21 – Joining

He woke up Saturday bursting with excitement, although he wouldn't be getting paid at least until he completed the course and apprenticeship until he got his own clients. He was excited to just for the potential to make more progress in his life though.

His morning went by rather fast. One of the many upsides of his father getting severely concussed was that he didn't have the energy nor motivation to go beyond verbal abuse and even that was less than usual.

After relaxedly completing his workout and morning routine he jogged to the gym. There was a cute girl behind the counter more than happy to answer his questions.

There wasn't a problem with him joining the course as along as he paid and could attend. The course was done every other week, being 9 days long. Most of the lessons were over the 4 weekend days with some smaller practical lessons during the weekdays for only an hour and a half during the late afternoon or early evening. It seemed they took into account people possibly needing to attend school or another job during the usual hours.

The whole course was 30 hours of work. It seemed they took it rather seriously given they requires 30 hours of training before they would even let people take an apprentice style role, but at least it seemed like he might be getting his money's worth even if it wasn't his own money that he was spending.

Another class would be starting the Saturday a week from then which he would be able to join. If he paid right now they would even extend the free gym use time up to the moment he paid giving him an extra week of free use. It didn't take him long to make up his mind and drop the cash necessary to join the course.

The receptionist was rather surprised to be paid in all cash, but shrugged it off. It was a little unusual, but he didn't look like the type to be involved with bad things.

Now that he had joined the receptionist introduced him to the personal trainer that would be running the course.

The trainer seemed to be a nice enough guy. He was in his late twenties, had short sandy brown, was in very good shape and had a bright and sunny personality that made you let your guard down. He was nice enough to give him some more information about the course that was more in depth than the receptionist was able to provide.

Dave shared his current workout routine and the trainer was even helpful enough to share some exercises he could do with the equipment in the gym to enhance what he was already doing which lead him into going through a full workout with some light guidance from the trainer. After thoroughly exhausting himself he relaxed in the sauna and after a cool shower felt completely refreshed again. Their facilities were quite nice. Nothing too excessive, but it covered everything he needed and had some small luxuries.

After sharing contact details with the trainer he even texted Dave a list of books and other resources that would be helpful for the course and job itself and gave him a quick tour of the facilities.

Although Dave already loved stealing abilities after his first time and was actively planning more he wasn't able to make the trainer a target. He might be willing to target assholes or even people who ignored his suffering, but even he wasn't so far gone that he could make someone as kind and helpful as this guy a target. He was already going to help him enough simply by teaching him how to do the job he wanted, so he would just have to be satisfied with that.

With how helpful the personal trainer was he actually spent quite a bit longer in the gym than expected and missed lunch. He ended up texting Jackie about that he was going to be home later and explained what he had been up to. She was actually very supportive which made him smile. He still wasn't used to being treated like that.

After taking care of that since he had already missed lunch he decided he still had plenty of cash and might as well enjoy a meal out which usually he didn't get much of a chance to. His father wouldn't take him out nor would he be willing to give him enough cash to eat out. What little cash he did manage to get out of his father was usually spent on his hobbies instead. Hobbies he had been neglecting quite a bit for the past two weeks. Between exercising, Jackie and Kate he hadn't even had much of a chance to think about them.

He ended up texting Kate.

[Dave: Hey! What are you up to?]

[Kate: Hey! Trying to finish the Math homework before Monday.]

[Dave: So I was planning on grabbing a bite. What you're doing sounds boring, how about joining me?]

[Kate: Of course! What's the plan?]

He hadn't actually given it a though yet what he could do with her, it was a spur of the moment decision after all. Dave did a quick search to find what restaurants were open finding a well rated sushi place nearby.

[Dave: Let's go for sushi. If you don't like sushi they also have some mongolian bbq bowls.]

[Kate: No I absolutely love sushi!]

[Dave: Cool, then I'll see you there.]

[Kate: Yes! See you soon!]

He smiled texted her the location for the restaurant. He would have loved to pick her up in a car, but getting his hands on a car was still a far off dream to him for now.

He decided to head over to the restaurant already taking his time for a relaxing walk. Life really seemed to be taking a turn for the better and he was enjoying every bit of it. Where before he was aimless, isolated and depressed. Now he had some goals and people that cared about him and it was only going to become better and better.