Perfect School

 

I adjusted the rifle on my shoulder tiredly, mud caking my boots and leaving imprints on the ground as I walked. I saw Jonah, but only paused briefly before pushing the door open in the armory. I sat down heavily at a table and began disassembling the rifle for cleaning. My muscles ached, and my side burned where I had taken a good blow during the training. I had to stop in my cleaning to flex my hands, pausing only once in the flexing to inspect the welts on the inside of my hands and fingers.

 

I wordlessly, pulling a pistol out of its holster at my side and passed it to him. A single glance told me what he was trying to guess. "Rock climbing while shooting." I explained softly, taking another pause to flex my hands before continuing.

 
 

I didn't answer right away, keeping my focus on the task at hand. The seconds crept by into a full minute before I spoke. "You are right. It won't fix anything. I do not blame you for what you did. I put distance between my emotions because it was how I was trained. But I understand desires regardless Jonah. You should have come to training yes. You will not be coming to anymore." I lifted my green eyes to focus on him. "I had planned on offering a reward for the training you missed. Marie wanted to speak with you. Even if you hadn't won the training you would have gotten the chance. Marie does not offer second chances Jonah."

 

I cracked a brief smile. "It was some of the best training I have ever had too Jonah." It was my exhaustion I knew, that lowered the barrier between me and my feelings.

 

I shook my head and in short order I reassembled the rifle, taking a moment to look down the sights before looking at him. I didn't answer, simply watched him as I tried to puzzle out his intents.

 

"Good night Jonah." I told him softly as I stood. I followed him with my eyes before taking pistol and rifle further into the armory to replace them on their racks. I also set the full clips and spare ammo into the waiting bin as well as returned the razor sharp knives I had taken the time to grab on my way out.

Stepping out of the armory, I considered the hallway for a long moment. I turned left, choosing to head for the gym instead of my room. I undressed in the female locker room, leaving my things beside the locker and grabbing my suit from within. I carried it with me as I took a moment to shower, letting the hot water ease my muscles and weary self.

 
 

The month had been hard on my body. I was covered in a plethora of bruises, cuts, burns, and scrapes. I was keeping my eyes on Jonah and I was aware of his relationship escalating. It only made me pull away that much more. I was seeing nothing worth reporting. He was doing worse in classes. I was pulling away with all the scores now. I was starting to spend more time with the guard at the school, finding more interest in the trained over the untrained or the cocky like Jonah. One of them was of special interest. He was one of Marie's and young. Twenty-two years of age and better than the stooges she usually had.

Jonah:

I thought I was ready, I surpassed my my goals for training, but that was needed if I were to beat Kira at her own game. After showering I left the gym and headed to the common room. I paused outside of the girl's hallway, I was excited but not the kind I wanted to share with Emily. Tomorrow I would approach Kira. I doubted things would go back to the way they were with us before, but it would be worth it just to get the special training again, and this time I wouldn't mess it up.

The next morning I was waiting for her in the gym. I hadn't slept much the night before, I wasn't able to get my mind to shut off, but I was wide awake now. I was sitting on a mat in the center of the room meditating while I waited for her

I stepped inside the gym, pausing a moment as I spotted Jonah meditating on the floor. I didn't comment on it, simply went over to the speakers on the wall to turn on some music. I kept it low before I kept my back to him to settle down into stretches. My attire was a sports bra under a tanktop and shorts. Feet were bare. I had also brought a bag along with me, setting it beside the speaker controls while I stretched.

 

"Good morning Jonah." I said as I turned to look at him. I regarded him for a long moment. "Were you looking to join me? If you were in the middle of something I apologize for interrupting. Most people are asleep still."

 

I raised my eyebrow before shaking my head. "A proposal. Are you sure you can accept the answer I will give to it?" I asked moving to sit on a table. I crossed my legs with my hands flat on either side as I leaned back slightly. I waited for him to speak, my eyes regarding him with open suspicion.

 

My suspicion gave way to surprise then silent thoughtfulness. "Sure you can stand to be away from your girlfriend for training Jonah? Or for that matter, are you sure she could handle it?" I held up a hand to forestall him speaking. "Do not misunderstand the question Jonah. Second chances aren't offered. Except under the rarest of circumstances. But you will never get a third. If you fail to show up. If you don't give a session your all. If anyone interferes with the training. You are out for good. Never to come back in Jonah. Can you do that? Can you be sure that Emily will not make you fail in any degree?"

I stood, closing the distance between us so I had to tip my head back to look at him. "I don't care that you are dating her, nor does my Patron. Who you date, who you sleep with, what you do in your own time doesn't matter. But when you are under a task for Marie. Nothing else matters other than your orders." I brushed past him to pick up the bag I had brought in. "Think on that. I will ask you one last time before the day is done. You answer when I answer you. We will decide things from there."

I drew out fighters gloves from the bag as the door opened and the guard I had been speaking too came in. Shirtless and lean muscle he too had fighters gloves on. He spared Jonah only a glance before coming up to join me in a small ring marked out on the floor. I didn't look at Jonah again, only turned up the music as I focused on my sparring partner.

 
 

The message I left Jonah, telling him where to meet me was simple. It was placed on his bed, a simple note and nothing more. I waited in combat gear minus body armor or weapons save for two knives at my waist. I was sitting at the same table I had before, in the same gym. Behind me with arms crossed was Tobin, the guard in the same gear I was. He was tense, murmuring his displeasure at giving Jonah a second chance, but I kept quiet eyes on the door as I let time slowly tick by. I had left a time on the note, making sure it would be found with only minutes to be here.