NOT HUMAN

Chapter 7- The Friendly Spar

"So, today we need to work on building muscle, stamina, and agility." Blade pointed at the gym equipment. "We will start pretty easy. But we will be doing the same routine workouts, is that understood?"

"Yes, Blade!" Everyone nodded.

"Can't wait to show off." Jax flexed.

"Oh, you cocky bastard." Zane scoffed. "Can't wait to see you all sweaty man." He gleamed.

"Oh, I bet you'll be the sweaty bastard. I work out all the time." He mocked in return.

"Yeah, and I don't. I bet you fifty bucks you break first." Zane growls, their faces so close now. They're both scowling.

"Oh, you guys are more friendly today, eh?" Cherry grins.

"Cherry stay out of it," Jax warns.

"Hey, I was only trying to ease the atmosphere." She frowns.

"Man, this is why I stick with talking to the girls besides Blade," Nixon said.

"Aye, right?" Andy pokes at him. "Yeah, you know you like talking to us."

"I might have to think about that." He shrugged.

Everyone waited for further instructions from Blade. He was checking out all the equipment making sure it all functions properly. It was hotter today, the sun didn't have any mercy. Everybody wiped the sweat from their brows.

"Hah, sweaty-ass!" Zane laughed, pointing at Jax.

"You are one to talk," Angelica said, looking at his face covered in perspiration.

"Uh..." He ran a hand through his hair.

"Hey, do we get any water?" Cherry looks at Blade.

"We haven't even started," Lily tells her.

"We will but first everyone needs to run five laps."

"Five laps?" Cherry's eyes widened.

"Yep, around this whole circle." He smiled.

"But that's a mile long." She whined.

"It's a start if you get tired just walk it." He smirked. He knew they'd be surprised by the end of it. Working out wasn't all they'd be doing today.

Everyone ran five laps which equaled 4 to 5 miles. Then, the torment didn't end there he made everyone do jumping jacks, high knees, lunges, squats, and all the shit you'd do at the gym.

"What is this shit, football practice?" Cherry complained.

"This is a lot more than that." Blade laughed, easily doing the workouts like he'd done it his whole life.

Cherry started the next thing: jump rope. She stopped after a minute of it, then rested on her hands and knees. Blade told her no breaks, she got back up, and started doing jumping lunges, then heaved curling the five-pound weight while side-squatting. Her thighs burned, and she groaned again. "Are we done yet?" He shook his head no which made her cry out, "Are you kidding me?"

"Uh...please spare me, Blade. Can't I just study instead?" Nixon crouched down breathing hard. He'd just finished doing ten push-ups.

"Pff...Are you a girl? Only ten pushups?" Jax snorted. Nixon ignored him.

"Don't worry, Nixon," Blade assured him. "It is only the beginning."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see." He walked away.

"That isn't comforting at all," He huffed out, falling to his knees looking like he'd been through hell drenched in sweat. His eyesight was good now, clearer. Blade replaced his old glasses yesterday.