Previously on 'What if'...She moved to the bed on the other side of the room and took off her shoes for the first time that afternoon, before jumping into bed and without another thought drifted into a wistful sleep…
Ash woke up to a knock on the door. She looked around at her surroundings, where was she? It took half a second to remember yesterday's events. Wardrobe turned into a door, different world, gifted people, a school for it all and her new friends. Ash looked at the bed next her, the bed was neatly made, with no sign of another person in the dorm. Another knock in the door this time with voices on the other side. She rolled out of bed and opened the door, to find Ez and Landon standing there dressed and ready for the day. The boys hid their snickers from their bed driven friend, as Ash rolled her eyes and opened the door for the boys to come in.
"Not an early riser, hey Ash?" Landon teased, looking around the room.
"Ha, ha," Ash retorted. "How long do we have until classes?"
"An hour," Landon said casually. "Meaning get dress now, so we can eat something."
"How long does it take you to eat?"
"It's not how long it takes," Ez butted in, who had finally stop looking around the room. "It's how much he eats."
"Hey, growing boy, growing appetite," Landon said as if it was obvious.
"Do I need texted books going to breakfast this morning?" Ash said looking at what she had in her wardrobe. Active wear, casual, nothing over the top, what a relief.
"What do you have first?" Ez asked.
"First is combat, then chemistry, SOSAC and sadly PE last," Ash said looking down at her timetable.
"You don't need anything for combat, chemistry I can take your stuff for the next period and then lunch so you can get stuff then for SOSAC," Landon told Ash. Ez looked surprised, that his friend actually knew his timetable.
"You know all that?" Ez said looking absolutely gobsmacked at Landon.
"Yeah, I'm not that dumb… Ok I am but I can get around on my own just fine," Landon told him.
"Apparently so," Ash said taking the workout gear she chose into the bathroom for a quick shower and change.
She came out of the bathroom to be greeted by a pair of plain black and white sneakers. With the boys having pleading looks on their faces. Ash shook her head with a laughing grin on her face. She put the sneakers; they matched the rest of her clothes a plain grey shirt with black leggings. Landon all but opened the door with much hast and started down the corridor.
"Did you meet your roommate?" Ez asked as they walk to the food court.
"No, she was gone when I woke up," Ash replied.
Ez nodded as if expecting the answer.
They repeated what the three of the did the following night. Jus act nature. They got through breakfast and ended on waiting for Landon to finish a second stack of pancakes. Ash wondered how someone who looked so fit and healthy could eat that much and feel fine. Finally, they departed the food courts and went their separate way. The boys had equestrian skills first so they bye till next period and went to the first period.
\/\/\/
Ash walked over the hill to the open arena, to look like it was straight out of a fantasy book, something from ancient Rome, but built yesterday. As Ash walked down the hill, she could see five boys walking toward the arena as well, they all looked like they were in the grade above her, all well built, all having fun and laughing at something that one of them had said. Just as she was catching up to the group, the tallest of the boys must have seen Ash because he turned around looking a bit surprised to see her,
"You lost?" he asked. Ash sighed knowing this was coming.
"No, if you haven't heard, I'm your new classmate like it or not," she said, a bit silly and embarrassed.
Most of the group laughed as if it was a joke. Ash's embarrassment quickly turned into frustration.
"Ok, it's funny that a girl is joining the class, well let's just see how you all are at the end of the lesson and tell me how funny it is then?" she retorted. It did the trick, most of the guys have wiped the grins off their faces, but there were two guys, in particular, that was still smiling, but not in a mean or making fun of way, it was just genuine and respectful as if what she said was the greatest thing that has ever been said.
The group of boys walked in silence as Ash hurried in front of them desperate not to talk to them anymore, they annoyingly stuck up boys who thought it was funny for a girl to join their class. When they got to the arena, a man strapped in leather clothes was waiting for them, and a… wait, was that a sword sitting to his side. A scowl sat in his face as if casual, his hair salt and pepper on point with gel, cropped closely to his head. When Ash approached, the man raised a brow in curiosity, although he didn't say anything. The boys strolled into the arena silently, some of them gave Ash a sideways glance, looking like she had an egg for a head. They lined up in front of the man, one of the boys who had been smiling at her from before stood next to Ashlyn. He had brown, blonde hair that was relatively messy giving a spike to it. His eyes were a brilliant green that they almost looked blue in the middle, he gave Ash a genuine smile,
"You did well back there," he said
"Um, thanks, I-I think?" she replied half in question on how she did well? The guy chuckled before turning to Ashlyn, extending his hand,
"Tyson," the guy- Tyson introduced
"Ashlyn," she replied, `Tyson' was a good person.
The man in front of them stepped forward and cleared his throat drawing the attention of the class.
"Right, now you're all here I believe, so you know the drill, pair up and start with unarmed practice, then I'll call out and you'll pair up again and then grab a stick and spar." The man's voice was stern yet calm as if he was waiting for someone to take a wrong turn and he would have to yell at them, Ash realised that this must be the infamous Karter. Tyson had volunteered to be Ash's first partner, earning a snicker from the boys around him, as they moved into position, a hard hand came onto Ash's shoulder jerking her back, to face Karter.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my class?" Karter demanded.
"James- Ashlyn James… sir," Ash said trying to not wince from the grip of her teacher. When she had said her name Karter raised his eyebrow suspiciously.
"Well, we'll have to see how good you really are James, hopefully, your folks taught you something because you might be new to the academy but combat-" at that moment Karter ripped out his sword and thrusted it at Ash. She was able to dodge the strike, pivot and knock the sword out of the instructor's hand. While this was happening Karter had turned his body stance sideways so Ash couldn't hit him, although that was smart, Ash had learnt some good technique from her father. She turned and thrusted a hand making Karter's arm jerk it into a bend, Ash wrapped both hands around the arm, pulled it over her shoulder, while her feet swiped low, kicking Karter's legs out from underneath him. Her instructor landed hard on his back, Ashlyn quickly picked up the sword and stuck it right under Karter's chin.
"Do you yield?" She asked. Although she had just taken out her instructor, Ash knew that it wasn't that easy, Karter had gone relatively easy on her, which he now knew that there was no point since she was that good to even try and take out a teacher.
From underneath her, Karter grinned before saying,
"I yield."
Ash immediately turned the sword down and handed it to her teacher. She turned to look at her classmates, most of them had their eyes as wide as their mouths. As she walked back to Tyson who looked like the only one in the arena not looking at Ash like a goldfish, grinned widely, a spark of mirth danced in his eyes.
"See boys-," Karter started. "Girls may be complaining about everything and always talk about shoes, but this girl-," jabbing a finger at Ash. "Is not like the rest and I give her permission to kick your ass!"
The generous speech made the air thick with tension. As Ash walked back to her place by Tyson, she could feel eyes trailing after her, as if waiting for her to do something.
"Alright, on my mark… START!" Karter shouted.
Tyson leapt at Ash kicking out her, Ash was able to pivot to the left, throwing a punch at his shoulder and hit target, but not much damage but a slight flinch.
'Well, it's going to be a long session,' Ash thought, dodging the next punch thrown at her.
\/\/\/
Halfway through the lesson, a huge wolf appeared out of nowhere right in the centre of the arena. Lightning and smoke shrouded around it, fading as it moved around to the side, laying down, watching the epsilon kids spar. Inky black coloured fur except for the right paw which was snow-white. The wolf's eyes were amber, looking deep into Ash as if studying her. Seeing the wolf made Ashlyn feel a little intimidated and small, she was so distracted and struck by the giant wolf's appearance Ash nearly didn't get time to block Tysons next strike, his foot aimed for her side.
"Who's wolf is that?" she asked.
"None of us know, Soraya has always been here, it's not Karter's that's for sure, the owner has never been seen around these parts, some say that they will curse you if you go and touch her."
"Haha oh my gosh you're so scary."
The conversation ended quickly before Tyson could get another word out because Karter called swap over and Ash was quickly paired up with his friend Riley. He was a big boy, not in a mean way, more to do with muscle. Deeply tanned skin, dark warming eyes, kind of like coals in a fireplace, charcoal and black, but warm when near. His black hair was in a set of curtains, but not in a dorky sort of way, more 'cool' so to speak.
Karter shouted to start, and Ash raised her pole, ready for the impact.
Ash was sore and tired, yet still going at it. Let's just say this, they hadn't stopped. Ash and Riley were still going at each other evenly, matching puffing and sweating. Twice, Riley had asked Ash to just let him win and let it be over with, as much as Ash would want that very second, saying that she had to lose and not him was highly taken offensive of and it's now copping it. All the other pairs were done watching from the sideline, cheering on for their friend. A couple of times Ash would hear her name being called as well, but the encouragement was directed toward Riley.
"Ash, please, just give up so we can both finish early," Riley begged for the third time now.
"Dude, why am I the one who has to give up?" Ash came back with, deflecting another strike.
"Well you're good but not as good as me, you're higher than any girl that set foot in here, but still on a girlish level," Riley said, swinging his pole toward his opponent yet again. Ashlyn's mouth came off its hinges.
'Girlish! I'll show that son of a-' the thought wasn't complete but they say actions speak louder than words and Karter gave consent about handing people their ass…
As Riley's stick came around to hit her over the head, Ash dropped hers and grabbed a hold on his. She twisted it out of the boy's grip, whacked him in the side, earning a grunt, before an impressive twist behind her back. Ash moved in repeating what Riley had tried to do before and whacked him over the head, knocking him to the ground, a little less graceful than some.
"Yield," Ash sneered at him pointing the piece of wood at him. Though there were no words, Riley clearly showed his surrender, before Ash lowered the pole with a smile, happy that it was finally over. She leaned her classmate a hand, which he gladly accepted. Though when Riley did get up he nearly fell back.
Ash felt a slight pang of guilt in her since it was her fault for hitting the guy a bit too hard.
"Hey, lean on me," she told Riley. The boy just nodded, slightly putting his weight on Ash with one shoulder. One word for Riley… heavy.
"Well done James, first day in and already knock the boys off their feet I see," Kater said as the two approached the rest of the class. His eyes were in full sink mode and the wrinkles around them made it clear that it was a common jester of his, instead of a smile. Tyson walked over to Ash and Riley, taking the bulk boy half off her shoulder and onto his. Tyson congratulated Ash, the pride clearly seen with his smile and the spark in his eyes could easily have started fireworks. Even the wolf in the middle of the arena -Soraya- (great name choice by the way) looked congratulating for Ash, which was interesting and amusing all at once. The other boys who Ash found out were Jamie, Kai and Nick just stood there so that Karter could yell at them if needed.
"Harrison, get to the Ward now!" Karter yelled at Riley though, he wasn't really conscious to hear it. As class was dismissed the two of them guided their friend to the Ward.
"You really don't have to," Tyson said for the second time. "It's not the first time I've done this and with you in our class definitely not the last."
"Well, I am the person who knocked him out," Ash came back with, looking over the bulk, into blue, green eyes. "Plus if I'm going to knock the rest of you boys out, might as well get used to it."
Her response was met with a half hearted chuckle, before a calm silence- well not counting the other three boys- back to the campus. They turn off to what Ash remembered to be the Med Ward, Tyson opened the doors and the three of them walked inside.
A man stood in the centre of the room. He wore a lab coat and his was starting to go salt and pepper, his green eyes made the room light up along with his smile.
"Thought Karter would have sent me a note sooner than later about another knock out," the man said. Though he let out a sigh, hints of amusement were clear.
"Come on Fletcher you know how much you love us," Tyson teased taking Riley off Ash and carefully lying him on the closest bed. The man- Fletcher, went over to the half unconscious boy.
"I must admit this is the best one yet," the doctor said peering at the side of Riley's head. "I mighty fine bruise and most likely won't be able to leave the Ward until tomorrow morning for the swelling to come down."
Ash felt the pang of guilt grow into a knot in her stomach, she didn't hit him that, hard did she. Tyson seemed to vibrate next to her, Ash looked up at him, a wide grin across his face and a spark in his eye was clear.
"I have to ask who was responsible for this masterpiece?" Fletcher asked breaking Ashlyn's stare off with Tyson. Ash shyly put her hand up as quickly she put it back down, Fletcher stared at her for a moment as if seeing an old friend for the first time in years.
"James, I presume?" the doctor said a hint of smile on his face.
Ash nodded not really surprised that the doctor knew her, there was bound to be more of this throughout the day.
"Well I hope don't see you too much in here," Fletcher said looking some sort of serious.
"I'll try my best," Ash said, meaning it. She hated going to the doctors.
"Good because it's already second period, so off you go I don't want to see until tomorrows lesson," Fletcher said shooing them off.
Ash and Tyson walked out of the Ward; Ash realised she had no idea where her next class was. She asked Tyson for directions, he told her where to go. Ash walked across the campus to her next class following Tyson's directions.
Sorry guys for the late updates, like I said not really constant, fam and I just moved out of the house so… yeah will try to keep updating regularly Happy Reading