Right Place, Right Time - Rhea Ripley

Chapter 1 - Love at first sight.

This is an alternate Universe, Rhea may look different to what she actually looked like at the time this book is set..

August 2019 - Adelaide, Australia.

I lowered my head, doing the dreaded walk of shame through the gym, my eyes darting around, hoping to not make eye contact with anyone. Aerosmith blasting through my headphones, I tried to drown out the voices in my head. "You're fat, you'll never be skinny, you're a joke." In the corner was a crowd of boys, each taking their turns to snap a photo of themselves in the mirror, flexing their muscles. They were all dressed the same, trying to impress the girls with the biggest asses, the smallest waists. I could feel my own body tense as I passed them, dreading the inevitable comments.

Luckily nothing, they were in their own world, too busy flexing their muscles and preening for each other to notice me. I sighed in relief as I made my way to the treadmills, taking a small sip of water to cool down. Just as I was about to begin my run, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, expecting to see one of the boys, instead it was a tall chubby dude with a bushy brown beard, probably the same age as me,

"Hey, sorry to bother you. I saw what all the boys were saying about you yesterday. Don't worry, you're not alone, I get the same treatment. You're doing good." He smiled, revealing a set of braces. I was taken aback by his kind words,

"Oh thank you. I try my best to ignore them but sometimes it just fucks with your head. Like I'm trying to lose weight Y'know?" I looked down, my cheeks flushing. The man smiled warmly.

"Don't lose motivation, see you around." He walked off, leaving me with his words of encouragement. I smiled to myself, feeling a newfound sense of determination. As I began my run, I thought about what he said. Maybe I wasn't alone in this after all. Maybe there was a way for me to find my place here, to be accepted for who I am.

After 20 minutes of running, I stepped off the treadmill and glanced around the room. The man was nowhere to be found. Disappointed, I made my way to the weight section. As I was lifting weights, I spotted a big female figure.

She was gorgeous, probably about 5"7, many tattoos, piercings, and a figure that could only be described as badass. She was lifting weights effortlessly, her muscles rippling under her skin. There was something about her that demanded attention, not just because she was physically imposing, but because of the confidence she exuded. I found myself unable to take my eyes off her.

She was with her friends, all chuckling and joking around. They were all tall, muscular women, dressed in similar tank tops and shorts. The girl with the tattoos caught my eye as she did a few reps on the bench press, easily lifting twice her body weight. I couldn't help but be impressed.

She glanced over at me, noticing my struggle to keep up with the weights. With a kind smile, she walked over and asked, "Hey, you need help?"

I looked up at her, feeling a combination of surprise and relief. I nodded sheepishly. She placed her hand on my shoulder, guiding me through the reps. Her touch was firm yet gentle, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her. As we continued to lift together, she introduced herself as Demi.

The boys looked from afar, giggling and pointing, Demi noticed this,

"Don't worry about what the other guys say, they're just men with ego's bigger than their dicks," she scoffed,

I chuckled softly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, they can be pretty mean sometimes." Demi nodded understandingly, her expression serious. "Listen, you don't have to take their shit. You're here to better yourself, not to impress them. Well, let me tell you something, don't let stupid men destroy your motivation. I used to let the boys get to me, saying weights were for men and shit. It takes work, dedication, and confidence to get where you want to be, don't let nobody stop you."