"I didn't think I'd be seeing you again," Dimitri greeted the next day as he started setting up for the next class.

I came straight from school. I thought about going home, showering, and sleeping until I had to go to school the next day. I thought about not even going to school anymore and realizing my mother would never know, I decided not to go anymore. I knew I'd change my mind by tomorrow morning.

School was the only way I'd ever get out of this town.

I could feel the side of my face throbbing. It was still bruised from Ralphs hit and Camille hadn't made it any better. I wanted to cry, when I came to, the final bell stirring me awake. I didn't. I didn't cry until I went to the bathroom and saw just how bad my face looked.

I'd been avoiding mirrors.

I finally looked at myself and nearly recoiled. My hair was in the same messy ponytail as yesterday, my face was pale, bruised, my body hurt, the words 'liar', 'bitch', and 'skank' were written on my arms and hands in ink and, I ached in ways I didn't think possible, and I looked like plain death.

I felt the same way.

I cried silently.

Hearing the voices of girls coming toward the bathroom I bolted.

I was going to go home but when the bus neared my street, I didn't get off. I kept going until I ended here, at the self defense class. The thought of being home alone wasn't appealing. I wanted to be doing something, I just didn't know what. Catching my reflection in the mirror behind Dimitri I realized I wanted to fight.

I just didn't really think I could.

Dimitri was looking me over, his eyes landing on the new bruise on my cheek but he didn't say anything.

I didn't know what to say either. I wasn't even completely sure why I was here or if I really wanted to be here. It suddenly occurred to me that Charlie might've been here but thankfully he wasn't. No one was. It was too early.

"I-I won't be coming to your class anymore," I said, wishing my words sounded as strong as I meant for them to be.

He didn't seemed surprised.

He leaned against one of the mirrored walls and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Any particular reason why?" he asked looking at my bruise again.

I hadn't thought of an answer to that. Panic filled me as I wondered if I could just leave and never come back.

I definitely couldn't do this.

He could see right through me. Unnerved, I shuddered. He was waiting for me to give him a complete answer. I could've just left but my feet wouldn't budge. I felt like I had to say something.

"I-I don't think...I can't do this."

"Do what?"

"Learn to...defend myself," I said low, remembering today and two nights ago.

I'd lived most of my life thinking I was tough, strong enough to defend myself but that was completely changed now. I didn't feel safe, confident, or capable of anything anymore.

He leaned off the wall and walked toward me. I automatically flinched and he slowed, stopping a few feet away, hands in the pockets of his sweatpants.

"Do you want to fight?"

It was simple question, one I use to be able to answer right away.

Fighting had gotten me trouble a lot lately though.

"I-I don't know."

"Do you want to defend yourself and fight?" He asked, amending his question.

I was about to give the same answer but decided that for the first time in the last two days, I was going to tell the truth.

"Yes."

"Then you'll learn. To be able to do something, you have to want to do it. Follow me."

He turned quickly on his heel and started walking, not checking to see if I was going to follow. I hurried again to catch up with him after a moments hesitation. I was still a little uneasy about being alone with a grown man in an empty exercise room but something about his inspirational zen words made me think I'd be okay for now.

He led me outside where the building was surrounded by tall Montana trees and endless grass. There was a small running path that started from the opposite end of the building through the trees.

"Do you run?"

"Only in P.E. when I had it."

"How'd you feel when you were running?" he asked turned to one of the shelves at the back of the building. He pulled out a water bottle that he set on the ground and a pair of practically new running shoes.

I thought about his question.

"Pretty good...I guess."

Truth was, running was tiring, gave me cramps, and I always felt like puking afterward. Maybe that's why I was such a coward now about running.

He handed me the shoes and gestured for me to sit and put them on.

I hesitated before realizing he was serious. I sat on the ground and replaced my shoes with the running shoes.

"My sister use to come here and run but she doesn't really do it anymore," he said, his voice sounding suddenly sad. I looked up at him to see him staring off into space. He shook himself and cleared his throat before speaking again. "Running is always a good place to start. It gives you time to think, to learn the limits your body can take, and it builds muscle."

I stood up, finding the shoes fit me perfectly. I looked at the path and watched where it went. "Y-you want to run in there?"

He smiled to himself. "You can run on the outside of the path if you feel safer but I've found that it's better to run through the trees, nicer view. I'll be here. You won't be alone."

Those words 'you won't be alone' made me freeze.

I was always alone, all the time. I hadn't even really seen my mom since she brought me home from the hospital because she was working. It was nice to hear. I wouldn't be alone. It felt weird, since a few minutes before I'd been uneasy about being alone with him but now I felt...safe. It was hard to explain.

I turned to face him and saw him watching expectantly, waiting to see what I'd do.

I held on to that feeling and for the first time in the last few days forgot about home, shower, and sleep and that I'm fine. I just ran.