46

I take my bags quickly going to the car, it felt like I was going to throw up I felt so sick. I felt... betrayed.

I feel so betrayed, no angry. If he wanted to have someone else why didn't he have the guts to break up with me?!

It probably didn't bother him that he was cheating. And It shouldn't bother me.

But it did.

A lot.

I get in the car first before Macy and Priya get in. " He's unbelievable." She mutters bitterly.

I avoid their gazes at all costs, I just feel empty void of emotion for right now all I can really do is just stare blankly.

We get back into town, they offered to bring my stuff into the house while I go to Vad's house to grab the few things I had there.

I just nodded before they grabbed the bags from me, I walk by myself wrapping my arms around my body. I take a deep breath trying not to cry.

I walk up the steps, opening the door. Vad was there with a couple kids from training he must've invited over.

Of course they were drinking they all gave me happy looks greeting me. " Kaylayaaaa... Your back! Come join the party." Vad says with a huge smile in his face as he was half sprawled on the chair closest to the door.

" Ahhh...no I'm fine I just need to grab my things." I say weakly. I feel a stray tear slip sliding down my cheek, damn it! Of course Vad saw it, he got up coming over but I brush right past him.

I quickly go upstairs before I completely break down. I get into my room sitting on the bed, Vad walking in shortly after.

He stops looking at me, I don't want to look at him, I don't want him seeing me like this.

" What's the matter?" He says flatly.

" Nothing." I manage to mumble.

" That's why your crying? Because of nothing..." He says a little sarcastically.

I don't answer, instead I wipe my face but the tears still run down.

He comes by me, this time kneeling infront of me. "Kaylaya... Tell me what's wrong." He says this time a lot softer.

It just made me sadder, I cried harder he wrapped me in a hug pulling me tight into him. " Shhh... you need to calm down. Otherwise the others will hear you and I don't want to deal with the drunkards trying to cheer you up."

I laugh a little bit, I know he was trying to cheer me up even when he's slightly intoxicated. " I just need to calm down." I say dismissively.

" Calm down from what?" He sighs " I'll find the girls if you don't tell me."

I know he was serious, I sighed defeated. " Me and the girls wanted to move into my old house for a little bit."

He nods, he'll let me stay as long as I want but I don't want him dragged into what was going on. Enobaria was right about that.

I continued wiping more tears," So I wanted to go grab more of my stuff.. the girls came with me."

He looks more annoyed, " You went to the house?"

" Yea."

He sighs, " Why didn't you tell me? I would've went there with them to grab your stuff."

" I didn't want to ask, your already letting me stay here which I'm so thankful for, and I don't want to pull you into what's going on."

" Kaylaya, anything you need I would gladly help with..you know that." He half heartedly smiled. "What did he do this time."

It was like a stab to the chest when he asked, " I..I saw him with another girl."

Vad shook his head. " He's an ass..." He continued "Well, I think he's an idiot. For losing you, for doing that. He definitely lost the best women he's ever going to get."

I glanced over at him with a small smile. " Thank you."

He smiles, " Your welcome. I'm not just saying that either, I do mean it. And I promise I'm not trying to get with you... Your like my girl best friend, plus I got my eyes on someone else." He says smugly.

I open my mouth.. " Oh my gosh WHO!" I demanded.

He laughs " I'm not telling you!"

" Whyyyy!"

" Beacause!" He laughs.

I roll my eyes. " I just got my heart broken for what seems like the second time and your not going to tell me who?"

I try to sound sad again but he just shakes his head no.

I roll my eyes standing, " Fine. I better get going I bet the girls will be here soon if I don't show up."

He stands up, " I'll help you bring your bags."

" You have company."

He grabs my bags" It's fine Archer and Nelly should be done hooking up, they can babysit them."

I roll my eyes with the information I just didn't need to know about. He grabs the majority of the bags carrying them down the stairs.

" There's the happy couple!" One of them said.

" No thanks." I said back not giving them much attention.

Vad laughs following me out the door. The brisk wind hits me making me shiver. We walk making small talk, I know he was trying to distract me as much as possible which I really did appreciate.

I appreciated he cared.

He reminds me a lot of Aspen, making sure I was ok, making me feel better and helping out as much as he could.

The walk to my house was a shorter one but we were happy to burst through the doors to the welcoming the warmth.

" There you are! I thought me and Macy would need to come rescue you." I turned to see Priya walking up to us, her face stern but I knew she was halfway kidding, possibly.

" I needed some help carrying my bags." I half turned to Vad giving a playful smile. Priya looks at him intensely, blinking a couple times. " Well don't just stand there, come make yourself useful and come help us."

She starts walking away, I glance at Vad he rolls his eyes " Just like her sister." He mumbles. I scoff following them both to the spare bedroom.

We all unpacked, moving some of the furniture around, we hooked up the TV, and unloaded some food before we all slumped down to watch some TV.

" That was exhausting." Priya said.

" You mean exhausting bossing us around?" Vad chimes in sarcastically. We all couldn't help but laugh, Priya gave Vad a death glare which made him laugh even harder.

" Keep laughing Blake... I call you as a sparring partner tomorrow.. see how much your laughing then." She mutters.

" All in good fun Little Kentwell." Vad pokes, she rolls her eyes but a small smile comes from her face.

He yawns standing up, " Well, I better get going. We have training early tomorrow."

" You can stay the night here, it's cold outside." I say. " You can sleep here on the couch, plus we have extra blankets."

" No, I'll be fine. I'll jog back I'll be plenty warm enough."

I don't try to fight him on it I just nodding my head, " Fine, be safe. Same time tomorrow."

" See you then, I'll knock."

" We better get to bed too, We have training." Macy said grabbing some pajamas too change into walking into the bathroom.

Priya followed her until the door shut, snapping her head back at me. I looked at her a little surprised, "Yes?" I slowly say.

" Are you really ok, like honestly? I know how Hadley is... Clove.. liked.. him also he was a jerk then." Priya spoke quickly.

The feeling came right back.

I look down picking at my nails," I will be. I just didn't expect to see that."

" If he's going to be like that..You don't need him. Anyone would love to have you."

I look over at her, giving just a small nudge. " What would I do without you guys?"

She half shrugs, " Die."

I have the best friends I swear.

We finally calmed down a little bit going to bed, I drifted off to bed soon after.

*********

There I was running through the arena, Mutts chasing me on one side, the careers on the other. They chased me into the valley, all by myself I needed to fight them off.

I bolted up from my bed, panting like a dog. I say there for a couple second to make sure I didn't wake anyone up, I didn't luckily.

I take a deep breath leaning on the cool wall, still I wasn't calming down. I sigh throwing on a warm sweater throwing on some shoes going outside.

There was a tree behind the house, I walked over to it leaning on the cold rough trunk looking up the the sky.

I looked at the little and Big Dipper, When I would have nightmares or couldn't sleep Cato would take me to the other cart so we could look for them.

I noticed it gave me great peace. after looking for awhile I felt serene going back to bed.

I slipped back into my bed drifting off to sleep. Soon enough the alarm went off, pulling me from my deep sleep I rolled my eyes internally to myself just wanting to go to bed again.

" Turn that off.." Macy mumbled. I turned it off throwing on a gray crop top and spandex putting my hair in a messy ponytail. I throw on a old sweatshirt before going down the stairs.

I hear a light knock on the door, Vad was standing there looking just as tired as I feel. I step out of the door walking with him to get 12.

I knock and wait a little bit before Evie comes to the door. " We're up." She mumbles.

" Great, let's go."

We walk to our room, " 10 laps, use the breathing technique if you need to!"

" Ahhh.. I'm so sore." Evie mumbles, Fero was already halfway around the room making his laps.

" I don't care.. Run!" I say, she rolls her eyes catching up to Fero. I waited for their laps to be done before moving on the the next thing.

" What are we teaching them today?" Vad asks.

" Maybe alertness? Seems like they need it."

Vad glances at me smirking, " Ok."

We worked with listening excercises along with tips to see if something is up. " If it's quiet, be on the look out. Every part of the wild has sound no matter what. Especially birds, if they're quiet. That's when you run or fight. If you feel like something is up, go with your gut feeling..no matter what."

They nod, " Ok, get some water then come back for the last excrcise." I instruct.

The nod going out of the room to get a drink.

" Go grab the Swords." I whisper.

Vad gives me a look " How many"

" 3"

He nods going to the supply closet grabbing them. The two come back in immediately looking at the foam weapons groaning, " Not those again." Fero says.

I chuckle,  " I want to see how good you two are at escaping, speed. Use the breathing. Vad is going to be the tribute trying to kill you... I want you guys to run, grab the other weapons. If you get hit.... 10 burpees...be smart. Vad, go somewhat easy."

Oh if looks could kill.

" Go."

Vad went, they scattered. Of course Vad went after Evie. Fero looked for a second watching. I roll my eyes grabbing another one throwing it at him. "You've been impaled 10 burpees!"

They did over 200 burpees, leaving me appalled. "Ok, that's enough for today, I think I have second hand embarrassment. Watch the kids today and take notes we'll use what you learned tomorrow."

They rolled their eyes before getting another drink before heading towards the main training room where a couple of kids were already.

Cato wasn't there yet, thank goodness I'm going to avoid him at all costs, hopefully Baria decides to come with him so she can keep him occupied.

Or maybe I'll just leave. No, I'm not going to be like that. I just need to prove it doesn't bother me.

" What are we going to do so they aren't so...like 12?" Vad whispers to me.

I glance over at Evie and Fero talking to some of the kids, I'm glad they are getting along with a couple of them.

" I don't know. I guess work them more. It's only their second day." I say simply.

" Yea, a lot of work." Vad chuckles. I look up from him smiling.  " How long did it take you little Blake?"

" Vad get stretching!" I hear a strong female voice say, Enobaria. I glance over at her before smirking at Vad. " jeez, slacking off much?" I ask. " Who do you think you are?"

He looks over at me annoyed pushing my head as he walks pass, making me stumble back a little bit. Enobaria gives him a dirty look nudging him roughly before walking over to me.

Great.

" How are your kids doing?" She asks looking at them.

I do the same, " They're trainable. I'm starting from scratch here. Just trying my best."

She nods, " That's all you can do. Is there anyone helping you or is it just yourself?"

" Actually your brother has been helping me, he offered."

She looks at me interested, " And no.. it's not like that. No offense he's not my type..at all. He went through..all of this. So having someone who had been trained in this stuff has been helpful."

" No, I understand." She nudges, " Just be careful."

" I'll make sure your brother doesn't get hit by Cato, if that's what you mean."

She softens her gaze, " I didn't but thanks. Well, better start then, yea?" She says.

" Yea."

I didn't even see Cato come in but he was talking to some of the boys, they all occasionally looked over at me laughing or glaring. I glared back if I saw one, which made them look down right away.

They should mind their business, I shouldn't be bothered though, they're just boys...mindless boys that think they are cooler just because they are friends with Cato.

I was glaring down one boy when I saw Cato look at me, he said something to the one boy making his head snap around to face him. I walk away rolling my eyes not bothering to see what else he did.

" Sparring to start!" Enobaria yells.

" I call Vad Blake!" Priya yells causing me to burst out laughing. Vad looks at her annoyed, " What you think I wasn't going to pick you Blake? I always keep my promises." She says walking past him to a sparring mat.

They sparred for the first 15 minutes, Priya kicked Vads butt which made the whole situation funnier. I see her working on her technique made her lethally fast.

I'll admit I'd probably have a time keeping up with her.

" Practice weapons that you haven't used before or good at!" Cato yelled making everyone snap to get to work.

I found 12, " Use the bows..miss at first before getting better. You'll gain more respect that way."

They both nodded, Cato was looking at the 3 of us "Weapons you DON'T know!"

The kids looked at him wide eyed.  I step in their way from viewing Cato " Don't listen to him. If he says or does anything I'll deal with it. Work with bows do you two understand?" I say sternly.

They swallowed nodding. " Good, I'll be here watching. You two can also try others once your done."

They walk away and I just watch, make sure Cato doesn't go by them or no kids try  something. I saw some kids trying to throw knives and small axes so I decided to help them since the stations are next to each other.

I taught them tips my father and Zane taught me, seeing them improve so much after just telling them tips made me feel accomplished. Seeing their faces light up and do a small happy dance made it so much more worth it.

I happened to glance of the the stations Fero was with Macy he was teaching her survival knots. He was behind her guiding her hands, she was so red it was kinda cute. At least he knows knots, one thing that can be useful.

Vad was teaching Evie swords, Found the girl he was talking about. Priya was staring across the room from me appalled her face was screaming ' are seeing this?!'

It made me laugh a little bit, but a strong ping of regret wracked through my body. One or both of them will be gone by this time next year. We are all growing to attached already.

I swallowed a lump in my throat turning around walking into the hallway deciding to grab a drink. I walk to the bubbler drinking some water trying to clear the heart wrenching thought.

" I see your boyfriend has a new girl." A cocky voice says.

I close my eyes, hoping I just imagined Cato saying that to me. Nope.... I feel his presence behind me.

Maybe I can just ignore him.

I turn around not looking at him, he doesn't deserve to much of my attention.

" Good thing he's not my boyfriend." I say as I walk pass.

" Sure about that?" He questions.

I could just walk back into the room, he won't say much in there. But my stubbornness and the need to get the last word in won't let me.

I turn back around, " Pretty damn sure."

" That's not what Enobaria said." He says turning also to face me, crossing his arms as he looks displeased as ever.

He certainly doesn't hide his jealousy.

I furrow my eyes at him, " What do you mean what Enobaria said?" I snap.

" He's helping you train 12?" He says more then annoyed. I know he's trying to contain himself to make it look like he doesn't care.

I chuckle, " Oh so that means we're together.Didn't know that's how that worked."

" You couldn't ask your girls?' He says, no almost asks.

I find a snide smile appear on my face, I'm maybe enjoying this a little to much.

" Nope, he makes the girl listen so I think I'll keep him."

He lets out an annoyed breath. " Of course you will."

I glare up at him, " I'd shut up. At least I didn't cheat."

" I didn't."

" You didn't? No, if I didn't show up you would've. And you wouldn't have told me. So gets me thinking how many other times were there?"

" There weren't any other times. If you would actually let me explain once in your life-"

" I've had enough of your explanations. They're all crap. If you weren't happy at least have the balls to break up with me instead of being a dick and cheating." I remark pushing past him.

His eyes felt like they are literally burning into my back as I walk away. Dick.

I go back into one of the corners watching the kids. My blood was boiling again, so much so everyone who looked at me loooked away almost instantly I must looked livid.

Cato comes in soon after he glares at me before going in the middle of the room for ending remarks. His face was also the lightest shade of pink, he was just as wound up as what I was.

" To end I want a spar. Student against teacher, see how your improvement is.Nolan! Your up. Pick a mentor you want to spar." Cato yells.

Nolan...?

The kid I punched that one day, I thought he aged out apparently not. He walks up, clearly still one of Cato's puppies. He looks directly at me " Kaylaya?" He asks a slight smirk appearing on his lips.

And he apparently wants payback? I shouldn't take it personally, who would want to fight Cato? But I know it is personal.

Good thing I need a punching bag.

I see 12, Priya, Macy and Vad push to the front to watch. All their face look concerned wondering if they should intervene but Cato was already looking at them challenging them not to.

Enobaria was by the wall looking at the two of us. She looked pissed but I think we need to just get it out of our systems and move on.

We want to fight.

And I don't back out of fights.

I shrug, " Fine."

I tighten my ponytail eyeing him up. " Ready whenever."

Nolan comes charging at me, I step out at the last second making him almost fall in the crowd, some of the boys push him back in. They yell his name egging him on.

I stand straight up giving a little smirk, if I had my knives he'd be dead 10 times already.

He shakes his head refocusing, but as he does I come forward colliding my fist with his face. He grunts taking a step back.

he looks up absolute malice in his face his skims the crowd again then his eyes were back at me.

He comes forward again, swinging towards me. I step back, he spins around me grabbing me from behind.

I snaked my arm above him so he couldn't pin it against me. He attempted to throw me but failed when I elbowed him in the face.

He drops me grabbing his face, blood trickling down his nose.

" Come on I'm getting bored." I tease.

" Sorry." He says as he comes charging. I was about to move but he literally jumps at me grabbing my ankle pulling me down.

I manage to kick him but he grabs me with his other hand pulling me towards him.

This is when I wished I had my knives.

I try kicking again since I couldn't reach him with my hands but now he grabbed my legs pulling me underneath him.

He sits, puts all his weight on my chest so I couldn't breathe his fist collided slightly with my face, I moved it to the side so it really only bruised my cheek. His hands went around my neck.

It was like a flashback. I was there again, that wasn't Nolan on top of me it was Aspen. His deep brown hair dangling from his face, his sea green eyes boring into mine. Eyes that I have nighmares about.

Void of any human emotion. Mutt eyes.

Eyes of something so evil it makes you want to shrivel into nothingness. And it's very real.

I could smell his cologne he always wore.

" Aspen! Aspen get off!" I scream. Then Nolan was back on top of me.

Nolan looked confused loosening his grip, Maybe he was trying to get off but Cato beat him to it, taking him literally throwing him into the wall. Now his hands were around Nolan's throat.

" She said get off, just pin her don't actually strangle her!" He roared slamming him into the wall again. Enobaria along with some other kids tried pulling him off, separating the two.

" Kay!" Vad said rushing my my side, the others along side him.

I coughed violently, trying to get some air though it seemed impossible. " He-he was right there.. Aspen was.." I feel tears stinging my eyes. " Aspen.."

I couldn't breathe.

I was gasping, tears blurring my vision. My chest felt like it was on fire.

My body was still in such a panic I felt myself shaking so violently I thought for a second I was having something more serious happen.

But I heard someone was saying I was having a severe panic attack from the trauma mixed with a flashback.

" Fero, grab her other side." I barely hear Vad say. They help me up though I didn't really realize they did.

I was looking at everything though it seemed like a muffled blur.

I heard Cato yelling, Enobaria trying to calm him down. I heard my name though I couldn't answer.

I felt like I wasn't even in my own body.