* reading back on these chapters: my writing is so damn cringe-worthy I'm so sorry.
Movie 🎥 Aeon Flux (2005)
Happy Reading xx
~T
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S C A R L E T T 💣
The smell of sweat and deodorant filled my nostrils as soon as I stepped into the room. It looked like a gym. Various types of equipment were set up in all corners of the room, there were some people working out. Blaze led me towards the back of the room where there was a large space for mats where people were practicing self-defense and martial arts. Everything was black, grey and white, the lights were large and ivory lighting up the room.
We made it to the end of the room where there was a large space, that part of the room had floors made out of what looked like gym mats. Blaze told me to take my shoes off before stepping onto the mat. As we were taking our shoes off I took a glance at her outfit.
She was dressed in a pair of black spandex tights with a Nike sports bra, similar to mine, that only covered her bust, leaving the rest of her pale fit torso bare. She caught me staring at her, glaring at me before stepping onto the matted floor. I turned my gaze away from her before stepping onto the mats as well.
"First we're going to exercise, we have to get you fit for missions. For this entire week we are going to work on body and form," she told as she started stretching herself. "Each day for this week we are going to work on different parts of your body, so for today we'll be working on the chest, shoulders and triceps." She motioned for me to copy her; I pulled my arm over my head to stretch my triceps. Every stretch I'd do, Blaze would always point out that I'm doing it wrong and that I wasn't stretching enough. Every time I'd snap at her and say otherwise, she'd punch me or slap me or kick me. At the end of our stretching session I was already covered in bruises and it was only 8:30. Just as I thought we were finished with stretching Blaze informed me that we were just stretching for the actual warm up.
The warm up was pretty intense: for me. It consisted of walking knee pulls; walking quad stretches, walking lunges, squat jumps, arm circles forwards. We also did thoracic spine exercises, which I guessed helps with neck and shoulder pain. That my friends; was just the warm up session.
Next was the workout. We began with shoulder presses, which I was useless at thanks to my noodle arms, but Blaze insisted on building up my arm muscles as I could potentially be maneuvering the sniper since I had good aim. I don't see the point in that because they brought me here for my superhuman strength when I had panic attacks, not to hide on top of buildings and shoot people using a sniper.
Every time I didn't reach the counting limit just because I was too tired, Blaze would snap at me. Blaze wasn't even exercising, she'd demonstrate and then watch me follow after her, pointing out errors and lashing out at me for them. I was so exhausted and it had only been an hour and we've only been exercising, I couldn't take any breaks for water, I couldn't have lunch or dinner, I literally had to train till 8:00 PM today. I'll probably die of exhaustion till then.
We continued with bench presses and then after that different Dumbbell exercises. That took about three hours. Mainly because I wasn't doing it right so Blaze would keep increasing the number of reps I've to do. Dumbbell exercises were something Spencer used to do when I'd accompany him to the gym. They exercised your main muscles and they allow your muscles to grow in strength together. I'm surprised I'm still up and going after all these exercises. I guess I could say I have a lot of stamina as I was on the Stanford Athletics team and swim team.
Just as I started doing push ups, which were the last thing to do to finish off my workout, Harry and his group walked in. I assumed Harry, just like Blaze, was training a group of people. His group consisted of 15 or 20 people, all dressed in black and looked like they were around my age or a couple years older. Harry started shouting out instructions for people to go do what they were told to do. He locked gazes with me for a second, his brows pulling tightly over his enticing jade eyes before he turned his head to face another woman.
She was all over him. Batting her eyelashes flirtatiously at him, tugging on her athletic top to reveal more cleavage, which certainly caught Harry's eyes to my disgust. Although I had to admit; she was gorgeous. Long ebony hair that trailed over her back, cocoa colored eyes that gazed hungrily at Harry, heart-shaped lips that were pulled in a seductive smile, everything about her reeked lust and confidence. The way she'd stand up to Harry without an ounce of fear, everybody was scared of Harry; but her, and maybe me. Or maybe not.
"Lil' Bitch why'd you stop?" Blaze asked me in annoyance, kicking my side abruptly. I fell to my side with a thud, looking up at her in irritation before moving back into my previous position. Since I was doing push-up and I suck at them, I bent my legs and rested on my knees before I started, only for Blaze to slam her foot into the side of my body again; except this time it was harder. "What the fuck are you doing? On your toes now," she pointed at me, her tone harsh and firm. I cursed under my breath before placing my toes on the floor this time and placing my hands flat on the floor, keeping it approximately shoulder width apart.
Just as I lifted myself off the ground, she rammed her foot into my side again, causing me to yelp out in surprise and pain and fall to my side for the third time. "What the hell I was doing it right this time!" I snapped at her loudly, causing a few people to gaze at me.
"No. That type of push ups are for wimps, which would be ideal for you but, you need to do the harder ones," she told me while I sat up now.
"Okay so how do you do them?" I asked.
"You get into the same position as before, the only difference is you keep your hands closer than shoulder width apart." I nodded understanding what to do now before moving into my previous position, this time keeping my hands close together.
I lowered my body slowly, immediately feeling the burn in my triceps and abdominal area, I tried to push myself again but the pain was too intense my body flopped down. I braced myself for a kick from Blaze but surprisingly nothing came. All I heard was laughter. I instantly sat up; there was a group of people near the cardio part of the gym who were watching me. I spotted the brunette who speaking to Harry earlier chuckling at my flushed face. I also spotted Harry next to her who was smirking at me in an amused manner.
My cheeks burned as I moved back into my position again, determined to do the pushup right this time. Blaze said I've to do 30 of these pushups, how am I to do 30 when I can't even do one? Just as my body lowered again it flopped, refusing to get up again. It was just so freaking intense. More laughter erupted from the nearby group, making anger boil my blood.
"Are you sure she's Russell's daughter?" I heard the brunette ask Harry loudly on purpose. "She can't even do a push-up! How pathetic," I heard her say loudly; a few people agreeing with her as more laughter filled the air. My cheeks flushed angrily when I heard Harry agree with her as well, standing close to her; enough for their shoulders to be nudging every few seconds.
The mentioning of my father immediately caused a surge of anger and distress through my veins. This bitch hardly knew me, yet she has the audacity to make fun of me just because I couldn't do a freaking push-up. I just wanted to throw concentrated hydrochloric acid at her face, which maybe remind you; is corrosive. Since when are you ever so violent Scarlett?
This sudden surge of anger mixed with distress triggered my hidden powers. I could immediately feel power flooding my body as I rose up on the palms of my feet and lowered my body, feeling a slight burn in my muscles but it wasn't as bad as before. My arms started to speed up and soon I was doing more than 30 push-ups. After about 50 or 60 push-ups I stopped, pushing myself off of the floor I sat back. My eyes flitted towards the group who were all staring at me with their eyes wide and brows high. They were impressed.
A bold smirk found its way towards my lips as soon as I locked gazes with Harry. He just clenched his jaw at me with his cold eyes before he snapped at everyone to get working. A low chuckle pushed past my lips as I saw him push the brunette out of his way when she started to talk to him again. She immediately turned to me and threw a glare at me before she stomped off to the treadmills.
"Wow Lil' Bitch, were you having another panic attack?" Blaze smirked at me.
"No," I muttered, standing up and placing my hands on my hips. It never ceases to amaze me that the muscles that were working hard only seconds ago now struggle to hold my weight. "I was having an anger attack," I told her.
"Panic and anger attacks. Your father never had anger attacks," she frowned. I just shrugged before staggering over to the mirror to gawk at my sweaty form.
"What's next?" I turned around to ask her. She frowned in thought.
"Since you're working for the whole day for we can start on backs and biceps, but not right now because it's lunch time," she said, glancing at the huge clock near the entrance of the room. It read 1:00. Time sure flies when you're...having fun? I don't consider this fun just to let you know. "We're gonna warm down for half an hour and I'm gonna go eat after that, you on the other hand will train more," she said before leading me to the padded area of the gym.
We spent the next 30 minutes doing active stretching for rotations, arm swings, leg swings and lunges. I'll never remember the names for all these stretches. By the time we were done people were leaving the room for lunch.
"Go to those machines," she said pointing at the pull up machines in the corner of the room. "Knock yourself out until I get back. If I get back and see you slacking off, you'll be training for an extra hour," she warned me before running off towards the exit. I saw Dexter and Louis shoot me pitiful looks before leaving the room as well. What great friends! Note the sarcasm. I was about to turn around and head towards the machines before a voice called out from behind me. I spun around, my eyes meeting Blaze's cold blue eyes as she ran up to me. "Actually, I want you to go swimming," she said.
"What?" I asked her in confusion. They have a pool here? I couldn't help but be kind of excited because Like I said before I used to be on the Stanford Women's Swim Team and swimming was a hobby of mine. I guess I could say I was good enough for them to pick me.
"Yes it will help you relax your body before we start working out again," she said.
"Okay but I need a swimming suit," I said, biting my bottom lip.
"Just swim in your underwear," she shrugged. As much as I didn't want to, I didn't have a choice. Plus nobody's gonna be there, everyone will be eating lunch for the next hour.
"Fine. Where is it?" I asked.
"Outside the training room," was all she said before she ran off. Why couldn't she be more specific with her directions? I sighed loudly before groaning when I felt my stomach growl. My mouth was drier than the Sahara Desert. I looked around the room for a water bottle, immediately spotting a sports bottle in the corner of the room. I sprinted over to it and grabbed it quickly, twisting the top of it before dropping it. The burning sensation in my throat grew when I pressed the plastic against my dry lips. The water flowed down my throat, the thick saliva that lined the inside of my mouth immediately sapping any moisture that may enter.
The bottle was empty in seconds. I picked up the cap and screwed the bottle shut before setting it down where I found it. I'll need more water after I'm done swimming. I set off, exiting the gym before exiting the training room. I could hear loud voices from the mess hall, and I could smell all kinds of mouth-watering food.
I quickly turned away from the direction of the mess hall and looked for the signs. The signs were hung up at the end of the hall to my left, I could vaguely read 'swimming pool' at the bottom with an arrow pointing to the left. I walked down the hallway; turning left and found myself approaching double-doors. I pushed through them, revealing a dimply-lit indoor swimming pool. The sound of water splashing filled the air as I focused my eyes on a figure that was swimming extremely fast in the corner lane. I could tell it was a male but couldn't identify who it was.
I didn't really want to swim in my underwear with a man here, but he seemed to be really focused on swimming so if I could quickly change and jump into the water he wouldn't notice me. I ran over to one of the benches on the side and pulled my t-shirt off, setting it down neatly on the bench.
"Would you look who it is?" I heard a deep voice speak from behind me. My heart sunk in my chest when I recognised it. I spun around and found myself lock gazes with those damn green eyes that belonged to one person in particular. Harry.
He was standing in the shallow end of the pool, the water reaching the middle of his chest. His dark tattoos stood out as water droplets rolled over them and his defined abs. My eyes travelled up to his face where his lip ring was pulled into his mouth as he gazed back at me. His wet curls were hanging over his eyes, covering his eyebrow piercing completely, before his hand reached up and push his hair back. I realized he was still waiting for some kind of response, I just ignored him and sat down on the bench and started untying my shoes.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be training." I heard him say to me.
"Blaze told me to swim until she gets back from lunch," I said, untying my other shoe before pulling it off along with my socks, stuffing them into my shoes. I stood up and peeled my leggings off, which felt like a second skin.
"You sure you'll even make it through a lap?" he snickered, before bringing his water bottle to his lips. I rolled my eyes at him before I reached up and tugged my hair tie. I ran my fingers through my hair to ease the knots before shaking it and bringing it to the side. I braided it so it wouldn't fall on my face while I'm swimming, there's nothing more annoying than swimming with open hair. There's also not wearing goggles, and not wearing a swim cap. Unfortunately I didn't have any of those, I was okay with swimming without goggles. I didn't like it as much but I could bear with it.
"I'm sure. Just watch me," I shot him a challenging glare as I stood in front of the lane that was next to his. He looked up at me, eyeing my body shamelessly, starting from the bottom until he reached the top where he locked gazes with me, a smirk forming on his lips as he did so. My cheeks turned crimson before I shot him another glare and slid into the water, not bothering to use the stairs or dive in. The lukewarm water welcomed my body, the smell of chlorine filling my nose before I dunked myself in the water and emerged from it right after. I could feel Harry's gaze on me, but I just shook it off trying to get into my zone before I took off.
I'd say I'm a pretty fast swimmer. I won plenty of medals when I was in Stanford and I was one of the best. I decided to do the butterfly stroke because that was my favorite and my best, I switched to freestyle as soon as I finished one lap and just alternated from there. After 20 laps I stopped to catch my breath. My hair tie had come off while I was swimming and now my hair was just everywhere. I tried to smoothen it but immediately stopped my actions as soon as I saw Harry swimming.
He was such a graceful swimmer. He was doing freestyle just as I was, gliding in and out of the water fluidly; only sending sprays of water rather than splashes of it. His technique reminded me a lot of Michael Phelps technique, and how similar both of them are. He reached to where I was standing before he did a tumble turn and continued along the way now doing breaststroke.
As I was watching him I felt my stomach growl again and my mouth was parched. My eyes scanned the room for a water bottle, but there wasn't any. My gaze landed on Harry's water bottle, before they flitted to where Harry was still swimming to the other side. I wonder if Harry would mind if I had some of his water. Yes he will mind. But I'm desperate. Who cares!? Do you want to get yourself killed. No, but I'd die anyways if I don't have any water. This battle between my sub-conscious and I has to end before Harry gets back.
Deciding to drink some of his water, I dove under the divider and shot back up in his lane. I immediately grabbed his water bottle, screwing the lid and pouring some water down my dry throat. I could hear Harry getting nearer, but I just couldn't stop drinking. I was so damn thirsty.
Just as I finished the bottle, something shot out of the water right in front of me, scaring the daylights out of me as I let out a small shriek. Harry towered over me, placing his hands on the edge of the pool, on either side of my body as he leaned close to me. Water droplets from his curls fell onto my face as I stared up at him in fright.
"You scared the shit out of me," I couldn't help but say, looking for a way to move out. But I was trapped in his arms. He was standing unbelievably close to me; his toned body was distracting me as he stared at me intimidatingly.
"Who the fuck told you to drink water from my bottle?" he asked lowly, pulling his brows tightly over his dazzling green eyes. I opened my mouth to answer but he cut me off. Quite rudely might I add. "Nobody!" he yelled all of a sudden, making me flinch.
"Sorry! I was just really thirsty," I pouted, feeling ashamed that I didn't ask him. It's not like he was gonna let me anyways.
"If you're so thirsty go suck a cock," he scowled making my jaw drop. The way he said that so confidently shocked me.
"Are you suggesting that I should suck your cock?" I shot back, making his eyes go wide with surprise a bit before his lips stretched into a smirk. Okay why did I even say that!? To be honest, I was a bit surprised with my words as well; I never thought I say something as crude as that so boldly. I guess I just wanted to catch him off-guard, I like to think I'm unpredictable sometimes.
"My my someone's very eager," he smirked cockily at me while I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
"Don't flatter yourself," I said leaning back on my elbows as he leaned closer.
"Baby, you were the one who suggested it," he said. God he was so incredibly sexy.
I don't understand why I was so physically attracted to him in particular, I mean there are many other good-looking guys here like Dexter or Damien or Blake or Louis or even Seth. But out of all of them, Harry stands out. Fuck you Harry Styles for making my hormones go crazy.
"You thought I was going to chase you like those thirsty hoes?" I laughed, inwardly cringing when I realised it was something I was already do this. Why are you like this, Scarlett?
"You're feisty," he commented, leaning in even closer until our faces were inches apart. My breath hitched in my throat when he gazed at my lips with a hint of...curiosity? He pulled his lip ring into his mouth and gazed at me intently, watching my every move. He inched even closer, our lips merely centimeters apart.
My heart was hammering against my chest, my breathing was uneven, and I felt like I was going to pass out due to all the thoughts that were rushing through my head. My conscience was screaming at me to move away, that I hardly I knew the guy and kissing him wouldn't be the stupidest thing to do. I was brought out of my thoughts when three words flew out of Harry's perfect lips. "I like that."
And then, our lips connected.
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Please don't kill me. Cliffhangers are my thing yo.
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Until we meet again...
~T