THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! Sorry for the late update, Junior year is killing me. Mainly, my English teacher because she gives a lot of work. You truly are the best, I love you guys 3 Happy New Years, guys

Twenty-Four

Chloe POV

I hated the silence. I would prefer the yelling, the arguments, or even the snide comments. Nothing was worse than Alek's silence toward me. Jasmine glared at him so much, I was sure she would burn a hole into the back of his head. I kept to myself most of the time. Even when Alex came over to bother me, I simply got up and walked away, locking myself in my room. Jasmine continued to try and get me to come out and at least hang out with the other Mai but I wasn't in the mood. Finally, she walked in with a huge cartoon of ice cream. She handed it over to me.

"They want you out for training tomorrow," she said. "I told them you'd be there. So channel your feelings into the ice cream tonight, okay?"

I nodded. I accepted the cartoon, opening the lid, and scooping a huge spoonful before shoving it in my mouth. Ohh, I loved Vanilla. I smiled at Jasmine.

"Thanks, Jasmine."

"Anytime. I am your protector after all."

She left me alone in the room. Within the hour, I was done with the whole container. I placed it on the floor and curled up in my bed. I missed Alek so much. Of course he was there…but he wasn't really there. More like a whisper of the arrogant boy I've grown to love. I woke up and caught Alek disposing of the ice cream container. He froze when he saw me.

"Hey," I murmured. He leant down and kissed my forehead, then simply walked out of the room. I laid back down and closed my eyes.

Jasmine woke me up early the next day.

"Come on," she whispered. "Training's starting early today."

I sat up and stretched. "What time is it?"

"5."

"WHAT?"

"I told you, they're starting early," she muttered. She yawned and then shook her head. "Let's go before they send the Guards to collect us."

I dragged myself out of bed. I pulled on a pair of sweats and a tank top. We walked out of our room, while I was pulling my hair into a bun. We went down to the training room, where Alek and three other male Mai were waiting. Alek was too busy throwing daggers at a dummy to notice us.

One of the males approached me.

"Hey, Chloe. I'm Drew, we're supposed to be sparring together."

I nodded. "Great, let's go."

We went over to the mats. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Alek watching me now. Jasmine was in the process of running through an obstacle course. I braced myself. Drew lunged and we collided crashing onto the ground. Fortunately, I knew just what to do. I flipped us over and pinned his arms down. He looked surprised.

"You're strong," he commented.

"Thanks."

He flipped us over again, pinning me under him. My head hit the mat. I couldn't move an inch. "But not strong enough."

He released me, standing up and pulling me to my feet. I looked over to see Alek approaching and then he stopped. His eyes were blazing with anger.

"It's okay," I mouthed to him. He didn't respond. The muscles in his shoulders remained tense. I looked over at Drew.

"Best two out of three?" I asked.

"You're on."

So to summarize what happened, I lost. Big time. All three rounds. Drew was in the process of teaching me what I did wrong, when Alex strolled into the room like he owned the place. I was able to ignore him at first, until he actually had the nerve to approach me.

"Hey, baby, how's it going?"

"I'm training, now go away."

"How about you train with me?"

"How about you jump in a well?"

Drew twisted my arm. "Reverse it," he ordered. "Just like I showed you."

I did as he said; turning my body and using the arm he was holding me with to twist his own arm. He gritted his teeth.

"Good," he approved.

"How about you try me?" Alex interrupted. Drew stepped back from me.

"Should I leave you two alone?" he asked confused. "I thought you were dating Alek?"

"I am," I said. "Alex is just being annoying."

Alex stepped closer to me. I looked at Drew.

"Excuse me," I said. I walked out of the training room, with Alex hot on my heels.

"Slow down, baby."

"Will you leave me alone?" I demanded.

"Where's the boyfriend?"

"About to kick your ass," I snapped.

"Oh, really? Shouldn't he be out here instead of training? Where is he, hmm?"

"Right here," I heard Alek said. I turned surprised, and afraid. He always seemed to show up whenever Alex came to bug me. Of course he saw what happened in the training room.

"Alek…"

He stalked toward me. I froze in my spot because I had no idea what would happen. Alek grabbed my shoulder, pushing me against the wall, and kissed me. When he pulled away he smiled slightly.

"I love you," he told me. "I'm sorry for being such an asshole."

"You don't have to apologize," I said. "I earned it."

"No you didn't." he shook his head. "I just needed some time."

"And I'm going to throw up," Alex interjected. I glared at him.

"Then go," I said coldly. Alek pulled me away.

"Don't mind him," he whispered. "Come on, we've got to get back to training."

I nodded and let him lead me there. I should've let him grovel for forgiveness. But honestly, I couldn't care less about that, I was just glad to have my Alek back. Nothing changed when we got back. Jasmine raised an eyebrow at us, when she saw us holding hands. I mouthed, "Later."

She shrugged and grabbed the staff she was holding again. She deflected an attack from another Mai and went for the strike, knocking him off his feet easily. She grinned. Alek walked me over to where Drew was still waiting on the mats.

"Go," he urged. "But I'll be watching you."

"When does training end?" I asked curiously.

"Another hour and a half," he said. He kissed my temple. I walked over to Drew.

"Ready?" he asked. I looked over at Alek. He smiled. I could feel new found strength coursing through my veins.

"Yeah, I'm ready."

Alek walked me out of training with an icepack pressed against my back.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, fine, I can hardly feel it."

I had gotten hit with a hard concrete ball that Jasmine had thrown too far. Alek and she had a huge argument over it. He kept the ice pressed against my skin.

"Really, Alek," I said. "I'm okay. I'm starting to heal."

"Then come on," he said. "I wanna take you somewhere."

We walked up to the rooftop. He held the door open for me, letting me go in first. He sat down and I sat down on his lap. His hands rubbed my back lightly.

"I'm sorry," he started. "I know I'm a jerk. I just had to sort things out."

"I understand."

"And," he continued. "I know, Chloe. What you've been hiding from me."

"Who…?"

"I overheard," he said, "From your last meeting with the Dean."

"You heard all that?"

Alek nodded. "You fought for me, you defended me. So I figured I should've done that same."

I kissed his lips.

"I'm sorry I never told you."

"I know why you did." He kissed me again and again. "And I love you for it."

"I love you, too."

"Aww, how sweet."

I gritted my teeth. Seriously? This was getting ridiculous! "Will you go away?!"

Alex smirked. I got to my feet, and so did Alek.

"But where's the fun in that?"

"Nobody wants you here," Alek hissed. "I don't understand why you still try."

"Maybe because you don't deserve her."

"Oh, and you do?"

"Yes."

"Says who?"

"Baset."

"What-fucking-ever!" Alek snapped. I placed my hand on my boyfriend's arm. He needed to calm down. "The only one that says is the Dean, Baset would never chose you to be with the Uniter. Leave now, and I won't hurt you. I'm sick and tired of you trying to court my girlfriend."

"Then come at me, bro." The smirk on Alex's face did it. My boyfriend charged at him. Might I add we were on the roof…

"ALEK!" I shouted. He caught Alex around the waist, and they tumbled near the edge. They pushed off each other and were ready to strike again. "STOP! BOTH OF YOU!"

They both ignored me. They lunged at each other at the same time. I don't exactly see what happened, but one of them slipped and they both went tumbling off the side of the roof.

"NO!"

Review :p Sorry guys, I rushed this chapter because I just wanted to finish it and give you guys something.