Equilibrium - #ProjectWomanUp

Nine

The next day, I get up early to train with Kane as usual – and we finally begin on offensive and defensive moves – and then do my day of normal training. When it's all over, and I have free time; I back up my bag and grab a bottle of water.

I am sweating hard, we were doing circuits and weight lifting. I am impressed with how well I am doing, I can bench press a lot more than I could a mere week ago.

A week. A week! It has only been a week since I became a Warrior, yet it feels like I have been one for years. The amount I have experienced and accomplished in the previous week, almost doubles what I have done in the rest of my life. I am enjoying my life now, a lot more than I was before.

I take a sip of the water, pushing my sweaty bangs out my face. "Nice work today" Kane nods at me as he walks past. I nod back – we understand one another, we are similar in more ways that we'd like to admit. We have an understanding.

"Barbie, you up for coming to a party tonight?" a voice behind me shouts. I turn to see Will and Blake walking over to me. I smile at them.

"Sure, but I got something to do now. So I'll meet you after dinner" I say. They agree, and I head back to the room. I shower – I smell awful – before I change my clothes. I had brought more black pants and shirts when I went out for a meal with Blake, but all my clothing is still identical.

I give a small glance to my engagement ring, before physically nodding to myself in the mirror – encouragement that I need to do this. I need to break ties from things that are keeping be half in, half out of the Civilian world. I am a Warrior, and I need to fully commit to my new life.

Making sure I look presentable, I brush my blonde hair through and pinch my cheeks to give them slightly colour. Deciding I look good enough, I attach my knife and gun to my belt. Kane gave me both – telling me to keep them on me at all time. I feel comfortable with them on me.

I head out the Centre, and take a walk towards my old home. I am nervous, but I don't show it. A few Warriors who see me, nod and say hello – I repeat the gesture, and salute to the One's I see.

When I get to my old neighbourhood, it seems that everyone that I used to know is out and about this evening. I know they aren't – but it feels like it. Everyone who sees me, does a double take and gawks. I ignore them all, and brush past the people who stop walking all together.

When I reach my home, I knock. "Just a second" Daniel shouts out. Simply hearing his voice is painful. I take a deep breath, as I hear movement inside. It scares me like crazy what I am about to do; but, I know I have to.

A second, or so, later; the door opens. There is a moment of pause as we both look at each other. He looks no different – ash hair, grey eyes and a sharp cheekbones. He is still wearing his work uniform, which has a splatter of dirt on the left pant leg.

"Daniel, can I come in?" I finally ask – breaking the suffocating silence that hangs between us.

"Sure, sure, yes, sure". He is nervous, and is tripping over his words. He stumbles slightly as he steps back and opens the door. "I, um, it's not clean. But, you can, you know...sit". He scratches his head, having no idea what to say or do.

I walk into the front room, and take a seat on the couch. I cross my legs, and automatically adjust my weapons. As I do so, Daniel's eyes snap down to my gun holster. His eyes widen and he pales slightly.

But, he shakes himself and gives me a small smile. "Do you want a drink?"

"No" I say, "please, Daniel, take a seat. We need to talk". There is a frozen moment – once more – before he comes and sits next to me. He leaves a small space between us, but he did that before so it's no different. His hands move on his lap, and I can practically smell his nervousness.