Blue Skies Academy - Chapter 6

   April and I are running through the corridors. We're so, so fucked. We woke up late because the power went off in the dormitories, and her programmed alarm didn't ring. I never thought I'd regret not bringing my good ol' alarm clock with me. We exit in the gardens. Soon, the wooden platform she showed me two days ago comes into sight. Yesterday was full of classes, and I had to stop by the barn to fulfill my stable duties that were apparently assigned to me as soon as I applied for the riding course. Safe to say that when I got back to the dorm, I took my pills and fell face first into my bed and wasn't heard from again until this morning.

   When we get to the platform, everyone is already there. The teacher gives us a look.

   "Close to the limit, ladies." She grabs her paper and starts taking attendance.

   Mrs. Sillion. She's the head of the physical education department and the defense coach. Although she doesn't look older than fifty, she's already retired. Let me rephrase that. She's a retired army colonel. She has sharp features and an impeccable, precise, calculated way of holding herself. Her gray hair is tied back into a bun with millimetrical precision. April told me things about her. She's ruthless when it comes to lying or whatever it is she perceives as going against all that is fair and doesn't hold back with her punishments. But she's also, despite her rough nature, an excellent teacher. Alright. In the folder that De LaRoche gave me, it says that I've been trained in self-defense ever since I was young. I sigh. The only thing that's not sitting right with me is that Dominic is here. I look around, and I spot him. Then I noticed the guy standing next to him. It's that redhead. 

   "That's Rowan. He's Fabiana's twin," April says as she notices me staring.

   "Oh. Right. Twins. I didn't know why he looked so familiar."

   "Yeah. Although they're twins, they barely look alike, yet still resemble one another. That's why seeing them plays games with your mind; you're just asking yourself 'Huh, where do I know this person from?' Confused me at first, too," she adds.

   I give her a smile. It now made sense. And I remember that I hadn't seen Fabiana for a while. I don't have the time to ask any more questions.

   "Alright students. Welcome back, or just welcome to combat classes. As you all already know, we have a new student who joined us." She eyes me then continues. "Today I want you to show her what you can and show me that all my training wasn't for nothing." She turns to me again. "You, on the other hand, will have to show me what you can do." 

   I almost gulp. Her stare is cold as ice. Mrs. Sillion looks around the bunch of students on the platform. I do so, too. And then I spot him. Again. Dominic isn't even looking at me, too busy to flirt with some other blonde. I had forgotten that we were supposed to share activities. I shake my head and turn my attention back to Mrs. Sillion only to find her inspecting me discreetly. 

   "De LaRoche. Come here." She calls out. 

   Dominic snaps his head back towards his teacher and just now notices me standing next to her. His face drops only briefly as his confused frown is quickly replaced by a smirk.

   Mrs. Sillion gives out clear warm-up instructions but pulls Dominic and I aside.

   "Dominic," she starts, "is a talented student. Not a hidden gem, but witty and quick on his feet. He'll be a good way to evaluate you. I've read your student information. But I don't form my opinions based on things I don't see with my own eyes. I propose to you a combat with Mr. De LaRoche here, so I can assess your capacities."

   I nod. I like a practical teacher, someone who doesn't judge based on appearances. She asks the other people in the group to run a few laps around the gardens to warm up.

   "You will both join them for two laps, then you will come back on the platform." Mrs. Sillion instructs.

   And so, I joined April and began jog trotting alongside her. We don't speak much, but she gives me a few words of encouragement. After two tours of the gardens, the rest of the class continues jogging while Dominic and I stop at the platform. I take a few sips from my water bottle and look over at my fighting partner out of the corner of my eye. Even if he looks strong, I should be able to take him on without issues. If that wasn't the case, then why would he ever need a bodyguard? I let my eyes trail up his forearm to his bicep. This is solely for scientific purposes. Solely for research purposes. Solely for...

   "I didn't picture you as the staring type. More like the hit and stomp kind of girl." 

   My eyes snap up to meet Dominic's eyes. "I don't know what you mean."

   He smirks but doesn't get the chance to make fun of me any longer because Mrs. Sillion strides over our way. Thank God.

   "Step in the center. I won't give you any instructions apart from when to stop. I do suppose you know the basic stances." She gives me a look. I nod like I've done up until now when answering any of her questions.

   Dominic and I take our positions. I put my hands up to my face and bent my knees. Ever since I was little, my parents insisted on sending me to self-defense classes. I never knew why. Our neighborhood is a quiet one, where everyone knows everyone. We've never had any incidents... at least not until whatever happened the night when Mr. Barren was attacked. And I guess that I was quite grateful for my fighting skills then. I exhale. Dominic throws me an arrogant glance over his fists. I swear this boy will make me punch him harder than I need to. For him to not suspect anything, I've been instructed to tone down my abilities, so I guess that means that I have to let him win this. Mrs. Sillion's whistle pulls me out of my thoughts. Before I can realize that the combat has started, Dominic lunges at me. I brace myself for impact, but instead of a punch, he kicks at my knees. I roll out of the way. I barely manage to sit back up; he's coming for me once again. He's faster than I anticipated. But this time, I'm more prepared. I dodge his other kick and throw one of my own, which he blocks with his forearm. Ok, he's definitely faster than I anticipated. I dive as he extends his arm and punch him in his stomach. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do that, but Mrs. Sillion doesn't make any remarks. His core is hard as rock, and he doesn't seem destabilized by my strike. He instead bends over and catches my waist, forcing me still. Fine. I contract my core and flip my legs over my head and over his shoulders, forcing him into a leg lock. He falls back, but my grip doesn't loosen. Yet, he gabs both my thighs and starts forcing them open. I could stay like this all day. But I can't. I must give up. And that,... that infuriates me. I've been through so much back home so as to not be looked down on, and now I have to give up all I've worked for so this little prick can feel validated. And to conceal my identity. And protect myself and my family. I feel a little guilty for not wanting to give it up. I close my eyes and, with effort, let my hold on Dominic's head fall loose. He loses no time in pushing my thighs away from his face. He twists swiftly and straddles me, grabbing me in a headlock, bracing his other hand to the side so I can't fend him off. After a few moments, Mrs. Sillion finally speaks. 

   "That's enough."

   But Dominic doesn't let me go right off the bat. I can feel his ragged breath on my ears. It's warm and irregular. His grip tightens slightly. Some sweat drips down from his brow. His blonde hair is messy and over his eyes, but his face is so close to mine that some strands fall over my own face. 

   "Mr. De LaRoche." Mrs. Sillion pushes herself off the railing on the side of the platform.

   I could push him off. I could pin him to the floor and show Mrs. Sillion and him and the others that I'm good, that I'm better, that I'm capable. But I don't. I don't move. I barely even breathe. I don't look at Dominic. I can't see his eyes either way. I look straight at the sky above. 

   "Dominic De LaRoche." Mrs. Sillion's voice is stern and authoritarian.

   I suddenly feel Dominic's hold loosen. He lets go of my neck, and I let a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding back go. I sit up. The other people from the class have gathered around the platform and are watching everything closely but do not dare speak, probably because of Mrs. Sillion. 

   "You and I will have a talk after class, young man." She says, her stare unwavering. 

   She shouts some instructions to the other people that have gathered around. April approaches me and extends a hand. I take it. Once I'm up, she looks me over. 

   "Are you ok?"

   "Yeah," I speak.

   "That was quite the performance. Dominic isn't usually as riled up. I think that's going to leave a mark, by the way." She looks at my neck.

   I can still feel his arm flexing over my neck. I sigh. "It's whatever. I've had worse."

   A smile tugs at her lips. "You held up great, over there. Don't take the defeat as something personal. Dominic might be an ass, but when it comes to fighting or physical activities, I have to give it to him, he's good. Brilliant, even. You lasted longer than most people who've fought against him, so I say you take it as a win. And who knows, maybe in just a few months' time, you'll be able to take him over!"

   I smile at April gratefully. It's nice to feel her comforting me. But I can't help feeling sore at my defeat. I could've done better. So much better. I look over my shoulder to where Dominic has retreated. Rowan stands next to him. They don't speak yet they don't seem to need any words. I look away before they catch me and smile softly at April, indicating that I'm ok. She smiles back, and the class goes on.

***

   Right after the lesson, April suggested a trip to the cafeteria where she treated me to a red velvet cupcake. "To help with the swelling on your neck", she said. We met with Sarah and ended up chatting and laughing as April imitates a very exaggerated version of Dominic and other personalities around the school. The evening rolls around faster than anticipated. Sarah parts ways with us at the top of the hallway in the dormitory, her room being shared with Fabiana on the side opposite to ours. I was still confused about Fab. She was your typical, rich girl that you would expect to be snobbish, rude, and entitled. Yet she was friends with April and Sarah, and both these girls are the polar opposites of that. Friendships are a peculiar matter.

   Once we reach our room, April sighs dramatically, kicks off her shoes, and throws herself on her bed. The mattress is so soft that it makes no sound, and the satin material from the sheets envelops April in a soft embrace. 

   "Today was interminably long. I thought it'll never end," she says, her face still buried in a mass of material.

   "Tell me about it," I say as I plop down on my own bed. "I'll look like a crazy lady tomorrow because of the bruise Dominic left on my neck. Speaking of, what a weirdo! You don't just choke someone when you're supposed to have a simulatory match! I mean, I admit I did punch him in the guts, but come on, that's no reason to get so worked up, right?" I look over at April. But as silence fills the room, I hear her calm, regulated breathing. She must've been very tired. And, although the events of the day wore me out, sleep doesn't seem to tingle my brain. So, I get up and carefully make my way out on the veranda.

   The chilly air of the night hits me as soon as I step outside.

   "I see this has become tradition for us."

   I turn around. I'm still not used to seeing Dominic here. "Can you not find another spot?"

   He snorts. "Oh, excuse me, but I think you need a reminder of who's been in this school for far longer than you."

   "Don't be bitter. Be better. Leave."

   His eyes narrow, but his smirk doesn't leave his lips. "I see that our altercation earlier didn't dampen your fire."

   "Altercation?! Do you hear yourself? You choked me!"

   "You punched me in the gut. That's not very friendly of you either." He shrugs. "Mrs. Sillion may not have said anything, but I took that personally."

   I scoff. "You better have. Next time, I'll punch right through that smug grin."

   He puts a hand on his chest, mimicking being affected by what I said. I roll my eyes. "You didn't even flinch." I mutter.

   "Not to worry, you're not the only one bruised. Not showing pain is different from not feeling it." He lifts his shirt just enough to display the mauve on his abdomen.

   Fuck the mauve. Nobody's looking at it. At least, I'm definitely not. Dominic is ripped. "You could grill a whole barbecue on there..." I mumble as I eye the squares formed by his muscles.

   "What was that?" He lets his shirt drop and I snap back to reality. "My, you have no shame, have you?" He teases.

   I turn my head away. "It's not like that. I'm just admiring my work."

   "Of course..." I feel his gaze burning into me. "I'd love to sit and chat, but I have other things that need my attention." He turns away. "Dream of me, De Verre."

   Before I can retort anything, he's gone. I don't like him. I despise people like him, people who think that just because they have money and a pretty face, they can dominate the less fortunate. I'd gladly put another purple spot next to the one he already has. Paint a whole landscape, maybe it'll knock some sense into him. I sigh. A shiver runs through me as the wind picks up. I open my eyes. The entrance of the maze is right in front of me, as ominous as ever. Funny how different it looks during the day and now. I've noticed it every night I came here. It's like they're two different places. I shiver once more. I better get back inside. I open the door of the veranda and ignore the brief rustling behind me, thinking it might be just some branches from the maze shuddering in the breeze.