Love Me Anyways

Chapter Three

"So... it looks like you really like Raya," Taytum sings. I shoot her a look. "Shut up," I smile. Taytum is actually the only person that can tell how I feel. She can read me like a book, but only because I allow her to read me.

"Yeah I like her, but I'm not sure why."

"There's something between you guys, I can see it," Taytum replies. I think she's right about that, I'm just not sure how I feel about it. After what happened last year between Lister and I, I don't know if I could handle a relationship.

"So what are we doing today?" I ask. Taytum flashes me a sad smile, "I have to work."

Now I really have no idea what I'm doing today, maybe I'll go to the gym. "Can you drop me off at the center first? I think I'll go to the gym," I respond. "Yes I can drop you off, plus you might see you know who," Taytum teases me.

I smirk at Taytums comment.

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An hour later Taytum has dropped me off in the Civic Center parking lot. I enter the building, with cash in my hand ready to pay for my gym access. I don't see Raya anywhere, it kind of makes me sad that she's not here.

I go up to the front desk where I find Wyatt. "I'm going to the gym," I hand Wyatt my money, eight dollars to be specific. "Yes Ma'am," Wyatt laughs.

He hands me an access card. "Just bring this back when you leave," Wyatt insists. I nod at him and made my way to the gym.

Nobody is in the gym, I walk over to the punching bag. I slam my fist into it, a sharp pain goes through my knuckles. I continue punching the bags despite the pain

"That's not how you punch," A familiar voice echoes. I snap my head around, Raya is smiling at me from the doorway. Butterflies run through my stomach, I allow a small smile to form on my face.

"And you can teach me?" I smirk. Raya is blushing at my question.

Raya walks over beside me but also a step behind me, she puts her hands on my waist, it sends chills through my body. For some reason it doesn't scare me when I'm touched by her.

Raya pulls me a step back. "You want distance between you and your opponent." Raya re-positions my arms and my fists. "Keep your thumbs outside of the fist, that way you won't break them," Raya explains.

Raya takes a step back from me, "Try now."

I slam my fist into the bag, there's pretty much no pain. It's so much more comfortable than before. I punch the bag a couple more times before turning to face the stunning Raya.

I take Raya in, her hair is pulled back in braids and she's in sports clothing. Raya looks stunning in anything she wears.

"Where did you learn to fight?" I ask. Raya spaces out for a short moment. "I took self defense classes back home," Raya responds. I have a gut feeling that there's more behind her fighting skills than that, but I won't press for more answers.

"Can you teach me some more?" I question. Raya's face lights up, but she also blushes. "Yeah sure I can teach you more," Raya replies.

We spend the next hour practicing our punching and some kicks. Raya is a great fighter, but I can't help but wonder why she took those classes. I wonder if something happened to her, I wonder if she's had to use her knowledge of fighting.

I look at Raya, she seems like she has a question but doesn't know how to ask it. "What's on your mind?" I ask. A look that I can't read comes over Raya's face.

Raya blurts, "You're abused, or at least have been." I can tell Raya instantly regretted saying that. She's correct, but I'm not sure how to respond.