The Academy's Twisted Enemies | Dark Romance

Chapter 5 - Feeling Betrayed

"Keep calm," Coach Garret said. "You're about to tear these walls down."

I glared at him, feeling the tension headache building from how hard I clenched my teeth. Thunder roared outside, and lightning struck the top of the complex many times, given the flash-to-thunder ratio being in rapid succession from each other.

"You tell me to keep calm, but you've had me at this for three hours already after an eight-hour training day," I snapped. "Woo-friggin-hoo!"

"There's a reason, Azira," he replied calmly. "Your new abilities come with a few challenges. It seems your powers are directly related to your emotions. We have to work on controlling that now so you don't hurt yourself or others."

"Oh god," I grumbled, clenching my fists. "This is pissing me off."

"Give the man a break," Joseph's voice suddenly sounded behind me. I spun around and saw a smirk on his face at the training room's double doors. "He's only trying to help you out."

I met him with stony silence. His eyebrows raised, seemingly surprised by my reaction to him. "What? What's wrong?"

I turned back to Coach Garret. "What breathing technique did you need me to master? Because I have a feeling I'll need it right now."

"Zira?" Joseph sounded hurt, and I tried not to let this sting me. Why should I feel guilty for being upset about him spilling the beans to his whore of a girlfriend? Although, to be fair, both of them were whores just whoring around.

Was that mean? I think so. But part of me didn't care. Maybe it was just because I hated her so much. That green witch—expect with a "b."

Or maybe it was honestly because I was jealous. Why did he want to sleep around, especially with a girl who actively tried to make my life miserable?

"A. Zir. A," Joseph said, pulling me towards him.

"Dude, come on, she's training right now."

"Just one second," he said to Coach Garrett, guiding my chin and drawing my attention to himself. "What did I do? Please tell me."

Rain banged against the windows, and hail started to join them. The storm was getting more violent, mirroring my emotions. I just wanted to punch him, slap him, kiss him—

The rain subsided into a windless downpour as my emotions spiraled into hurt.

"You told Lyla our plans."

His face softened in understanding. "I'm really sorry," he said.

"Why?" I snapped.

"Because I shouldn't have told her anything."

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I mean, why her?"

Coach Garret cleared his throat and stepped back. "I'll leave you two to it." He walked into one of the offices and slammed the door. Joseph stepped towards me, but I took a ginger step back.

He sighed. "I don't understand the issue. You and I have never even spoken about dating."

"Then why do you keep flirting with me?" I asked. "Kissing me on the cheek. Being suggestive. It's just me imagining everything, then, huh?"

"No!" he protested. Exasperatedly, he ran his hands through his hair and turned away. "I'm not ready for anything serious. Okay? And you are."

It wasn't wholly wrong, but it wasn't entirely correct either. I didn't want some super serious relationship, but I wanted it to be one where we were committed to each other and not just another hookup.

"Sorry that I don't want just to sleep around."

"I'm not—!" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to be in a serious relationship. I'm just not at that point in my life just yet. I want to have fun—meet new people; I don't want to be committed to someone in my twenties when there's so much more I can do with my life first."

He looked at me regretfully. "And you deserve the me who'd be committed to you, but he's not here right now. I'm sorry."

I took a step away from him, the weather outside intensifying. "So be it."

"Zira..."

The windowpane broke, and sheets of hail came pelting in. Coach Garrett sprinted out of the room towards me, grabbing me firmly by the shoulders. I knew it was my fault, that my anger was disrupting our environment, but I couldn't find it in me to stop.

"Azira, you have to get control over this!" he said. "You're putting all of us in danger!"

I couldn't—literally. I wasn't trying to stay angry—I've never felt so out of control before. I had my moments, but this felt enhanced—like I wasn't myself anymore.

The hail balls that were flying in were getting larger and closer. Some seemed to have a mind of their own, soaring around the gym before falling to a heap on the floor. Others slammed into the bleachers, the walls, and the floor, leaving dents in their wake.

"Azira!" he begged. He let go of my shoulders as he ran back into his office. I felt my body quaking with rage and raw emotions as the storm crescendoed to a dangerous level. I could see a cloud spiraling toward the ground as if a tornado was forming.

Suddenly, a stretchy chain-like cool metal was placed around my forehead, and I collapsed to my knees. It was an instant relief. The rage and a headache I hadn't even realized were forming were extinguished. It felt like a balm of healing oil had been figuratively applied to it.

"There," Coach Garrett said, his voice heavy with relief. "Much better. How do you feel?"

"Better," I agreed. "What is this?"

"Take a look," he said, guiding me to his office. As I walked, I could see Joseph was by the double doors, giving me one last mournful parting glance before exiting the gym.

Who needed him, anyway?

Refocusing, I stood In front of the mirror. I saw what he put around my forehead and felt embarrassed, despite having suspected what it was anyway.

"A training band? Really?"

"Listen, it's nothing to be ashamed about despite the taboo that's been placed on it," he said. "Your powers are new and very out of control. For the safety of everyone around you, you need to wear this."

I bit my lip, examining the gray metal. Given the panicked nature with which he put it on my head, it awkwardly wrapped around my hair. The metal was at least malleable and could form across my cranium without feeling heavy or restrictive.

"It's not taboo for a toddler just coming into their powers," I said, adjusting the thin band; I pulled my hair from under it and used it to push the top of my hair back away from my face like a regular headband. "But it is for an adult well adjusted in her other powers."

He patted my back sympathetically. "I get it. But, unfortunately, you're a danger to yourself and everyone around you. This is temporary until you grasp your new abilities. And then, you won't need this anymore; it'll all come naturally."

I groaned in dismay as he guided me out of the room. "You're free to go now. Remember to wear that band all the time."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I waved him off and exited the gymnasium.