CRYSTAL CLEAR [PIETRO MAXIMOFF]

three

"So....where do we begin?" Isaac asks. I feel like a deer in headlights, but nonetheless I try to calm down and take deep, easy breathes. I direct Levi, I mean Isaac, to his mat. 

"Um, okay," I begin. "First, I want us to start with basic stretching. I'll be helping you for the next couple of weeks on stretching and breathing. Those are essential, especially once you start doing more intense movements with Sensei Akio." 

"How long until I get my first belt?" He asks, and I can't help but notice him ogle me. Gross. 

"Depends how well you perform the first level," I scoff. He gives me a grimace, and I nearly scream. It is so similar to Levi's when I would tease him. 

For the next 15 minutes, the only conversation that was made was myself telling him how to position his body throughout each exercise. It had been going well so far, until he decided to ruin it. 

"So Ana, can y--," Isaac begins. 

"Anastasia," I correct him. There was no way I was going to let him call me a nickname. 

"Right. Anastasia. Anyways, what else do you do other than work here?" He questions. 

"Levi --I mean Isaac--, I would prefer if we focused. It's only your first day and--" 

"Who's Levi?" He asks. I was situated next to him, helping to keep his legs up in the air as he was doing a basket pose. 

"Nobody. Let's--" 

"Is he your boyfriend?" He continues boldly. My heart stops cold, but I laugh nervously, attempting to keep my frown at bay. 

"No, no. I don't have a boyfriend," I answer cautiously. I notice his smirk, letting go of his legs and allowing him to tumble onto the padded floor. I hide my satisfaction with an awkward cough. 

"Sorry I asked," he grumbles. 

We return to the stretches, and soon it was time for me to show him a meditation technique. 

"This will be the final thing we do today, but I really hope you take it seriously," I say. Isaac gives me his full attention thankfully, but it's close to crossing the line of too much attention. "Breathing exercises and meditation are extremely important at this dojo, as you'll soon discover." 

"Alright, Anastasia, show me what to do." His smile makes me uncomfortable, and unfortunately I am required to keep back straight for him to learn the proper way. Meaning, I'd have to be really close to him. Great. I have more important things to deal with than this guy! 

First, I explain and demonstrate the sitting position, then kneel at his side to hold his back. I place one palm on his back and the other on his chest, keeping his body in one spot. His chest feels firm underneath the thin shirt between my hand and his torso. Why the hell is he taking a martial arts class? He's fit enough! 

"Okay, place your hands on your knees and close your eyes," I command, settling into my spot on the floor. His sly smile is hard to ignore. "Now, take slow, easy breathes. I want to be able to feel a steady heartbeat." As soon as I say it, I regret it. His smile is now baring teeth. 

We stay like this for about two minutes, his breathing calm but his heartbeat not as entirely  relaxed. I roll my eyes before pulling away. 

"Done so soon?" He ponders, staring into my eyes. 

"It's only your first day, pal. Don't be so eager," I comment whilst getting up off the floor. He frowns, and I try to hide my own smile. "You're gonna have to be able to stay like that for 30 minutes at a time, and up to an hour at the final level." 

"I'm sure I can handle it with you as my guide," he says casually, also standing up. Heat creeps up to my cheeks, and I quickly turn around. Levi was just as smooth with me when we first started dating, and I have to remind myself to breath. 

"Here's a small instruction manual on how to do the stretches we learned today, as well as the rules of the institution. Myself and Sensei Akio expect you to follow them," I tell him coldly, trying to keep my expression stoic. I practically stuff the paper into his hands so I wouldn't have to touch him again. I wish I could've written in new rule before giving it to him. "Don't flirt with your instructor."

"Is there any way I can get an extra lesson in the week?" He asks, punctuating his sentence with a smirk. 

"If you're looking to do some conditioning," I pause, attempting not to stare at his chest, which only results in another smirk from Isaac, "or not. Sensei often invites a coach to do more rigorous exercises with anyone interested." 

"Can I expect to see you there?" He really doesn't know when to stop, does he? 

"I prefer to workout alone, but thanks for the offer," I retort, hoping to remain professional. His smirk falters, but is quickly replaced when I lead him out of the small practice room into the main area. 

"Ah, Mr. Lincoln. I hope you enjoyed your first day. I'm afraid the first few lessons may seem, ah, a bit boring to students your age and younger," Sensei says, greeting Isaac. 

"Not at all, sir. Anastasia is an excellent teacher," Isaac replies. I wish I could slap the smirk off his face. 

"Please refer to me as Sensei from now on," Mr. Akio says, "and yes, Miss Masters has been my student for years. I taught her everything she knows." 

I slowly peel myself from the conversation, as I'm sure Sensei would like to privately discuss Isaac's future at the dojo. I wave my goodbye to Isaac, which he returns with a confused expression. He probably thought I'd be with him at every moment throughout his lessons. Sucker. 

I return to the practice room to clean up the aftermath of my lesson with Issac, and I notice a small piece of paper next to my water bottle. There, in bold blue ink, is Isaac's phone number. Does he just carry it around for every cute girl he encounters? I mindlessly throw it in the wastebasket by the door and shut off the lights. 

"Miss Masters," Sensei calls as I close the door behind me. I turn towards his voice and thankfully, Isaac is nowhere in sight. I won't have to see him again until next week. 

"Yes, Sensei?" I reply, making my way to his side. 

"I hope that Isaac boy wasn't too much trouble. I can tell he has an... interest in you," Mr. Akio suggests. 

"He certainly tried hard enough," I chuckle, which is returned with Sensei's own laughter. 

"I'm afraid I didn't notice the resemblance to your previous lover until it was too late," Sensei responds apologetically, the tone of our conversation shifting dramatically.

I look down. Of course he knew Levi. I always dragged him here on his days off, and he and Mr. Akio were always very fond of each other. 

"It's okay, Sensei. Time heals all wounds right?" I reply weakly. 

"Time can only tell," he says, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I want to invite you to dinner at my home tonight. My wife and I would be delighted to have you over, it has been a while since you last visited for a meal." 

"Of course, Sensei. I would be honored," I whisper.  He was always a comfort in my life. 

"I hope to discuss some things with you, as well," he explains. "Regarding your parents and these nightly endeavors you insist on risking your life for." 

My face pales. He wasn't supposed to know.