Sakura Eyes

Chapter 34

"What?" I asked, my hands going to my eyes.

"That shouldn't happen," Justin muttered, walking up to us. "Not unless you're feeling very strong feelings. Was Tristan really that intimidating?"

As I glanced warily at Justin's careful eyes, I realized I would just make everyone more worried if I told them what actually flashed through my mind. Trying for a smile, I nodded. "Yeah, he was hahaha..."

An awkward silence filled the air. Justin cringed away from me, "You're really horrible at lying."

"If you want to lie at least make it convincing," Catherine sighed.

I sighed and frowned but didn't say anything else. They didn't push the matter and let their questions drop as they continued to stare curiously at my eyes. Suddenly, Jake pointed at my eyes. "Oh! Oh! It's going back to its original color!"

Even though I couldn't see, I could feel my eyes cool down. Suddenly, I felt a wave of tiredness wash over me and rubbed my tired eyes. Yuri and Catherine ushered me underneath a tall tree with shade where I leaned against the trunk and closed my eyes. 

In the distance, I heard Tristan call for the new match against Just in and Jake to begin. When I heard the sound of swords clashing, my eyes flashed back open. 

As the fight continued, I realized Jake wasn't bad at all. He was able to deflect most of Justin's swings, even if he was constantly being pushed back.

With a lazy glint in his eyes, Justin swung his sword towards Jake. I thought it was the end for Jake, but Jake quickly went on to a handstand and twisted his legs around Justin's sword. The blade flew out of Justin's hand and landed a few feet away from them. 

We all gaped, stunned at Jake's sudden move. Justin seemed momentarily surprised too but then suddenly smirked.

Jake jumped back to his feet and aimed a punch at Justin's face. I almost screamed; Justin didn't seemed fazed and blocked it with his arm; his face didn't even twitch with pain. Jake seemed to get a little frustrated and kept on pushing Justin back. Soon Justin was only a few feet away from backing into a tree.

If Jake pushed him one more time, Justin's back would touch the tree. As Jake got ready to give one more kick, Justin suddenly turned and ran straight for the tree. Jake paused for a second in confusion before quickly racing after him.

A scream was just building up in my throat to yell at Justin to watch out when he ran up the tree and quickly backflipped off the trunk. I was stunned as he leaped into the air. It was as if I was watching in slow motion. 

Every move he did were precise and accurate. He knew how to use his surroundings to his advantage and was skilled in using a weapon and without using one. He must've spent every second practicing to be so quick on his feet...

Jake turned around, his hands up ready, but Justin was too light on his feet for Jake. In a second, he leapt and caught Jake by the neck, wrapping his arm around his throat. A few seconds past before Jake slowly rose his hands. Justin released Jake, and the tension broke.

"You're not that bad," Jake gasped for breath, looking at Justin in surprise.

Justin tilted his head at Jake and let Jake put his hands up before stepping back and nodding.

"That was interesting," Tristan smiled from behind me. 

Jake and Justin walked back into the shade with us. Catherine dug around her backpack and came up with two towels in her hands. She tossed them each at the two boys who gratefully thanked her and dabbed their faces.