Just the Start. (The Clovers series: Book 1)

Chapter 20

Zander was the first to arrive. I waited for everyone to be seated before I took my seat at the table.

"From tomorrow onwards, there will be mass training every morning," Gladion announced.

Except for Ducan, no one had qualms about Gladion's new order. I sent a grateful look William's way. Even though he looked like someone who couldn't be bothered with anything, he was still helpful and kind inside.

"But Fortis still needs to brush up on her skills before that," Ducan interjected.

I looked up from my meal in apprehension. Would Gladion agree? I hope not.

"Are you questioning my decision right now, Ducan?" Gladion gave him a are-you-sure-you-want-to-do-that look.

"No," Ducan resigned, his voice gruff.

He met my gaze briefly and looked away. I felt a pang of uncertainty. Should I have given him the opportunity to explain? We were friends after all...But what is there to explain?

One part of me was yelling at me for being such a coward and avoiding him. The other part was assuring me that I had done something smart. He should have thought about the consequences before doing something like that. Who knows what else he's capable of? Horrified by this thought of mine, I shoved it out of my head and dug into my meal furiously. Stupid brain.

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*The next day*

It was a nice and beautiful morning. I woke up on my own accord to the warm rays of the sun. I took a casual glance at my alarm clock. 7:00.

Shit! Sleep was entirely kicked out of my system. I scrambled out of bed and flung the wardrobe open. Grabbing the first set of clothes I could see, I made a dash to the toilet. I'm late for my first mass training.

Talk about making new first impressions.

"Sorry I'm late!" I announced breathlessly as I hunched over with my hands on my hips.

"Slept well, sweetie?" A guy around my age asked.

"Ye..." I was about to answer him when I realized that it was meant to be sarcastic.

He snickered and laughters erupted from around us.

My face flamed red almost instantly.

"Shut up and get back to training Senon," a familiar voice rang through the clearing.

The guy named Senon grumbled under his breath before turning back to the front.

I stood in that spot awkwardly as Zander approached me. The frown on his face told me that he was not coming to say 'good morning' to me.

"Why are you late?" he did not bother to beat around the bush.

"Sorry...I overslept," I ducked my head sheepishly.

"You what? If you're not serious about training, don't even show your face here."

That was a mean thing to say. But me being late was a fact that cannot be changed.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be late," I replied.

He was slightly taken aback by my reaction, as though he was expecting me to go against him.

He cleared his throat. "Alright we are currently sparring. You can go pair up with Falice over there," he pointed to a sweet-looking girl with delicate curls framing her doll-shaped face.