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As I methodically secure my brown belt around my crisp white gi a sense of pride swells within me. There’s something about gi classes that I enjoy—a chance for everyone to gauge my level of expertise with a single glance. No one ever underestimates me when they see this belt around my waist.
With my belt tied securely, I exit the dressing room and make my way to the training room. The anticipation hums in the air as I push open the door to a room already brimming with other people.
Raymond steps into the room, his presence commanding respect and attention. It’s then that my heart stutters and my breath catches. A figure moves into the room just behind him and I can’t stop my jaw from dropping when I see his face.
Chase.
In his crisp Gi, the blue belt tied around his waist, he steps onto the mat like he belongs. My jaw tightens as anger surges through me. I haven’t spoken to him since our explosive argument at the restaurant. Our eyes meet for a split second, as he takes his place at the other end of the room, the weight of unspoken words, misunderstandings, and hurt hanging heavily between us.
What is he doing here? He hasn’t been to one of our classes in weeks.
I’m conflicted, emotions churning within me. Confusion mingles with anger, and for a brief moment, I contemplate bolting from the room, escaping the tension that’s now thick in the air. But that would just create unnecessary drama, and I would prove once again that I’m not in control of my emotions. It would be like I was literally running away from Chase.
No. I’m going to stay. But I’m not going to talk to him—let alone roll with him. The room is big enough and full enough with other sparring partners that I can keep my distance from him.
I avert my eyes away from Chase, and face Raymond, who takes his usual place at the front. Class starts with the usual warm-up, and we all follow along with Raymond’s instructions to get our bodies and minds ready for class. I refuse to look in Chase’s direction for the entire time, but when it’s time to pair up for a roll, I can’t stop myself from turning to him. I’m telling myself it’s only to make sure that he doesn’t come over and try to pair up with me, but I know a small part of me would actually want that. I miss him, despite everything he has done—that’s impossible to deny.
But he doesn’t look my way. His back is turned to me as he speaks to a guy who was standing next to him. I feel like an idiot, especially when my heart stings at the sight. Did he really just come here for class, with no intention of approaching me whatsoever? Why am I sad about this?
“Okay, guys, we’ll try something fun today!” Raymond announces, pulling my attention away from Chase.
“It’s called ‘blind grappling’, and it’s exactly what you would expect it to be,” he goes on, while blindfolds are distributed among us. “This will teach you to rely on your other senses and not just sight while you’re rolling. This is crucial during a roll, when your eyes can easily be obscured. For now, I want you to pair up, and one of you will put on the blindfold, then you’ll switch after the first roll.”
I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder and turn around to find a girl with black locks next to me. I can’t remember her name, but I’ve seen her here before. A violet belt—one belt below me—is tight around her waist.
“Wanna pair up?” she asks, holding up the blindfold she just received. “You can go first with the blindfold.”
“Yeah, sure,” I say. “But you can go first, if you want.”
She shakes her head, and practically shoves the piece of fabric into my hands. “No, please. You go first.”
With a nod, I secure the blindfold, and the world darkens around me. In my temporary blindness, I can hear people rummage around me, chatter filling the room and naked feet moving across the mat.
Raymond’s voice pierces the dimness, instructing us to start when we hear the sound of the timer. Time drags on and I continue to hear commotion throughout the room, but I’m unable to see what is happening. I can sense the presence of the girl before me, as she gets in position for the roll.
Finally, the timer’s chime pierces the air. I steel myself for my partner’s attack, but nothing happens. After a few moments, I decide to explore the area, extending my hands cautiously. I’m surprised to reach into air, but my surprise turns to shock when I sense another person nearby.
Their presence doesn’t feel like the girl I just talked to, and I instinctively move to execute a sweep. A gasp of surprise flees my lips when a set of strong—masculine—arms wraps around me, and I’m enveloped in a familiar scent.
“What the…”
His grip tightens around me, drawing me nearer, trapping me in his embrace. Panic surges through my veins as I summon the strength to wrest one arm free and yank the blindfold away. My voice escapes in a mixture of shock and anger. “What the hell, Chase?!”
He lets go of me the moment my eyes are no longer blocked, and my surprise grows into utter shock when I realize that the whole room has emptied. It’s just him and me now.
I turn around, taking a step back to bring some distance between us, as I regard him with a puzzled look.
“You left me no other choice,” Chase says, shrugging.
He’s smiling at me, but it’s a cautious smile, almost rueful and submissive.
My eyes flit back and forth between him and the closed door. How did everybody get out so fast? How did I not notice?
“You arranged this?” I ask, helplessly pointing to the door. “You canceled a whole class, just to talk to me?”
“Don’t worry, they’re off to a fun steak dinner at my expense,” he says. “Raymond and I get along pretty well, he didn’t need much convincing.”
“You’re insane!” I yell at him. “This is insane!”
