Deception [slowly being edited]

4

"ARE YOU READY to try, again?" This time, we are behind the building, and both Rory and Jason are still trying desperately to teach me how to fight. I figured by now, there'd have the sense to give up on me, and the judgement to comprehend that I am hopeless. But it has yet to get through their thick skulls.

"No," sweat drips from my face.

"Come on, Abbi. Just try." Jason holds my waist in place while I hit Rory with all my pitiful strength. He laughs, falling to the ground.

"That hurt, but you have yet to break anything." I roll my eyes, so disinclined to the thought of having to stay out here for the remainder of the day. "Abbi," his lustful green eyes calm me. "Hit me like you mean it." He takes my arm in his hand, shaking it. It wiggles like a lazy strand of boiled pasta. "This doesn't help." I suddenly feel extremely self-conscious. "Hit me like you're angry." I groan.

"I'm getting angry." Jason has let go of me, but staying close behind.

"Good. Then, let that be your motive to hurt me. You want to get out of this heat, I do, he does." I look back to Jason, who is nodding in agreement. "Hit me."

"I don't want to." he gets closer, out of my comfort zone. His hand comes across my face with force that stings. He slapped me. Now I'm full of rage. I pull my long brown hair back, out of my eyes. I

"Rory!" Jason yells. It makes me uncomfortable how familiar the the strike of a man is, the pain of being hit. I punch him in the stomach, he doesn't budge.

"That was pathetic." my cheeks fill with heat. I get closer to him. He stares into my blue eyes, unable to look away. I put my hand into a fist and strike him in the gut. He steps back in shock, but unharmed. Closer. This time I duck from his hand, elbowing him in the side.

"Yeah, there you go! Get angry." He begins to become giddy with the thought of me putting him on the ground. "Keep your hands up! That's your only protection in this situation, Abbi. You don't want to get hit." I do as he says. He slaps me across the face, making my cheek sting.

"Stop that!"

"Then, keep your hands up!" Frustration fills his voice. I turn my hands into fists, keeping them in front of my face.

"I'm trying!"

"Try harder. Now, hit Jason." Jason backs up slowly.

"What? No." His voice is full of shock, confusing me. Rory laughs hysterically.

"Are you scared of her." Jason studies me carefully, debating on the answer he is about to reveal.

"She can be vicious when she wants to." He says, smirking at Rory. Jason has been at my side through almost my entire life, he knows almost everything there is to know about me.

"Really? Well, she still has yet to prove herself." He smiles proudly. Jason looks at me, and for a short moment I dream of drowning in his blue eyes.

He stands still, like stone.

"Hit him, McCull." At this moment I realize Rory is doing everything in his power to make me angry, and this does it. I glare at him.

I shift my body towards Rory, throwing myself at his muscular chest, putting us both on the ground. He hits the grass with a force that vibrates through him. I land on top of him, his body not being as comfortable as it may look.

I blow the strands of brown hair out of my face. I stare at Rory, who is baffled by our confrontation. He lifts his hand, moving a piece of hair from my face, behind my ear.

I shiver.

"Good job," I relax, trying to ignore everything around me. I rest my hands on my chest, trying to pretend that this is normal, trying to make to the awkward feelings disappear. It's not working. Jason's hands wrap around my arms, pulling me back to my feet. He chuckles.

"Are you okay?" I nod, not able to keep my eyes off of Rory as he stands. He stares back in amazement.

"I think that's enough." Jason says, desperately wanting to get out of the unusually hot day.

"He might be right," I turn a in shock as Rory agrees with Jason. "You've had enough for today."

"No!" I exclaim frustrated. "I can keep going." They don't understand how badly I want this, how important it is for me to learn these necessary skills. Caine is coming for me, and I need a way to defend myself, not matter how much sweat and blood I put into it.

"For how long?" Jason asks, undoubtedly concerned.

"For as long as it takes!" I've never shouted at Jason before, but at this exact moment, I really don't care.

"Okay," Rory's laugh is a mixture impression and amusement. He comes closer to me, taking my blistered hand, and putting in in front of my face. My heart skips a beat. "Keep your hands up." I do as he says, this time more determined than ever. "And...go!"