Chapter 3
There was a sharp, high-pitched sound as our sparring instructor blew the whistle for the match to begin. I was facing another elite fighter. He wore all mark IV armor, basic forest green. I wore my mixed –recon, Tactical, and Air-Assault-violet and rose colored armor.
We were in our ready stances, waiting for the other to make a move. Slowly I moved forward, careful of my movements. Thinking to myself, don't give away anything over and over as I moved closer.
Normally my opponent would have attacked by now, or I got them to rush blindly into a move that would leave them open or vulnerable to my swift strikes. He instead stayed still, maybe he was moving closer to me as well, and I couldn't tell if he was.
He moved faster than I thought he could. I didn't think, only reacted as his heavily armored fist came within inches of my face. I arched my back and leaned as far as I could back. His fist flew over my face and I had to roll backwards to avoid his next attack.
He sprinted forward, pulled his fist back and slid down, HE FAKED IT! I thought he was coming straight at me, not that he was going to try to slide kick me to the floor. I easily changed my evading stance and front-flipped over him. He rose swiftly and got a good punch in my side before I had time to block. I was shocked by his power. He's swift and strong, a perfect combination.
Now it was my turn to attack! I dashed at him; I could see him ready himself. I jumped to the side and took him off guard. I punched him three times, one in the side and two in the head. I then brought my leg up in an attempt to kick him away. He grabbed my leg and pulled me close to him. I saw his fist coming and grabbed it. He pushed against my hand, and I feared it might break under his power.
Desperate to free myself from his grip, I brought my free fist and aimed to punch his jaw. He moved his head and as it went his face he moved his head back, crushing my arm. I held back a yelp of pain that ripped through my body at the agonizing pain of his helmet crushing my arm.
I refused to lose, some say I'm headstrong. Thinking fast, I lifted myself up; he surely didn't expect this in the middle of a battle. I using my free leg, I wrap it around his neck. Despite his determined will to not be tricked or seduced, he moved his head and just barely released my other leg as I laughed rather seductively.
I was able to move my now free arm around his head hooking my hand under his chin. With my legs –for I had managed to get my right leg freed- I managed to have a sturdy place on his shoulders. Then I released his hand and twirled up with my legs. Our helmets were close for a brief moment, thought I could see through his gold visor, and then I pushed off him, laughing "FOOL!" as I rolled on the ground. I rose to fast for him, for his was stunned now. I kicked him in the back and he went a few feet away.
He grunted as he came back to his senses and rolled up and ran at me. I knew that trick wouldn't work on him ever again, at least not in a battle. I hope I never have to use that foul trick again, but I had been desperate and feared I would lose for the first time.
He had a fist ready; I could tell he was aiming for my head or chest. I brought up my block, bracing myself for his powerful strike. I watched him intently, then I saw his fist change direction at the last moment, and I was too late.
His fist went right under my block. He struck my stomach, and I lost my breath. My helmet clicked loose, and I heard a faint sound. It took me a bit to realize it was my armor absorbing the shock. I sure was glad about that, for it surely would have hurt more without it.
I fell on the ground; I was on my knees, gasping for air. He was standing above me, like a looming shadow. My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I was not about to kneel before him like a servant to his master.
I screamed with rage and leaped up to attack. He grabbed my arm and swung me around. Things felt slow to me, nothing like the actual high-fast pace it went by.
Much to my dismay my helmet flew off my head. Everyone could see my tears; the tears that were now flowing down my face. My black curls were flying around me as I was swung, I screamed on the inside but was silent on the outside praying that this would end now.
James was watching, his helmet was off and he had a look of pure horror as I was thrown into a wall.
I thought the impact might dent my unprotected skull. But I hit a person instead. I didn't realize I was caught rather than hitting them for a bit. I looked up into concerned amber eyes framed by shaggy golden hair. There was a cocky smile on a barely tan face. James… you're always there when I really need you.
I felt dizzy, tired, and embarrassed but shifter up and whispered into his ear. "Wipe that damn smile off your face James, and help me to my room. I feel like I could fall down right now and not get up."
He smiled wider and whispered into my ear. "Yes m'am, but first, would you like your helmet?" I looked at him funny and he pulled it up. I gladly took my air-assault helmet. "I caught it." He laughed.
I curled my neck around his as James carried me out of the sparring arena, everyone talking about the events of the match, and me and James. I looked back for a brief moment, my opponent starring after us, as though he just lost the prize.
When we reached, my room he put me down. Together we walked in and I took my helmet off and then I looked at him softly. James smiled at me again, less cocky though more like sweet. I removed my knee guards and then my wrist. I looked at him, and he turned around while I removed the rest of my armor, leaving me to wear underwear, a bra and an undershirt. I lay down and covered myself up with my blankets.
He turns around now and seems to be taken off guard by something. He gazed at me for a bit longer than normal and then turned around to leave. "James..." I called out and he turned to look back. I swallowed and looked into his amber eyes; I saw just how handsome they were.
"James, thank you… For always being there when I really need you. I never would have lasted as long as I have if it wasn't for you." He came back to me, and did something I never in my entire life thought about.
He leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. It lasted long and every moment felt like the best in my life. He stopped and moved back. Seeming to be shocked by what he did. "James… Did us… Did we, did we just kiss?" I looked at him with confusion and hope.
He nodded at me and then stroked my hair. Our eyes locked and I prayed he would lean forward just a bit, just enough for our lips to touch. "We did, and I hope you don't hate me for it. Elizabeth, I think I… I think I love you…"
He could handle being with me normally, but not being so close and after that, neither could I. I grabbed his head and pulled him to me, and we kissed again. I felt his body against mine, and we kissed even longer.
I felt so much passion between us and I wished it would last forever. What I felt like nothing else mattered as we kissed longer and longer. I felt his hands go down my back and I groaned with the sensation. "James, I think I love you to, please don't stop. Don't ever leave me, stay alive in the training. Or I will die…" He looked into my eyes, and then smiled, cocky as ever. "You know what, we have to stop. Any farther and things will never be normal. I'm sorry, you have to get out." He rose and then left. I felt lonely then and wished I didn't have to do that.
