The plane ride lasted a little over an hour, and when we touched down in Reno we were shuffled onto a bus that was waiting for the trainees like myself. Another three-and-a-half hours on a Greyhound sounded like torture, but as long as Melissa stayed far away, I could manage.

I watched the door to the bus and spotted the same girl who had ridden next to me on the plane. She smiled when she saw me.

"Looks like we're headed to the same place," she claimed. Then she pointed to the seat next to me. "Is this seat taken?"

"No," I answered as I moved my bag over.

She sat and stuck her hand out. "I'm Paige Weston."

I hesitated before accepting her gesture. "Alexa Cortez."

"It's kind of exciting, isn't it?" she asked.

I sighed. "Sure."

She faced me. "You're not much of a talker."

This time I shook my head.

"This reminds me of my college days," she revealed.

She was a college girl. That was actually kind of... hot.

I just nodded and returned to staring out of the window, believing the conversation was over. Yet I couldn't deny Paige's energy was contagious. Plus, she was cute. Like really cute.

Enough, I ordered myself.

The last thing I needed was to get distracted when the next fifty days would be the most important in my life. This time I wouldn't let a girl ruin my chance.

Then familiar gray eyes entered the bus and locked with my own. Melissa took in Paige, who sat next to me oblivious to her stare, and then sat a few seats behind us. I groaned internally.

The fact that she was here, heading to the same camp as me was confusing. It pissed me off because it wasn't fair. After everything she had done, why the hell would Chapman allow her to come here?

But instead of dwelling I just shook the thought, knowing I would have bigger obstacles to face in the days to come.

The bus came to a stop, which forced me awake. An officer stepped onto the bus while we all just stared with anticipation.

"No electronics are permitted beyond this point. If you didn't get the memo, we have a safety box you can put them in and you'll get them back at the end of the program. First is check-in and then orientation."

Everyone rose from their seats and we exited the bus. No one turned in any cellphones, but we still had to wait for them to search our bags. Nerves jumbled when they called my name.

"Cortez!"

I stepped forward. Had they found something? I knew my phone was sitting at home on my nightstand, so there shouldn't be anything wrong...

But he handed me my bag without a word. Just nodded me off so I could rejoin the group.

There were about twenty of us but I figured more buses would arrive with time. For some reason, I assumed that this would be more of a military training camp, yet it looked subtle.

I was relieved to know that I wouldn't be yelled at and harassed. It might've just resulted in me sucker-punching someone in the face and getting kicked out. Chapman would've been disappointed.

Check-in wasn't bad, but when I found out we would have roommates, I became nervous. At the announcement, my eyes immediately traveled over to Melissa who was standing on the far side of the room. I prayed we would be as far away as possible from each other.

Luckily I was paired with Paige, finally feeling like the universe was on my side for once. I didn't bother watching Melissa find her room.

Paige threw her bags onto her bed. "You just can't get away from me."

I just gave her a smile.

We rejoined the group for orientation where we were handed schedules and maps. Touring the facility was nice, and it brought me back to the time of my life when I had been obsessed with college-themed movies. That's what this felt like, and for once I felt like I belonged here. I felt like an adult who was ready to better their life and further their education.

I felt normal.

After orientation and finding out what would be required of us over the next fifty days we ate lunch. I stuck around Paige and a few other people who lingered around our table.

"So what are you thinking?" Paige asked.

I shrugged. "Ready. Kind of anxious but..."

She gave me a warm smile. "Me too."

Lunch proceeded with ease and Paige managed to get me to talk more. I couldn't deny that it felt good to connect with her, but I remained cautious.

The rest of the day consisted of roaming and getting things together for tomorrow. Our first full day was highly anticipated, and I knew it would be hard from here on out, but I was more than ready.

Eventually I was in the women's facility, readying myself for bed. I opened my toiletries bag and grabbed my new tooth brush and a box of toothpaste.

But when I ripped the toothpaste box open and turned it over, a small pre-paid cellphone fell out instead.

At first I was confused, but that confusion turned to fear when I came to terms with what had happened. How the hell had a cellphone ended up in my bag? Had it been planted?

I shook my head. That was a dumb question to ask myself. Of course, it had been planted.

I shoved it back into my bag. Chapman had to have been the one responsible. But why? I was curious to find out, but now wasn't the right time.

I paced back to my room and closed the door behind me. Paige looked up from her book and gave me a weird look.

"You okay?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. Just tired."

She shrugged and stuck her nose back to her book. I set the bag down and eyed it just a little longer before finally climbing into bed.

Why would Chapman send me with a phone? I didn't believe he had sent one so I could text Anna on the down low. Did he want me to contact him during camp? And if so, contact him about what?

I couldn't help but overanalyze the situation as I turned over in my bed. Maybe it was best to worryabout it tomorrow.

* * *

There was a sounding alarm outside of the bunks. My eyes fluttered open as adrenaline began to course through my body. The thought of my first day pulled me out of bed as Paige procrastinated next to me. According to our orientation officer, first thing in the morning was physical training. I wasn't a fan of early morning workouts; but the excitement would help tremendously.

I slipped on a t-shirt and shorts, laced up my tennis shoes and stretched a bit while Paige and eyed me.

She yawned. "What's the rush?"

"I don't wanna be late," I admitted.

"We have thirty minutes."

I just ignored her and continued to stretch at the same time. I couldn't help that I was pumped. Paige's unwillingness to get up wouldn't bring me down.

Deciding to beat the crowd I grabbed my tooth brush and paste and headed down the hall. Everyone was probably still forcing themselves to wake up and I wanted to be ahead of the game.

I made it to the bathroom and proceeded with my morning routine but was joined by Melissa. We locked gazes through the mirror. My eyes rolled as I tried my best to ignore her presence.

I spit into the sink and hurried to leave because the more I stood around her the more I wanted to ask questions. Yet, I still didn't believe she deserved any attention from me.

"So are you ever gonna let me tell you my side of the story?" she asked.

I still couldn't stand the sound of her voice, but it didn't mean there wasn't a part of me that didn't want to listen. All I could do was shake my head and walk out the bathroom.

Eventually Paige was ready and we were meeting outside for physical training. We were split into male and female groups and I made sure Paige stayed near me while Melissa stayed as far away as possible.

First was a mile run, which I found easier than usual considering I hadn't wasted my time in prison. Working out had been a release of sorts, so I was a bit ahead of everyone else physically. Except for Melissa, who was unfortunately trying her best to stay with me. Paige had fallen behind.

"Alexa," she called. Her voice trembled from running.

I ignored her.

"I know you don't want to talk, and that's fine, but I need you to hear my side-"

I picked up speed. If I wanted her to leave me alone I would have to be persistent. It didn't take her long to catch up to me again.

"You're acting like a child," she panted.

Again, I remained silent.

"If you think everything I told you before-"

Once again I picked up speed. Now not only was I was running from Melissa, but from the pain that seemed to be approaching.

That's what she wanted to talk about? All the stuff she had possibly felt before she stabbed me in the back? Did she honestly think I would give her a second chance romantically when I couldn't even stand the thought of repairing our friendship?

My feet quickly hit against the track. I was moving faster than I had in years. I didn't know what force was driving me but I let the adrenaline possess my body. I finished the mile well ahead of everyone else.

Paige eventually made it back to me, panting with her hands on her knees.

"Do you know that girl?" she questioned.

I just shook my head, but I had a feeling Paige could see through my silence.

Physical training continued and things got a little harder. We lifted weights, did countless reps for abdomen, and then we were released to head back to the dorms to change.

When Paige disappeared to the bathroom I hurried to find the hidden cellphone within my bag. I turned it on and watched the tiny screen flash to life, my curiosity taking over. As soon as it was on I hit the contacts option, and unsurprisingly Chapman's name was the only one there.

I hit his number and sent a text; "Should've known you would pull this kind of thing."

He didn't take long to reply.

"Figured you would've texted me earlier. The phones to keep you updated on Victoria. Figured you would be losing your mind over it if I didn't do something."

I thought for a second and realized he was right about that. It was considerate for him to think of sneaking in a cellphone for my sake. But didn't he have another motive behind it? Usually there was always a benefit for him if he did a favor for someone. I realized that sounded a bit harsh.

I responded; "Well thanks. Oh, and why didn't you warn me about Melissa?"

This time he took a few extra seconds to reply; "If I would've told you, you wouldn't have gone."

At this I grew upset again because he was probably right. The feelings I still had towards her were that bad, but I still didn't understand why she was here in the first place.

"Why did you allow her to come, Chapman?"

"You should talk to her about that. It would make more sense."

I rolled my eyes and concluded he was nuts.

"I'll pass," I answered.

"If your friends can forgive her, so can you. I'll keep you updated on Victoria, but the phone is for me and you only. Don't get caught."

At the end of our conversation I turned off the phone and shoved it back into the toothpaste box. The thought of having another full discussion with Melissa made my skin hot, but deep down I knew he was right. Yet, that didn't mean I would end up talking to her.

Some things were so brokenbeyond repair that it was easier to leave it that way, rather than hurtingyourself trying to fix it. But even though I knew that was true, a small partof me was still holding on. I just had to figure out how to make it let go.

* * *

The first day proceeded with ease. Breakfast was nice and after I headed off to my first class of the day with high hopes.

"Gunmenship and Active Shooter" was the title, and the excitement I had walking into the class was tangible. Paige had been right about the whole college-vibe thing, and luckily she ended up in that class alongside me. 

The next class was something unfamiliar, but apparently we would be learning about the forensics of investigation technique. The thought of learning how to test for fingerprints and such also excited me.

And the best part about my classes was that Melissa was nowhere to be found.

Lunch was when I spotted her. She sat with a massive looking guy and another girl she had probably met in one of her other classes. My eyes continued to travel over to her discreetly, but I didn't understand why I felt the need to do so.

Her mannerisms told me she was trying to seem okay, but she played with her fork a little too long and stared down at her food aimlessly. That small part of me reacted, but I ignored it.

"Why don't you just go over and talk to her?" Paige asked.

I nearly jumped out of my seat.

"What?" I played dumb. "Talk to who?"

"That girl," Paige teased. "You're staring so hard I figured you had something to say."

I remained quiet and continued eating. Luckily lunch was extended for an hour-and-a-half so we could recoup from earlier, which meant I could roam the campus. Alone.

I discovered the library, which was located not far from the cafeteria. There were no computers anywhere to be found, which was predictable considering they didn't allow cellphones.  It seemed like a good hiding spot away from everyone, so I kept it in my mental notes before heading to my next class.

"Basic Driving" immediately made me think of the night we had helped Monroe, and how I had miraculously gotten us out of that insane situation. I would have to tell Willi about this when I got back.

But when Melissa joined the group my heart dropped. I should've expected her to have at least one class with me, and I hoped this would be the only one. I still had two more after this.

I avoided her the best I could while we were briefed on how this class would work. Each day we would learn new techniques on how to operate a getaway. I found it fascinating.

My final two hours of the day were "Basic Medical" and "Basic Tactical Defense", and unfortunately Melissa had joined me in both of those too. Guess the universe was switching sides again.

While I stood in "Basic Defense" I tried not to seem too tired. But an announcement from the instructor made my heart race again.

"I'm gonna run down how this class will work," he stated. "I'll pair each of you up with a partner, one that is about the same height and weight for a fair chance at learning, at least for majority of the time you're here. Towards the end of training you'll be skilled enough to take on larger opponents, but first, the basics."

And with that he proceeded to pair each of us up with a similar sized opponent one by one. An annoyance had risen inside of me because I already knew who I would be paired with. The universe seemed to be fed up with me avoiding Melissa, so when my name was called to be paired I prepared myself.

"You! What's your name?"

I lifted my chin as I stepped out on the mat.

"Cortez," I said.

He looked around and his eyes fell on the brunette I had tried so hard to avoid up until now.

"And you, what's your name?"

"Reese," she responded.

I wanted to protest. To claim that it probably wasn't safe for her to be paired with me, but I didn't want to get on anyone's bad side. Now I had to accept I could no longer run from Melissa, and it was a hard pill to swallow. 

Yet, she didn't speak to me. I was shocked but grateful.  Why was she no longer attempting to explain herself? Had she finally gotten the hint? Had I hurt her delicate feelings?

Luckily our first lesson consisted of a lot of talking about self-defense and not much doing. Tomorrow was sure to be different, but maybe then would I be ready. As of right now I didn't want to be anywhere near Melissa.

I met with Paige in the cafeteria for dinner, and it turned into another episode I wasn't prepared for.

"How were your classes?" she pressed.

I shrugged. "Cool I guess. I'm really excited."

"Is that girl you were staring at earlier in any of them?"

I gave her an annoyed look. "Yes."

"You talked to her?"

"I'm avoiding her."

This time she eyed me. "Why?"

"Personal reasons," I finished.

"I get it," she said. "You don't wanna get caught up with the girls and distractions."

I felt it was best to let Paige believe that. For now, anyway. Maybe with time I could learn to trust her, although it was a long shot. Trusting anyone nowadays was difficult.

Yet I knew it was only thefirst day of training, and there were forty-nine days left to go. And a lotcould happen in that amount of time.