Broken

7: Speak Up

Quote: We were born to be real, not perfect.

The moment I open my eyes, a pool of soreness is dumped over me. I stand to realize that I fell asleep. I don't need to check what time it is to know that it's morning; it's lighter and men and women rush past me. I decide to skip breakfast because I don't want to see Tay right now, instead I wonder around the halls.

After a while I find the time; 8:00, the time I need to meet Toby, for training. I jog until I find the training room and wait outside. As I wait, I realize that my hair is messed up from sleep. So I quickly brush my hair and tigh it up into a ponytail. I see Toby walking down the hallway, waving at me. I wave back mockingly as he comes closer.
"How was last night?" He asks casually.
"Good," I look down at my shoes, "What about your's?"
I wait for a reply but he doesn't answer. I look up to see him eyeing me suspiciously.
"What?" I demand.
"Then why weren't you at breakfast? Why were you sleeping on the floor?" He says.
"I- How did you know I was sleeping on the floor?" My cheeks starting to feel warm.
Toby turns around to open the door, then replies over his shoulder, "Because I saw you. And I bet I'm not the only one."
I don't answer. I let him enter first, then I close the door behind me. Toby leans against the wall.
"So," He says softly, "What happened last night?"
"Why would I tell you?" I reply hotly.
"Because I'm your 'Instructor!'" He laughs.
"Fine," I smile, "I'll tell you!"
I shift my weight from one foot to the other.
"Remember our conversation about me and Tay..." I sigh.
He nods slowly.
"Well... Apparently she has feelings for me. So... She tried to kiss me." I say unevenly, "I didn't know she felt that way! I like her, but I never had feelings for her. I don't know what to say next time I see her, will we ever be the same?"
"You just have to give her some time," Toby says quietly.
After a few minutes, I ask, "More shooting today?"
"Yep, are you ready?" He smiles a bit.
I nod. I cross the room to get another pistol and put some bullets in it. Toby doesn't need to set the targets up, so we start right away. I form a vivid picture of Toby's stance from yesterday in my mind, and copy it physically. Toby scans my stance, out of the corner of my eye, once I see his nod, I fire. This time, my bullet forms in the centre of the outside circle.
"Nice!" Toby exclaims, "Next time, don't squeeze the gun so hard."
"Okay." I say, as I position myself again. Inhale, exhale, inhale, fire! I find the bullet in the outside circle again, but this time closer to the centre.

***

A week goes by, and my bullets are getting closer to the centre. I still haven't talked to Tay after the kissing incident, but I decided to do it today. I walk towards my dorm, rubbing the sweat from my palms. I hesitate before opening the door, but remember that the sooner I do it, the sooner it's over. As soon as I open the door, I see Tay on the bed. When Tay's eyes find me, she jolts to a standing position, but I hold my hand out.
"We need to talk," I say.
She nods, sitting back down on the bed.
"I'm sorry, Tay, I really am. I just didn't know you felt that way." I say.
I close my eyes, bracing myself for what comes next.
"I'm sorry too," Tay's voice sounds scratchy, "I shouldn't have assumed, I should've talked to you about it first. Are you... Mad at me?"
"Of course not! I thought you were mad at me." I sigh, relieved.
"So... Are we good now?" She asks, desperately.
"I guess," I smile.

***

I walk towards my dorm after training. It's so dark, I can barely see my shoes touching the ground. Suddenly, I think I hear voices. I stop abruptly in my steps. I glare around the halls. Empty, from what I can see. I sigh as I continue to walk the long walk towards the dorms. My gut tells me something isn't right but I choose to ignore it. Then it happens all at once; I hear quick steps coming closer behind me. But before I can do anything, something hits me in the head, hard. I groan as I fall to the ground. A person places a bag over my head. I could've fought back blindly, but instead I greet an old friend, unconsciousness.

It wraps its hands around my eyes. It's laugh fills my ears, making them ring. I fall into a dark abyss.

Thanks for reading guys! (Sorry I don't have much to say, as usual ;) )

Tara <3