Today was the physical competition and there was no doubt that I was going to lose. I had been putting in some extra hours at the gym, especially focusing on the weights with the help of Rory.
I swear, that girl could bench more than most of the guards. She was strong as hell.
I'd already showered and eaten my healthy breakfast which consisted of a bowl of fruit, a glass of water and I managed to convince Flo to sneak me a muffin from the kitchen.
What? A girl's gotta eat.
Flo ran hers hands through my wavy locks and then grabbed a section at the front, intricately plaiting it into a Dutch braid and then tied it into my high pony tail. She grabbed a piece of hair and wraps it around my bobble, securely fastening it with a bobby pin, making it look like the bobble was never there.
My face was dusted over with a light layer of foundation and then she brushed on some highlighter and lined my lips with a matte nude lipstick.
I was sort of digging the style, it was pretty but still looked natural.
I was wearing a pair of skin tight black yoga pants and a lavender tank top with spaghetti straps. I managed to convince Xander to let me wear a tank top instead of a sports bra, that practically showcased my muffin top.
Yes, I hadn't been feeling very confident this week, especially about my body.
Rory told me to own all my curves and that she would kill for them but I would gladly trade and have her slender waist anyday. Whenever I looked into a mirror, all I saw was flab.
"Wow, you definitely look the part." Flo stated proudly, admiring her handy work.
"You did a good job. Quickly, let's do our handshake before grumpy Xander gets here and spoils our fun." She giggled in agreement and we quickly did our handshake.
"I swear to try until my muscles give up." That was the best that I could do.
"I swear to be proud no matter what place you come." I smiled at her and brought her in for a hug just as the door swung open.
"Oh thank god, I missed that dreadful thing you two do." We both rolled our eyes and I sat on the bed to put on my socks and black trainers.
I removed my necklace and handed it over to Flo, who promised to keep it safe for me, and then followed Xander out the door. The competition was live with an added audience so we were getting briefed in the conference room and then walking down on our own.
I took my usual seat besides Rory who looked raring to go in her bicycle shorts and tight sports bra. Like usual, she looked amazing, in fact all the girls did.
I suddenly felt very self conscious, when I realised I was the only one wearing a sports bra. I looked and felt totally out of place.
"Ladies for today's physical, you will be doing something extremely simple but very hard. You will all be in a straight line on the stage and then, stand there with a large barrel held over your heads for as long as you can. The winner is the last one standing. Right, now I want you to leave in this order. Sienna, Ivy, Rory, Astrid and Arabella. You will walk outside, the audience and people will be watching remember. You will then make your way onto the stage, and stand still until further instructions are given. Clear?" We all nodded and I waited patiently until all the other girls had left, before making my way down.
I knew the way down like it was written on the back of my hand. Surprisingly enough no guards or anyone really was posted along the hallways, I was guessing they were all outside. I pressed the elevator button and tapped my foot whilst I waited for the doors to slide open.
Once they did, I stepped inside and pressed the button marked one. The doors were slowly shutting, when a hand shot out to stop them. I felt my breath hitch in the back of my throat and I tried to find anyway to escape, but unfortunately I was stuck.
Wyatt stood next to me in his slick uniform, that I hate to admit made him look incredibly sexy, and placed his hands behind his back. We rode down in silence until he suddenly pressed the stop button causing the elevator to halt in its movements and I jerked forward.
"Wyatt, what the hell are you doing? I've got a competition to go to." I shouted, stepping forward to press the button again.
"This will only take a minute." He quickly urged, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from the buttons.
"I'm sorry. What I said was out of line and I completely surprised you. I shouldn't have just blurted it out like that, I just thought...actually I don't know what I thought. I don't want to ruin our friendship and to be honest, I thought you would jump at the chance to be my wife if things went south. I acted on an impulse and I was wrong, but I hate this. I hate the fact that you're ignoring me, I hate it. Please can we just forget things and go back to normal." I sighed and shook my head.
"I can't forget, but we can go back to normal I would like that. Maybe one day, I'll say yes. Maybe, but I'm so focused on Hardin right now. I need another friend, not a lover. Please understand,"
"I do. Of course I do. I'll gladly be your friend." I smiled at him gratefully and pulled him in for a hug.
"Thank you," I whispered into his ear and then suddenly his whole body stiffened.
"I did something. Something bad."
"What did you do?" I asked warily, my brain thinking up every possible scenario.
"I told Hardin you said yes to being my wife if you lost. I don't know why, it was stupid mistake and I just wanted to hurt him I guess. Fuck, I screwed everything up didn't I?"
"No no, you didn't. I'll fix this, I'll talk to him. Now can you get the elevator back up and running, I'm going to be late." He nodded and stepped in-front of me to fix it.
Shit, Hardin was probably thinking that me and Wyatt had something secret going on. I had to fix this ASAP. First, try to win the competition, second talk to Hardin.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, I dashed out and down to the field. Everyone was waiting for me and I noted the disapproving look on Flicker's face as I made my way on stage.
Oh well, they would just have to deal with the slight delay.
Whilst Flicker was delivering the opening speech, five guards walk onto the stage with large barrels in their hands. They set each one down in-front if one of us and I didn't miss the sigh of relief from the guard placing down mine once it was out of his hands.
Yep, I was definitely nervous.
"Three, two, one, go," Like robots we each bent down and hauled the barrel over our heads. The weight was no joke, I thought my arms were going to collapse within the first five seconds but luckily I found my balance.
It was a matter of strength, endurance and balance. One strong gust of wind would send me toppling over.
My eyes scanned the crowd until I found Wyatt at the back. He gave me a thumbs up and a big grin which was enough motivation to keep me going. I could do this.
Ten minutes passed and no-one has given up yet. A couple of us were shaking but Rory and Astrid are stood like statues. Another ten minutes passed and as the bell stuck to signify ten minute mark, Sienna practically collapsed to the ground.
The barrel rolled off the stage and was quickly retrieved by a guard. I felt so bad for her, she looked to be in immense pain and tears were welled up in her eyes. Her advisor ran onto stage and helped her hobble off whilst the rest of us continued with the challenge.
My muscles were burning and my legs had gone numb. I didn't know how long I could keep this up. Suddenly I heard a loud pop sound and with that my barrel came crashing down.
I fell with it and the edge of the barrel landed on my arm, before rolling away. I bit my lip to stop myself from screaming out in pain.
I felt two arms help me up as I limped off the stage, cradling my shoulder with one hand. I sat down and used my good arm to throw back some water, replenishing my dry throat. I watched on in silence, as Ivy was the next to crumple to the ground, then Astrid making Rory then winner.
I congratulated her and tried to hold back my cry when she brought me in for what felt like a bone-crushing hug. I returned back to my room and ignored the throbbing pain in my shoulder, convincing myself that it would settle down in a few hours.
It didn't though, if anything the pain intensified within the next hours. I tried to sleep but couldn't block out the pain long enough for me to doze off and each time I turned an excruciating amount of pain ripped through my body.
A knock sounded on my door, and I forced myself up to open it. I swung it open with my good arm to see Hardin. He was leaning against the door frame, a smile plastered on his arm and his eyes raking up and down my body.
I was wearing a long oversized shirt and panties, I even decided to ditch the bra, meaning he could most likely see my pebbled nipples through the white shirt.
"What are you doing here?" He pushed off the door and strolled in, sitting himself down in my bed, making himself at home. I shut the door and then joined him.
"Well I decided to check up on each girl just to make sure they're okay, but in reality I just wanted to see you. It would have looked bad though if I didn't see the others so I had to...what's wrong?" He trailed off, his eyes fixated on my shoulder.
"What?" I said, not wanting to seem pathetic for crying over a sore muscle.
"You're holding your arm like that, why?" He reached out and his finger softly brush over my skin, causing a sharp jolt of pain to ricochet up my body.
"Let me see," It was more a demand than a question, and he slowly lifted up the sleeve of my shirt and then cursed under his breath.
I glanced back but all I could was something that resembled a large red lump. There was a huge bruise coating the top half of my shoulder and then skin looked angry.
"It's dislocated, shit." He muttered to himself.
"What does that mean?" I asked, not familiar with the term.
"Basically, your upper arm has popped out of your shoulder socket." That sounded bad. Very bad.
"We're gonna have to pop it back in."
"That sounds painful."
"It is, I'm sorry." Great.
"I can't do it unfortunately. I don't know how but I know someone who does. Stay here okay, don't move your arm." I nodded and he pressed a kiss onto my forehead, before dashing out.
He returned merely minutes later with Wyatt trailing behind him. Wyatt examined my shoulder, similar in the way that Hardin did and came to the same conclusion.
"I'll have to pop it back. I need you to take off your shirt, it'll be easier for me." I nodded and went to lift it over my head when I remembered I was almost completely naked under this.
"Um can you turn around?" They both still stood there staring at with confusion, causing me to sigh.
"I'm not wearing a bra underneath." They nodded and then their eyes went wide in realisation.
They spun around and just for extra effect, placed a hand over their eyes. I ran over to my dresser and pulled out a bra, and then ripped off my shirt with one hand.
I managed to get the bra on with great difficulty, but then realised I couldn't do the claps without using both hands, and using my left arm wasn't an option.
Nervously I tapped on Hardin's back and he slowly turned around, the hand still clasped over his eyes. I laughed quietly at this and then slowly pulled his hand down, before motioning to my back.
He nodded and I gasped when I felt his cold fingers softly graze against my bare back. His fingers worked quickly, fastening the clasp and then he pulled down the strap on my left shoulder.
I smiled at him as a silent thanks and then sat down on the bed. Hardin joined me whilst Wyatt got ready to pop it back in. He placed a pillow underneath my arm and grabbed onto it with his callused hands, a sign of his hard job.
"Here, bite down on my arm. You're probably going to scream." That just made my fear spike.
"Does it really hurt a lot?" I asked Wyatt with teary eyes.
I didn't do well with pain. I cried just getting my eyebrows tweezed.
"It hurts sweetheart I'm not going to lie to you but you're strong. This is nothing compared to the other things you've been through, and I'll right here." He gave me a reassuring smile and then placed his arm in my mouth, whilst his other hand wraps around my waist to keep me steady.
"Three, two, one," There was a loud pop, followed by the worst pain I've ever felt surging through my body. I screamed, but it was muffled by Hardin's arm, that I unintentionally bit into.
He didn't seem to mind, instead he simply wiped away my tears and cradled me into his chest as Wyatt created a make shift sling for me. My arm was still stinging with pain but the pain was nothing compared to what it felt like earlier.
"I have to go and make my rounds.Will you be okay by yourself?" I felt myself swoon at the caring and sweet tone in his voice.
"I'll stay with her." Wyatt announces, fixing my sling and then sitting down next to me. Hardin paused for a moment, all the concern and sweetness drained out of his eyes.
"Fine, I'll check on you later if I can." I gave him a smile as he kissed my head and then swiftly left the room.
"Then there were two," Wyatt chuckled wrapping his large arm around me.
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A/N: Who do you like better Hardin or Wyatt?
Bring a smile to my face and please press that vote button. Also feel free to write a comment, I love hearing from you guys! ❤️