block attacks as they come, but others, which I’ve nicknamed trigger shields, can be placed on someone early on, and only activate when they are in danger. With every passing day, no matter how tired or sore I am, I can feel myself getting steadily stronger.
Nick walks me home every night once Krystal decides I’ve had enough for one day. Aside from the trip to his house, our walk to my place is my favorite part of our routine. The hectic, neon glow of the city at night, the low rumble of passing cars, the boy walking by my side… on some nights, I can almost trick myself into thinking he’s actually walking me home from a date, even though neither of us has tried to ask out the other. Once in a while, I get up the courage to wrap my arm around one of Nick’s, which he neither condones nor condemns. He’s usually fairly cold at first, but as we walk arm in arm, my warmth radiates through him to the point where it almost feels like I’m walking with someone alive.
Early in the third week of my training, Rachel corners me after the last class of the day, and asks why she and Jenna can never get a hold of me after school anymore. I could tell her the truth. And I should, since that’s what a good best friend would do. But for some reason, I can’t bring myself to tell her where I’ve really been. I don’t know whether or not it’s alright to tell anyone at all; I make a mental note to ask Nick about the etiquette of revealing the truth to normal people. Even though she seems genuinely hurt and confused, I look my best friend in the eyes, and I tell her as little of the truth as possible. “I’m sorry, I’ve just been busy.”
“Busy with Nick?”
Shit. So, she guessed at that much. “No! Well, not exactly.”
“Which is it, Heather?”
“His roommate is… well, she’s sort of tutoring me, and he just happens to be around during the lessons.”
“Do you really think I’m that stupid? If you’re going to ditch your friends for some guy, fine, but don’t fucking lie to me about it.”
I don’t know why Rachel’s assumption touches a nerve, but it does, and I realize that I’m clenching my fists. “What do you want me to tell you? That I’m running out of school every day so I can head to my boyfriend’s place and greet him pelvis-first? Well, tough shit. I told you what’s really going on.”
“That’s bullshit, and I know it! Don’t lie to me.”
“I can prove it. I’m heading out to meet Nick right now, he’ll tell you exactly what I told you.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
“Fine.”
“Fine!”
I let out a frustrated sigh, and lead the way to the front entrance, where I know Nick will be waiting. I can’t remember ever seeing Rachel this upset over something I’ve done; I’m usually the one having trouble managing my temper on the rare occasions where we fight. She must have really felt threatened by Nick for whatever reason. Under different circumstances, I’d have regretted that my time spent learning from Krystal came at the price of neglecting my friends, but right now it’s all I can do to keep myself calm.
Along the way, Rachel asks, “Is he really your boyfriend now?” I’m too annoyed with her to speak, so I just shake my head, and she backs off.
Nick is waiting at the bottom of the stone steps, as always, and flashes me his gorgeous smile from afar when he spots me. Then he sees Rachel following me closely, and raises his eyebrows. I shrug in response. Once we’re close enough, he says, “Hey, Heather. And hello to you too, umm…”
“Rachel.”
“Right. Nice to meet you, I’m Nick.” Rachel stares up at him, but it’s not an awkward “hey, this guy is actually hot” stare. It looks more like she’s trying to figure something out about Nick, and when whatever she’s trying to figure out clicks in her brain, her eyes widen. Nick nods, and asks her, “How long ago?”
“Four years this July. You?”
“Just over four.”
Now I’m genuinely
Nick walks me home every night once Krystal decides I’ve had enough for one day. Aside from the trip to his house, our walk to my place is my favorite part of our routine. The hectic, neon glow of the city at night, the low rumble of passing cars, the boy walking by my side… on some nights, I can almost trick myself into thinking he’s actually walking me home from a date, even though neither of us has tried to ask out the other. Once in a while, I get up the courage to wrap my arm around one of Nick’s, which he neither condones nor condemns. He’s usually fairly cold at first, but as we walk arm in arm, my warmth radiates through him to the point where it almost feels like I’m walking with someone alive.
Early in the third week of my training, Rachel corners me after the last class of the day, and asks why she and Jenna can never get a hold of me after school anymore. I could tell her the truth. And I should, since that’s what a good best friend would do. But for some reason, I can’t bring myself to tell her where I’ve really been. I don’t know whether or not it’s alright to tell anyone at all; I make a mental note to ask Nick about the etiquette of revealing the truth to normal people. Even though she seems genuinely hurt and confused, I look my best friend in the eyes, and I tell her as little of the truth as possible. “I’m sorry, I’ve just been busy.”
“Busy with Nick?”
Shit. So, she guessed at that much. “No! Well, not exactly.”
“Which is it, Heather?”
“His roommate is… well, she’s sort of tutoring me, and he just happens to be around during the lessons.”
“Do you really think I’m that stupid? If you’re going to ditch your friends for some guy, fine, but don’t fucking lie to me about it.”
I don’t know why Rachel’s assumption touches a nerve, but it does, and I realize that I’m clenching my fists. “What do you want me to tell you? That I’m running out of school every day so I can head to my boyfriend’s place and greet him pelvis-first? Well, tough shit. I told you what’s really going on.”
“That’s bullshit, and I know it! Don’t lie to me.”
“I can prove it. I’m heading out to meet Nick right now, he’ll tell you exactly what I told you.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
“Fine.”
“Fine!”
I let out a frustrated sigh, and lead the way to the front entrance, where I know Nick will be waiting. I can’t remember ever seeing Rachel this upset over something I’ve done; I’m usually the one having trouble managing my temper on the rare occasions where we fight. She must have really felt threatened by Nick for whatever reason. Under different circumstances, I’d have regretted that my time spent learning from Krystal came at the price of neglecting my friends, but right now it’s all I can do to keep myself calm.
Along the way, Rachel asks, “Is he really your boyfriend now?” I’m too annoyed with her to speak, so I just shake my head, and she backs off.
Nick is waiting at the bottom of the stone steps, as always, and flashes me his gorgeous smile from afar when he spots me. Then he sees Rachel following me closely, and raises his eyebrows. I shrug in response. Once we’re close enough, he says, “Hey, Heather. And hello to you too, umm…”
“Rachel.”
“Right. Nice to meet you, I’m Nick.” Rachel stares up at him, but it’s not an awkward “hey, this guy is actually hot” stare. It looks more like she’s trying to figure something out about Nick, and when whatever she’s trying to figure out clicks in her brain, her eyes widen. Nick nods, and asks her, “How long ago?”
“Four years this July. You?”
“Just over four.”
Now I’m genuinely
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