Everyone is lined up at the door for combat class and I've fazed out of the conversation my friends are having because I'm scanning the room for Chloe – I mean 150. Calling her by her preferred name gives a sense of emotional attachment which I can't afford to have obviously; so 150 it is. I couldn't set my eyes on her before we were called into class so I just followed the other students into class. We entered and stood in our standard formation while we waited for our orders.
The instructor relayed to us that our bonding exercise for today included being tied to our partners to build 'trust' and we must also work together to fight another couple. However, for the warm up we have 10 minutes to fight our partners and we should focus on playing our strengths and attacking their weaknesses. Today's task is contradictory because how are we supposed to build trust with someone who for ten minutes has been 'attacking our weaknesses'. Doesn't really make sense.
150 appeared next to me and I barely acknowledge her presence before storming over to a mat in the centre of the room, she followed quietly behind.
I stood ready with my fists up as she slouched in front of me without her guard up, sulking with her arms crossed.
'Erm your highness, are you going to start?' I smirked but then harden my lips into a stiff line.
'I told you, I prefer Chloe' she sighed keeping her arms crossed, she does that a lot.
'Are you going to start?' I asked her again but my face had relaxed when I asked that time.
'I'm really sorry about – '
'Don't worry, just drop it' I rolled my eyes, this is a trait I learned from my old English teacher; she used to roll her eyes all the time. Mostly at me.
'How can I drop it when you look so bruised and I keep thinking if it has something to do with me' her voice is quiet and shaky.
'It has nothing to do with you but thank you for your concern' I said keeping a low tone of voice.
'Then what happened to you?' she asked pulling the hems of her t-shirt nervously. At least she unfolded her arms.
'It was from fighting with one of the fourth years, 96 actually. It was a battle to see who was stronger and the winner had to buy the other one a tattoo' I said more conversationally.
'You got that hurt in an ego battle?' she scoffs.
'An ego battle? What are you talking about?' I ask confused.
'It's when cocky fourth years try to prove their strength by fighting but really it's just an ego battle. Obviously it's typical in the black sector' she paused to glare at me but added, 'sorry you lost though, I hear 96 is really good'
Lost? She thought I lost? Maybe it's because I'm wearing my long sleeved black combat top so she can't see my tattoo. Furiously, I pulled my top over my head revealing the full extent of my injuries but showing my muscles and tattoo as well. 'I don't need your pity, Chloe' the sentence came out hard but I used her name so the harshness was lost.
Chloe stared at me dazed and had to recover before speaking but the only thing that came out of her mouth was, 'oh'.
'Okay, little leagues. Time to get your bandages to tie yourselves to your partners and once you have done that pick another pair to fight with' the Instructor shouted, little leagues is the colloquial term given when referring to people in the fourth year or below. We are little leagues until we leave or progress to the fifth year which is referred to as high league. When we reach the seventh year we are referred to as the advanced league.
I waltzed proudly towards the bandages and selected a black one and a white one representing our sectors. Chloe had recovered by the time I returned and was talking to another girl from the white sector. Chloe's reaction to me taking off my top had put me in a cocky mood which I tried to suppress when I said, 'so what do you want to bandage together? Wrists or ankles?'
Purposely looking directly into my eyes she said, 'you choose'
I tousled my hair with my free hand and replied, 'well you're better on your feet so let's tie our wrists?'
'Erm… actually you have to tie both your wrists and your ankles' Chloe's friend interjected. I draw my eyes away from Chloe and look around the room and everyone else is tying their wrists and ankles.
'Oh, I didn't see that. Thank you' I smiled at her and began to tie my ankle to Chloe's ankle.
'You've changed your tune' Chloe says with flushed cheeks.
'Yeah I suppose I have' I said while tying our wrists together. Out of habit I lifted my left hand to tousle my hair and Chloe's arm flew towards my face. Startled, I took a step back forgetting that our ankles were tied together; this caught her off guard and she fell into my arms but luckily I caught her.
'Sorry, I'm not very good at this' I apologised.
Chloe's cheeks flushed a dark shade of red as her breath warmed my chest and I turned my head awkwardly to realise that the entire room were looking at us. My cheeks flared red. Reluctantly, she regained her balance with my help and stood firmly on the ground.
'So, are you two quite ready to start? Or do you want a minute?' 130 was suddenly by my side and scowling at Chloe.
'I don't remember picking you as our partner' I joked and Chloe tried to hide her laughter with a cough but 130's face hardened and there was a silence so I continued with, 'I was joking, let's start'
Without saying anything or communicating in any way with each other 147 and 130 got into a starting position. It was scary how their stance was perfectly symmetrical and somehow that was intimidating. I looked towards Chloe and she looked back at me but as soon as our eyes met we retracted them and stood in an awkward unsymmetrical stance. Logically, mine and Chloe's strengths combined are easily high enough to beat theirs but I have my doubts. Being tied to Chloe is strange because it feels like I can only move half of my body freely and the other half I need to move with her, it seems impossible.
130 and 147 take the lead and start throwing punches with their free hands. Chloe dodges 147's punch but 130's punch catches me in the chest and 130's face lights up. In a quick response I kicked into his side with my free leg and he groaned and cringed into 147. Chloe using her instincts attacked with her free arm and kicked 147 in the chest although both were with her weaker side 147 was pushed back.
A smile formed on my face because the attack was neat and I didn't fall over. I quickly relaxed my face and shook the thought from my head. I'm not supposed to be getting on with her but I just can't help it.
In unison 130 and 147 threw their fists at us and 130's fist hit me right in the jaw but before I could react to the pain he sent another kick flying into my chest. After that it felt like we were fighting a losing battle, we barely got good hits in and even if we did it would be received with further beating but then I realised we were only using one half of our bodies, the free side. I used my tied leg to hit 130 and 147's tied wrists and following my lead Chloe followed through with the kick. After our legs landed she swept 147 cleanly off her feet with her free leg. As she lost her balance 130 caught her and I took the opportunity to send a high kick into his side causing him to fall with her. The battle was won.
'And just like that we won' Chloe said and raised her hand for a high five but it was tied to mine so my hand went flying up as well. 'Oh, sorry'
'It's okay' I laughed. After a moment, I turned to 130 and 147 and bowed.
Chloe's eyebrows furrowed at the gesture but then it must have occurred to her that it was black sector custom.
'I nearly forgot you were in the black sector then' she faintly sighed and weakly bowed at 130 and 147 who were now standing.
'Don't bow at me' 147 says in repugnance.
'Oh shut up, 147' I said protectively.
The instructor clapped at Chloe and I while nodding in approval, 'I thought you two would be a good match'
'Thank you, instructor' Chloe said and I echoed her as he walk towards another group.
'What skill level are you on?' 130 asked Chloe out of curiosity.
'Ten' Chloe replied defensively but her face softened as 130 nodded in approval.
'Not bad' he compliments and returns to his mat with 147.
'You guys really know how to compliment, 'really good', 'not bad' what next? You're borderline average and nice try' Chloe laughs and I laugh with her.
'Do you want to take these off now?' I ask smiling politely.
'Wouldn't say no but I think we have to' she smiled.
'That's true… Chloe' I smiled back.
