Spring Training(3)

Dan nods again, "Okay, understood. I will do it." He gives Ian his word to show his determination.

"Awesome." Ian smiles, "We're on the same page now. I will help you get there."

Leo looks at two of them, shaking his head, "Poor kid. You're not going to survive his training."

One week later, Dan is changing his clothes in his room and regretting the promise to Ian. Even though the training is too much for him, it's helpful and working. He knows he's improving.

Dan is about to meet up with Matt and Josh at John's House, and Leo will come and pick him up. It will be their first time visiting the place. A couple minutes later, four of them finally see each other in the restaurant. They stand in front of the entrance and are about to get in. It's the first time Leo meets Matt and Josh. "Hey, Baku boy, how have you been doing?" Matt asks.

"I've been doing well. What about you two? Is everything ok in Victoria?" Dan replies.

"Yeah, everything is fine. Oh. Man. I'm so jealous. We wonder what life in Baku is like, so we came here to catch up with you. Tell us about the Fighters." Matt's excited.

Dan laughs. "We will definitely talk about that, but first, I want you to meet this cool man, Leo." He turns to Leo and introduces him to two of his best friends. "Leo, they are Matt and Josh. And guys, this is Leo."

"How's it going?" Leo offers his hand, "I'm Leo."

"Hi." Matt and Josh both shake hands with him.

"Are you guys hungry? Come on, let's go inside. I'm starving." Leo says. He gives them a warm smile.

They walk in the restaurant and see John working, then Matt and Josh introduce themselves again. John, Leo, and the three boys, finally meet for the first time officially. After the introduction and a short conversation, four of them find a table to sit. Everyone sits down, goes through the menu to think about what to order, and shares stories to the new friends.

Time flies as everybody is having a good time, after two hours, Leo and Dan need to head back to Baku and get ready for the next day. Before they leave, Leo tells the three not to worry about the bill. He's happy to see some young blood joining the team, and he wants to welcome them by paying for the dinner.

"How nice." says Matt. Matt and Josh appreciate his gesture, and they leave the place early when Leo is in the line to pay the bill. On the way to the dorm, Matt notices something. While they are waiting for the green light, Josh is staring at a girl standing at the bus stop next to them. "Are you checking her out?" Matt asks.

"Oh my god! What? You scared me. No. What are you talking about?" Josh gets shocked then turns to stare at Matt.

"I'm talking about that girl over there, man. You know what I mean. She seems cute." Matt chuckles, "Are you gonna go say hi?"

"I mean…yeah, she does." Josh looks back to the girl. "But…how do I do this?" He asks.

"What? It's easy. Don't tell me you've never hit on girls before." Matt says. Both of them keep staring at the girl who's waiting for the bus and try not to look awkward.

"No, of course not. I don't even know how to talk to girls properly. Not like you, you got to meet your girl in high school. I just…I don't know how to do it." Josh replies. He's a bit scared.

"Okay, listen, it's simple. Here's the plan." Matt gets closer to Josh and wraps his arm around him. "You walk to her, tell her she's cute and you want to know her. Introduce yourself, then ask her for her name, try to start a conversation anyway." Matt says.

"Do I ask her for her number?" Josh asks.

"If the conversation goes well, you will get her number, eventually, don't rush. And now, you need to take the first step." Matt encourages Josh to take action.

"But how do I start the conversation?" Josh's worried and afraid of messing up.

"You go there and say hi, the conversation will start by itself." Matt says.

Josh looks at the girl and still doesn't know if he can do this. "Are you sure it will work?" Josh asks again.

"It doesn't matter. If it won't work then it won't. I don't know. But at least you have to try." Matt replies. "Come on, if you don't do it, you're going to miss her, forever!" Matt says.