“Oh, Roxanne… Your hair” Her mother said, noticing the few blue strands of hair among her dark hair.

“Oh yeah… I just noticed this morning too. I was going to dye it as usual, but too much time has gone. I’ll do it later.” Roxanne responded, feeling uncomfortable that her mother had noticed her hair.

“But, you know… You don’t have to. It really looks nice. Why don’t you…” Her mother smiled nervously, trying to reason with Roxanne.

“Mom, we talked about this!” Roxanne immediately let out.

“Right… Sorry about that” Her mother said in a low, dejected tone.

“M-Mom, I didn’t mean to raise my voice. It’s just… Let’s drop this matter already. It’s not normal for a regular High school student to have Blue hair matching her blue eyes. It makes me stand out, and that’s the last thing I need in my life right now.” She explained, feeling hurt herself.

“I know dear. I just, I’m sorry okay? You should know that you’re okay with your natural looks too. I just wanted you to know that” Her mother responded.

“Yeah, I know Mom. Thanks…” Roxanne said, letting out a slight smile.

She and her mother stared at one another, locking eyes with each other with a sense of distant love and longing, but neither could further explain what was in their hearts.

“Okay, I’m super late, so I better get going!” Roxanne said, cutting off the brief connection they had.

“O-Oh, yeah. Aren’t you hungry? Why don’t you have something before leaving…” Her mother quickly said, rising from her chair.

“Oh no, it’s fine. Perfect attendance record, remember?” She said with a slight smile.

Her mother joined her as they both chuckled at the little joke Roxanne made.

“Zzzzzzrnggggggg” Vibrations, followed by a familiar sounding ringtone suddenly filled the room with its sound.

“Aaaaand, you should probably get that… Deal with your ‘annoying client’” Roxanne said with a wide grin before quickly slamming the door and leaving, making sure her mother didn’t have enough time to give her a response.

“Roxanne!” Her mother groaned in a whiny tone.

She put her arms akimbo as she heaved a sigh. She stared at the table from where she stood and glared at her phone. She hesitated, but finally decided to answer the call this time. After all…

“He’ll just keep calling me anyway” She muttered to herself.

She picked the phone and used her shaky finger to answer the call as the phone continued to vibrate on her hand.

“Hello Melissa… I’m glad you finally picked my call” A deep masculine voice sounded from the phone’s speakers.

“Damien, please… Let’s stop this. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep lying to Roxanne. I…” Melissa, Roxanne’s mom said with a sad and concerned tone.

There was silence from the other end of the phone as the caller didn’t say anything.

“Please, don’t call me anymore Damien. Roxanne is… She wouldn’t be able to handle it. I can’t do this to her. So please, if you understand… Let’s just stop this now…” She said with shaking hands and a teary look in her eyes.

“Melissa… Is that what you really want?” Damien, the caller asked.

“I… I…” Melissa couldn’t form the words as her voice choked without her able to properly express what she wanted to.

“It’s about time she knows the truth, isn’t it? You don’t have to lie to her anymore. Just tell her, tell her that…” Damien said in his deep and calm voice.

“No! She can’t know! Not yet! She’s still… She can’t handle it now” Melissa interjected, not allowing Damien to finish.

“You can’t hide it from her forever. Besides, I didn’t call you just for that. Isn’t it about time you gave me your answer?” Damien asked.

“Damien, you know I can’t… Roxanne is still…”

“Stop hiding behind your daughter Melissa. She’s already an adult, old enough to make her decisions. This is something that concerns you, not her. So tell me with your heart this time Melissa. What is your answer?”

“I-I…”

Once again words failed her. She stood, unable to speak, unable to think about what to say. She couldn’t form the words.

“You know, sooner or later she’ll discover the truth for herself. I’m sure she has started noticing signs already, and If you are still intent on keeping me and everything else a secret from her, then it won’t end well, I promise you that!” Damien said.

Suddenly Melissa’s brown eyes shone, turning bright orange. Her soft look turned into a glare as her face tightened and her fists clenched tighter than it did earlier.

“Damien… Are you threatening me right now?” Melissa said in an unusually deep and threatening voice.

Damien became silent once again. Not letting out a single word.

“I decide what’s best for my daughter. She can’t know of anything now, not yet. And as for the other matter… I’m sorry Damien, but you know my answer already. It’s too dangerous. I can’t risk it or take any chances.” Melissa said, her eyes returning back to normal as her face also softened up.

“Melissa, you…”

“Just listen to me. You stay away from me and my daughter! Don’t ever call me ever again, and if you ever try to reach me… Damien I swear to god…!” Melissa cut his words short with hers

“This doesn’t change anything. For me, for her, for you… For us. You can try to fight it, but it is already beyond your control and you know it.” Damien said to her, obviously starting to get desperate.

“Nothing is beyond my control Damien, I’m a mother after all!” She replied with a serious tone.

“Melissa, I…”

Before he could continue, she quickly cut his call and threw her phone on the couch beside her.

“Ahhh, Melissa what have you done?” She said to herself as she crashed on the sofa.

She heaved a sigh as she used her hand to cover her head in both disappointment and overwhelming emotions of weakness.

“I don’t know how long I can hold it off anymore… Roxanne, I’m so sorry” She said silently while her two hands covered her face.

Suddenly she started to sob and tears fell from her cheeks uncontrollably. She wouldn’t stop, or rather it was that she couldn’t stop the tears which flowed down her cheeks.

“Oh, what have I done?”

Roxanne walked to school with her backpack only hung slightly in one part of her shoulder, betraying her very distinguished looking outfit. A purple sweater, with tight winter jeans and thick dark boots. Her clothes underneath the sweater was grey, though it leaned more toward the white side if she was being honest with herself.

The conversation she had earlier with her mom continued to play in her head.

“Maybe I was being too hard on mom,” She thought to herself.

Perhaps it was due to her youthful look, understanding behaviour or very young age, Roxanne never really viewed Melissa with high regard as a strict or high reach mother. This caused her to often talk to her as though they were equals, which Roxanne knew was wrong, but at this point it was difficult for her to change.

She knew her mother was trying to encourage her in her own little way, but she just didn’t know why she always reacted that way.

“It's been this way since dad died” Roxanne mumbled to herself.

Her father was always closer to her than her mother, a man who also had blue colored hair and eyes, same as herself. He would always flaunt his blue colored hair proudly, even though it was beginning to get riddled with grey hairs.

This gave her confidence, and made her also proudly carry her hair wherever she went. She was never embarrassed about her hair colour, and because her eyes matched it, she felt all the more special, like her father.

However, after he died… She lost all of that confidence and pride. As she stared at his corpse before he was buried, she saw those very same grey hair. Most of them had turned white and his pale face wasn’t smiling as brightly as they did. His stocky look and mannequin-like posture in the casket was something she would never forget.

She always saw herself in her father and as his body was placed six feet under… So was her identity in relation to him, at least his physical traits. She wanted to leave everything behind her, bury the sadness and grief she could not seem to empty out. After some months of being miserable, she finally had enough. She wanted to get away from it all.

It seems her mom understood how she felt and so after a suggestion from her grandmother, they moved from their previous Hometown and settled in Gravity Falls Oregon, for their new lives. She enrolled in a new school, started dying her hair and wearing contact lenses and most importantly… She kept to herself and her schedule.

Over three years had passed since then, and while she had made progress toward her life and prospects, she still didn’t feel satisfied. Perhaps that was the reason for her escapades at night. A way to fill the void her father’s death left within her.

So far it was alright for her, she enjoyed it. After the first time, she felt so guilty that she promised herself never to try it anymore, but she repeatedly continued until she couldn’t stop.

No one knew, not her mother, not her best and only friend. Only she knew, as well as the company she had during the time. She brushed those thoughts off and decided to enjoy the scenery to forget the thoughts dancing in her head.

As she looked around, viewing the snowy fields and snow covered houses, she couldn’t help but appreciate the winter season. She was not a fan of the cold, but she couldn’t say she disliked the way the white colour of the soft balls of ice blended with everything they touched. Plus, she had winter break so it couldn’t get any better than that.

“What am I doing? I should be hurrying to school” She suddenly realised, chiding herself for taking her time to slowly appreciate the winter.

She picked up her pace as she more hurriedly walked to her school, which by the way, wasn’t so far from home. After close to ten minutes of walking, she arrived at her destination.

“Ah. I’m really late, aren’t I?” She said, increasing her pace even further.

Standing in front of the very huge gate, she couldn’t help but let out a little smile. It had only been three years since she started attending the school but the view never got old.

“WELCOME TO ORION HIGH SCHOOL”

Light brown and cream colour, wide rather than tall, with only two extra floors other than the ground floor. This was her school, Orion High. It was the best High School according to her mother, which was why she enrolled in the school. It boasted of a high college acceptance rate, great programs, and extra credits that made sure almost everyone got a chance to apply for college, as long as they had the interest.

The school in itself wasn’t so bad for Roxanne, but she couldn’t say it was the best either. Why? Because Roxanne was a loner to the bone.

The bright sky hovered above Roxanne’s head as she walked into the school compound, distracting her from her earlier reminiscing. There were no teachers to stand by the entrance, unlike in her former school which boasted high disciplinary standards.

She stared across the open field, observing how empty the yard was. Most of the students were already inside the school building, ready for homeroom. If she didn’t want to miss it she had to hurry up.

Once again she picked up her pace as she walked into the school building. Flinging the door wide open without holding back, the sound and sudden momentum of the two sides of the door caused quite the noise, attracting the attention of the students in the hallway.

Their eyes all darted toward Roxanne, something she was trying to avoid. Thankfully, they turned their faces away again, as usual. Roxanne heaved with relief. The last thing she was looking for was attention. She continued walking. Down the path in front of her, passing by many lockers and people who glanced over at her, stared for a while and quickly looked away, walking off without talking to her.

“Perfect,” She whispered to herself.

At this point, she needed some sleep and quiet, so throughout the day she would just keep her head down and try not to draw any attention to herself, though from the way things were going, she didn’t need to try so hard.

“Roxyyyyyy!!!” A voice called for her

As Roxanne heard the voice her heart jumped as she slowly turned behind her to see the person who yelled after her so loudly. There was only one person in all of Orion who called her by that name, her best friend… Rather, her only friend, Betty.

The petite girl ran toward her, waving enthusiastically in Roxanne’s direction as she smiled. Roxanne pretended like she didn’t hear anything and immediately faced forward and continued walking straight for homeroom.

“This girl…” Roxanne muttered to herself.

The girl, Betty, Roxanne’s only friend in Orion, Betty was someone who didn’t care about keeping a low profile. She was loud, energetic and very talkative. For some reason, she picked an interest in Roxanne, of all things and ever since that moment, she always stuck with her like glue, until school did them apart.

“I’ve been looking all over the place for you! You are so late. Anything the matter?” She said, quickly catching up to Roxanne’s heaving heavily, using her two hands to support her body as she bent over to catch her breath.

Roxanne, who was now in front of her locker in order to quickly grab her stuff before homeroom, was more concerned about the bells which would ring at any moment.

Roxanne looked at the short girl as she breathed heavily and couldn’t understand why she kept doing this to herself. Other students kept their eyes fixated on Roxanne, though they acted like they weren’t. This treatment was something she brought on herself, though it was beginning to bother her.

When she first arrived at Orion High School, she instantly became the school belle. Thanks to her beautiful face, clear skin, and well rounded figure, no one could take their eyes off her. As she took the school by storm, sweeping both boys and girls off their feet, she was surrounded by a multitude of company, and they were such brothers.

Since her father just died back then, she was not In the right mood to talk to anyone or form bonds that would eventually break. Even though she received a lot of attention from everyone; Her classmates, students of higher grades… Even teachers. She didn’t respond well to their gestures and slowly, yet certainly… The crowd around her started becoming lesser. She was still very popular, a hot topic among everyone. But now for a different reason.

“She’s so cold”

“Just because she’s a little good looking”

“Proud much? Why does she have to such a jerk about everything”

As a rumour beyond her control, soon the whole school viewed her in a different light, causing them to only view her from afar. She was even ostracised among her classmates and designated as an official loner.

“I brought this on myself” She would tell herself.

However, even with her cold and emotionless nature as well as the rumours flying about her, there remained one person who still continued to pester her and talk to her relentlessly.

“Hey Roxy, what are you doing all alone?”

“Hey Roxy, wanna grab lunch?”

“Hey Roxy, Hey Roxy. Hey Roxy.”

Eventually, Roxanne got so used to her presence that she stopped resisting anymore. They officially became friends, and even though Roxanne still tried to maintain her demeanour of a cool and stoic young lady, she couldn’t shake her extrovert friend off. And so they became the weirdest pair of friends.

“Had a rough night. I woke up late this morning” Roxy said.

As she spoke, she used her hands to pack up the book she needed for class.

“Ohh, you couldn’t sleep well? Is that it? Well, I’ve got a brilliant idea. Why don’t you…”

“I’m fine now. Thanks” Roxanne quickly said.

“Ohhh, Hmmn, let me see your face for a sec” Betty said, drawing her face slower to Roxy.

The sudden movement toward Roxanne and their close proximity, caused her to take a step back, feeling Betty was too close.

“Hmmn, well. You don’t seem sick or anything. But, something about you looks different today” She said, using her hand to caress her chin.

“Can't that wait? We’ll be late for class at this rate.” Roxanne said, leaving her locker after packing up what she needed.

She quickly turned her face away from Betty so she wouldn’t see the blue strands of her hair which she had carefully tried to hide, but was still obvious if one paid a much closer look.

“Oh, that’s true…” Betty laughed as they both made their way to the homeroom.

Roxanne picked up the pace and Betty followed behind her, trying her best to catch up.

Homeroom went the same as usual, the only difference was that Roxy barely made it to class on time, nearly costing her perfect record. The teacher came and did his usual routine. When he finished, Roxanne heaved a sigh of relief.

“I made it,” She said to herself.

Classes went on as they always did. However, what stood out in the respective classes were the reminders given to the students by teachers concerning their tests before winter break.

The final bell rang, indicating the end of school for the day. A smile of relief appeared on Roxanne’s face. She had been expecting this. Finally ended as Roxanne sighed leaving the premises.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, causing her abruptly halt her movement to view the caller.

“<Coach>”

A smile appeared on Roxanne’s stern and cold face, using her finger to quickly answer the phone call.

“Are you coming today?” The caller’s voice sounded.

Her smile widened as she heard those words.

“Of course…” She replied.

“I’m on my way”

Her fatigue seemed to fade into the background and the exhaustion from school disappeared after receiving the call from the caller ‘coach’.

She stared fondly at her phone and smiled, remaining motionless for a moment, before finally snapping back to reality. She placed her phone back into her pocket and ran, charging straight ahead to her new destination, and it wasn’t home.

She continued running steadily, not stopping even once, as she turned when she reached an intersection, twisting her body to adjust to the change in momentum and balance as she continued to race. As she rushed past the block, dashing past the few people she came across, she didn’t falter even once. She was used to this already and even without thinking her body moved on reflex. None of her classmates or even members of her school could see her like this. All sweaty and energetic, yet not slowing down. A different version of herself from what she showed in school. No one attending her school knew of this. It was only her mom as well as a few teachers in school who were aware. None from Orion High passed this route, after all, it was the opposite of the residential area they were all from.

Yes, where she was headed was not her house, but… In a way, it could be said to be her second home. She was getting close, just a right turn at the corner and she would arrive. She took the turn, balancing her legs so she wouldn’t lose her footing, and slowed down so she would stop directly in front of the place.

The building wasn’t so fancy, having two floors, the ground one and the first floor above it. The paint used on its exterior was already getting bleached, but that didn’t bother Roxanne. She was never one to judge a book by its cover anyway.

The metal door was closed, with the [Open] sign written boldly on a board attached to it. She stared at the wide board at the top of the building, reading out the words written.

“PASSION OF LIFE GYM” She said, feeling cringe because of the name.

In the three years she had been attending the gym, she still couldn’t get used to the name or say it without cringing. However, she had no choice. To enter the gym, it was an unchanging rule for Regulars to always say the name of the gym before proceeding inside. Fortunately, no one she knew was around to see her say such an embarrassing name.

She huffed slightly, taking deep breaths and calming herself a bit before finally proceeding into the building.

“I’m in…” She said as she entered the building.

If what a person expected when he entered the gym was a bunch of sweaty men, dirty towels, and a bunch of weight sets lying around, then that person couldn’t be more wrong.

The ground floor was filled with nothing but the standard gym equipment and a few people doing their regular exercises. She smiled at the new faces she saw for that day. One man in particular tried so desperately on the treadmill, moving his huge body desperately as he tried to push past his limits.

She shook her head slightly. Having such energy was fine by her, but she was familiar like him. They burn their energy on the first day, and they would never enter a gym until after some time. Some would give up entirely.

“He's only giving it his all now because something must have happened to him? Did he get insulted due to his weight or something?” She asked herself.

Well it was none of her business. She turned away and walked toward the Receptionist, who looked her way and gave her a smile since she recognized her.

“Is the coach around?” Roxanne asked the woman.

“Yeah. He’s upstairs, doing the usual.” She answered.

“Thanks Mary.” She said, quickly making her way to the stairs and climbed them in a jiffy.

She entered the room on the first floor where she was guaranteed to meet her coach, her personal fitness trainer… Her mentor.

Her eyes went around the room as she entered. Unlike the one downstairs, this place was only exclusive to Regulars such as herself. A place not for the usual gym exercises and routines. No, this was different.

The entire room was empty, with only soft cushions on the floor as rugs. Fewer people were in the room compared to the ground floor, and they all seemed to be busy with their businesses. Some moved in acrobatic fashions, some did his regular pushup, only this time with a heavy weight attached to his neck and another on his back. Then there was this one who seemed to be meditating, staying transfixed in a single position, refusing to move an inch from where he stood… Upside down.

“Oh, you’re here Roxanne. Did you say the name before entering?” A voice came from behind her.

She smiled as she heard his voice, one she would recognize anywhere. It was her coach. She turned back and saw him with a towel around his neck, with some gear he carried on his hand, and a wide smile plastered on his face.

“Hey coach. Yeah, I did. Really wish you’d stop making me do that.” She said with a soft laugh as she shook her head.

“Never! Not until you realise the profoundness and beauty of it” He said with a wide grin.

“So… Never then?” She replied dryly, raising one of her eyebrows.

“Yep. Never” He smiled.

Her coach was a man in his early forties. He had sand brown hair and a spectacular muscular build. He looked surprisingly youthful compared to his actual age. An exercise gourmet, but not one so needlessly and overly obsessive with it. Though Roxanne had to admit, sometimes his passion was a little over the top.

Roxanne remembered when she first arrived at the gym. She had just recently moved into town and felt bored just staying home after school. With nothing to do, and a lot to think about, she needed something to distract her from the thoughts which weighed her down.

After school one day, she decided to pass a different route home, trying to waste as much of her time as possible. She went through unfamiliar streets and somehow ended up at the ‘PASSION OF LIFE GYM’.

Roxanne could still remember how she initially found the name absurd and walked past it, but then came back and stared hard at the name, before finally deciding to give it a try.

Something most people didn’t know about Roxanne was that she wasn’t just your average high school girl, who was interested in boys and makeup. Ever since she was young, she had a never ending passion for one particular thing… Sports!

Growing up, her father trained her in various kinds of sports and was in charge of her exercise and daily routine. Even from childhood, she possessed freakish stamina and strength which seemed to even amaze her parents. She trained everyday and honed her skills thanks to her father.

However, when he died four years ago, she stopped training and doing exercise altogether. The effects didn’t really show on her body since she still had a healthy lifestyle, but the more time passed, the more she itched for the stimulation that only sports give.

Nearly a year after her father died, she came across the gym she currently used. Her initial goal when she saw the gym was just to go in and just do a few rounds, but… She ended up doing more than that.

Roxanne would have just finished her set and gone home for the day, not even nearing the place again, but she ended up being a regular instead. And it was all thanks to the man standing in front of her.

“You arrived earlier than expected, I’m not done setting up yet” He said to her.

“What can I say? I guess I got a bit excited” She smiled widely.

Coach was a man she highly respected and loved, as close to a father to her as anyone can get. After observing her do some sets in the gym, he approached her and talked with her.

Of course, she was cautious around him initially, but some time after they started talking, she really felt a strong connection with him. Perhaps in a way, he reminded her of her father, who used to personally train her before he passed away. She left the gym that day with a smile on her face.

The next day, before she knew what was going on, she found herself there again, and the day after that, then the one after that day… Until she became a regular.

“Go get changed first” Coach said to her.

“After that you’ll be helping me set these up, then we can start” He told her, referring to some tools he kept on the ground and more of them at the corner by the wall.

“Aye aye. Let’s do this!” She said, removing her sweater as she walked toward the changing room.