Her watch beeps somewhere and she groans as she reaches over the edge of the cot. She feels the cool floor with her hand, searching for it, and finally rises when she has yet to find it. With the still persistent beeping, she slips out into a crouch as she sticks her head underneath.
There it is. She grabs it and pushes the button to stop the alarm before stealing a glance to the other side of the room. It's still empty from when she had fitfully fallen asleep the night before; Mara hasn't been back yet again.
Oh well. She thinks with resign as she changes and pulls her hair back. It's really not my business what she does.
She easily slips on her shoes on her way to the door. She quietly closes the door behind her as she exits to find the hallway still dark and empty as she travels down it. She doesn't think she's ever seen it this quiet….
She fights back a yawn, and instead shivers when she enters the cold, outside air.
I'm too tired for this. I can always do it later….
No. She shakes her head, and squeezes her eyes shut as she clenches her fist. I have to start this now, or I never will.
She doesn't stand around any longer; she takes off with a light jog down the sidewalk. Her footsteps seem louder in the silence rather than the herd, and she finds solace in the repetition of her footfalls.
It isn't long at all to reach the gym. She already decided the night before that she needs to start building up strength, and she won't be exhausted before the day's training. That would be a disaster, and perhaps get her kicked out right away.
She finds with a relief she hadn't thought about that the door is unlocked, and she slips into the empty gym. She flicks on the lights, glances around once, and then bee-lines for the weights.
Where to start?
Perhaps the bench press would work.
She settles to that and pulls off two five-pound weights. She remembers that one must go on each side, to add equally onto the weight of the bar. Once she adjusts the weights to an adequate position, she slips in underneath the bar.
Shoulder width apart?
I think that was it.
She grips the bar in a near death grip, and with a grunt, shakily lifts the bar off the latch. She lets out a gust of air. Now to bring it down.
It takes more effort than she expects. Her muscles in her arm scream in protest, and she gasps when the bar leans into her chest. Her arms shake as she tries to push up but she can't she can't_!
Her breath escapes her in the smallest of gasps when two other hands grab the bar.
"You know it's better to have someone watching, right?"
Paige's gaze flicks up to Mara as the latter pulls the bar out of her grip and sets it down on the rack again. Only then does Paige relax, pulling her gaze away with a tired sigh.
"What are you doing here?" Mara's question prompts an answer Paige doesn't want to give. She sighs and sits, thinking hard about what to say….
"Look." She says finally, proving her framing of thoughts with her hands. "I'm sorry I said all….that about you and Johnson. I shouldn't have done that."
"That's not what_"
"I know." Paige cuts her off. "Just...let me. Please."
Mara goes quiet and with a sigh, Paige continues:
"...Like I said, I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me...but I think we could at least learn not to hate each other…" She pauses, but quickly pushes herself forward.
"I'll tell you why. Why I'm here. Last night….I was confronted by the Renegade."
The silence is broken and Mara sits down next to her before asking. "What for?"
"...What you would expect." She finally meets Mara's gaze. "He kicked me out."
"...But you're still here."
"I argued with him."
"You what?"
"I know. He's giving me one last chance to get up to expectations, or I have to go back to Xenon…" She rests her chin on her hands and her elbows on her knees. I can't go back to Xenon…..
"You don't want to go home? Don't you miss Xenon?"
"Xenon isn't my home." Her fingers frame her face and she stares at her feet, the long forgotten pain returning with a pang. "I was forced to Xenon because of this...this war!"
She didn't even remember being given a choice. She had known the Royal Army was going to give people the option the evacuate, but then things began to blur...and they didn't give her that chance. Perhaps they meant well, but it's still her home!
I want to go back to home! Back to Gallium.
"...Oh." Mara's voice is soft, and she's staring at the floor, too. "I didn't know that."
"Whatever." She feels the tears well and furiously wipes at her eyes. "I don't even know why I'm telling you anymore."
Mara says nothing, and instead watches her stand.
"I'm going to start heading over to the field. It's probably time by now."
It's only when Paige reaches the door does Mara finally speak.
"I can help you, you know."
She stops, and turns back with an automatic: "I don't want your sympathy. If that's why, then I'm fine by myself."
"It's not that." Mara stands, meeting her at the door. I want to take you up on that offer of being friends, and that's what friends do."
Paige merely stares at her, wordless.
"Plush…" A blush begins to form as she bites the inside of her cheeks, before continuing. "I want to make it up to you for beating you up. Have for a few days now."
Mara takes a deep breath. "So…?" She holds out her hand. "Friends?"
It's a reluctance when taking her hand, but instantly the grip is firm.
"I'm glad we're friends now." She says with a grin that Paige doesn't recall being there before. "I'll help you, I promise."
Paige says nothing to that, keeping the doubts to herself as Mara pushes open the door and pulls Paige out.
As soon as they reach the field, though, Mara lets go of her wrist and disappears into the crowd, leaving Paige behind.
Of course. She thinks, turning away. Mara probably doesn't want the others to know we're...friends. I wouldn't blame her, honestly; she probably has a reputation to hold as the top of the ranks.
Maybe she only meant before and after_?
"Let's go!" Johnson calls, and her head snaps up to see the group start off. Her crossed arms drop and she barely makes it as the back end of the group.
If I want to make it, I have to make it to at least the middle of the group. I have to…
"Hey!" The slight jolt snaps her out her thoughts to see Mara, a sheepish grin visible with a slight blush. "Sorry. I had to let Zed know I wouldn't be with him today. I'm here now!"
"What...why?"
Her grin falters into an expression more serious as she says. "That's what friends do. They help each other."
Then the grin returns. "So that means I'm going to push you. So keep up with me!"
She starts jogging faster, and with a small cry, Paige lengthens her strides and pushes to follow her blue-haired friend.