Forbidden

Chapter 7

As I arrived at the gym, I was went straight to the treadmill. Maybe I'l have my own gym where ever I end up?

I ran hard, pushed myself. I didn't care that it was Sunday morning. I eventually left the treadmill, and moved onto the punching dummies, because the treadmill wasn't doing the trick today. With every kick and every punch there was rage and anger. Years of anger. I'll probably regret yelling at Milly later, but I'm an 'in the time' kinda person. I spent hours kicking and punching, before someone shouted my name. And surprise, surprise, there stood Jed.

"Hey April. Are you ok?" He asked, looking slightly worried.

"Fine," I huffed. I really hope it didn't sound rude.

"I hope this doesn't sound stalker-ish, but I've been watching you since you arrived, and damn, I'm pretty sure some people would say you have anger management, cause I had no idea how much rage is in such a little body" he confessed. "No offence or anything," he added.

"Well, I am pretty pissed at the moment," I admitted. He stayed silent for a while. A minute or two passed before, he picked up my hands? Wait. What?

"Um, Jed what are you doing?" I asked.

"You weren't wearing gloves, your hands are like raw." He said staring at my knuckles. I glanced down at my hands, they were red. I didn't even feel them.

"April. Seriously, whats up?" He asked looking worried. What the hell? I had to start getting the story out, I really didn't want to, but I didn't have a choice.

"For a while now, I've been thinking of moving away, live a better life. And my parents have agreed to send me to New York City." I blurted out. I cant believe I just said that, I just lied. I hadn't lied to Jed yet. And that was the biggest lie I've ever told.

"Wow April. Really?" He asked. I nodded.

"Thats why I'm here, I don't want to leave, I don't want to leave my friends, but New York is a once in a life time opportunity. And my parents made that decision for me. I'm annoyed they think I can't choose for myself," I said. That sounds believable? Right? Well, I gotta go with it now. And yet again, we stood there. In silence. And he was still holding my hands.

"Can I bandage your hands?" He asked after a while. I shrugged.

"Sure, what ever," I answered. He was s gentle about through the hole process. I personally think he went just a little over. He washed them out, then put cream on them, and they bandaged them up. I honestly would've just washed them...

"Thanks, again," I said.

"No worries," he replied.

"I must look like a emotional wreck right now," I laughed. Although my emotions had calmed down now.

"Nah, you don't," he laughed. "When do you leave?" He asked out of the blue. But I knew what he meant. New York City.

"Sometime this week. I think." I responded. " I haven't even told Willow yet. I only found out myself last night when I got home from the movies," I added.

We sat down on the floor for a while chatting about god knows what. It made me feel better, not focussing on the fact that I'm leaving to do the DAA's work soon.

"Look, I have to go face my family," I admitted.

"How come?" He asked.

"I yelled at my parents this morning," I responded.

"Thats ok. If you need anything, just call. But, I'll see you at school tomorrow, Right?" he asked. I smiled and nodded. And added in my head; I Hope. And slowly started my trek home.

When I got home, it was good to see mum and dad took my advice and ignored me. Because I think if I saw them right now, I'd spin kick them or do something violent. Shadow was snuggled up on my bed when I got to my room. I am gunna miss the poor fella. He hates everyone in the family. But me.

I actually allowed myself to lounge around for the rest of the day. Preparing myself for tomorrow. All my friends we going to hate me. I even had ice-cream. Sensei Jordan was going to kill me if he ever found out, but I didn't care about anything DAA related anymore. I hated everything to do with it actually.

It was weird getting up at 7:30am, not 4am for school. And I went straight to school, no stopping at the Dojo first. I felt wrong in my own skin walking to school.

I arrived at school just as the bell went, only just making it on time to math.

"Hey April. Everything ok?" Rose asked, with a concerned look.

"Yeh, why?" I huffed.

"This may sound weird, but you always walk so gracefully, as if you're floating not walking. But when I saw you walking in, you didn't look so graceful," she said. "No offence!" She added.

"I'm fine, just tired." I replied. The entire math lesson all I could think was. Just tell Rose. I need to get the word out. This had never happened to me. Who knows what could happen. Maybe the DAA will bust in here requesting me, and the only person I told was Jed? But I couldn't. Science was no different, if anything harder. Willow was in that class, and she kept asking if everything was ok. Willow knows me better than anyone. She knows I'd never want to leave here, when I break the news(if I do) will she know somethings up?

By recess I felt sick to the stomach. I needed to tell them. Right now. I slowly sat down next to Willow. I tried to talk, but it felt like my mouth wasn't opening. Pull yourself together April. Just do it.

"Guys," I eventually said. "I... uh... I've got some news," I stuttered.

"Hey April. You don't look to good," Tam whispered.

"I'm fine, but I've got some serious news." I repeated. JUST SAY IT! "I'm leaving," I finally blurted out.

"What?" Isaac was the first to speak. There was a long silence.

"Details. Now." Dee ordered.

"This better not be a joke," Willow warned.

"Mum and dad are sending me to New York City," I said. "It'll be good for me," I continued, almost crying.

"What... When do you leave?" Tam questioned.

"Sometime this week," I responded.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Riley asked.

"I only found out the night when I got back from the cinemas, and I locked myself up in my bedroom most of yesterday, except for going to the gym," I answered.

"Wait, whats wrong with your knuckles?" Willow asked with a worried tone.

"I wasn't thinking straight when I was at the gym yesterday. And I was punching the rock hard dummies without gloves. My emotions sorta got the better of me," I tried to force a laugh.

"I can't believe this," Rose said.

"Hey guys! Sorry I'm—" Jed said but stopped when he saw everyones faces.

"April is moving," Willow announced to him.

"Yeh, April told me at the gym yesterday. Sucks doesn't it?" He replied.

"New York City," Isaac said. "Thats gunna be great for you though!" He continued. Trying to change the negative energy in the air.

"Yeh, I guess," I whispered. If only they knew.

"I honestly don't know what to say," Willow said, still in complete shock. That makes two of us.

"Look, can we not talk about this? I don't know what day this week I'm leaving. Mum won't tell. But lets pretend I never said this, so I can enjoy me last week with you guys?" I pleaded.

"Of course," Rose promised. Everyone agreed. Phew. Hopefully it will be a good last week of my normal fun life.