Rebound

1.5

"Well, you wouldn't have to be riding dirt bikes around in the dust if you just came back here and trained with me, again.  I'm still hurt you didn't come to me for so long after-"

"I'm sorry, I really am, but I can't talk about all of that right now.  I'm just here to watch the beginner class, maybe sit in?  I can pay my tuition for the year in full, even though I'll probably only be able to attend twice a month.  I'm starting college soon so my schedule will be pretty packed."

"If I told you once then I've told you a thousand times- these classes are free for you."

"I will not let you not take my money.  Besides, it's Eli's anyway, and he kind of owes you for the cop situation."

"You know what?  You're right, he definitely owes me.  We almost got shut down for that mess, and we weren't even the ones who started it!"

I spent the next few moments catching up with Leila and then there was an influx of students, mostly young women in their late teens to early twenties, but scattered amongst them were some older adult women around the same age as Leila, crow's feet and healed scars painting their skin.

It wasn't hard to see the emotional scars, either, not when I carried the same ones.

We spent the majority of the time talking, stretching and learning (re-learning, for me) the basics of self defense.  The importance of pepper spray.  The way to exude confidence and the tools we could use to deter attackers.

1. Don't wear your hair in a ponytail if it's long-it's easier to grab this way.

2.  Always have a large purse or bag or umbrella to carry with you as it doubles as a weapon.

3.  Never talk on your cell phone or look down to text when walking out to your car alone, instead, look forward straight ahead with your chin held high and a confident stride showing that you are not afraid or an easy target.

4.  Use a special app on your phone when walking anywhere alone or where you might be in possible danger, and make sure your emergency numbers are programmed into it.

5.  A high pitched alarm trigger on your keychain is always a good deterrent.

6.  Don't wear headphones in your ears when running, and when possible, run with a partner.

7.  Always make sure at least one loved one has your location at all times, and if you're going somewhere alone, establish specific times to check in with them.

8.  The buddy system, especially at parties, is gospel.

9.  No drinks from strangers, opened or unopened, and bonus points if you have the nail polish that doubles as a roofie detector by changing colors when you dip the fingernail in if it's been drugged.

10.  Learn to defend yourself physically from an attacker.

We were on number ten and learning maneuvers to help someone escape a backwards choke hold when time ran out.  I turned to thank Leila for the great class when a flash of movement caught my eye from the window, and one of the women pointed at him and asked if any of us knew him.

He was tall and lanky, a scraggly white beard covering most of his face and the rest of him was obscured by the sheets of rain coming down in a thick pattern.

As if the man knew he were being watched, he quickly turned on his heel and left, but there was something familiar about his gait, the stature of the man reminding me of a time best left forgotten.

And then Eli called my phone, but I didn't answer at first as I was saying goodbye to the women I'd met as well as Leila, and I didn't want him to know that I was back to the studio.

Eli didn't stop, though.  He kept calling, and calling, and calling...

I was about to answer if he called one more time until V's number popped up and I answered on the first ring.

"Elodie, I need you to get back home right now, there's something we need to talk about."

"Oh, okay.  What's wrong?"

Her voice shook as she attempted to keep her composure.

"I'd rather not say over the phone, it's just important that you come home, now.  Did you figure out your car situation with your friend yet?"

"No, my car is still a few hours away at the dirt bike track, but I can grab a taxi or-"

"Just stay there, I'll have Eli come get you or I can grab my car."

I heard Eli saying something but it was muffled over the speakerphone.

"Is he in Midtown right now?  It's pouring down rain, Eli.  Tell him to pick her up on his way over since he'll be staying over to help with her moving in anyway.  No she is not taking the subway in this weather!  Thank you.  Okay Elodie, Matthew is coming to pick you up, but I think he's in a rideshare, so just watch the door for him to pull up and we'll talk when you get here."

I barely had time to think 'what the hell' when Matthew's uber pulled up and a red umbrella appeared out of the top of the window.

"And that's my ride."

***

A/N:

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Until next time my lovely readers,

Kristen :)