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“I can’t get loose,” I say, defeated.
“Yes, you can. You just have to know how. I’m stronger than you, so we both know you are never going to overpower me. The next best thing is to be smarter than me.”
“How does that help me get away? I can’t use brainpower. I’m not a Jedi.”
“You have to use my body’s mechanics against me. Besides flailing around, try this. Drop your hips into a squat like you’re gonna piss in the woods. At the same time, put your hands on your chest like you’re a vampire. Bring up your arms and shoulders simultaneously. Then turn into my body and elbow me as hard as you can in the ribs. Do this all at once, and you’ll be free.”
I look over my shoulder at him in disbelief. I’m sure this is a trick. Some game he is playing to get me to do what he wants. I’m about to tell him to fuck off, but what then?
Honestly, my best bet is to play along. This is better than him threatening and assaulting me.
“All right, whatever. I’ll try it.”
I do as he instructs. It takes me two attempts before I’m able to coordinate the whole move, but when I do, it works. I get free and swing my elbow into his ribs, drawing a groan out of him. Shocked beyond belief, I watch with my mouth hanging open as he doubles over, cradling his side.
I knocked the breath out of him.
“Fuck. I didn’t know you could actually hit that hard.”
“I didn’t know either.”
He recovers quickly, straightening back up. “All right, again.”
We run through this move two more times before he shows me three more. I can’t seem to shake away the thought of this being some kind of joke to him, but at this point, I have no idea why he would offer to help me defend myself, even more so when he knows I could use these same moves on him.
By the time Quan lets us out of class, I’ve built up a good amount of sweat, and my muscles tense, telling me I’m going to be sore tomorrow. Quinton leaves class without a word or goodbye, not that I was expecting him to say anything.
Grabbing a bottle of water on the way out, I down it and fill up another one. I still find myself speed-walking back to my room. I need to grab a quick shower before going to my next class to avoid being stinky.
I’m alone in the elevator and thankful for the moment of solitude. When the doors open, I step out, keeping my head down. That turns out to be a mistake because if I had looked around, I would have seen Anja and Marcel waiting for me.
By the time I do see them, it’s already too late. There’s no avoiding them, and instead of hanging my head, I lift it high and stare straight ahead at them. Marcel is the first to react, a slimy grin appearing on his lips.
“Oh, look, it’s the rat scurrying away, ready to tell another lie about someone.”
“Don’t you have anything better to do than harass me?” I pipe up, refusing to let myself be walked on.
“Is it harassment if it’s true?” Anja adds, and they both break out into laughter. My cheeks heat, and I decide to hit Anja where it hurts.
“You’re just jealous because Quinton pays more attention to me than you.” It’s a stupid comeback and not my best, but I know it hits its mark when Anja’s nose wrinkles and her lips turn up in a snarl.
“He doesn’t like you. He likes tormenting you. There’s a difference.”
I mean, she’s not lying, but it doesn’t change the fact that he shows more interest in me than her.
I shrug. “Whatever makes it easier for you to sleep at night.”
Anja looks like she wants to punch me, and Marcel places a comforting hand on her shoulder, stopping her from following through on the thought.
I turn and continue walking toward my room. I’ve only made it a few feet when I hear Marcel yell, “That’s right, scurry back to your garbage can of a room, you dirty fucking rat.”
There aren’t many people in the corridor, but enough to draw a few eyes, leading to unwanted attention. I can feel their eyes on me, so I force my feet to go faster.
I’m down the hall and locked inside my room in less than a minute. Stripping out of my sweaty clothes, I hop in the shower, turning the water all the way to hot. At least I can let my muscles relax for a few minutes before I have to head to my next class. When I’m out there, I don’t have the luxury of relaxing. Everywhere I turn in this house of demons, I have to watch my back. People want me dead, and since they can’t kill me, they’ll do much worse things. I have to be prepared for anything.
