Chapter 35
1817words
Asher met me after my last class to drive me to visit Storm. He waited in the car while I when to check in on her briefly. Lucky Loki had gone out somewhere so I wouldn't have to run into his sorry arse. Today, storm had a little more colour in her cheeks, concentrating on completing her classwork when I arrived. I had tried to convince her to come with us to the studio. But sadly, she declined. So instead, I promised to come visit her after class. I heading out again and jumping into the passenger side of Asher's land rover, heading to the studio for our self-defence class. I felt a lot better the closer we got; I needed to let out my frustrations with violence.
We parted ways, so I could change into my sports bra and leggings, tying my hair up in two tight French braids. I looked like a total bad arse. I greeted some of the girls in the changing room before meeting Coach and Asher out in the studio. Asher had changed into tight-fitting jogging bottoms and a vest top that showed off his arms. Not quite as muscular as Loki, but nonetheless nice to look at.
“Hey coach”, I greeted as I neared them.
“Winters! I believe I have you to thank for convincing Whiteforn to attend” Coach Praises. “I'm impressed; I've been working on him for over a year. The club will really benefit from having a Palooka to practise with,” He grins, patting Asher on the back.
“I'm sure Scarlett will show me up badly,” Asher chuckled, his amber eyes washing over my body. I turned away, hiding the blush that now stained my cheeks.
“I'm sure she will!” Coach laughed. “What you say, Winters? Shall we start with a demonstration?”
“Maybe Asher could help lead the warm-up first”, I suggest, keeping my eyes on the mats. I didn't know why; I was suddenly feeling nervous and girly around Asher. But then, I notice the other students coming out of the changing room, many of the girls giving him an approving once over, a few guys too.
“Sounds good; what shall we start with?” Asher asks, suddenly at my side. I reframe from jumping back from his tall, broad frame.
“Any good at skipping ropes?” I grin, knowing full well it wasn't something the football team were usually to.
“You’re going to make me sweat, aren't you?” He smirks approvingly. “I wouldn't have it any other way.”
“Good because you’re leading with me,” I laugh, as his face turns not so confident. When the class had finally piled in, Coach introduced our 'guest' Asher as one of his star athletes on the football team. Many of the class whisper at that, a little uneasy with a Jock in our class. But Asher quickly eases the tension.
“Hello, everyone. I'm Asher. I know many of you are probably wondering why I'm here. Well, the truth was I made a deal with this girl right here,” He tells them, wrapping an arm around my waist. “In exchange for letting her beat the crap out of me, she'll come and watch me play,” He grinned, getting a few laughs from the people in the room. “Coach also wanted me to come to talk to you about my story because, in all honesty, I've been bullied too. It was many years ago now, in a different state school, but it was a very dark part of my life that I will always carry with me,” He paused, letting us all absorb that information. I looked up at him in disbelieve; I had never know Asher had been through anything like that. I knew he joined very late in the school year of Adams's first year at blossom lake high, but I never realised why.
“I know what it's like to feel there is no way out other than to take your own life. I've been there, but I'm living proof that life can get better. It's so important to reach out to someone, even when you feel alone. You’re not. There is always someone who is willing to listen,” Asher assures. I squeeze his hand reassuringly, several people getting a little emotional. It couldn't have been easy for him to share the most vulnerable part of himself with a room full of strangers.
“Thank you for sharing, Asher,” Coach patted him on the back. “Does anyone have any questions before we start?” he asks. Nobody put their hand up, but everybody was giving Asher a sad smile of thanks and understanding. “Scarlett,” Coach gestures for me to start.
I moved away from Asher's embrace and began handing out the skipping ropes. Coach starts the stereo, an upbeat workout track echoing through the room. Once everyone had a rope, I counted us in and started skipping, Asher by my side. We skip leisurely at first, allowing our muscles to loosen and to warm our bodies—coach timing a minute and a half. A few people miss the rope a few times and start over, including Asher. I glance over at him, grinning a little. He was breathing steadily, sweat glistening at his forehead.
“30 Seconds,” Coach announces.
“Push yourself, fast as you can for the last 30 Seconds,” I order. I starting to increase my pace faster and faster, the rope moving so fast it become a blur. Many of the group tried to match my pace but found themselves missing the beat and having to start over. Asher, however, managed to keep pace with me, side by side, breathing hard. His arms flexing and stepping one foot then the other.
“Time,” Coach announces. Several people stopping eminently, sighing with relief. I, however, slow my pace gradually.
“How was that Whiteforn?” I tease, smiling from ear to ear.
“Hard,” He laughed. “I haven't skipped since I was many twelve,” He admitted. Taking my rope from me before, going round with the box to collect the rest. I watched as he spoke to the class smiling and joking with a few of them. They all seemed to be warming to him pretty quickly. I pick up my bottle and taking a large sip. Before placing it back down. Asher coming back to my side.
“let’s go with arm stretches,” I announce. I stretch my arm back over my head and reach down, my other hand reaching back to hold my fingers. I turn round so everyone can see what I'm doing. While I demonstrating, while Coach walked around the room correcting some of the others or commenting on their technique. Thirty seconds then switch. Then we moved to arm over the elbow, 30 seconds change. Leg stretches. Then 20 lunges, 20 squats and 20 on knee push-ups. Some of the class copying Asher doing full push-ups, while the rest copy me. Show off. I grinned. Then plank 1 min. Most people were collapsing after 20 seconds, breathing hard. Asher kept glancing at me, a competitive smile tugging at his lips. I shake my head at him, looking away.
“Fanatic. Now shall we do a little self-defence demonstration with Asher?” I ask them.
“Yes,” A few people shout. While others clapped excitedly. I look over at him, ready to wipe that smile off his lips. He grins back at me, nodding.
“What do you want me to do?” He beamed at me, stepping closer. I press my hand to his chest, keeping his at arm’s length.
“Nothing fancy. The objective is to disable your opponent with any means necessary,” I clarify. He nods, stepping back a step. I roll my shoulders out before stepping into a defensive crouch. Asher still grinning from ear to ear. Raises his arms.
“Go,” Coach instructs.
I didn't hesitate. I aim a punch at his left shoulder, Asher lifting his arm up to block the blow, But I quickly repositioned, aiming lower. He groans as my fist connect with his stomach. The muscles harder than I expected.
I step back, taunting him. Raise my fists as I bouncing back and forth, my breasts bouncing along with me. Asher eyes zeroing in on my chest, not even trying to hide the fact he was looking. His amber eyes were wide.
Taking advantage of his distraction, I crouch low and swing my leg into his knees. Causing him to drop to the mat. With a thump.
I swiftly move behind him, wrapping my arm around his head, placing him in a headlock.
“Winters! Winters!” A few people cheer, only making me smile wider. Oh, I was enjoying this.
“Come on, Whiteforn,” Coach prompts.
I lean down to whisper in his ear. “Give up yet?” I tease.
“Never,” He replied. Then, catching me off guard, Asher manages to flip me over his head. I land on the mat with a loud thump; the wind expelled from my lungs. Shit.
Before he could pin me, I rolled to the side and, kicking my legs in the air; I jumped to my feet—crouching low in a defensive stance. Asher lunges for me too fast. Both of us going crashing to the matt. I roll us over before he can get the upper hand, my legs on either side of his, straddling his waist. I send a punch to his chest, but he swiftly blocks it, his hand curling around my wrist. A smile tugging at his lips.
I felt something warm harden beneath me. My brain was quickly filling in the blanks. Asher was getting excited. My mouth fell open, my eyes widening. Any advantage I had quickly disappeared. When I felt him throbbing ageist my core.
Within seconds, Asher had me pinned on my back. His sweat dripping onto my bare skin, his amber eyes looking predatory as they locked onto mine. My chest was heaving up and down. His arms were flexing as his hands pinning my wrists above my head. Something in me unlocked as I looked up at him. Asher Whiteforn was looking fine as hell.
“Give up?” He asks, out of breath as he smiling down at me. But, it was not over yet.
I shimmy my body up the mat, forcing Asher to come with me until my arms were now at a ninety-degree angle. I thrust my hips up simultaneously, pulling my arms down to my sides. Asher falls face first, catching himself on his hands just in time to save his nose from colliding with the ground.
Before he can recover, I hug myself tightly to his chest, forcing him to keep his hands down to support our weight. Shimmy up his torso; I cling onto his arm with my full weight forcing him to fall to one side. I rolling him so I'm on top, then pin. It was so fast Asher had no idea what was happening till his back was to the floor.
