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She climbs out of bed and runs to her bookshelf, scanning through her options. I watch her closely and I am grateful for the change in her demeanor. She grabs a heavy book with glitter on the cover and brings it over to me.
"Another dragon book?" I say, staring at the title.
"Yup, this one is about a girl dragon who has magical powers." She says, climbing back into bed.
"So, you have already read this one then? Don't you want to pick a new one where you don't know what's going to happen?"
She shakes her head enthusiastically. "No. I love this story. It has got a really good ending. You will see when you get there. I won't give it away or spoil the ending for you."
"Ok. Shift over then," I say, kicking my shoes off and swinging my legs onto her bed. I lean against her headboard, and she snuggles into my chest, closing her eyes. I open the big book and start reading to her. My thoughts are not on the story though; they are on those asshole kids who gave my little girl a black eye. Even though I'm happy she seems to be feeling better, knowing she is allowed to go to the Bully Proof class, I am still so angry that this is happening to her. But at least we have something new to try to overcome this horrible situation.
CHAPTER 5
GABI
Imove around the gym clearing the fitness space after my class has ended. I pick up some weights and some battle ropes and move them back to where they belong. It is early and I don't have another class until lunchtime. I always keep this time between ten and eleven-thirty free on a Thursday so I can go through my bookings for the next week and do my admin.
I hear the door to my gym swing open and then shut again as I'm busy putting the last of the weights in place.
I turn around, "Good morning. How can I help you? Would you like to book a class?"
I look up and choke back a lump in my throat as tears threaten to spill out. I can't believe it.
Alex is standing at the doorway with Isabella in front of him. His hands are protectively on her shoulders, and he looks uncomfortable.
He brought her to my gym. I am so incredibly happy right now.
I realize I have been staring at them with my mouth slightly open and I close it and rush over. "Hi," I say a little too loudly and a little too enthusiastically. I am so happy he got over his bad attitude, but I also don't want to be all 'Oh so you finally came to your senses' so instead I smile a huge smile and say, "Welcome, guys. It's so nice to see you here. Do you want to book a class?"
Alex stands stiffly looking around at the boxing bags that are hanging on the far wall. "Yes. Isabella wanted to come for a class now, the self-defense class."
"Now?" I ask curiously. I don't think he looked properly at the brochure. The kid's Bully Proof classes are not during school hours and not even on a Thursday. I chuckle to myself.
"Now is perfectly fine," I say, so relieved to see them here that there is absolutely no way I'm going to be sending them away.
"I have some free time now so we can do a thirty-minute introduction class?" I don't want to do a full hour with Isabella on her first try as I know it can be overwhelming.
Isabella talks for the first time, lifting her face up towards mine "Can I do a class now? I am really excited. I did not even sleep that well last night, because I was so excited when Dad said I could come today for your class."
I look down at Isabella and my heart leaps in my throat when she moves her hair away from her face. She has a dark bluish-black bruise around her left eye.
"Bella?" I say, then stop the question I was going to ask as I can see how uncomfortable she looks about her black eye. "Are you ready for your first class? It is going to be so much fun." I say enthusiastically.
Isabella grins a huge grin and I can't stop myself from grinning back. She is wearing tights and a gym top so I imagine Alex brought her here assuming there would be a class on right now. Thank goodness I don't have anyone booked for this slot, because the last thing I would have liked to do is turn them away, knowing that him bringing her here in the first place was probably a last resort. It would be unlikely that he would come back if I sent them away. My heart aches for Bella. I glance up at Alex and understand the seriousness in his eyes. I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile.
"Alright, sweetheart. Let's get started then." I say to Bella, leading her towards the mats.
"Where are the other kids?" She asks innocently.
"It's your lucky day, Bella. You get a private class all to yourself, so we can learn so much more. But next time you are welcome to join one of the bigger classes with the other kids. They are all really great kids. I think you will like them."
I hear Alex clearing his throat and I look up at him. "Let us just see how today goes." He says stiffly.
I point at the chairs near the edge of the workout mats and say "Yes, of course. She is going to love it though. You will see. You can take a seat there and watch the class if you like?"
He nods and moves over towards the chairs. He sits stiffly, clearly unsure about all of this, but hey - at least he is here. At least he is giving it a chance and that is all I can ask for.
Isabella is standing on the mat with me, practically jumping up and down with excitement. I start a basic warm-up with her, explaining why we like to stretch out our bodies before we do any intense exercise. I find kids respond better when I explain some things to them and when I make it fun.
