Catalyst

Chapter 17

Warnings: Language, Violence

Chapter 17:
402 A.V; Month 10; Day 22

Just over two weeks later, Andon and I had settled into a rhythm. Training in the morning, lunch, dinner, and then the lounge to relax. People seemed to have accepted the fact that we were friends and we were going to hang out. We hadn't been bugged by anyone; even Priam had laid off of us. I hadn't glimpsed Sabre once since I'd last spoken to him. It was like he'd dropped off the map and I had settled into a part of my life where I felt happy, unstressed, and looked forward to waking up every day.

Training after training, I was learning to control every muscle in my body with pinpoint precision. Andon, no matter how I frustrated him, had done an excellent job of teaching me. He'd guessed that it'd take a little while for me to gain the flexibility and reflexes that I would need to reach his second level of training. As the days bore on and I thought I was doing just fine, I began to ask him when I'd be able to start learning something new. Every time I asked, I was met with a hard look and the same few words, I'll know when you're ready, Alloy. Just be patient.

Just over two weeks, we'd been spending almost all our time together, and I still didn't know very much about him. I knew little things that I'd gleaned or he'd said in passing. They were just basic things, things he liked, things he didn't like, what irritated him, and what didn't. He didn't talk about himself, his past, or anything that would require showing how he really felt. I realized that I didn't talk much about my past, but I did make my opinions known and wasn't afraid to tell him how I felt about different things.

I woke and readied myself for another morning of training. I'd toned up even more, if that was possible. It wasn't big and bulky muscle, but lean and refined. Knowing what I looked like without a shirt made me wonder what Andon looked like without a shirt. He was always fully clothed, even when he was sweating. I'd tried to slip my shirt off and work out in my sports bra and leggings but as soon as I'd grabbed the hem of my shirt and started to pull it up I was met with strict opposition from Andon. Evidently it was unladylike.

Andon was waiting in the gym like always. It was like he made it a point of being first. His back was turned to me and he was studying some other people in the gym. I felt a sly smile creep over my face and quietly snuck up behind him. Just as I was reaching up to put him in a quick headlock, he spun around and grabbed my arm.

"Come on," I said, smiling, "I'm starting to wonder if you really do have eyes on the back of your head." He grinned, his eyes full of mirth, as he let go of my arm.

"You're not that sneaky," he replied.

"If I stuck my fingers in your hair I'm betting I'd find eyeballs," I said, reaching for him again, with both hands this time. He lightly grabbed my arms and let out a chuckle.

"You can't know my secrets," he said in a sarcastic tone and let go of my arms and moved towards the open space we always trained in.

I followed him, still feeling where his hands had touched my skin. I'd been trying to keep the little things like that a secret from him, so that I didn't embarrass myself. I was sure that he had an idea, keeping things from him was difficult because he was ridiculously perceptive and I expressed what I felt. I thought I'd been doing pretty good of late, though.

"I've decided to reward you for all your hard work, but not without a little challenge of course. If you get me on the ground, I'll take you outside."

Outside! I hadn't been outside in weeks. I found myself yearning for fresh air more than I had realized, hell it'd been more than a month since I'd been outside.