Chapter 21: A Sweet Return
It was nearly noon when Jake suddenly snapped up from his seat on a flour-covered crate.
"Wait a second."
Alex, still adjusting a new shelf inside the cake shop, turned. "What?"
Jake's eyes widened. "The gym."
Alex blinked. "Crap."
They both stood frozen for a second—then scrambled.
"I totally forgot we never reopened after the fight," Jake said, wiping his hands and reaching for his phone.
"We finished all that equipment setup before everything with Alya happened, but we never actually announced anything," Alex groaned, already pulling out his phone too.
Jake quickly opened the gym group chat and typed:
Jake:
Hey fam! Sorry for the delay—gym reopens tonight! Big surprise waiting! Be there!
Alex peeked over his shoulder. "Nice. Keep it vague. Build hype."
"Obviously," Jake grinned.
Just then, Alya appeared holding a small box, shy smile on her face.
"I know you both stayed here instead of opening your gym this morning… So, um. I made something."
She lifted the lid.
Inside were slices of chocolate and vanilla cake, carefully frosted despite the limited ingredients she had. It wasn't perfect—but it looked and smelled incredible.
"You didn't have to—" Jake started.
"I wanted to," Alya said, gently interrupting. "Consider it thanks."
Jake and Alex exchanged a glance—then shared the exact same mischievous grin.
"Say," Jake began, "what if we brought these to the gym? As a surprise. Our members deserve something sweet."
Alex smirked. "And imagine their faces when they see the renovation and the cake."
---
Evening came fast.
By the time the doors of the gym opened, golden light poured in over the polished floors, new machines, fresh mats, and reorganized spaces. The place gleamed.
The first member walked in—and immediately gasped.
One by one, more came. And soon, the gym was filled with surprised gasps, laughing disbelief, and wide-eyed stares.
"Did we enter the wrong place?" someone joked.
"Is this a gym or a luxury dojo?" another added.
Then came the cake.
Jake stood by the counter, handing out slices with Alya beside him.
Someone pointed. "Wait—who's she?"
Jake grinned. "Everyone, meet Alya. She's an old friend from high school… and Lisa's best friend."
A brief hush swept over some of the older members who knew Jake's story. But then—
"She made this cake?"
"This is insane—so good!"
"You a pro baker or something?"
"She is!" Jake said proudly.
Everyone was eating, laughing, talking. The gym felt more like a family reunion than a workout session.
And then, unexpectedly, someone said, "Wait… is her shop okay?"
Jake hesitated—but before he could answer, Alya stepped forward.
"It's… not. It was wrecked. But we've been cleaning it up."
A beat of silence.
Then one member stepped forward. "Where is it?"
A second added, "I can help fix windows."
Another chimed in, "I can paint."
"I've got tools!"
"I know a guy who can help with signage."
Jake stood frozen, overwhelmed.
Then smiled.
---
That night, the gym community walked together to the cake shop.
It wasn't about lifting weights anymore.
It was about lifting each other.
As the stars sparkled above and voices filled the quiet neighborhood street, one thing became clear:
They weren't just building a shop.
They were building something sweeter.
Together.