Chapter 2

"Peer pressure. "

"illiteracy. "

"No, it's peer pressure. "

"It can't be peer pressure. " Ari argued

Austin and Ariana were at a deli in opposite booths and a laptop on the table between them. They were both arguing about the most cause of premarital sex and they weren't arguing silently, the other end of the deli could here two teenagers talking about sex like there was no one else in the world. But they could care less... By the way, it's a school project.

"Tell me one reason why it has to be illiteracy? " Austin asked.

"Because lack of knowledge about something can lead you to make a wrong decision. Besides, not everyone likes to keep friends. " She explained and he shook his head in disapproval. But he got where she was heading to.

She doesn't enjoy the company of friends.

He opened his mouth to say something, but closes it again.

"Fine, I guess you have a point. " He muttered and she rolled her eyes.

Of course she knew she was right.

"Don't worry peer pressure would still be added among the causes. " she breathed out and he smiled.

After typing it in, they both stayed in silence. Whenever Austin decided to bring up another discussion, the look on her face would always discourage him.

"So... You're an exchange student. " he stammered.

"Right." she never stopped scanning the entire deli with her eyes.

"I want to ask you something. " He said.

"Do you need to make an announcement for that? " She raised a brow still scanning the environment, her eyes drifting to the door when a customer works in. Austin ignored her mockery and proceeded.

"If you just have a few months left in highschool, why'd you leave your old school? " The question shocked her but she didn't show it one bit. She remained listless.

"Mum got another job, so we moved."

She says her voice without  emotion. He stared at her face for a while.

"That's not the whole truth, is it? " he asked. She snaps her eyes at him, giving a challenging look. That had always got people to back off, but it didn't move Austin, he also retured the gaze. The side of her lips tugs up in amusement.

"A guy in school was being a bully. " she started.

"So out of fear you left? " He asked and she scoffed.

"No, he was picking on a girl cos she disagreed on dating him and I intervened and he slapped me. " she explained.

"So out of fear you left? " He repeated himself and she sighed loudly shaking her head in disbelief.

"No, I broke his left arm. Well I only pinned him to the wall, with his hand behind his back, I asked him not to move or he'd hurt himself, but he didn't listen, so technically, he broke his own arm. " She explained without remorse.

Austin was transfixed.

"You broke a guy's arm." He said.

"He was the mayor's son. " she added.

"So they expelled you? "

"I was never expelled. Mum made us leave. Something about spoiling our family's name. " She shrugged.

"So what... "

"Oh, look at the time, I've gotta go. " She interrupted.

"But we're not done with our... "

"It's important. "She stood up.

"We're not done. " He pulled her by her arm.

She stared at his strong grip on her wrist.

"Let go. " She warned.

"Else what? "

"I can dislocate you " she warned.

"Is that a threat?" he raised a brow.

She forced her hand out and aimed for his, but he is fast and moves swiftly trying to attack her hand also, she dodges  and try to grab his arm again, but he catches her hand before she could make a move.

He stared at her small hand in his.

"where'd you learn how to do that?" He asked and she glared as her jaw tightened.

"You ask too many questions. "

She pulled out of his grip and walked away, wondering also where he learnt how to do moves like that, only someone trained in the military can do that... Or some one really smart and with fast reflexes at the same time. And he's to dumb for any of that.

***************

"You're late. "

"Sorry, got caught up in schools work"

"Don't make it happen again. "

"Yes sir. " Ari said.

"Get your gloves." Her tutor ordered.  She wore her gloves and began hitting the punching bag.

For two years, Ariana usually left for America Defense Department (ADD) after school and during the weekends.  She'd do training course with agents, punch bags, learn to assemble a gun or disarm a bomb, how to throw tranqualizer darts, knives or anything sharp, how to shoot a target that is a mile away, how to defend yourself and how to actually fight.

"C'mon, concentrate and punch it like the whole world would end if you don't. " Shawn said to her and she tried harder.

But a part of her wants the world to end. Earth never liked her anyway. And she never liked it back.

The only reason she could punch so hard is if she remembers the jerk that tore her family apart ten years ago.

Her dad.

Remembering him had always made her furious. She hated him. Dearly.

"Yes, that's it. Punch the fucking life outta it. " Shawn growled.

Because of him, she's fatherless, because of him, her mother lost everything, because of him, she has serious anger issues.

"I hate you. " She growled and gave the bag on last punch, this time with a growl.

She rested her head on the bag, trying to catch her breath.

"That's good Ari, clean up. We and the crew are going for ops ." He left her alone.

*******************

When she got home, she hit the shower, letting all the tormenting memories of her pest wash down the drain. Her knuckles were red and hurting, so was her knees but she was used to it. After minutes in the bathroom, she heard a familiar car arrive. She doesn't bother looking already knowing who it was. She heard her house door open followed by the sound of clicking shoes entering the kitchen.

Her mum's home.

Ari did her home work and headed downstairs. She saw her mum microwaving a burrito.

"Welcome. " she greeted.

"Thanks. " Her mum replied.

That was literally almost what they shared together.

Minutes after, they are both eating dinner in a wild silence.

'So, how's school? " Her mum broke the silence making Ari release the breath she was holding in.

She felt she would go crazy if she spent another second in the horrible silence.

"Fine. I guess. I'm stuck with our neighbors son for a week. " She mumbled and her mother chuckled slightly. Ari still wondered how in the world her mother was talking to her.

"You're doing a project together? "

"Yeah. "

"Hope you haven't punched anyone yet? "

"Unfortunately, I haven't... Yet. "  She said and her mother chuckled again but loudly this time.

"How was work? " Ari liked that part of her mother. She was glad she was now coming out since after... Forever.

"As usual. Boring. " Her mother said with boredom and Ari smiled, making her mother also smile.

"I miss  that". Her mother took a bite of her dinner.

"What?" Ari questioned

"I miss that smile". Her mum explained, making Ariana smile more.

"So how's boxing lesson?" Her mum asked.

Mrs Bliss didn't know Ari quit boxing since two years ago and joined A.D.D

"Fine" And Ari wasn't ready to tell her.

"Do you like this place?"

"Kinda". She liked the place because now the distance from home to A.D.D was just fifteen minutes.

"We won't move again if you promise not to punch the mayor's son". Her mum joked. Ari placed a hand on her chest.

"I promise not to punch... The mayor's son ." Ari made more emphasis on the mayor's son.

"Ari?" Her mum warned.

It's been a while since she heard her call her name.

"I can try not to. But I can't make a promise. " Ari shrugged and her mother gave her a warning look.

"Okay, I won't punch anyone... As long as they mind their business. " Ari said with a yawn.

"Get some sleep. You have school tomorrow. " Her mum packed the dishes.

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