𝙴𝚃𝙷𝙰𝙽:

I yawn as I listen to my biology teacher drone about some organisms that probably don't matter. I've been studying cells since freshman year, how many more details can they add?

On the plus side, it's the last period of the middle of the week, which makes the end of the week seem closer, which means no school. Well, actually it means more school; prepping more college resumes (which I have been doing since before I even took the SATs), Working on my debate for next month, and working on my side of the history project because I can't look at my partner without wanting her dead. 

The most annoying, infuriating brat I have ever come across. Just who the actual fuck does she think she is--

The bell interrupted my thoughts. I shook my head like a wet dog, and looked up to see Aaron tapping my desk and grinning. "Remember your promise?"

I groaned. Right. The promise. Aaron promised to try harder at school this term (and he is) and I promised to do more physical activities. So, starting today, I am going to be entering a training regime specifically meant to end my life. 

"That was today?"

Aaron narrowed his eyes at me. "Alright, alright, Jesus."

I pack my bag and get ready to leave, I pass Little Miss Red Riding Hood in the hallway, she was furiously texting. Maybe the same guy she was yelling at. Maybe her boyfriend

Kicking up the stand of my cycle, I shook my head sadly for the poor bloke who ever dates her. 

We reach my house pretty soon. 

"Right," said Aaron as I climbed off my cycle. " I think you should go change into something more--appropriate for working out and meet me out here."

I groaned but under his gaze trudged into my house. 

"Hi sweetie," I jumped from the shock. My mom was leaning on the counter munching an apple. 

"Mom. . . "I said, still not completely over the shock. "What--what are you--didn't you have that surgery thing today?"

She marked it with red ink on every calendar of the house so I'm surprised she, of all people, forgot. 

She shrugged. " Got postponed. It wasn't life-threatening and it left me a window. So, any homework?"

Not even a 'how was your day' huh? 

I smiled. "No, not today."

"Any upcoming tests?"

"Trig on Monday."

"Are you going to study for it?"

I smiled. "Actually mom, I'm going for a run with Aaron. But I'll study into the night if I have to. You know me. Wouldn't want those grades to drop."

God. It is so fucking annoying pretending I'm this goody-two-shoes, will-never-do-anything-wrong, Ivy-League-Bound Ass-kissing kid in front of my mother. Sooner or later, I'm going to run out of fucks to give. And when I do, I don't how she'll take it.

My mom nodded, I doubt she heard me the way she was now glancing at files. I sighed and walked up to my room. 

It's not like I'm skinny, but I'm not even close to overweight either because do get like some exercise during cycling and PE. But am I jacked? No. That I'm not. 

I run into my brother as I make my way down the stairs. I grinned, "Hey, Alex. How was your day?"

Green eyes met green eyes. I got a thumbs up and a small but genuine smile in return. My brother is mute, but ten times smarter than anyone in his grade. 

"Made any new friends?"

His eyes lowered to the floor sadly. I gave him a sympathetic smile, "It'll happen, bud. Did you see mom?"

He nodded. More solemnly this time. 

"Hey, look at me."

His fists were clenched as if he was trying not to be mad. 

"She's just busy bud. She loves us." I think.

Alex made a slashing gesture with one hand and then joined his finger tips together.  Sign language for it's not fair. 

"I know" I say, crouching down to his 13-year-old frame. "You have every right to be angry, but it can't be helped."

He didn't look happy. 

"Tell you what," I said. "On the weekend, we can binge-watch Stranger things all day since mom has that conference thing. Sound good?

He nodded his head much more vigorously. 

I grinned at him, ruffled his hair and made my way out of the house. 

"How long does it take to change?" Aaron asked once I reached him. 

I rubbed the back of my neck, "no, mom was home so--"

Aaron looked at me with raised eyebrows. "Did you talk--"

"No."

He sighed, "I'm guessing you don't want to talk about it?

"Yep."

"I understand. Alright then, let's run to the field behind school. Then we'll do pushups, squats--"

"Exercises designed to kill me?"

"Hey, you made a promise."

"Not to die."

---

"I. . .can't." I wheezed. "I--cannot--take--more--of this torture."

Aaron rolled his eyes and tossed me a water bottle. "Stop acting."

I clutched my stomach. "I'm. . . not. . acting. I have the stamina of a newborn baby."

"Well, we're going to have to fix that now aren't we?"

"The best this is going to do his kill me."

"No, it'll--"

I took off my glasses and rubbed my eyes. "Can't you at least teach me how to fight? At least that will be useful."

"This is useful too, but fine. If you can get through one week of this. I'll teach you how to fight."

"I won't survive the week."

"I changed my mind--you will go through this week without learning how to fight. And then do this whole workout along with learning how to fight."

"I hate you."

"That's too bad now isn't it. Go on, give me 30 pushups"

Aaron was going full on coach-mode as I distributed my body-weight to my hands and legs and pushed down. Immediately, pain shoots through my arms, they desperately want to collapse. 

"Don't even think about giving up. You have 29 more to go. "

45 minutes later I am close to death. I lay on the ground panting. Aaron came and sat beside me. "Not so bad is it?"

"Shut up."

Aaron smirked at me, and pulled out his phone. Grinning, he began to text whoever was behind the screen. Tommy, most probably, telling from the love-sick grin on his face.

I sat up. "Tommy, huh?"

"Yeah. It's his--" Aaron froze, glanced up with a cautious look on his face. "Hey, uh--we should go."

"What?" I asked following his gaze. 

"Oh, you have got to be shitting me."