I•C•E// r.s.l.❣

1.1

"And why are we here again?" I released the biscuit platter, grabbing my mug of tea. David sighed, finally sharing his chilled out side with us. Ross smiled, wiping crumbs off my face.

"I was just checking up on you two." He said. "I want to know how your training is going."

"It's going good. Yesterday, I showed her what the new recruitment tests are like and it was sort of bumpy; we have some stuff to work towards, but we're fine." Ross grinned proudly, and I blushed. David's eyes flickered from him to me, and then he gestured for me to speak.

"What- oh. I'm more tired than usual but I feel results coming along nicely." I said. "This tea is something else!"

"I'm glad to hear. Now, Ross, would it be too much pressure for you to 'tutor' another person?" David asked.

A pang of jealousy washed over me. I like being his main focus for 3 hours of the day, I don't need to share that too. Plus, it was helping our friendship.

"Sure, why's that?"

"We have a foreign recruit, arriving today. I would like you to help her settle in and gear up, but not as intensely as you are helping Athena-"

I looked beyond the double meaning. "Are you calling me ignorant?"

"Not at all! She's already a spy."

"So am I."

"Technically, not." David said. I glared at him. "Stating the facts, dear."

"Don't call me that."

"Oh snap." Ross commented.

Moments of silence, and a glare exchange between David and I passed before I casually ventured out of his office, slamming the door behind me. Shortly after, I heard footsteps.

"Hey-HEY." Ross caught up. "You're a steam train when you're pissed off. If you want I can get one of the others to help the girl?"

"No! Not at all, feel free to help her." I said a bit too sarcastically. He crossed his arms, laughing. "What?"

"You're jealous." He commented.

I instantly shoved him aside. "Am not! David was just annoying me. Plus I'm PMS'ing."

"It's okay if you are, it's actually kind of cute."

"Don't call me cute because I'm not."

"Why's that?"

"The word 'cute' makes me sound like some defenceless klutz."

"The latter- maybe-" he backed up before I could hit him. "Buuuuuttt, it's alright for once to play the damsel in distress."

"Pass." I smiled quickly. "I'll be dancing if you need me."

"I'll come up there eventually, we have to hit the gym later today and arrow practice." He pointed at me then smiled. "See you in a bit!"

+++

Everybody has their turf, their ability. Some may find it in a football pitch, an art room or even a maths test (...), but, it's something that brings you comfort and stability.

Like yoga, but without the weirdly named and equally weird positions.

I found that in dance. Before even coming to F.A.S.T., I found it in botanicals and the study of flowers. Now, just the thought of that leaves me erratic; it reminds me of too many things.

I stayed dancing for what seemed hours, but it was only really two hours. Seconds after an intensive contemporary piece I put together for my advanced group, Ross came in, followed by a brunette, her blue eyes wide and curious.

She honestly looked 17.

"Hey there friend." Ross approached me then turned to her. "And this is the dance studio. That wall can be put up to separate it in two, but we usually leave it open. This is our current dance teacher and ex-spy/spy to be, Athena."

"Nice to meet you, although some of us could've waited until I wasn't sweaty." I snuck a look at Ross who chuckled.

"It's no problem, you just look a bit sparkly!" She giggled. "Im Avalynn but everybody calls me Ava. Listen, you're such a good dancer."

"You guys didn't see that, right?"
they both nodded. I whined. "It's nowhere near ready!"

Ross touched my hand. "It was great, I promise."

I held his gaze for a second longer and smiled at him. Ava watched us, until- "You're going out."

I looked at her. "What?"

"You two are dating." She smiled.

"No. We're just good friends." I said.

"She is, I'm not." Ross said with a serious look. I held him in a headlock shortly after. "You're just backing up my point!"

"But in all seriousness, we are just friends."

"But you've had history of some sort, I can literally feel the chemical reaction between you two. Like, Sodium and Chlorine."

"Are you calling us salt?" Ross asked and she laughed.

"No. But, you get my drift." Silence. I peered around awkwardly. "I just made things so awkward, I'm sorry."

"No, not at all!" Ross laughed. "That's all of the compound, I suppose. Do you think you can find your way? Because, I have this one to train now."

"Yeah and if not I'll just walk around. Bye!" She waved at us.

I hit my hands together and he flinched adorably. "Could you calm down with the sweetness? I'm going to have diabetes by the time we leave."

"Haha. That's how I feel everyday; now, let's go do some archery."

He reached for my hand, forcing me to stumble back into him. "Wait. Do you think what she said is true?"

"That we're salty? Maybe, yeah."

"No, not that. The chemistry bit, like, between us." He stared directly into my eyes and for the first time since I got back here, I couldn't look at him in the eyes this time. However, I looked away, and nodded in agreement.

He sealed the gap between us, then placed a hand on my face. "I miss you, a lot."

"Ross, I-"

"You were my first legit love. And although I did it once, I'm not going to give you up again."

"I'm just not ready to launch myself into a relationship, Ross, let it be with the only person I have ever loved or not. I'm just scared that- never mind, it's stupid."

I didn't allow him to ask further questions. "Let's go to the gym."

"Okay." He sighed, defeated.

comment on this line & try to guess what Athena was going to say 😏 I'll go first 😏😏