The Chosen

Chapter 4

My other classes went just like the spar class. We were taught to use bow staffs, knives, and my least favorite, bow and arrows. Of course, Clara and her friends happened be in basically every single one of them. As I tried aiming my bow at the target, the arrow went straight to the ground. I could hear Clara and the others giggling and making fun of me.
"Nice shot klutz. If your target was to hit the ground, you did superb!" She said sarcastically nudging her friend, Cecelia.
"How did she even make red, she actually sucks" laughs Cecelia.
"Don't listen to them Amethyst" says Esmeray. "They're just assholes"
"But they're right and you know it" I respond.
"Obviously there's a reason you were put into this group. You might not have figured it out, but you will soon."
I give a half smile. She is just trying to be nice. But as much as I want to believe her, Clara and her friends were just stating the obvious. I mean, I couldn't throw knives or hold a bow or crossbow to save my life. Why was I even put into the red group? I tried to answer this question, but I couldn't come up with anything, and it frustrated me.
The rest of the week went by quicker than I thought. Maybe it was because I dreaded this weekends sparring tournament. Esmeray and Haydn were both trying their best to help me out by giving me pointers and tips, but I felt useless. I wasn't a fighter and everyone, even Esmeray, knew it. The only good thing coming out of this tournament happened to be the amount of time I was spending with Haydn. Everyday during our breaks, we sparred for a bit. Even with those lessons, I still didn't feel prepared, and it was already Friday.
"Ready Amethyst?" Haydn asks me during lunch.
"Yup" I say as I get up we make our way to the training room.
I had gotten more comfortable being around Haydn. He was so sweet to me and made sure I was getting what he was teaching me. And sometimes, I caught him staring at me for a bit too long. I didn't mind it though, since I did the same thing.
"How do you feel about tomorrow?" He asks me.
"Um...let's just say I'm not that confident about it"
"I'm sure that's just your nerves talking"
"Let's hope so" I sigh.
"Ok. Let's see your side kick."
Personally, side kicks are my strongest ability so far. Punching...not so much.
"Good. Now punch my hand" he tells me.
I punch the palm of his hand. My arms are weak. He probably didn't even feel it. I sigh in frustration and put my arms above my head.
"I suck. Admit it."
"You don't suck." Haydn says, almost as if he's trying to convince both me and him.
"I punch like a five year old. A damn baby could beat me up."
"You just need a little bit of practice...but that's why I'm here to help."
"It's useless. I'm just not cut out for this." I can feel my face getting warm. Don't cry don't cry don't cry. Not in front of him. I begin playing with my hair to distract myself.
Haydn moves towards me and places his hands on the sides of my waist. An electric shock goes through my entire body.
"Here, let me help" he whispers. "When punching, the power doesn't just come from your fist and arm, it comes from your core. Start sideways to get a stronger strike." He says as he takes my right arm, his other hand still holding my waist. He takes me through the movements of punching.
"Does that feel better?"
"I think so" I say, still doubtful.
"Ok, now punch my hand again"
Using everything he just told me and putting it into motion, I punch. This time, it was ten times harder. I smile, satisfied with what I had just accomplished.
"Wow! That was amazing! Let me do it again."
Haydn puts his hand out in front of him, and I punch, even harder than last time.
"Jeez" he laughs. "You trying to hurt me?"
"Shoot, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" I totally forgot that I could actually injure him.
"I'm just playing with you. You did great. Did you feel how much more power you get from twisting your body and winding up?"
"Yup, thank you so much." I say. And without thinking I throw my arms around him, totally forgetting how sweaty I was.
"You're a quick learner. That's all you." He says as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me in tighter. Snapping back to reality, I release my arms and slightly push him away.
"I'm sorry... I just got excited" I say embarrassed.
He smiles. "I like it when you get excited. It's adorable"
"Shut up" I say rolling my eyes jokingly.
We work on a few more techniques before finishing up and heading to our next class. I feel much more confident and proud with myself, taking a bit of stress off for tomorrow. Hopefully it was enough, I think.