The Awakened

Chapter 24

By the end of our training session, my body felt as though it weighed a ton. Bruises littered my arms, my legs heavy. Sweat made my fly aways stick to my neck and face. I chugged a bottle of water James had lent me, apologizing for drinking it all as I crinkled the plastic.

"You did great today," a sheepish grin on James's face. His hair had grown curlier now that it was slick with sweat, a few pieces clung to his forehead. His eyes squinted upward as he smiled, his dimples, carving into his cheeks. I smiled back.

"Thanks for helping me today. I really appreciate it." James titled his head down, the smile from earlier still playing on his lips.

"You know, I never thought we'd get the chance to train together again," a laugh escaped him. "Let alone me teaching you, that was always your job. Teaching me that is," elbows on his knees, as we sat, his gaze was warm, soft, against his hardened features.

"Hah, really?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked at him. "I must've been pretty bad then," I widened my eyes a bit as he began to laugh.

"If that's your way of complimenting me, I'll gladly accept it," he stood up holding out his hand to help me up. "You shouldn't sit too long, or you'll get a cramp." I stared at his jagged scar, rough calluses littered the inside of his hand. I grabbed his hand gratefully as he hauled me into an upright position. "Go change, we're done today, we can pick up again tomorrow," he quickly let go of my hand as I nodded my head.

"Thank you again," I spoke lightly as he shook his head.

"No, thank you. I needed this." I turned around, walking back to the changing room.

Within a few minutes, I had finished changing back into my attire from earlier, the clothes feeling suffocating against the higher temperature I was experiencing. As I glanced in the mirror, my face was flushed, crystals of salt already formed near my forehead. The bun I'd thrown my hair into was falling out all over. I grasped the elastic that held it, pulling it out. My hair was a disaster, however, I attempted to fix it to the best of my ability.

As I exited the changing room, I held the uniform firmly, not sure what to do with it. James was sitting back in the corner, holding a new water bottle. He drank slowly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he did so. Once he had noticed me, he removed the bottle from his lips, screwing on the cap. Water dripped down his chin, he wiped it instantaneously, setting it down as he stood.

"What should I do with this?" James put his hand on his chin as I spoke.

"Well there's a ton you could do with it. Light it on fire, throw it in the trash, cut holes in it, you know, all sorts of things," a chuckle escaped his lips. "But, we could just set it in the washer, and get it clean for tomorrow," he shrugged, moving the blonde curls on his neck.

"Ha, ha really funny," I hit him lightly. "I'll just stick to putting it in the washer for now, thanks." An all too familiar smirk played on his lips.

"Are you sure? There's plenty more, plus we can always put in a new order." James leaned down to my level. Although I wasn't outright short, James towered over me topping out at, at least six feet. I felt the piercing stare of his brown eyes, drawing me to challenge him in more banter. Intrigue burned in his eyes like hot coals, a dancing flame. I averted my gaze, turning around as I shrugged.

"Maybe a later day," I smiled over my shoulder as I walked out of the training room, and down to the bottom level of the home.

In an instant, I had made my way to the mop closet, inside were the washer and dryer, crammed one on top of the other. Each had a similar deep silver that lined them, with a circle on the front facing side. I opened the one on top, the washer. I placed my dirtied uniform inside, shutting the door behind me. Although I would have started it, I decided that James or Chase may want to wash something of theirs first.