" I know this is hard. But it will get better. You just have to keep at it, Lily. There are other ways to keep you safe but think of it like this. Do you really want to be constantly at other people's mercy? There is fire in you. Let it burn. Stop smothering it. It will die eventually and you with it," He makes a good point. Which I'm already aware of. Thank you very much. You see, theory and practice don't mix well together. Unless you know the tricks in between.
" I'm aware," I huff a breath and lean my head back against the wall, trying to summon the strength to do this.
" Good," He stands and offers me a hand," I'll join you," He takes off his shirt, leaving him half naked in front of me. Graham is a bundle of lean and very well-defined muscles. His size is deceiving. With his clothes on, he doesn't look like much, but half-naked...
"You're staring," He notes with a smirk and throws his shirt on the floor.
He urges me with a nod and begins to slowly walk backwards, " The key is in the breathing and a steady pace. Not too fast but not too slow either," He begins to run at a very slow canter," See. It's easy," He smiles, and I barely muster enough strength to stand.
Convincing my feet to move is another matter, entirely.
Graham reaches me again, and I slowly start after him. I wouldn't call it running what I did. It would be an exaggeration. The right word for would half running, half staggering, a bit like a person who has atrophied muscles. With only one difference. I had done this to myself by choice.
I flopped on the floor, very much like a wet blanket when we completed the last lap, and I stayed there until Graham poured a bucket of cold water over me.
Gasping, I jump on my feet and grab the bucket out of his hand. He starts running and I hurtle the bucket after him but it falls flat at my feet. Useless.
He laughs and walks back towards me. The clothes are stuck to me like a skin-tight suit. I'm drenched and angry.
Glaring," What was that for?" I spat, unable to keep my temper under control.
" Lighting up the fire," He answers jokingly, " We still have to start the basics. We will start hand-to-hand combat," He declares and walks towards the centre of the room.
Crossing his arms, he raises an expectant brow while my eyes narrow at him.
" What? Did you think that you'll be doing a little prancing, then you'll be off to your room to sulk for the rest of the day, babe," He smirks at me, and I move my feet. I had had enough of him.
From three paces away I lunge myself at him with all the strength I can muster, purely fueled by anger.
He sidesteps me and I flop, flat face on the floor, groaning in pain.
Begrudgingly, I roll on my back and take a deep breath to gather some more strength from where there is none.
" Is the floor too hard for you, babe?" He is being sarcastic. Bastard.
" Should I get a nice soft bouncy mattress to cushion your falls," Graham carries on mocking me and I see red in front of my eyes.
" That would be nice," I smirk and he laughs.
" Yes, because when they come for you, they make sure to bring a nice soft mat for you to fall on, when they wipe the floor with you," That was harsh, but it reached his target because I stood up to face him.
" Alright. You have made your point. Several times in the span of an hour, if I might add" I take a deep breath, and put a little distance between us.
" Then stop moping, you a wet blanket and show me what you've got," He challenges and I lunge at him again, he steps aside and I kiss the floor once more, ungraciously.
" Good," He says as I push myself off the floor to stand. Good? That was the very definition of disgraceful. I'm pretty sure there is a picture of me, face-planting next to the word in the dictionary.
" Come on, babe. We don't have all day," He sighs and clasps his hands behind his back, waiting for me to try and hit him again.
Graham is looking at his shoes, and I see an opportunity to strike. He has gotten on every single nerve in very little time. And I'm owed retribution.
Taking a step forward, I bunch my hand into a fist and strike. Graham sways to the left with grace and ease, and my fist punches nothing but air. His eyes are still on his shoes, and I'm impressed and perplexed that he had managed to fend that off, with such ease.
He raises his head and smiles, " Good. You've put some thought into that strike. We go again. Only this time, stand in front of me. Open your legs," He smirks, " Find a balance," He opens his legs and begins bouncing from one leg to another, " Keep your feet in the same position, tuck your arms close to your body and punch. Preferably not me. You wouldn't want to put a dent in this masterpiece," He gestures at his face, and gives me a toothy smile. A bastard with an over-inflated ego. Marvellous.
I do as I'm told, and begin punching the air while he walks around me, making adjustments to my stance. He stops in front of me. Out of my reach of course and observes me with a keen eye.
" Good. Very good. You're tall. So you have to remember that you have a low center of gravity. Your opponent will know this and he will strike the lower parts of your body. Mainly your legs.Because that is your greatest weakness. We will focus later on your leg work. But for now, we will focus on your upper body, since that part needs to be strengthened," His tone has changed from mocking and sarcastic into something I haven't seen on him. There is a first for everything.