Chapter 99 Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

A plastic thud startles me awake. I crack open an eye to see Lisa's alarm clock skitter across the floor, her arm still extended from the throw.

"I can't do this anymore," she moans into her pillow. "Everything hurts. I think my eyelashes are sore."

I laugh, but it turns into a groan as I slide out of bed, my muscles screaming in protest. Four days of Jericho's training from hell, and my body still hasn't adjusted. I'm not sure it ever will.

"Do you think the bodyguards would murder Jericho if we asked nicely?" Lisa's voice is muffled, her face still buried in her pillow.

"Stop dreaming." I limp to the bathroom, each step an agony. "And get ready. You know he'll just make it worse if we're late."

Lisa's groan follows me as I shut the door, a smile tugging at my lips despite the pain. As much as I hate the early mornings and the constant ache in my muscles, there's a part of me that relishes the challenge. Each day I push myself further, each day I grow stronger.

Selene would be proud.

The thought sobers me as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Four days, and still no sign of her. I'm starting to wonder if she'll ever come back. If I'll ever be whole again.

I splash water on my face, the cold shock chasing away the melancholy thoughts. I can't afford to dwell on what I've lost. Not when I have so much to gain.

By the time I emerge from the bathroom, Lisa is up and dressed, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She shoots me a baleful look as she tugs on her sneakers.

"I hate you for being a morning person."

"I'm not a morning person," I protest, grabbing my water bottle. "I'm just better at pretending than you are."

amusement in her eyes. "Fake it till you

a deep breath, steeling myself for

stretches out her legs. "But

reverberates through the apartment, and Lisa and I groan in unison. We don't have to check. Of

Kellan with exasperation.

remains impassive. "There's nothing in my

raise a brow at Lisa as a blush creeps up her cheeks. Well, well. What do we have here? But before

Another day of his disapproval and disdain. I'm really starting to like him, but also I hate him more

waiting for us, his scarred face set in a

about we bring donuts

"You want to play games?

unrepentant, and takes off at a jog. I follow, my legs

a trainer who seems to hate us. But as much as I want to complain, I know I need this. Need to

For myself.

teeth and keep running, pushing through the pain.

acid (something I've learned about in recent days) scorches my

Lisa's chest heaves, her face

Now." Jericho's command cuts through the haze of

groans, the sound a pitiful whimper.

shake my head, wincing as the movement sends a fresh wave of agony through my body. "Sorry, Jericho. My legs have officially

curls, his scarred face twisting into a sneer. "Well, aren't you two being

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