Written in the Stars

Chapter 29: "Rise and Fall

(Chapter 29)
"Rise and Fall"

Friday, April 17
6:00pm

"You think you're ready?" Darren asked Jillian.

"I hope so," she answered, unsure.

"Come on, you can do it."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't hurt me, you're just practicing the moves."

"Alright..."

"Stand your ground. Put your dominant leg forward," he instructed.

"Okay."

"Good. I'm going to come at you, just remember what you learned."

Darren took a swing at her head, and Jillian dodged.

"Attagirl!" He praised.

Darren reached out to gently grab her throat with both hands, his arms straight and parallel.
She delivered a blow to his ribs.

"Good!"

Darren grabbed her arms tight and pulled her closer.
Jillian brought her knee up, inches from his groin, then stopped.

"Good girl! Always aim for the groin if you can."

Darren spun her around and grabbed her gently by the waist and pulled her tight against his chest.
Jillian brought her elbow up, pressed it against his throat, then stopped.

"Great!"

Jillian turned and kicked.

"Perfect!"

Darren grabbed her from behind by wrapping his arms tight over her shoulders.
Jillian did a quick step and moved her elbow.
She brought her first down, stopping before his groin, and swept his leg.
Darren fell over and hit the ground.

"Perfect!"

They both practiced a few more moves.

"Okay, you're doing great so far," he told her.

"What if I actually want to fight someone?" She asked.

"You don't need to learn how to attack someone, you just need to learn good self-defense for when someone attacks you."

"But, you know how to fight."

"I do. But, I'm not going to teach you how."

"Why not?"

"You don't need to."

"What if I take you right now?"

He laughed.
"What?"

Jillian lunged at him, tackling him to the ground, and pinning him beneath her.
She smiled and kissed him.

"Mmm... I doubt you'll start making out with your attacker but that wasn't a bad tackle," he said.

"What if I do start making out with my attacker?" She teased.

Darren easily flipped her over and pinned her down.
Darren kissed her neck.

"Not going to happen. You're mine, remember?" He whispered in her ear.

"Let me up!" Jillian laughed.

Darren helped her to her feet.

"Oh, my god, Im wiped now," she exhaled.

"You've definitely earned a rest."

"Thank you for teaching me this."

"Of course, I need my girl to give them hell," he kissed her forehead. "Although, you're sweaty now."