I hop into Syms car as we take off down the road. I flinch at the pounding in my head getting worse every time she hits a speed bump.

"So, how're you hanging in there kiddo?" Sym asks, turning her worried eyes toward me.

"Get your eyes back on the road you maniac," I tease "But I'm okay. What about you? I know nightmares are rough." Sym just shrugs.

"It was nothing." She says dismissively.

"You said you had a nightmare with me in it... What was it about?" I pry, my curiosity sparking. She shrugs again and turns up the radio, I decide not to push the issue any farther. My phone buzzes in my pocket. Drake.

"I'm so sorry about last night babe." I roll my eyes.

'Why? You seemed to be having fun last night so why apologize now?'

"Because I was being a dick."

'Well no shit Sherlock.'

"Please forgive me babe."

'Don't call me that, I'm not your "Babe".'

"Wow. I fuck up ONE TIME and now you're just ditching me?"

'Mmm... Yeah. You're pretty good at ditching people so I didn't think I'd have to spell it out for you. I've decided I'd rather not be with someone who doesn't even realize I left for three hours. Bye, Drake.'

"Whatever. Don't act like you were lonely. I saw that little prick Daniel carry you up to his room, fucking slut."

'Look, you're not worth my time but don't even try to play me as the bad guy. Daniel helped me get to a room that I could sleep my liquor off, because unlike you, he actually knows how to act like a decent human being.'

"Read 7:36"

I angrily throw my phone into the back seat and Sym gives me a look. She pulls up to a gym.

"Well, I'll ignore that for now, but we're here." She says, coming around to open my door. I look at her, massively confused.

"....Why are we at the gym? Neither of us are dressed for this."

"Because you keep dipping out on training so I brought it to you. I told school we were both out sick, I brought you some clothes." She grabs some bags from the backseat. I laugh internally as I get out of the car.

"Okay. I'll bite." Sym laughs.

"Save the biting for later, killer." The tension between us from earlier fades. We head into the pretty much empty gym and a man hops out of his chair and strides over to us. My head tilts up just to look in his face. He sticks his hand out and Sym takes it, they shake hands.

"Hey Princess, long time no see." He chuckles, showing a set of bright white teeth, with a chipped canine. Sym smacks his shoulder.

"Oh hush with that. Dove, this is Ben, he's my trainer." Sym breaks out into a wide smile and Ben laughs.

"Trainer? That's generous. You and I both know that you could kick my ass with one arm behind your back since you were 15." He turns towards me, sticking out his hand. I put my hand in his and I swear his hand swallowed mine whole. I look with wide eyes as I take in this monster of a man. He was 7 feet, at least. With caramel colored skin, and freckles under his brown eyes. He has black hair, which is faded on the side and flops over on the top, with a lightning bolt buzzed in the side. His entire body looks like that of a professional MMA fighter. He's not big like a wrestler is, but he's definitely covered in muscle. I look from him to Sym, and back to him. Sym can take him down? That's terrifying. He laughs again.

"You're close Dove, hes 6'8, not 7'." Sym giggles. Shit! Did I forget to block my mind off?

"Yes, yes you did." Ben laughs. My face turns bright red. That's so embarrassing!

"I'm so sorry." I apologize and he just shakes his head, dropping my hand.

"Don't worry about it." I hear the door behind me open and close, so I turn my head. It's Rose! She's in a pair of black spandex shorts and a muscle shirt.

"What're you all doing just standing around? This is a training zone, not a playground." Rose says, joining the group, and I can't tell if she's teasing or not, but Ben laughs again.

"Well now that the boss lady's here, let's get to it!" Sym says teasingly, pinching Rose's side. Rose cracks a smile. "Okay Dove, we're gonna go get changed, then two laps around the gym."

-

I finish my second lap, out of breath, bent down in front of Rose and Sym, who're looking at me amusedly.

"Remember when we were like that Rose?" Sym giggles, Rose elbows her slightly.

"Oh I don't know about that, I only remember you being the one who was struggling. Now I? I was a prodigy." Rose flips her hair, laughing, and Sym scoffs.

"Oh thats it you little runt!" Sym growls playfully "Youre on!"

"Gotta catch me first!" Rose exclaims before taking off for the otherside of the gigantic gym. I finally stand upright just as someone puts their hand on my shoulder, I turn to see Ben.

"You're with me, Dove."

"Okay."

I follow Ben over to what looks like a wrestling mat.

"Okay! First, I'm gonna teach you the basics." He walks over to me and starts adjusting my form. "Put your feet like this.. Bend your knees slightly... Okay! Now. Try to hit me."

Uh.. What?? Just like that?!

I go to swing at Ben, and he dodges, smacking my shoulder as he does, throwing me off balance. He says for me to go again, so I charge. I aim for his face, but at the last second change my aim for his stomach, and yet again he dodges swiftly, knocking my legs out from underneath me. I lose all the breath from my lungs as I hit the mat.

"Your form is sloppy," He says, offering me a hand up. I grab his hand and he pulls me up. "You need to focus. Keep your legs like I told you and be confident in your punches. Swing at me with all you've got."

I stagger back, fix my posture, and get ready to go again. I charge, and this time try to kick him in the side, but I get distracted at the last second by Sym and Rose fighting in the corner. Theyre both grinning wildly as they land blow after blow. Next thing I know, Ben grabs my foot, shoving in downward. I stumble forward and he palms my forehead, sending me backwards.

"Dont forget who youre fighting. Again."

- Many takedowns later -

Sym throws a towel onto my face as I lie on the floor, about to throw up my lungs.

"Jeez Ben I told you to be easy on her!" Sym scolds and he chuckles.

"I was! Not my fault the little lady cant land a hit. I will say, she has the endurance of a tank though. Most fellas that come in here start to vomit before they do even half of what she did today."

"I feel like I'm gonna vomit" I mutter and Rose laughs.

"What?" Ben asks, cocking an eyebrow. Didnt he hear me?

"She said she feels like she's gonna throw up." Sym says, smiling. "But not yet Tiger, gotta get you home and out of my top first." I flip her off and she laughs. Rose picks me up and throws me over her shoulder, knocking the wind out of me once more."

"Thanks Benny!" Sym yells as we walk out.

"Bye, Princess!" He yells back and I watch them flip eachother off. How amusing.

"Hey Rose, would you be willing to take Lovey Dovey home with you? Calum just called asking for me to come to his band practice." Sym pleads, pulling her puppy dog eyes out. Rose laughs, while also scoffing.

"Sure, and while Im playing delivery service, is there anything else you need to drop on me so you can go get dick?" Rose pinches Sym, placing me in her car.

"Hmmm.. No?" Sym replies sarcastically and Rose rolls her eyes, smiling.

"Get outta here ya little mutt." Rose calls at Sym, who peels out of the parking lot. I do up my seatbelt as Rose starts the car. The drive home is pretty much silent, as per the usual with Rose. We get to the house and I spot someone standing in the driveway.

"That fucker really showed up here? Really?" I groan and Rose looks at me. She pulls up in front of him.

"Wait here." She says calmly before putting the hood up, getting out, and locking the doors. "What do you want, dickhead?" She calls to him.

"To talk to my girlfriend." Drake says, his eyebrows furrowing, "If you'll excuse me." He goes to push past Rose and Rose puts her hand on his chest to stop him.

"Well she doesn't want to talk to you, and from the looks of it, shes not your girlfriend anymore, either. Leave her be." Rose warns protectively and Drake rolls his eyes.

"This has nothing to do with you Rose." He mutters. "Get the hell out of my way." Rose starts growling.

"Youre not going near her, not as long as I'm around."

"Fuck it. Little bitch isnt worth this anyway. Have a good fucking life Dove! When Daniel loses interest in you dont come fucking crawling to me!" He yells, making eye contact with me before storming off and getting in his car. Rose makes sure he drives off before coming and unlocking the car.

"Come on."