Web Tangled

Chapter 7 - Braver

(Insert Song: Ikimono Gakari - Blue Bird)

I flunked my first training. I managed to wish away the first couple of punching bags Wanda thrown. But once it came from behind me or from directions I didn't expect, I lost my focus. I wished the ones from my right side away, but four more came from my left side and pounced me. It kept going like that for an hour or so.

SLAM!

One of them threw me off-guard. It shoved my body to the floor.

"Focus, Aoi!" Wanda spoke loudly, "Look to all directions."

"I'm sorry...," I said while getting up, "I'll try again."

This time, I could dodge five of the punching bags from my left and right side. But one came from behind me and pushed me forward, causing me to fall on my knees. I turned my head quickly and repelled the next incoming ones. It worked until some attacked me while I wasn't ready again.

SLAAM! SLAAM! WHAAM!

They kept going and going, and my mind started to blank out. I soon found myself crouching and hiding my head. The final one blew my face very hard, forcing me to fall flat on my back and the back of my head to hit the ground.

"Oh my god," Wanda panicked, "I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

"... I'm fine... I think," I uttered, wincing from the dizziness.

"I guess we should end it on this note," she decided.

"... I'd appreciate that."

"Alright from what I've seen, you need to start relying more on technical dodging," Wanda suggested, "Since your powers took time to work. I'll teach you basic evading moves tomorrow."

"Noted."

"Your reaction time has increased though and you've improved a bit on keeping your eyes on guard."

"I think... I think this time I didn't panic as easily as before."

"Agreed," she patted my shoulder, "We'll meet again at next practice, alright? Now rest for today."

"Thanks, Wanda," I smiled meekly.

On my way to the elevator, I noticed Peter working on the lab. I peeked at what he was doing through the glass on the door. He looked engrossed at his 'experiment'. After a few minutes, he took off his lab goggles and leaned his back on the chair. He rubbed his eyes, probably feeling tired. He suddenly looked at my direction and I quickly hide behind the walls. As I was about to peek again, the door was opened and Peter came out of it.

"What are you doing?" he laughed.

"I was... I was just passing by," I replied, too shy to look at his face, "I got curious... and you look super into it too."

"Have you finished practice?" he crossed his arms and leaned his side against the wall, "Did it go well?"

"Oh yeah... the practice," I gloomily answered, "It didn't go as well as I imagined."

"It's just your first practice. I bet you did better than you claimed it to be. Ease up!"

"Thanks."

We looked at each other silently. We both didn't know what to say and just smiled at each other. I could feel my heart start racing fast. Somebody walked past us, which made us both to turn ourselves to other directions. The person giggled at our awkward movements which made me became more embarrassed.

"Uhh... um... I'll head to my room now," I began walking away.

"Can't wait for Friday, Aoi!" he said.