11/03/2009 14:51:00
Kyle had a happy with himself expression when he walked into the kitchen, the day with Amanda still the most prevalent of his thoughts. He was so caught up in his own world as he grabbed a bottled water out of the fridge he didn't notice Lori sitting at the breakfast bar, going over song lyrics.
As Kyle noticed Lori he tried to hide what he did from Lori's expecting gaze but couldn't help it and a sheepish grin spread across his face. "Is it always that obvious?" Kyle asked Lori knowing she already knew he did more than just train with Amanda.
Lori gave a smirk at the naivety of his question and the embarrassed tone in his voice. "It is amazing, you have got to be the luckiest guy on the face of this planet," Lori said cynically.
"What," Kyle asked confused.
"Every time you and Amanda do anything mom and Dad aren't around. I would kill for that luck with Mark," Lori said flatly.
"We didn't do much," Kyle said defensively not wanting Lori to call up Amanda and gossip.
Lori got an amused smile at his scared puppy dog eyes, "Don't worry your secret is safe with me but if you don't get cleaned up I am guessing Mom is going to give you a talk and Jessie will probably kill you for not training."
Kyle was relieved but now was curious, "How do you know Amanda and I didn't train?"
Lori got half-serious, "Please, apart from your totally guilty look when I first saw you I can tell when somebody had a long make-out session… Also I can smell Amanda's perfume on you when you came in the house and that means that you two had to practically be on top of each other for a rather long time."
"It was just…" Kyle began trying to explain himself.
Lori cut him off and gave him an 'it's okay' stare, "Kyle don't be ashamed it is totally natural for you two to finally get to this point, trust me most couples would have been where you two are now months ago." Lori saw Kyle now looked upset he did something wrong, "But it's okay you and Amanda are moving at a pace that is right for you, besides many of us who do go faster wish we could still love someone like you and Amanda do." Kyle once again looked completely happy but Lori saw Kyle forgot again, "Kyle you better go get a shower, trust me I am not going to be the only one who picks up on the settle smell of strawberries or your disheveled hair," Lori laughed before shaking her head giving Kyle a hand gesture to get moving.
Kyle took another drink from the water bottle and gave Lori an appreciating look before running off to take a shower.
(Next Day)
Jessie walked into the warehouse in a particularly foul mood. The conversation with Declan the previous day made her think about if she was ready to try a new romance in her life, regarding it as new because she really didn't remember the first try so well. Jessie had waited outside of school to tell him she wanted to give it a second try and see what could have been, but something in her kept her from talking to him. As hard as Jessie fought every fiber in her body would not allow her to go talk to him.
Jessie was absolutely livid, she never backed down from anything or anyone and here she was cowering at trying another relationship. Things didn't improve when she saw Kyle teaching Amanda his cross martial arts program of slow to fast movements. Even though she had basically given Kyle her blessing to be together with Amanda it tortured her to see them so happy, especially since she just failed once again at her own attempt.
Instinctively Jessie walked over to the table, threw down her stuff, and proceeded towards the disgustingly happy couple. They didn't even notice her advancing towards them and that made her even more frustrated. Jessie's eyes fell on Amanda's attire and got wide with jealousy, a bright pink thin strapped tank top and black training pants. Jessie hated seeing the effect it had on Kyle and she could tell his heart was rampant from just looking at her, part of her wondered why she could never produce the same effect on him.
Kyle's guard was down and Jessie meant business. Without warning Jessie threw a mental attack hard enough to give him a decent headache. As Kyle grabbed his head in pain, but she had to hold back her shock as Amanda reacted the exact same way, 'it couldn't be' Jessie thought and shrugged it off.
Amanda didn't know what just happened, it was like someone just smacked her in the head, but she looked at Kyle who was looking stunned at Jessie.
"Kyle what was that," Amanda said weakly because of her head still pounding slightly.
Kyle looked up at Jessie feeling like his trust had been betrayed, "Jessie that was unnecessary. Why did you do that?"
Jessie icy stare had not let up, "You should always have your guard up, your lucky it was me who was here to catch you and not Foss."
Kyle's temper started to flair a little, "Jessie just because Foss isn't here it doesn't mean you get to take his place."
Amanda decided it wasn't her place to get between these two fighting and went back to practicing the high kicking techniques Kyle taught her.
"Listen if you want Amanda to be trained and ready you being unfocused staring at her isn't going to help," Jessie said coldly and noticed Amanda blushing in her peripheral vision, "I am going to take over her training for now while you go practice climbing."
Kyle was about to protest when Amanda stopped him, "Kyle it is okay she has a point, I have a lot to learn and you need to practice too."
Kyle started to protest, "Amanda I don't think…"
"Kyle!", Amanda said with a hint of finality in her voice knowing his worry, "I can handle it."
Before Kyle could reply Jessie replied with a smug look, "See Amanda agrees go do something productive." Jessie knew exactly how she wanted to test Amanda first and went back to her bag to grab something.
Amanda looked over and saw the disappointment on Kyle's faced, "Kyle you told me that you and Jessie both had different things to teach me. Also if were all going to get along together we all have to be willing to give a little.
Kyle smiled weakly ashamed he had been selfish. He also marveled at how well Amanda was adapting to this dynamic so quickly.
Amanda glanced over at Jessie who was still at her bag and turned back to Kyle and gave him one of her flirty expressions she was feeling even more comfortable using, "Besides we can always practice together later," Amanda said as she walked up to Kyle and gave a quick gentle kiss.
With that Kyle smiled knowingly and ran over to the climbing wall before Jessie got angry once again.
Amanda watched as Jessie came closer with a blindfold in her hand. Amanda had another reason to want to train with Jessie other than to keep the peace, she wanted to prove to everyone that she could be tough and that there was no better way to prove that than to train with Jessie. As Jessie stood right in front of her. Amanda tried to keep a focused stare, not wanting any insecurity to show through. Amanda was not going to back down from Jessie, for herself and especially for Kyle.
Jessie smiled knowing to herself, being able to see Amanda's feelings through her unsure heartbeat. Jessie could also see determination and she would at least acknowledge Amanda for that.
Amanda was tired of the silence and spoke hastily, "What is the blindfold for?"
"I want to know what your actually made of and to do you need to be tested", Jessie said sternly trying to crack Amanda's tough girl front but to her surprise no avail, "I am going to put on this blindfold and you are going to try and hit me."
Amanda momentarily looked astonished, she for sure thought the blindfold was for her, but Amanda smirked at the opportunity. Even though Jessie was not going to get in the way of her and Kyle, Amanda couldn't help but feel like this was payback for all things Jessie had done to her.
As if on cue, "I wouldn't be so sure your going to hit me", Jessie said knowing how she would feel if given the same opportunity. Also Jessie knew how she was motivated and wanted to really see if Amanda had any natural skill. Jessie grew impatient, "Lets go, what are you going to wait for your opponents to die from boredom."
With those remarks Amanda's body intensified with anger and quickly shifted her body and raising her leg trying to hit Jessie in the head. Amanda threw the kick as hard and quick as she could but to her anger Jessie caught it with ease right before connecting and threw it back down, "Again!"
Amanda tried another kick but aimed towards Jessie's hip but once again was caught. Amanda kept throwing a combination of kicks and punches but every time Jessie caught them with ease.
Jessie inwardly was a little impressed but didn't dare show it. Jessie wasn't impressed by the sloppy kicks or punches but the strength and speed at which she threw them, Jessie knew most of it was Baylin's drug but was astonished nonetheless that her hands were starting to ache.
Amanda finally took a small break trying to assess the situation, it was painfully obvious basic techniques weren't going to work and she still had only begun training yesterday. Suddenly Amanda had an idea and glanced over at Kyle who was hanging on the wall looking at her, nodding as to say he knew exactly her plan. With slow fluid movements Amanda took a stance with her feet apart and her arms extended both in front and behind her. Amanda moved her arms slowly through the air and taking in Jessie's stare through the blindfold.
"Kyle! Stop watching and get back to climbing", Jessie yelled knowing full well the vibrations from across the room weren't happening anymore, "And it isn't going to work", Jessie said nonchalantly at Amanda.
At the sound of Jessie's last word Amanda's slow movement turned into a quick forward thrusting of her palm towards Jessie's face. Amanda was an inch from contact as Jessie's hand slapped hers away. Amanda got upset and disappointed but didn't let it show, she knew she just had to work harder.
"Enough!" Jessie said firmly as she removed the blindfold. In truth Jessie was a little surprised that Amanda came that close, she didn't expect the maneuver but her reflexes were quick enough to compensate. Jessie pleased with herself knowing Amanda was now focused and could tell she had a goal called out to Kyle, "I am done for today! Train your girlfriend, she needs more practice if she is ever going to land a punch." Jessie could feel the determination and intensity flowing out of her opponent, 'mission accomplished Jessie thought', "I'll leave you two to keep training. I am going on my run."
With those last words and a smirk to an outraged Amanda Jessie put her blindfold in her bag before running out of the warehouse.
Amanda stared at Jessie with contempt realizing the whole exercise was meant to humiliate her, but now she felt twice as driven before. Amanda relaxed for a second when she realized a warm,familiar sensation on her cheek but knew it was not time for that. Amanda turned to face Kyle, "Kyle as much as I want to, Jessie is right I need to focus on training right now."
Kyle was sort of disappointed but knew it was for the best and this is what Amanda wanted. "Amanda I understand, I know what is like to balance training and life and I haven't been making it easy either," Kyle gave a warm sympathetic smile.
Amanda gave him a warm look, "Thanks", before assuming her training stance.
Jessie returned an hour later to the warehouse, after finishing her run, to collect her things. Jessie was not pleased with what she saw, Amanda and Kyle were practicing but both of them had those stupid in love looks on their faces. Jessie just collected her things and left knowing that something else had to be done.
