Queen of the Court

Chapter 28 EX: The End is Near isn't it?

"Hyo?" a small voice echoed, and I looked back at my phone. Rhena had fallen asleep maybe 3 hours ago had time really passed that fast? Then again considering that it hurts to move or even breathe deep right now I'm not surprised that I didn't notice the passing time. "Hyoga? You still there?"

"Hmm? Are you awake now? Did you sleep okay?" I asked reaching for my phone to hear better

"Why didn't you hang up? I was asleep for like 3 hours" she still sounded tired. I can't imagine how hurt she must be feeling internally though. Rhena cares deeply about the people that she calls her friends and to see me and Josh if even for a split second in that condition knowing that she can't do violence has to hurt in ways that I can't even comprehend.

"Not like I can exactly go around and do anything right now" I sighed giving a halfhearted laugh though I quickly regretted it holding in a gasp at the pain I felt. Rhena went quiet for a while and when I started to ask what was wrong, she spoke

"....Hyoga?"

"Yes Rhen?"

"Can... Can I see you in a little bit? I don't wanna be surprised when I see you tomorrow"

"I don't know Rhena- it's getting late and I'd rather you not-" You really don't want to see me in this condition, it's going to break your heart. And I can already feel how you've been pulling away just a tiny bit

"I don't want to be surprised tomorrow. I don't want to see you and feel even more upset..." she explained, and I sighed again

"I Dunno, I guess......" I trailed off trying to come up with another reason why but when I couldn't I looked at the clock "It's like 7:30- let's meet at the convenience store that's in the middle of our usual walking route okay? And please, please be careful I don't like the idea of you walking alone" I give into her wishes knowing she would probably be more worried tomorrow if she didn't see me now "Actually don't hang up, I'd feel better if we stayed in the phone"

"Alright" She replied softly in agreement "Then I'll see you in a little bit" I began the process to get up which took me a second, it wasn't awful, but it definitely wasn't a cake walk. With a cracked rib, moving hurt. The pain wasn't something I could describe, each deep breath felt sharp and if I turned the wrong way I wanted to just keel over. I had almost forgotten what an injury like this was like. Josh hits hard, not like I let him off easy though, definitely could have done better if I wasn't anticipating and was the one leading. Though I'm sure him being tossed around like a piñata wasn't easy on his body either, I don't think he liked that very much, but the thought is amusing. I was pulled out of my thoughts hearing Rhena's soft voice again.

"Why didn't you just walk away from the situation?" I again met her question with a sigh. Part of me was after that fight I knew but the other part was the fact that I let Josh get in my head and once I realized it was too late to back out

"I tried" I answered "But I get riled up easier when it comes to you and being called incapable of protecting you really sets me off. I reacted without really thinking and by that point I couldn't get away. Josh played dirty even if I had wanted to walk away, he wouldn't have let me"

"I see..." she got quiet again and I was just leaving the house hoping that she didn't get to the store ahead of me. She's definitely still trying to process, and I don't know if she's upset or not. It's hard to tell that through the phone.

"I don't say that to scare you but there's something about Josh. He can be rough that was much more than a little scuffle we had." I looked back on what happened earlier today. Josh was out for blood towards the end, I don't know if he saw it as a challenge or a threat, but he was actively trying to cause damage. He did but that's beside the point. I didn't like that Rhena was getting close to him, there was something about him that I couldn't trust. Oh, wait I already know what it is. Josh isn't a good guy. He doesn't belong with normal people. I was right when I thought that he reminded me of the Tokyo gangs only this time it isn't Tokyo its right here in Korea the same thing my Father had moved our family to get away from before. The same reason is that I really took up Jujitsu and other martial arts and here it is affecting me, and my friends and I couldn't say anything.