Sweat pooled down the sides of my face, my stray baby hairs that escaped my high ponytail clinging to the damp skin, I let out f heavy breath, panting slightly. I watched as the other members continued to practice, some on their own others sparing.  I had only been out of the hospital for a couple of days, but everyone from my father to Aurora agreed I needed to go get out my anger and frustration.  It, however, was Sals idea that I train at Ash's gym to not only get out some of my growing aggression but also learn some self-defence along the way.

I was hesitant at first, I had never enjoyed gym glass in general but when we do to actual fitness instead of games it was worse. Ash's gym, however, was different, her motto was anyone and everyone was accepted, It didn't matter your race, religion, size, sexuality or even your identity. It was a place of acceptance. It really was an extension of Ash, no-nonsense and equality for all, just like they were.



Panting I decided to take a break from the exercise, unlike the other wolves scattered through the gym, I was more like one of the humans when it came to endurance and strength.  Putting my hands on my hips I took small steps towards the edges of the room eyeing up an empty space on the benches. I could see Sal attention pull from his sparring partner to me as I crossed the gym.  


"Giving up already Trash Panda?" Mateo teased walking up beside me, 



Giving him a side glance I rolled my eyes, Mateo was here long before Sal and I had shown up yet here he was looking flawless. His face wasn't flushed, he wasn't panting he had barely even broken a sweat.  I could feel his eyes examining me, smirking at just how sweaty I was.  Stepping forward I tried my best to just ignore him, noticing Sal had left his partner and was now heading this way.


"Everything okay?" Sal questioned his eyes going from me to Mateo


"I told Ash they should've put Trash Panda in the kids class" Mateo smirked.

Balancing to one side I swiftly raised my leg siding thrusting my foot into Mateos's lower abdomen. A gasped groan escaped his lips as he curled over in pain from the surprise attack. A small smirk formed on the edges on my lips as Sal snickered throwing an arm over my shoulder. After a few steps I looked back over my shoulder as Mateo was straightening himself up, you could almost see the daggers shooting out of his eyes at me.  I beamed a  happy grin at him only causing him to deepen his scowl as he turned his back to me.  

Turning back around  I was semi shocked to see Ash in front of us arms folded across their chest a prominent brow raised. I instantly felt like a teenager getting caught doing something wrong a by a teacher in the hallways. Dipping my head down I avoided Ash's intense gaze.

"Lean a little more into it next time and use your arm for balance. Also, Aim a little higher, or lower  and you'll drop him" Ash smirked  nodding at me


"I'm not in trouble?" I questioned with a raised brow

"Fuck no. Tater Tots a prick. Not to mention Luc's already had a talk with him about harassing you. The kid should be thankful you defended yourself and not his older brother. He's still be trying to peel himself off the floor" Ash informed notioning to Mateo.



Looking over my shoulder  I stared for a moment surprise wandering over me. I could see Aurora or Ali talking to him,  maybe even Zeke. Luciano, however, was a surprise, I had barely ever heard him spoke, and never to me directly.  So the fact he told his brother to lay off me, was surprising, however, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe it was just out of pity, there was a lot of that going around lately.

"Which was awesome by the way" Sal added  nudging me back into reality



"It did feel good.." I admitted blushing slightly.


"Why don't you two go get a post-workout shake  and I'll see you tonight at the packhouse" Ash insisted 


"Packhouse?... why?"  I questioned eyeing the two of them


"Seriously, did you forget to tell her or just not bother?" Ash hummed crossing their arms over there chest.



Mimicking Ash's intimidating stance I stared  Sal down, even though compared to Ash I probably looked like a child copying a parent.   I could see a wave of emotions wash over Physalis face his face slightly distorting before pursed his lips. 


"I'm blonde what do you expect" he defended pointing to his hair



"You know as well as I do, hair colour has nothing to do with your lack of brain cells" Ash teased.


"Whatever..."  Physalis mumbled pouting like a child, Ash rolled their eyes.


"Aurora throwing a dinner party,  she told blondy here to tell you that your coming, also if you try to get out of it she'll have Zeke and Rocky hunt you down and drag you"  Ash informed smirking.


"Guess I'm going to dinner" I semi chuckled "Cmon blondy, Milkshakes are on you" I teased Sal nudging him lightly

A hum of voiced filled the diner as Sal and stretched out in one of the booths, He had the bright idea of jogging to the diner from  Ash's and I was now regretting deeply. Fortunately, with Berry being on shift she didn't need to take our orders to know what we wanted.  She just nodded towards the empty booth and finished her rounds before heading behind the counter to make our drinks.

I could my feet forced off the edge of bench dropping them to the floor, groaning I lifted my head up to see Mateo dropping down. Rolling my eyes I sat up glaring at him, I was about to complain for him to leave when Berry showed up holding Sals and mines milkshakes


"Two shakes" She beamed sliding my double mint fudge shakedown to me.


"I'll have my regular Berry" Mateo insisted Berry's face fell for a moment, eyes darting to me as I took a long sip of my shake


"About that... Mikie got the last of the mint chip ice cream... and we don't get a shipment in till tomorrow" She admitted with a shrug.


"Guess we're sharing Trash Panda" Mateo announced swiping the glass from me  my head stretching forward as the straw pulled from my lips.


"hey!" I snapped glaring him down. Mateo shrugged taking a large long slurp of it, I yanked the glass back 


"Did anyone ever tell you sharing is caring?"  Mateo smirked.


"i don't want your ringworm" I snarled  pulling the drink closer to me


"Seriously. I don't have ringworm"  Mateo exasperated 

"Oh your right. It's just fleas Potateo brains"  I corrected smirking as I took a sip of the drink.



"Look at you  Trashpanda, couple days beating your self up Ash's and you think your tough" Mateo smirked devilishly. "Pretty brave, for someone who can't even lift their own weight" he added.


"I wonder what Luciano would think of you picking on me?" I hummed a triumphant grin forming on my face as his fell.



"You tell him nothing." Mateo warned jabbing his pointer finger into the table before storming off.



Berry, Sal and I watched him with amusement as he mumbled to himself exiting the diner.   A giggle escaped my lips as the other two turned to look at me. I had to admit it felt good after years of dealing with him doing anything and everything to get under my skin I finally knew trigger.


"Seems to me like only a couple of days is paying off" Berry giggled



"Rule one, You don't have to be the biggest or the strongest. Just the smartest" I quoted grinning. 

"Not too hard to with him" Sal jabbed


"Don't throw stones in a glass house Blondy" I teased turning to face, Sal. he rolled his eyes giving me a mocking grin. 


"You are telling me whatever that is about later, but for now I have to get back to work" Berry informed pecking the top of my head before rushing off to one of her customers filled tables.