West Ark High

I Don't Guava Clue

She was fighting him right now; she shouldn't be focusing on his arms! His perfectly sculpted muscle, his smooth dark skin, not to mention his chest and stomach which were flawless—no!

Octavia smacked her cheeks with the heel of her hand softly and refocused her eyes onto Lincoln's stance; he was turned so that his right side was facing her, leaving his left side exposed for the time being. After sparring with him consistently, Octavia knew that he could easily maneuver in a way that would protect himself from her barrages. She needed to use her small size to her advantage.

"You're sure taking your time today," Lincoln taunted with a teasing smile

Octavia bounced on her feet, making sure to keep up the momentum she would need in a moment. "It's better to be calculating than reckless," she responded, knowing he would recognize the words that he told her the first day of their training.

Lincoln cracked a grin. "I've noticed that you've—"

Octavia didn't give him time to finish because she used his distraction to her advantage; she ran towards him, feigning a kick to which he moved to block, but at the last second she ducked and rolled between his legs. In a fluid motion, she rolled to her feet and kicked Lincoln squarely in the back, sending him sprawling across the floor and out of the marked off area.

Octavia smirked at Lincoln's dropped jaw as he rolled over onto his back. This wasn't the first time she had won in a sparring match against him, but it was the first time she had managed to outsmart him opposed to wearing down his stamina.

"Not bad," he conceded, accepting her outstretched hand with a proud smile.

Octavia smirked at him playfully again, but inside she was elated. She would do anything and everything as long as Lincoln would always smile at her proudly. "I knew you could easily switch your defences if I rushed in too hastily," she said breathily, "so I tried using my head for once."

Lincoln laughed, then kissed her on the head. He was slimy from sweat, but Octavia was mostly indifferent to it by now. "That's my girl."

Together they easily made their way off the mat to where Gaia was waiting for them. "You two looked like you were having a good workout," she commented, setting her book aside. She reached around the bleacher step she was sitting on and pulled out two water bottles. "I think you could use these."

"Thanks." Lincoln passed Octavia one of the water bottles which she downed quickly.

Wiping her mouth, Octavia sat down on the step beside Gaia. "Why don't you ever try going out there? It's fun."

Gaia laughed scornfully. "Rolling around on top of sweaty strangers while wearing that?" She gestured to Octavia's short shorts and sports bra, both of which were damp with sweat. "No thanks. I'd much rather enjoy my book."

Octavia tossed her gloves next to her feet. "Just find someone who will consistently be your partner. Then they won't be a stranger anymore would they?"

"Ah," Gaia flipped her book open to a random page, but Octavia could tell that she wasn't actually reading, "but that would still entail meeting someone and dealing with their sweaty body touching mine. I'm way to dignified for such barbarous activities."

Lincoln huffed lowly, leaning his arm on Octavia's head good naturedly. "I wouldn't waste any time trying to convince her. Lord know how hard my aunt has been trying to get her to do it."

"Fifteen years and counting," Gaia muttered. "But speaking of my mom, I think she really likes you. Or at least, impressed."

Octavia blinked, an incredulous laugh escaping her mouth. "Me?"