Week two isn't any better.

Neither is week three.

And then week four is a straight downhill slope into hell.

Mara returned Monday, but from the moment she entered the room, neither could meet each other's gaze. Not a word was said and not a thing done towards the other, as if they were still alone. Paige still steals glances at the other girl, when she's busy, and her words ring in Paige's head.

Selfish

Arrogant

Lazy

Maybe she is all those things. But it's not like she's the only with sins. She hears the whispers that follow the other girl, about where she has spent her nights. The others say that influence is what has given Johnson a high opinion of her, and is why she's considered the best of them. Perhaps she doesn't hear them; perhaps she does.

Johnson, however, remains unknowing to both the rumors and the tension between the two girls. Monday proves that much.

Paige watches from the corner of the crowd with crossed arms, her hands gripping tight. Her assessment match is next and her stomach churns at the thought of not only proving what she learned...but also to go against Mara.

It shouldn't be too bad. After all, Johnson is keeping a close eye on both sides of the assessment, having laid the rules out clear. No hits above the shoulders or in places that could do actual harm to their opponent. He would watch each and every hit with the object being to keep your opponent down for three counts. So far, the fights have been near painless, but still...it's Mara.

"Okay!" He pulls the victor of the fight to their feet, before reaching down and pulling the other to his feet. "Next round."

This is it. Deep breath, shoulders back. She steps out of the crowd to the edge of the mat, and on the opposite end, Mara raises her head high. Johnson glances to the both of them as the crowd mutters, but still nods for them to meet near the middle. With another deep breath, Paige obeys, not even daring to look to her opponent.

"You two remember the rules?"

When he receives a nod from the two, he takes a step back. "Get into positions. Whenever you're ready."

The two girls finally meet gaze at his words, but in the silence to follow, neither move. Nobody says a word, simply waiting for the pin to drop; for someone to make the first move. Meanwhile, Paige stands there, the words circling in her mind.

Selfish. Arrogant. Lazy.

"You won't make it."

She thinks you're weak. Stupid.

Selfish.

Arrogant!

LAZY!

She finally lunges forward with a cry. I AM NONE OF THOSE THINGS!

Mara simply waits. Then, when the blow is close, she grabs the blow. With a jerk on Paige's arm, the two are close enough that they are nearly nose-to-nose. Already, Paige is breathing through gritted teeth.

"I am none of those things you ever said about me!"

"You're still on that?" Mara pushes her back. Without another word, she catches Paige in the stomach. However, it's with a flat palm, not a fist, so the blow is light. Paige stumbles back still, but manages to gain her footing again.

"Is that the best you've got?" She calls.

"Paige." Johnson's voice is a warning that both ignore. Mara starts forward again without a word, gaze never leaving the other girl.

When she doesn't respond, the spiteful laughter bubbles up in her and escapes freely. "And you call me lazy! You can't even land a decent hit!"

Finally Mara swings from the right. Paige ducks, and stands after the swing goes by. "Who's the weak one now_"

The blow to the left knocks her off her feet. She cries out at the explosion of pain in her head as she gracelessly lands on her side. She can barely grasp a breath of air when Mara is on top of her. She pulls on Paige's shoulder, turning her for the second blow across the face. Again. And again. The blood is gushing down her face. In her mouth. Choking_

"ENOUGH!" The force finally relents. Paige blinks up to see Johnson with his arms around Mara's waist, dragging her and her bloody fists away. "That is enough!"

Mara pulls out of the grip, and Zed starts forward to intercept her. However, she doesn't move. She stands there, heaving for air, glaring at Paige and the blood. Finally, she catches her breath enough to hold her head high. "I win."

She stalks off before Johnson can stop, and everyone watches her go before the doors slam behind her. As the tension ebbs away, someone pulls her to her feet.

"Take her to the medic." Johnson commands, fixing her with a calculated gaze again. She can't read it, and in moments, he can no longer look at her. "Everyone is dismissed."

No one even tries to disobey. The man who helped her up is pulling Paige by the arm. Paige tries to glance back to Johnson, if one steal of a look would reveal what their teacher was thinking, but he's already gone. All that's left of the scene is the blood shining on the mat.

Sorry if this is really rough. I had a rough day, and there are some things that happened I'm still trying to cope with.