But after hearing “Julian lied to me,” I couldn’t think about anything else.

The rest of her words faded into the background. I was stuck on that one revelation.

That night, Julian called to chat as usual.

His voice was warm, but I was distracted, barely listening.

I answered absentmindedly.

I mumbled a greeting, my mind still spinning.

“Savannah, did something happen?”

He sounded worried, picking up on my mood right away.

I hesitated, then asked, “Julian, did you lie to me about something?”

I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

He was silent for three seconds. “Savannah, wait a moment.”

His voice was tense, and then the line went dead.

I stared at my phone, feeling a little lost.

I felt a little disappointed and sat on the couch eating watermelon.

I stabbed my fork into the fruit, trying not to overthink. The juice dripped down my hand, sticky and cold.

Seeing I was upset, my mom lifted her head from my dad’s shoulder. “What’s wrong? Did you and Julian fight?”

She set aside her book, her eyes full of concern.

I touched my face. “Is it that obvious?”

I tried to play it cool, but my voice was shaky.

“Not really a fight—I just found out today he lied to me about something.”

I stared at the floor, embarrassed.

My mom scoffed. “That’s it?”

She waved her hand, like it was no big deal.

“Was it something important? Does it affect you? Was it good or bad? Are you breaking up over it?”

She fired off questions, not giving me a chance to answer.

Her questions stunned me.

I blinked, realizing maybe I was overreacting.

My dad sighed. “Our daughter is so clueless about love. How did she inherit none of our emotional intelligence or romance?”

He shook his head, pretending to be disappointed. I rolled my eyes.

I ignored the jab and asked, “Then tell me—how were you two so smooth?”

I crossed my arms, challenging them to share their secrets.

My dad stroked his imaginary beard, proud.

He puffed out his chest, clearly enjoying the spotlight.

“Back then, to get close to your mom, I pretended to be weak and gentle. Girls have a protective instinct. After a while, I got close to her.”

He winked at my mom, who just rolled her eyes.

My mom looked at him and snorted. “I saw your competition videos long ago. Since you wanted to pretend, I played along.”

She smirked, nudging him in the ribs.

“Hm?” My dad froze. “You already knew me? And you watched me pretend? Were you laughing at me the whole time?”

He looked genuinely hurt, but I could see the twinkle in his eye.

He pouted, but my mom just hugged him, laughing.

My mom hugged him quickly. “No, no, I was happy back then.”

She kissed his cheek, and he melted instantly.

“Really?”

He searched her eyes, looking for reassurance.

“Really—swear on it!”

She grinned, squeezing his hand. I rolled my eyes at their mushiness.

I couldn’t stand their mushiness. Just then, the doorbell rang.

I jumped up, grateful for the interruption.