Secret Admirer | Hosie {finished}

3. Self defence lesson

Hope finally broke the eye contact between them and was ready to step away when Rafael grabbed her hand gently almost pulling her back to him.

"I won't let you go until you tell me what's bothering you tonight."

"And why do you even care? You don't even know my name."

"Tell me your name then."

Hope pulled her hand away from the boy's hold and positioned herself upright confidently.

"You gotta try harder than that."

She walked off confidently leaving the boy completely speechless, but in all honesty she's just made him want to get to know her more with her mysterious ways. Hope joined the rest of the girls who were now dancing, and found Josie between the crowd. She walked up to her from behind unexpectedly and placed her hands on the girl's hips, trying to lead her to the rhythm.

"How about a little show off so we can make Penelope jealous?"

"I don't even know if I like her yet.."

Hope now got a hold of Josie's hands and pulled her back into her arms, twisting her around in a circle and then letting her land back towards her body. Josie was quite intimidated to be touched by Hope and she didn't know exactly what it was but her heart was racing extremely fast.

"You're good at this.."

"Yeah well I could be your prince charming and you could be my lady."

Josie laughed and turned around facing Hope, she hadn't realised but she was still holding her hands.

"I think there is someone else who would rather dance with you, Hope." Josie's eyes landed on Landon who was sitting watching them from a distance.

"You know he's too shy to ask you but he had his eyes on you the whole night."

"Alright, but I'm only going because I can't stand seeing his puppy eyes."

On her way to Landon, someone grabbed Hope's hand and pulled her back into the circle, with his other hand sliding on her back. The girl looked up to find the same brown boy, with that gorgeous smile trying to sway her to the music.

"This is me trying harder, just so you know. I never dance."

"Won't you look at that. I appreciate the effort..and what is your name?"

"Rafael but you can call me Raf for short. And what's yours if I may ask?"

"You may. I'm Hope Mikaelson."

"Well, that's a beautiful name. Just like you Hope Mikaelson."

"Just as I was thinking we got off to a bad start, you prove me wrong Rafael."

The boy made Hope turn and then land with her back facing him, both of them almost losing balance and laughed awkwardly. Landon's face had now changed and he seemed rather angry. It was not pleasant to watch his best friend flirt with the girl he liked so he got up and left.

"And to think coming here was a last minute decision."

"Really? So you don't regret your decision?"

"Uh, kinda early to say but so far it's going really well so no I don't regret it."

"Is it partly because you met me?"

"You're catching on quickly, Mikaelson."

Hope smiled feeling rather flattered and then the music was cut off, and an announcement stopped everyone from their fun.

"Unfortunately party is over campers, this is your curfew time and you need to return to your tents immediately. Tomorrow we are starting early with the first class at 8am. Good night Mystic Falls."

"Hope, can I walk you to your tent?"

"Um, sure. I don't mind it."

They both walked next to each other, and somehow found themselves taking the longer route to get there through the woods, as they chatted away and playfully teased each other. Hope laughed at the boy's several attempts to hit on her and it was quiet clear there was an attraction from his side.

"So you've been doing martial arts for six years, huh? Something tells me you're going to kick some ass tomorrow."

"Feel free to challenge me, if you dare."

"You bet I will. I wanna see you fight."

"Then I'll make sure to put on a good show for you. And...we are here."

"It's been nice getting to know you, Hope."

"Well, don't get too ahead of yourself. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Hope entered her tent and was apparently the last one to arrive, everyone had gone to sleep already and the lights were off. She tried whispering to Josie but the girl was asleep.

---

The next day the morning alarm woke everyone up at 7am and most of them were grumpy getting out of bed that early. But that was what the camp was all about, discipline and being on time. They had breakfast and then were given ten minutes to change into their sports clothes before they had to be present to the first self defence lesson.

The sports coach made everyone stand facing each other in two lines and explained the rules. No real violence would be tolerated. Everyone had to execute the moves he had show cased for them and pick their partner. At the signal Rafael immediately went for Hope as they had discussed last night and once everyone had a partner, the coach whistled and everyone started practising.

"You wanna start first Hope? I can be the attacker."

"Don't go easy on me."

Rafael stepped in and grabbed the girl with both hands, but Hope managed to easily escape him.

"You gotta try harder, remember?"

The boy tried again this time grabbed Hope by her arm and got her into a choke hold against his chest. Hope kicked his knee, and escaped his arms but instead wrapped her own arms around his neck now getting him on both his knees while squeezing his neck.

"Shit.."

Hope released him after a few seconds and the boy rubbed his neck still feeling the tightness choking the air out of him like before.

"Are you impressed yet?"