May 14, 2020 edited

Not perfect but better...No plot changes

After my shower I slipped into a pair of black ripped up skinny jeans, a red fitted tank top and a black and red plaid button down which I left undone. Taking one last look at myself I decided to let my golden brown hair down and air dry. I needed a cut soon since it was reaching further then halfway down my back. Long hair was never a good thing in a fight. It gave your opponent something to grab onto. My face was still a little flush but my blue eyes seemed a little brighter. They seemed to do that when I fought and stayed that way for a while after words. My face was clean of makeup but I barely ever wore any to begin with. I was blessed with my dad's long eyelashes and from what he said her creamy perfect complexion. Slipping on my well used steel toe boots and I was ready for lunch. I took my time to avoid the massive amount of people that I started to spot when I was heading to my room earlier. I don't do crowds. I had to deal with them at school and that was bad enough. Much to my surprise I found a plate with a mound of food on the island with a note to me. Lola either figured out I did not like people or at least not comfortable with them yet and set a food aside for me to eat in the kitchen. I was extremely thankful for that and decided I would seek her out later and say thank you. Damn woman was already making me do things I didn't usually do. The feelings that stirred in me when it came to her already confused me and pissed me off. I took that aggression out on my food. If I slowed down I knew I would have really enjoyed the lasagna but I was too busy having an internal argument with myself.

Battling with myself and ignoring the muffled laughter and voices I didn't notice when my uncle entered the room. "How was your morning?" He asked as he stepped up to the counter pouring himself a cup of coffee. I never acquired a taste for the stuff.

"Fine." I answered. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Follow me," he said. I picked up my plate and brought it to the sink. Rinsed it off and placed it in the dishwasher. Sure I may be an antisocial bitch but I always cleaned up after myself. It was not anyone else's job to take care of me but my own. I had been doing it for years now and I wasn't going to change.

I followed him out of the kitchen past the stairs and down the hall. He knocked on a door once then walked in. When we were inside the room I spotted a man sitting behind the desk, another sitting on a couch and M1 resting against the wall looking out the window.

"Have a seat," Uncle Thomas said pointing to a chair that sat in front of the desk. "This is Alexander, he is the head of our community." The man that sat at the desk was probably in his late 30's. Really attractive for an older man. His emerald green eyes held so much power and knowledge. His black hair was cut in a professional cut with no hint of grey. His features were sharp but beautiful. This man was power and I had a feeling he threw that power around when ever he damn well wanted to. If it wasn't for the soft welcoming smile I would have had all my defenses up. As it was I was ready to run just in case. I wasn't that stupid to think I could take on this man or even be able to defend myself enough to escape. No, with a man like that you just ran and never looked back.

On the couch sat another man that seemed to hold power as well but not like Alexander but still enough to be extremely cautious around. He sat on the couch in a relaxed state with his jean clad legs spread apart and his crisp black button down shirt fitting snugly around his well built and defined body. His pale green eyes looked friendly but I wasn't fooled, no this man was a fighter. Maybe the scar that started at his brow and swooped down towards his jaw gave that away. His messy blonde hair and long eyelashes that framed soft wide eyes gave the impression of a soft loving man but I knew better. I could see the cold calculating thoughts running through his mind. I knew he would do anything he had to do and have little regrets afterward.

Looking back at my uncle and into those familiar blue eyes I was shocked with what I saw. I was so focused when I first met those eyes that they were just like his and even my own that I didn't see the power they actually held. The calculating way he watched everything around him. He too was powerful and I was stuck in the room with them all. It wasn't even till then that I noticed his short cropped hair. If it was longer it would probably be the same golden brown as mine

"I'm good, I'll stand," I said, glad that I actually took the time to weigh out the men in the room. I liked being as close to the door as possible.

"Mac no one's here to hurt you," This was M1 that spoke up. It wasn't that I forgot he was there I just knew who was the biggest threat at the moment. I recalculated that quickly once I realized he caught on so quickly. One thing I prided myself with was that I kept my fear locked up pretty tight but then again when everyone thought I was a raving bitch they never looked any farther. This time I really looked over M1. His soft brown eyes were friendly but weary. His huge body frame was a bit hunched but I think that was to let others think he wasn't that big. I don't know who the hell would ever be fooled but there were a lot of people who would just see a very attractive face with his soft looking dark brown hair. When I looked at him I saw a fighter first than a hot young to mid 20's guy.

Alexander sighed and sat back in his chair. "It's ok Tony. Mac this gentleman on the couch helps me, helps us around here so if you ever have any issues he would be the one to go to if you can not find your uncle. Brad, this is Mackenzie but prefers to go by Mac. Mac this is Brad." Alexander introduced that man on the couch. And I guess M1's name was actually Tony. I still prefered M1.

"Ok there are just a few things that we need to discuss and then I will leave you to enjoy the rest of the day. From what I hear you run every morning. Good, I like that you take your fitness seriously. Tony here will accompany you till further notice." Before I could protest he continued. "I also have your school transcript and I have to say I am impressed. Overall you had kept a 90% average the last three years of school. Now your, shall I say less than adequate attendance is an issue. Let us try to keep the fighting down to a minimum shall we?" Once again I opened my mouth to say a nasty little comment but he cut me off right after he glared at me. Maybe he knew about my mouth already as well. "The school you will be attending is more academics which I know you will not have a problem with but it does not hold some of your previous classes that you have attended. Such as auto mechanics and welding."

Now I did jump in. "What! You have got to be kidding me! Do you know how hard I worked in those classes? The past year I had actually found a place who took me in as an apprentice for welding. Now what the hell am I supposed to do?" I was asking myself more than any of them.

They all ignored my outburst. Alexander continued as if I had said nothing. "Now Tony will be taking you too and from school until you feel settled in and then you can carpool with some of the other kids. We expect you to keep your grades up and once you do and reframe from losing anytime from school with your extra-curricular activities then will discuss any other needs you may have." Alexander looked way to pleased with himself and I was fuming. The big problem was that I knew I had very little say in the matter right now which pissed me off that much more. "Questions?"

Oh now I guess it is my turn to talk. "I want to train with the others. I have been kickboxing for 2 years now but I want to learn more." My voice was tight and I had so many other things I wanted to say but I knew that the topics he already brought up were not open for discussion.

"No!" Of course that was M1 again. I swung my head around and glared at him.

Someone sighed then Brad spoke up for the first time. "Tony I completely understand your outlook and reasoning about this but I saw her. She can fight and I am pretty sure she won't stop because you or any of us say no. I think it is better for her to be taught properly than get hurt trying to learn by herself. That is my opinion." Brad looked over at Alexander.

"What do you think? She is your niece after all." Alexander asked my uncle. Once again I felt like I had no say and they were talking about me as if I was not in the room.

Uncle Thomas looked down at the floor for a minute before looking at me. I tried to keep the hopeful expression off my face. Brad was right though if they refused to teach me I would just watch and teach myself. "You are your father's daughter." He sighed. "Fine. I agree but I would prefer if Tony would train her. You know Tony you are the best and I am sorry that you feel the way you do but I need her to learn from the best and that is you." Uncle Thomas was now looking at Tony just as Alexander, Brad and myself were.

Tony looked conflicted. I saw hurt and anger flash in his eyes a few times before he finally nodded his agreement. Oh I knew he was not happy about it and I swore I would do what I could not to screw this up with him. I was pretty sure it would take very little for him to cut me off from any training at all and this was the only thing that could actually make my last year of school tolerable. "Three times a week starting tomorrow. You do what I tell you! Understand?" Oh yeah he was pissed about this.

"Yes. Thank you." A small part of me wanted to run and give him a hug. The sensation was weird and foreign and I squashed it quickly.

"Great! Since we got that all covered go and enjoy your day. Tomorrow you will be ready by 7:45am for school." And with that Alexander dismissed me. I was happy to leave.