"He's always been kind of a recluse." Makenna said,

"You don't say." Thea smiled as she threw a jab cross on the hand pads Makenna wore,

Thea arrived over ten minutes ago and in that time, Makenna had talked her through what she would be teaching her. She made sure Thea knew that they were taking it one step at a time and if Thea wanted to take some time off or end the training, it would be alright. But she also let Thea know that starting won't be easy because she would need to build strength and muscle in the first few months.

Makenna had shown Thea some easy exercises for her hands, legs, and core. It has been pretty easy the first few times, but doing them on repeat had her feeling pain in places she never knew existed. After that, Makenna had shown her some simple punches which is what they had been working on for the last three minutes. Her arms were starting to feel like jelly.

"Asides from being part of the basketball team in High school, he wasn't into any other extracurricular. That I know of." Makenna added the last part quickly.

"What about hobbies?" Thea struggled to get the words through her ragged breathing,

"Oh, that's easy. Painting." Makenna said, "Sketching. Doodling. He always had his sketchbook with him."

Thea had a few classes with him and knew how true her statement was.
"About that, has he ever shown you any of his...work?"

Makenna's hand fell in hesitation, and Thea's fell as well and felt instant relief.

"No," Makenna looked at Thea for a moment before she answered, "But I remember seeing a few of his sketches one time. He'd forgotten his sketchbook and..."

Makenna smiled as she remembered the beautiful sketch,
"It was beautiful." She said in awe, "He'd drawn the dock and I could've sworn I heard the waters lap as I looked at it."

Thea smiled understanding that feeling Makenna described when the picture looked and felt so real.

"He took over the attic before my..." Makenna stopped immediately and swallowed, "Before I got into college. Wouldn't let us up there."

"So, you haven't seen any of his paintings." Thea thought it sad and wondered why Killian was hiding them.

"I figured he was like every artist who likes to keep their work to themselves." Makenna said, "He hasn't shown any to you?"

Thea shook her head,
"I've just seen him getting supplies and I don't want to push him when he's not ready."

"He'll come around," Makenna assured her,

"You've known him all his life and he hasn't shown them to you." Thea wasn't going to hold her breath, "I doubt he would show them to me."

"I'm his absent sister," Makenna said, "You're his ever-loving girlfriend. I think that should speak for itself."

Thea shrugged,
"I don't know."

"I do." Makenna said, "Just you wait and see."

Thea felt a spark of hope.

"And I think you don't need me to figure out what to get him." Makenna said, "I think you already have."

Thea smiled but her gaze shifted to something behind Makenna and she frowned,
"What is my brother doing here?"

Makenna didn't know why her pulse jumped at the mention of her brother. She turned around and found Atlas talking with Sean. He nodded, talked, listened, nodded again and turned in the direction Sean pointed which Makenna realized was the changing room.

"I think he's signing up."

"He didn't tell me that." Thea headed towards him, "Hey!"

Atlas, who had to pass them on his way towards the changing room glanced their way and stopped when he saw Thea.

"What are you doing here?" Thea asked as she stopped in front of him,

"I signed up with Sean." Atlas glanced at her and kept his gaze on her for a few moments before he looked back at Thea who spoke,

"Are you here to check on me?"

"I needed to get back to it eventually," Atlas said, "This seemed like a good time."

Thea smiled,
"Well, it is good to see you getting back to your normal routine."

After the accident, Atlas had ceased because of his hand injury. After speaking with Sean about it the previous day, he felt confident that he could slowly ease back into it.

"It feels good." Atlas said, "Gives me something to do other than sightseeing and constantly thinking."

Thea narrowed her eyes,
"What have you been thinking about?"

"You know, the usual."

Thea studied his face and Atlas felt it was time to leave. He nodded towards Makenna,
"You should get back to it."

Thea turned her head to look at Makenna who waited for her to be done. The look on Thea's face told Makenna that she was spent.

"We can pick up after tomorrow." Makenna said,

Thea smiled,
"Thank you."

"Make sure you do some exercises tomorrow so you're not as sore." Makenna reminded her,

"Will do." Thea punched Atlas in the shoulder and walked away from them.

Makenna watched Thea leave and Atlas watched her. He wanted to head towards her but he still had his shoes on and he needed to be barefoot before he got on the padded floor. Makenna turned to look at him.

"How did it go?"

"She's teachable." Makenna took off the hand pads,

Atlas smiled,
"And that's all you're going to say about it."

"You catch on quick."

Atlas watched her,
"You're not going to ask what I'm doing here?"

"Not my business."

Atlas frowned,
"I thought our conversation yesterday was the first step to us being best of friends."

Makenna wasn't sure how he did it. He was so skilled at getting her from zero to fifty with just a few words.

"And as my friend, you should at the very least acknowledge that we'll be seeing more of each other."

Makenna exhaled and gave him her full attention then,
"What do you want from me?"

Finally. A reaction.
Atlas thought. It was little but it was something.

"Well, for one, an excited girly squeal will be good for my ego."

Makenna couldn't believe him.

"And it would be nice for me and good for you to admit the truth."

Makenna folded her hands as she looked at him, confused,
"This is where I ask: What truth?"

"That although you didn't want my friendship, you actually enjoy it." He said, "Maybe even like me."

"Like you?" Makenna scoffed in disbelief, "I tolerate you."

Atlas' brows creased like he was in deep thought,
"Is this before or after you hugged me?"

"You mean after I slapped you."

He smiled,
"Fair enough."

Makenna was tempted to slap him again to wipe that smug smile off his pretty face. Better yet, maybe she would be fortunate to go up against him, then she could do more than slap his face.

A small smile slowly formed on her lips,
"You know now that I think about it, it's good you're here."

Atlas wasn't sure what he was walking into, but this was not it,
"It is?"

"Definitely." He didn't like the smile on her face, "We should get in the ring sometime."

Atlas knew he was getting himself into something but despite the warning signs he was getting, he walked into it gladly,
"We should."

I noticed a couple of you subscribed to my YouTube channel and I'm sending you tight and warm virtual hugs. You guys have no idea how much it means to me and I'm not going to get all emo but it can be a lot juggling my day job, writing on Wattpad, and creating content on my social media. Let's not forget that I also have a life outside doing all of these.

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Love muchly,
Jane.