Fighting On

T W E L V E

"Scarlett, I swear to god if you set these on fire again I will break you." Luke says with venom lacing his words as I carefully place the cupcake tin in the small oven. Luke, Alec and I all have home economics. The subject I have remarkable talents in.

When Mrs Calista told me this, I got excited, however she meant my talents lie in somehow never being able to properly make the food every week, without fail. At least I'm consistent.

"Come on, there was one time they came out...alright-ish." I say realizing they were worse than 'alright-ish'. He just grumbles before setting the timer to fifteen minutes.

"I'm pretty sure Alec is the only one in our group that actually knows how to bake, cook and make actually edible food. Let's hope he saved it because I'm really craving sugary goodness." He says with a dreamy look, imagining eating the cupcakes. We all begin cleaning the countertops and have a small chat and before we knew it was time for them to come out.

"It. Smells. Good. For. Once." Luke says dramatically adding emphasis on each word. I roll my eyes at his dramatics and slowly remove the chocolaty goodness from the small oven. I place them on the bench and stand back to admire our (Alec's) work.

"I'm showing Mrs. Calista, you might actually pass this class with Alec's help Scarface." He said after he picked them up, then quickly scurried up to the front cooking bench to show her.

After studying Mrs. Calista's happy expression I pull Alec to the side of the bench.

"They reopened The Pit yesterday, I'm going to fight Sparrow tonight." I tell him.

"On a school night? Scarlett, you have work to do." He scolds me. Sure it's a Monday, but I always fight on weekdays.

"Ok mom, when did you start caring?" I ask rhetorically however he answers anyway.

"Ever since you started getting seriously hurt at your fights, you need to give your body time to heal!" He responds raising his voice. I grab him by the collar of his shirt to get him to calm down.

"You've made a scene." I whisper harshly. Several of the other students in the class, are watching on and whispering amongst themselves. He harshly pulls away as the bell goes seconds later and he is out the door. Well that went well.

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We're back at his apartment and he seems to think he can control me. He's allowed to be concerned but he has no right to tell me what to do. We have been sitting in silence for a while doing nothing, and the thoughts dancing around in my head become too much. I stand up grab my gear and head towards the door, but not before a hand grabs my arm, halting me in my tracks.

"You can't stop me from going. They have reopened and I'm ready to fight her this time." I say pulling my arms away from his hand.

"It's dangerous, do you not remember what happened last time you were there? You got seriously injured and then someone started madly shooting." We'd already had this discussion, yet he seemed to not accept my decision. I studied his worried eyes for a few more moments before asking the question which had been on my mind for a while.

"Where do we stand?" He looks at me confusedly for a moment before asking a question in response.

"What do you mean?" I glare at him with my piercing gaze.

"You know damn well what I mean! How do you feel about me, is there even some sort of future for us? Because right now I can only see today, I can only see each day as it comes!" I ask again shouting now.