LAW OF ATTRACTION

CHAPTER 14 : FIGHTING LESSONS

The next afternoon, I find myself going down my street while throwing nervous glances around as if I was in a secret mission. Well, I may not be a spy, but I do have some secrets I'd like to keep.

My Mom thinks that I'm going to work on the physics project with my partner, which is partly true. I mean, yes I'm going with my project partner, yet it is for a fighting lesson, and most importantly she doesn't know that Alex Carter is my partner. I don't like to lie to her, yet knowing Alex's reputation, I think it's better this way. I've already been scared of his lifestyle, so if she knew, she would be too worried. Though, now I'm the one with my stomach shriveling with all my lies.

Luckily, Alex hasn't questioned why I've asked to meet farther from my house, and as soon as I pass the angle of my street and spot him leaning against his motorcycle, I breathe a little. Though just 'a little' because there are still so many knots in my stomach with all the question marks I have for this afternoon.

He is looking down at his phone, and as I get nearer, flashbacks of the last time I've surprised him are popping before my eyes, tightening the knots in my stomach.

I can't wait to leave my neighborhood, yet at the same time, I'm not in a hurry for those fighting lessons. So it shows in my feet, which are stopping for a second before resuming walking the few steps to Alex's bike.

"Hi." I make sure to be heard today.

He looks up, and the question marks in my stomach seem to turn into exclamation marks, or maybe ellipsis, as I meet his shining dark eyes.

"Hi, Miss Clumsy..." His smoldering gaze travels down my body, and I doubt my choice of outfit with each part burning under his lingering eyes: My baby blue tank top, maybe the neckline is slightly too low? My black tight leggings with a see-through strip along the length of my legs on the side, are they too tight? And my light jacket on top, this one is definitely too warm!

"It's okay my outfit? I didn't know what to wear for a fighting lesson..." I ask, my wavering voice pulling his gaze back to mine.

This is something I never wear for PE because it's a little too showy, yet I've felt like wearing it today, and I think it's comfy enough for training. Though I don't know what to think of his burning stare leaving me shivering.

"Perfect..." he rasps, his eyes going down my legs one more time as more blood runs up to my cheeks.

After a quick ride on his motorcycle that allows me some time to cool down and calm down my nerves, we get to the spot where he will teach me how to fight.

Standing in front of the old building, I suppress the shiver running down my spine. I can clearly see this is some sort of gymnasium, yet it's so different from the one of our high school. It's dilapidated, with graffitis covering all the façade, some artistic ones, but mostly curse words and other obscenities. The surroundings aren't better either. There is a small, empty playground on one side, with only a wobbly swing, and the other buildings around seem as old and run-down from what I can glimpse. We haven't traveled that much, yet it feels like another world from the neighborhood I'm used to.

We're in the rough area of the town, where I almost never go. Alex has told me it's the spot where he usually trains, so I guess, for him, this area is very familiar, especially seeing him acting like he's at home. He opens the front door with his keys, and he's walking around naturally. In a way, the surroundings suit him with his dark aura and tough exterior, but this is also what makes me follow him inside with no fear: if the place is like him, there is surely much more than what I can see at first sight.