Sin of the Saint

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: PLANS AND SURPRISES **ANNOUNCEMENT**

"It may be the day before the holiday break, Young Olivia, but I expect your best," Coach Luther said.

"Yes sir," Liv replied, throwing her gym bag down just inside the gymnasium. She retrieved a sparring bo from the rack and joined her coach on the mats spread across the floor. She spun the bo a few times in a row before readying herself. Her body already felt quite warm, since her last class of the day had been Coach Luther's. After witnessing Diligentia's quick and rather ruthless victory, she was ready to work for hers until she bled.

"Are you ready to implement whatever lessons you may have learned today?"

"Yes sir," Liv said with a grin she couldn't fight. Before she and her teacher lunged towards one another to spar, she caught the familiar sight of Rose Mendez's ever-suspicious gaze staring at her through the door to the girls' locker room.

Glistening with sweat and still trying to catch her breath, Liv retrieved her gym bag from the floor after her sparring session with Coach Luther. Rose had watched the entire time from the window of the locker room, and in order to avoid her, Liv went straight out the door straight to the parking lot, thankful that the police had returned her car to her in time for her to get it fixed. She hated making Axel stay around for her extra-curricular lessons with Coach Luther, but particularly, she was grateful that it allowed her to get out without having to confront Rose.

In the drama of the holidays and her focus on her relationship with Axel, she'd completely forgotten about Rose. About her suspicions of Rose being the one that cut her brake lines at the movie theater the month before. But Rose's stalker-ish behavior truly did freak Liv out, and she wanted nothing more than for her to stop. Whether Rose was involved in the war or not...she just wanted her eyes off of her.

Liv retrieved her keys from her bag and as she fiddled for her car key, she caught the sight of someone immediately behind her in the reflection of her drivers' side window, holding up what appeared to be a dark bag.

Instinctually, Liv threw her elbow up as she spun forcibly around. Her elbow collided with someone's cheekbone and sent them down into the snowy slush of the parking lot. Her heart beat wildly as she whirled around to see the person, holding her hands in defensive fists—ready to fight for her life though she was already exhausted from her training session.

"Damn, Liv!" Axel said from the ground, his hand going straight to his face where she'd put a potential welt. He got slowly to his feet, picking up his slush-soaked jacket from the ground.

"Holy...oh my—Axel! You scared me!"

"No kidding..." he groaned. "That's gonna leave a mark."

"What were you thinking?"

"I waited until your lessons were done but you didn't come out the main doors, so I ran around to the back. I noticed you didn't change and it looked like you must have been cold, so being the good boyfriend I am, I was going to give you my jacket—" he held up his wet overcoat, "—but before I could get it around your shoulders, I was on the ground."

"You should have announced yourself...jeez," Liv said and brushed his shoulders off, setting the cold, dirty slush into the cotton of his shirt. "I'm sorry I hit you, I just—"

"Why are you sorry? I'm sorry for sneaking. I should have known better. Your life was attempted on—that would make anyone get a little paranoid," Axel said, pulling her in for a hug. "Any leads on that?"

"No...the cops haven't reached out." Liv returned his hug, not caring that she was sweaty. She was cold—it hadn't snowed that day, but it was quite chilly all the same, and she welcomed Axel's body heat.

"Well, get your car fired up so you don't freeze. Let me check under your car to make sure your brake lines are intact."

"Thanks," she smiled and pecked his cheek and got in her car while Axel ducked under. A few moments passed before he reappeared, flashing Liv a thumbs-up. She turned the engine on and rolled her window down just in time for Axel to lean down and give her a quick kiss.

"Say, Liv—I forgot to ask—Christmas Eve...you got plans?"

"...Um...probably, but I'm sure my family would understand if I had something come up. What's up?"

Axel brushed some slush out of his hair, "Well...my uncle is hosting a Christmas Eve party at his house. White collar. It's kind of my aunt's thing...she invites all of her friends from the PTA and the town council...it's sort of an annual "please kill me" event for me, but I think if you came as my date, it would be a lot more tolerable—"

Liv dragged him down by the collar of his shirt and silenced him with a kiss, "I would love to come, Axel."

He grinned, "I knew if I made it sound bad enough you would give in."

Liv rolled her eyes.

He laughed, "No really...it's seriously such a pain. And it really is white collar. And there really will be PTA moms and snobbish town councilors there...you know...it's just as bad as I just described."

Liv giggled. "I can't just leave my boy out there to dry. I'll be there. But on one condition."

He raised his eyebrows in surprise at her apparent negotiation. "Yes, milady?"

She scoffed at the title and said, "Christmas dinner—you come to my place. That's kind of my mom's thing. Very blue collar. In fact, no collars at all. Pajamas and slippers. Hot cocoa. Pumpkin pie. With my father's insufferable jokes and my brother's relentless teasing. Video games."

Axel sucked in sharply through his teeth, "Oh man...pumpkin pie?"

Liv nodded.

He grimaced sarcastically and began to shake his head, "I don't know...it seems a teensy bit...not my scene—"

"Just shut up and bring your guitar," Liv laughed. "Mom and dad love live entertainment."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world milady," Axel grinned, then went in for another kiss. "Drive safe."

"You, too."

"I love you, Liv," he said, winking and stepping away from the car. Before she could register his words, he was gone, on his way to his own car.

Liv blinked in the silence he'd left her in. "Did he just...?"

She snapped out of it and turned her head to watch him cross the parking lot. He waved to someone standing near the main doors before reaching his car. The person, wearing all red clothing, waved back, and squinting, Liv could see her clearly.

Rose Mendez dropped her hand from waving at him and turned to Liv's direction, looking at her dead in the eyes from the long distance she stood away. Liv made note of something, which was something she wouldn't have usually taken notice of...had Cupid not recently made the exact same change.

Aside from changing her clothes into very eye-catching shades, her raven hair, usually down and wild around her shoulders, was now up in a high ponytail.

Author's Note: So, two weeks and two days since my last publication. I'm very sorry guys. My last few weeks have been a genuine mess. Family matters and my child's first treatment got my mind in a knot. Love you all. Thank you for your support and love.

Fun Fact: **ANNOUNCEMENT** I'm so happy to announce that I am beginning a new book project here on Wattpad! So, just keep your eyes peeled for it.

XOXO:// CRII