Motivation!
Chapter 8
Villanelle had talked to Konstantin that weekend and their conversation was why she was seemingly ‘nice’ to Eve when she visited her at Imperial. Sure, her and Eve’s conversation on Friday did make her more inclined to be ‘friendly’ toward the woman, but Konstantin’s words made her realize she should be kinder. Their conversation went something like this:
“What do you want?” The blonde was in a mood when she picked up the phone. She hadn’t had a morning jog and she was getting irritable.
“Good afternoon to you too.” The Russian man laughed lightly.
Villanelle didn’t respond but she was kind of happy he called. He always seemed to know how to fix her problems so maybe he could fix this one.
“I just wanted to see how you are. I’ve only seen you once since the gym opened.”
“Well, you’re welcome to come anytime.” She mumbled sarcastically, setting the phone to speaker mode as she changed into navy leggings and a light blue tank top.
“Чего ты сказала?” Konstantin knew Villanelle hated Russian. He said this anyway.
“I will hang up on you!” She half-yelled as she put her leggings on.
“You are in a mood, I see. What is the matter?” He asked, already knowing something was wrong.
“None of your business.” She grumbled. She usually pushed people away when she didn’t want to talk about something. She did want to talk about it, but she didn’t know if anyone would understand. She hadn’t even told Konstantin the real reason she left London all those years ago. And now that reason was back and why she was in such a mood.
“Mmm ok.” He smiled, knowing the blonde couldn’t see his grin and he had her wrapped around his finger. Konstantin was one of the only people who knew exactly how Villanelle worked and usually she was very ungrateful for that, but now wasn’t one of those times.
“Ok, fine! You know how I left London 8 years ago?” She flopped onto her bed, knowing she’d work out later, and put the phone to her ear.
“I recall.”
“Well, I left because of this person….” She was starting to get nervous. The only person she got nervous around was… well, she was about to get to that. “And now they are back.”
“Mmmm,” Konstantin had his suspicions at the time, he’d even met Eve briefly once when he went to see Oksana at Imperial. She was coming out of the blonde’s dorm and he had no idea who she was at the time. But Oksana had mentioned a ‘special friend’ to him before so he put two-and-two together. “And how does that make you feel?”
He kind of felt like a therapist. In a way, he kind of was.
“I don’t know. Everything. Nothing. I don’t like it.”
“I know, you don’t like emotions very much, do you?” He chuckled.
“What do I do? I want to keep ignoring her. She hasn’t been very….” Villanelle didn’t know the word. She thought Eve had been mean but then again, the blonde knew she hadn’t been very nice either.
“Why have you been ignoring them? I thought you would want to… catch up?”
“No! I do not want to ‘catch-up,’” She used air quotes even though they were on the phone, just to prove a point to herself, “She was mean so I left. I would prefer not to relive it, Konstantin.”
“I see. But you’ve already seen this person? Is it possible to keep ignoring them?”
“It has proven to be difficult. She is friends with a friend of mine.”
“Yes, that might be difficult to ignore.”
“That’s it? That’s your advice? Something I already knew?” She wasn’t usually like this to Konstantin since he was the one that took her away from her father and she generally enjoyed his company. Maybe it was just the fact she hadn’t exercised yet. Maybe it was Eve.
“Well, I don’t think you are going to like my advice.” He said, tentatively. Telling the blonde something she didn’t want to hear had proven burdensome in past experiences.
“Just say it.” She sighed, closing her eyes. He was the only one she could talk to and she did need help.
“I think you should get to know them.”
“But-”
“Let me finish. It has been 8 years, Villanelle. You are a completely different person to who you were 8 years ago, I mean you even changed your name. So, I’m sure this person is also very different. You should treat them as a new person and get to know them. Again.”
Okay, she had to admit this wasn’t a terrible idea. She had no idea what Eve was up to nowadays. Elena told her she was a professor but that was it. That’s all she knew. She didn’t even know if she was still married to that man. Well, she assumed not since Eve had kissed Dina but she had kissed her while she was still married, so Villanelle couldn’t be sure. She wanted to know. Villanelle wanted to know who Eve was now. And Konstantin was right, she'd become completely different. She wanted Eve to know who she was now too.
“That’s not… terrible advice.” She struggled to give compliments to Konstantin. Like her, it would instantly go to his head.
“I know, that is why I gave it.” He smirked.
“You’re being annoying again,” She held the phone in front of her face and screamed, “GOODBYE KONSTANTIN!” And hung up, surprisingly satisfied with their conversation. She then exercised for a few hours and felt even better. She was going to try and get to know Eve…. again.
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Eve didn’t know why she was walking to V’s gym. She had no idea. She was trying to tell herself it was Elena and her saying she was going so they could work out together but the professor knew that wasn’t the only reason. Not only did she not like exercise, but exercising with someone else sounded even worse.
It had been a few days since Villanelle sat in on her lecture. And she hadn’t stopped thinking about it. It was annoying since she still had to plan her other lectures, but she kept thinking ‘What if she watched this one? Would she enjoy it or would she think it’s boring?’ It had become such a problem that her class that afternoon had gone horribly. She stumbled on her words, forgot some of her notes, and even turned on the wrong PowerPoint. She was very happy Villanelle had not been there. But, when Elena said she was heading to the gym later and wanted Eve to come with her, the professor didn’t say no. Instead, s he went home and changed. She did learn her lesson from last time, you do have to dress cute to go to the gym. She thought this was absurd but she definitely didn’t want to stand out, however, not only did she have a very small amount of exercise clothes, she had even less cute clothes. She finally settled on plain black leggings, a white tank-top, and a black sports bra. Her only sports bra. She thought she looked fine.
On her walk there, she saw Bill coming from the other way. She assumed he must be going to a class but she hadn’t seen him in a couple of weeks. They talked on the phone every once in a while but their schedules were always too busy to find a time to get together.
“Bill!” She walked up to him, the older man looked up at her and smiled.
“Eve! I was just heading to my class, what are you doing… wearing… are you going to a gym? Are you okay?” He laughed.
“Wow, does everyone think I’m out of shape?” She sighed, smiling.
“Oooo, who’s everyone? Am I missing some gossip? I must know now.”
“It’s nothing,” She waved her hand in dismissal. She’d just met Bill when Oksana left and she was in a… state. She never fully explained everything to him, but he did know of her. “An old friend just moved back to London.”
Bill gave her a look.
“Okay fine, do you remember when you first met me and I was a complete mess because of a… friend who left?” Bill nodded, his smile and curiosity growing, “Well, yeah she’s back.”
“And you’re going to work out with her?” He questioned, still hung up on the fact Eve was going to exercise willingly.
“Well,” She scratched her head for something to do with her hands, her hair was down and she realized she forgot a hair-band. Shit. She’ll ask Elena for one, “She kinda owns a gym. So no, I'm not working out with her. But....”
“Oh wow. Owning a gym, that’s quite impressive. However, I am still very confused. Why are you going to exercise? I thought you hated it.”
“I despise it, I just… I don’t know, I thought maybe I need to build a bit of endurance,” She shrugged, knowing that was complete bullshit, “And you know better than anyone those halls can get you out of breath.”
“I do I do,” He looked down and smiled, “Well, I gotta run but enjoy your workout and your friend,” He winked, starting to walk past Eve, “And your arse looks great in those leggings!” He waved and raced away.
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Eve opened the glass doors to the gym and was face-to-face with Kenny. She smiled, it was nice to see a familiar face, even though she didn’t know him that well yet.
“Hey, Kenny.” She walked up and rested her elbows on the desk.
“Oh, hi Eve. Elena mentioned you might come today.”
“Yeah, I’m a little surprised I’m actually here, but why not right?” He laughed, trying to be polite, and Eve looked around, not seeing Elena or Villanelle, not that she was thinking about seeing the blonde, “Is Elena here?”
“Yep, she came a few minutes ago. I think she’s in the locker room,” He gestured behind him down the hall, “Did you want to start a membership while you're here?”
Eve gave him a confused look. She wasn’t shocked that he asked but she hadn’t thought about it. Did she want to continue coming here, despite this being Villanelle’s gym? They could run into each other… Also, how often would she even use this gym? Would she enjoy it or quit after a week?
“I’m required to ask, but you don’t have to. I’m sure Villanelle won’t mind you coming in.” Kenny obviously sensed Eve’s uncertainty.
This did take the professor by surprise. Why would Villanelle not mind? Had she been talking about her? Eve wouldn’t care if she had but now she had to know…
“Wait, why wouldn’t she mind?” She leaned forward. She really needed to know, for some reason.
“Oh uh, I guess I just assumed since you’re friends with Elena that she, you know-” Kenny was visibly flustered and started fiddling with things on the desk. Luckily, a certain blonde and teaching assistant rounded the corner.
“Eve! I must say I did not expect to see you here,” Villanelle beamed as she walked toward the desk wearing a matching pink sports bra and leggings, Elena walking next to her, “When Elena mentioned you were coming, I could not believe it.”
Eve was shocked at the normalcy of the comment. Sure it was slightly mean, which seemed to be Villanelle’s style, but there was no open hostility behind it. She was stunned for a second but then realized she actually needed to respond.
“Well, believe it.” She said, lamely, raising her hands as a gesture that she was indeed present. Could she be more awkward?
“And you’re here to…” Elena smirked, wanting Eve to say it.
“I’m here to exercise, Elena.” The professor rolled her eyes and turned toward the locker rooms, the blonde smiling at her as she walked away. She had to say she was happy Eve was here, even if she didn’t want to admit it.
The professor dropped her bag into a locker and went back out to the main exercise room. She saw Elena in the back, running on a treadmill, and then she saw Villanelle. She was in front of the mirrors, doing biceps curls.
Her hair was up in a high ponytail, her rose gold headphones on. She was sweating, with a large weight in each hand, alternating pulling one closer to her chest. Eve had to admit… it was really hot. The blonde was looking at herself in the mirror, grunting slightly as she lifted each heavyweight. The brunette kept staring at her muscles… with every flex, they became even larger. Eve had never been into the ‘muscular’ type but she couldn’t help look at Villanelle’s biceps, triceps, abs, and…
“Eve?” The blonde set both weights on the floor, put her headphones around her neck, and looked up at Eve, smirking.
“Uh, yeah?” The professor shook her head, pulled out of her trance. How was the woman not panting or anything? Her breathing seemed perfectly normal.
“Do you need,” Villanelle started walking up to Eve, the brunette seeing her sweat beam under the fluorescent lights, “Help or something?”
“I- I don’t really know what I’m doing, to be honest.” Eve finally looked around the room, anywhere but the woman in front of her.
“Well then, I will help you.” She turned for the back of the room and the professor really tried not to look at her ass in those leggings. She was finding herself feeling a little more motivated to workout. It was definitely not because of the owner.
Definitely not.