O n e  W e e k L a t e r

* * *

Hours of practice, day after day, have only led to one thing and one thing only... Total and complete exhaustion.

Over the course of these past couple of days, I've learned a lot, more than I even thought possible. I've been taking some time with each person from the group, learning valuable skills they each had in store to teach me.

I've improved my fighting skills with Justin. Just yesterday I began to fight other team members to get used to another body type.. I've learned to read body language too.

My time with Sophia and Cameron has also been very important. They've showed me how to make stuff with objects found every where. Sophia and I have even been designing new disguises for our weapons.. Ones a woman can use too. We enjoy this very much.

Everything each person promised they'd help me achieve has been slowly coming onto me. I have yet to learn the skills of Ethan and Jack for they wanted me to focus on the ground work first. But for my first week, I think I've been doing really good.

"Duck." Justin exclaimed.

I did as I was told, immediately acting upon the following steps he showed me for any time I ever had to duck. My arms extended out in front of me, punching out to his abdomen. My other fist extending out to slam across his jaw.

Justin backed away, gawking a little with my action. We wore protection, gloves and a mouth guard.

Our bodies were sweating through our clothes. The smell in the room began to reek. That's how we knew we were really working.

"You need to be faster." He shook his head, assuming his position again.

"Don't think about it—React." Justin explained. "Try again."

I sighed. My entire body hurt as I gasped for air.

"Can we take a break?"

"No breaks." He shook his head no. "C'mon, Liz... There's not enough time."

I sighed. Turning back into my position, I repeated the move.. Over and Over again. Both Justin and I were so into our moves that we didn't even hear the door open.

Justin performed a move on me, tricking me in that he was going to do an action with his arms but really, he was going down for the legs. He made me fall to the ground with this action. My back firmly pressed onto the mat of the fighting ring. I groaned in pain, making myself turn over to the side so I can catch my breath. I removed my mouth guard, staring up at Justin as he stood smiling down at me. His chest slowly rising and falling.

"You gotta learn to read other people's actions. Always be one step ahead of the game." He explained, arm extending out to help me up.

I began to reach my arm out too, but then I realized something and immediately got down to action. As I grabbed onto his arm, I used all my might to pull him down as my legs tricked his own to trip. He fell onto the ground with my move. My body moved us so that I landed on top. My legs tied onto his, replicating a martial arts move he taught me a few days before and I was yet to master. With his hand still in my grip, I twisted it behind him, careful not to hurt him—but enough to keep him on the edge. He winced in pain, using his other free hand to tap hard on the surface in order for me to let go. I did, picking myself up this time and moving away to admire my weeks worth of hard work finally come into play.

Justin laughed, nodding his head as he was the one who was now taking a breather. "Good play, Elizabeth." He flexed his arm, trying for the pain on his shoulder to ware away. "Good play."

I smiled, placing my hands on my hips. Suddenly, a clapping sound was heard. I looked up as Justin looked back, our attention now on the hands clapping. From the most of the dark, a body stepped out. Jack was smiling the whole time.

"You're improving." Jack smiled at me.

"I have a good teacher." I smiled down at Justin.

He chuckled as he stood up from the ground, a small wince escaping his lips as he turned to see him too. I walked up besides Justin on the ring, looking down at Jack who stood behind the elastic ropes. He wore a black T-shirt, cut at the muscles displaying his prominent arms and shoulders.

"Mind if I steal her for a moment?" He looked up at Justin the next second.

Nodding his head, Justin moved over to the elastic ropes where he opened it up for me to go through. "Just have her back in a few." He looked down at Jack. "Now that she's finally thinking ahead, it's time I start to teach her some new moves."

"It'll be quick." Jack explained. "Promise." He winked back at me.

I passed by Justin, bending down a little to go through the opening he's made for me. Jack was in the bottom on the other side, arms extending out to help me down. I felt his strong hands secure around my waist, effortlessly bringing my body down from the ring.

"I'll be waiting.." Justin cooed.

We walked away but not before flashing him one last smile. Together, Jack and I walked side by side as we left behind a training Justin.

"Oh my Gosh! Did you see me!" I squealed, grabbing onto his arm in excitement as we walked away.

Jack chuckled, rubbing the back of his head with his other hand. "I saw you, alright." He looked back at me, leaning into me as he spoke his next few words. "You were impossible to miss with all that sweat on you.."

"Ugh. Don't remind me." I looked down at myself. My reaction received a small laugh from Jack.

"No.." He made us stop in our tracks. Both his hands now grabbed mine as we turned to our sides and stood wandering into each other's eyes. "I dig it." He winked.

I playfully shoved him, laughing as he tried to lean in closer to me. I then noticed he had a towel over his shoulder to which I grabbed the next chance I had and began to clean my face. We began to walk down the warehouse again.

"Everything okay?" I finally asked him, dabbing the cloth over the dripping of my sweat.

"Um.. Kinda." He came to a sudden stop again, this time in front of a door. The palm of his hand rested over the surface. My heart began to beat rapidly as I noticed the look of concern begin to grow on his face.

"You're gonna want to see this.." He sighed, opening the door open for me to walk into.

I was too nervous to speak. Too nervous to ask questions. All I could think about now was what the Hell was behind that door. My eyes never left Jack's as I made my way into the small hall. There were dim lights but I noticed brighter ones at the end of the small curve. I walked in, hearing the door shut closed behind us.

I peeked my head into the white light space, confused as I took the moment to look around.

The room was gorgeous compared to the rest of this old warehouse. Obviously, some money and renovation was put into this room.. A huge mirror ran across the entire wall to my right displaying what was on my left without me having to turn around.

Stalls. Sinks. Fancy soap?

This was a bathroom..?

"What did you—?"

Before I could finish my sentence, I was taken under wraps by two strong arms. The reflection of Jack in the mirror in front of me replicated his actions.

Before I could do anything, much less even say something, he already had me under his control. My feet lost contact with the ground as he guided us towards the sinks. I continued to laugh—My one unique way of showing off my confusion. I felt my bottom touch the could marble of the sink space. Jack stood in between my legs as he suddenly pulled himself into me, showering me with kisses.

"Jack.. Jack.." I giggled, placing the palms of my hands over his broad chest in order to create some space between us.

"What?" He smiled, eyes only focused on my lips.

My eyes widened. "Um.. Mind helping me understand what's going on here?" I couldn't help but chuckle in the end. Don't get me wrong.. I was enjoying this very much, but he knows how important this training is to me.

"Oh c'mon... Justin's practice is boring anyways." He mumble against my cheek. "This is way better..." His hot breath fanned over my neck before he nibbled at the surface.

"Jack..." I smiled, tilting m head back so that he can leave his trail of kisses down my neck.

The room filled with heat. Closing my eyes, I allowed my fingers to dig into the back of his neck and broad shoulders. His hands gripped my thigh, squeezing as he aided me closer to him. Our chests made contact, continuously feeling the warmth of our bodies pressed against each other's. A gasped escaped my lips as I felt his fingertips graze just above the spot in between my legs—A spot he knew I was severely sensitive too.

"Jack!" I quickly moved away his hands.

He remained looking up at me. A look of confusion quickly approaching his features.

"Did you just bring me here to hook up?" I scolded, eyebrow arching.

Jack's smile brightly made its way before me. "Would it be wrong if I said yes..?" He teased.

"Yes!" I laughed, eyes widening as I grabbed onto his shoulders.

"Okay, but what if I told you I had something else..?" He taunted me.

"Oh like the bathroom I was mysteriously supposed to see?" I joked.

He shook his head no. "You're ready."

My eyebrows furrowed once more. "Huh?"

"I've seen your progress, Liz. Everyone is amazed." He nodded. "I think you are now finally ready to get behind the wheel."

I took a moment to allow his words to sink in. This whole time while I've been alternating through groups, time with Jack to learn how to street race has been off limits. He's been the only person I haven't had any training time with—Well, him and Ethan, but I am choosing to stay away from Ethan as much as I can for now.

It was all part of his plan, to keep the driving for last. He's explained it to me hundreds of times before because driving was the main thing I wanted to learn. Jack kept claiming that I wasn't ready, and that it was too dangerous because some of the stunts can be too much to handle. Personally, I believe he's having a hard time getting back on the wheel himself. But I get it, he's suffered some kind of unannounced drama that probably keeps him up at night. It shouldn't be easy for him either.

"Don't lie to me, Jack.." I warned.

"No lie. No game." He shook his head. "Now do you wanna finish up with Justin... Or come behind the wheel with me?"

I bit down on my bottom lip, thinking of his proposition.

Ugh!

"I can't leave Justin..." I sighed, shaking my head. "He just got me to be where he wanted. Besides, what's left of our practice is only a few more minutes."

"I know a good activity to do during though last few minutes.." He mumbled into my ear, nibbling softly.

A giggle escaped my lips as the sensation from his actions coursed through me.

"I can't.." I shyly pushed away. Jack looked up at me, hands still resting over my thighs. A look of defeat slowly rising upon his features.

"I'm sorry." My hands cupped over his cheeks. "But please understand..."

"I get it." He softy smiled.

In order to make up for his sudden disappointment, I figured a good-ol-fashioned tease might just do the trick.

Leaning closer to him, my lips brushed against his cheek. Gently placing a kiss, I moved over to his ear before I whispered: "You can still wait for me to finish... Watch me sweat..."

I recalled his previous comment from when we were walking before. Once I actually finished saying that though, I wanted to physically slap myself. That was not hot at all! Oh my God! I am so bad at this!

I pulled away and much to my surprise, Jack was slightly turned on by this...

"You are one dirty, dirty girl, Elizabeth." He smirked. "I bet you love doing this to me."

I chuckled while nodding my head. "Oh believe me, I do."

Jack placed a fist on the countertop besides me. Looking down, he shook his head—Sighing. A small laugh escaped his lips.

"C'mon." I moved down from the marble countertop, standing sandwiched between his front and the sink. "The Sooner I end with Justin.. The sooner I'll be with you.." I cooed, tracing the tip of my index finger over his chest.

Jack's eyes looked up at me as if he was trying his best to keep a serious look. He finished off with a smile. An action I proudly took responsibility for as I leaned into him, playfully battering my eyelashes to him.

"God, you are so cute." He smiled, grabbing my cheeks with both of his hands. Our lips touched in passion to the kiss.

"Okay." He slightly pulled away. Eyes glancing from both my lips and back to my eyes. "But I need something else from you..."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Oh God, this better not be anything dirty.

"You. Me. Dinner." He smiled, thumb gently tracing over my bottom lip.

Wait... What?

"Are you...?" I questioned, leaning back against the sink. So much emotions washed over me with that sentence. "Are you asking me out? On a date..?"

The smile on my face only grew wider, making a clear statement that it wasn't going anywhere any time soon.

"Don't act so surprised, Viera." He laughed. "I figured, once things calm down, a dinner with you would be the first thing I'd want to do."

"It's about to time." I joked, leaning into him.

"Oh you knew this was coming.." He messed. "You girls have a sixth sense or something when it comes to this stuff."

I only smiled, admiring the boy before me. This was everything I could imagine impossible from his nature. Well, not all impossible, but after the big boyfriend girlfriend thing, I thought it's take him at least another month or two to ask me out.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" He grinned, eyes focused only on my lips.

"I can't take this in?" My head tilted. "Live in the moment..?" I teased.

"Okay.." He patted my waist, body growing it's distance against mine.

"Wait!" I chuckled, pulling him back by his arm. He clashed onto me once more. My arms wrapped around his neck, holding him even closer than before. "I'd love to go out on a date with you."

"So I got a yes?" He arched a brow.

I chuckled. "Yes." My head nodded before pressing my lips to his. "Where are we going?"

"Ah.." He smiled. "That's a surprise.."

"And we are back to your mysterious stage?" I joked.

"Oh... We never left, Babe." He smiled, picking my body off from the ground once more. A laugh ignited from inside me, holding onto him as he walked us over to one of the stalls.

* * *

"You ready?" Jack asked me.

My eyes turned to the steering wheel. My hand rested above the throttle. I took a deep breath in and slowly released it out. I was scared.

In the past few hours, Jack has been giving me the whole handbook instructions on how to street race. I've driven cars before.. Automatic ones. Never in my life did I think I was going to be able to drive a stick shift car. It's been instruction after instruction. Demonstration after demonstration. I was eager to start driving already—And now, it was finally time.

"Liz?" He asked again.

I turned my head to look outside my window. Everyone was standing outside, cheering me on. We were outside of the warehouse in an empty lot the guys developed to practice their racing. It wasn't as big as the ones the guys are used to, but to me it was immense. This was it. This was the final moment.

I looked ahead of me. In the road before me I saw my entire life. I know it may sound dramatic but I did. I saw my father, spinning me around the room—making it so that I could believe I was flying.
I saw mom and I saw James at work. I saw my friends, laughing besides me down the halls of our old high school. I saw Mandy hugging me—a rare action for the Mandy I know today. Everything in my life was a lie, because this here... This was the life I was meant to grow up in. My parents fought and scarified a lot in order for me not to be in this position.. Now look at me.

But the truth I've learned didn't scare me anymore. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged. I wasn't the old quiet, barista Elizabeth Viera. No, I was much more. I finally had a purpose, to clear my father's name. Keep my family safe. I was home.

"I'm ready."

Nodding my head, my hands gripped the steering wheel.

Jack looked at me, placing his hands over the hand I had over the throttle. He nodded, reassuring me I could do this...

So... I did.

The engine blasted, igniting smoke from behind as I stepped on the gas. My back was forced to touch the seat as the forced has pulled us back. The first spin was coming and I did exactly what Jack had taught me.

Stepping on the clutch, I began to pull the steering wheel towards the inside of the curve as if I was going to begin to turn. My other hand simultaneously pulled the handbrake besides me. Immediately I blasted some pressure into the gas pedal, releasing the clutch. I steered the car into the direction of the curve, using the throttle to control the angle I wanted. When finally...

I did my first drift...!

"WHOOAA!!" Jack started cheering besides me. "Yes!"

"What do I do now?" I asked, car still steering down the road. "Do I stop?"

"No, no.. Finish the track!" He smiled.

We began to approach the next curve of the oval shaped track. With a nod to my head, I began preparing to do the exact same trick I just did.

Clutch. Steer. Handbrake. Gas. Release clutch.

Drift.

The action happened once more and the reaction I received from it was amazing. Heck, even I was impressed with myself. I actually drifted!

I finished the track with the last drift approaching the small crowd of people awaiting my arrival. Their bodies rushed upon the car, opening doors for me and everything. Justin was the first to embrace me. Being a fellow new drifter himself, he understood the excitement I was going through most. Sophia was next and it all followed with some high fives from the rest of the guys, and even a small smile from Ethan himself.

"You did it." Jack smiled, walking from around the other side of the car.

My excitement took the best of me. Rushing up to him, my arms and legs wrapped around his body, pressing a kiss to his lips.

Our group of friends cheered behind us making us only smile.

I playfully rolled my eyes, cueing Jack to ignore them for the moment. My fingers messed with the back of his head, cautiously looking into his eyes as I began to speak.

"Thank you.."

"For what?" He smiled. "This was all you."

"For respecting my decision. For sticking by me even though you didn't think it was right." I replied.

"Now, I still believe you should be able to protect yourself." He arched a brow. "My world is just.. What I was trying to avoid..." He took a quick pause. "But that doesn't matter." He shook his head. "I'm just happy to see you smiling. You did good out there."

Smiling, I pressed yet another kiss to his lips. We remained enjoying our little victory moment, before our friends commented on it.

"Alright you two, we are still here ya know?" Justin joked.

Laughing, Jack put me down. We walked back to our group of friends side by side. One of Jack's strong arm was held over my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. We joined back into the laughter with our friends, enjoying the small good thing we've had in a while. With all this lost and defeat we've recently been having with Colt.. Its nice to celebrate something good.. New beginnings.