The knife felt heavy in the palm of my hand.

Everyone is whispering, exclaiming their confusion. Jackson just ignores them and exits to the changing rooms. Prove it.

I stand lonesome in the makeshift arena . Bewildered doesn't begin to describe the way I feel. Should I be angry that he insulted me? Grateful that he spared me? Or both. Prove it. Everyone disperses either to continue their workout, gossip with their friends or leave the gym. This day is crazy. Crazier than usual. This was suppose to be an in out mission. Grab weapon and leave. Though I can't help but feel that whatever just went down was beneficial. I can't over look the fact he called me pathetic and weak but in a way he urged me to keep trying. Prove it. Is that what it means? Keep trying. I find it hard to believe that's the case. Jackson Dreads isn't one for motivational speeches. He won't go out his way to help someone like me. I mean he nearly bashed my face in. If I haven't moved when I did I would be choking on my own blood by now. He punched and attacked with purpose. He intended on hurting me. Was he testing me? Perhaps trying to get to know me. My ability that is, besides what is written in black and white. Maybe I'm thinking about it too much. I say I'm strong so maybe he just wanted to know why? I inhale a gulp of air. I straighten my spine wiping the sweat off my forehead. What happened, happened. Nothing changed, really. Next week I'm going to face Chloe. I have to remain focus until then.

I make my way out the gym the cool evening air slapping me in the face. It was refreshing though. I continue down the hall the other students watching with curiosity. Twice in one day I've survived the wrath of Jackson. That must be some sort of achievement. I probably just caught him on one of his good days. If that's a thing.
"Megan!" My guts turn to ice. He found me. Jackson has come back to finish his work. No. The voice is too high and feminine.

No.

It's as I feared. They found me. Now they're out for blood, preferably mine.

Jacksons fangirls and they're here to murder. I've seen it before. The wrath of the 'J' girls when you upset them. They turn into monsters of long claws and red eyes. Hunting and stalking. Eliminating the competition, one girl at a time. The leader, Sandra Macy. Not only is she the highest rank of the pack, coming in hot with the rank of twenty-four, she is the only one to have a conversation with the guy longer than ten seconds. It's because I approached him. They're going to gouge my eyes out so I can never set eyes upon him again. The running footsteps slow to a jog. They're running in unison. They've been practicing. Can't this day just end. I dare not turn around. Sandra is probably there knife in hand. Maybe if I just stand here they'll go away.

"Megan?" A shaking hand taps my shoulder electric volts  immediately shot through my body. I know this voice. I turn slowly holding my knife close.
"Nova?" Nervous Nova? The name was fitting. She looked a shade of pale that should have been impossible given her ethnicity. She's small and frail. Her entire body as beaky and thin, like a birds. Her hair hung over her shoulder, bright and vibrant which contrasted against her sickly apprerence. Rank forty-two. You wouldn't think it but this frail creature is an engineering genius. Joe specialises in brilliant strategy but Nova here is a wizard at anything electrical. Hacking, rewiring and disarming, she's a professional. Though everything else she's hopeless at. She has common anxiety attacks and is a paranoid wreck but under the pressure of a timer bomb she's calm and collected. I give her a minute to catch her breath. "I saw what happened." She hops from foot to foot, not looking at me in the eye. Back when I first came to the academy I found her passed out in the middle of the hall. First day nerves. We were sort of friends in registration three but when I moved we haven't talked much. Mostly because she's always tucked neatly away in her dorm, happily building a death machine. Why she's out her room is already a surprise in its self.

"Jackson." She swallows looking around if any one was listening in. "You approached him." I didn't exactly know why she was relaying this message to me for but I nod.
"That was brave." Her face pulls into a smile some colour returning to her lips. She's complimenting me.
"I saw what happened in the cafeteria. You went to apologise, right?" Her voice was almost angelic, how could you not smile along. I scratch my head the ice from my core fully melted into a hot spring. "Thinking back now it was probably a stupid thing to do."

"No." The word falls out her mouth at a great speed. "It wasn't. It was brave and although you can't tell, everyone respects you for it." I doubt everyone does. I got my ass handed to me but I did notice no one laughed at me on the way out. It's nice of her to say this though. That someone doesn't think I'm a worthless piece of scum. Heavy footsteps sound from the end of the hall. Both me and Nova turn simultaneously. A huge group of students are exiting the gym. They're bickering and are rowdy as they make their way towards us. Nova eyes grow wide and I can tell she wants to up and run but instead she puts on a shaky smile. "Don't let them bring you down, okay." She touches my shoulder with her trembling hand and she's off. Down the hall and out of sight. It's like watching a rabbit sprint to cover as the hungry foxes come out to play. I probably should make my way back as well. Joe is waiting but outside is nice. I don't think I can tell Joe what happened between Jackson and I. I only have so much dignity to spare. I turn my head in the direction Nova has ran. Damnit I forgot. "Thank You Nova, I really appreciate it." I mouth after her.

I twist the handle to the dormitory Joe, as expected, is still sitting at her desk. She has piles of notes and mind maps. "Took your time." She states only glancing over her shoulder for a second before she returns back to her notes. Well it's been pretty eventful. I've been in a brawl with Jackson Dreads and survived. I wouldn't say I won but I didn't exactly lose. Next time I won't go so easy on him. I open my mouth to explain everything but I can't bring myself to tell her. I place my knife on my desk slumping in my seat. A day has passed and I still haven't made a start on the Trail.
"I'll come help you in a second just let me finish this page." Joe informs her hand moving fast across the page.
"Yeah, okay." I pull out my notebook turning to a fresh page. I title the page and even draw up a margin. You're a leech. I lift my pen from my page. You feed off the strong. I look over to Joe her finger red from writing. You're pathetic. Was he talking about Joe? I don't feed off her. We help each other out. She helps with strategy and I help with...

I help with.... something.

You're pathetic. He's right. Why hasn't Joe said anything? I've been using her this entire time. Have I ever really stood on my own? Joe always been there for me. Every assignment, every written test. She's stayed up until I got the work no matter the time. I've gotten so used to her giving me all the answers I can't even defend myself properly. I'm weighing her down. No wonder she hasn't progressed in a while, she's been too busy spoon feeding me. If she solely focused on her own studies she would have easily surpassed Keira by now.

I'm a burden.

I'm a burden to my friends and I only notice now. No Jackson noticed. He hasn't spoken to me once since I got here and he already can see how pitiful I really am.

"Okay, all done." Joe reaches up stretching her arms. She flexes her fingers and cracks her neck. How long has she been sitting there? How long has she been working? Now she can't even get a break because she has to help little old handicapped me. I am a leech. "Nah, it's alright I think I got it." I decline her offer, smiling before I resume writing. I can feel Joe still staring at me, watching for the tiniest emotion to surface. I won't hold her down anymore. It's okay, Joe. I won't restrict you anymore.
"It really is no problem." She urges. "I'm done for today anyway."
"No." The word sounds aggressive and I instantly regret it. "I think I got it covered, you go take a break, get a hobby or something." I smile to lesson the blow but it comes out like a wince.
"You okay, Megan. Did something happen at the gym? I should've gone with you." I drop my pen. I should've gone with you. Because I can't look after myself. Because I need Joe to help me. Because I can't fight my own battles. She just comes along and willingly helps a person like me. She really is a good person and I took advantage of that. You can't win. More like I can't win by myself. I'm just a twig. A lousy excuse for a roommate. When will it be the day that I will be helping Joe? That she will need me. I swivel in my chair so I'm facing her directly. "Nothing happened, Joe. I just remember something important." I'm calm and I'm careful. I shouldn't get angry at her for trying to help. "You go take a break. Grab some dinner." She doesn't argue. She just sits there staring blankly at me. She knows I'm hiding something and when the time is right I might tell the story but right now I just want to work.

I want to work for me.

I want have red finger marks. I want to earn my keep here. I swivel back to face my notebook. Prove it. Maybe this is what Jackson meant. I don't think I'm worthless but just saying it isn't going to do anything. They say actions speak louder than words. Well it's about time I show everyone how strong I really am. To by leaning on the back of my roommate but by putting in the hard work. I'm going to beat Chloe at the Trail but it will be because of my effort and sweat, not Joes.

"What did Jackson say to you, Megan?" Joe questions after an long silence passes. She knows? I look up from my writing.
"Nova, she told me what happened but I wanted to hear it from you." She explains her hands resting on her lap. "She said you approached Jackson and he said some stuff. Is this why you're acting like this? Is it because of what he said?" Nova. It probably happened when she dashed off, she must have bumped into Joe. I stay silent. There's no point in telling her. Why, so she can go fight my battles for me. What Jackson whispered to me, is my business. Jackson's not even the problem. I am.
"Is this why you don't want my help?" Jackson did nothing. He just said some words and those words happened to be the truth. If anything he helped me.
"It has nothing to do with Jackson. I just want to win something for once in my life. I want to feel the weight of defeat, not because your plan failed but mine." My voice wavers for a bit and I feel the need to apologise for all the times I was dependent on her. "I'm done being your burden Joe, I'm done relying on you." Joe stands closing her notebook as she does."You're not a burden, Megan. It's not true."
"It is true but I accepted it and I'm trying to do something about it. I'm facing Chloe next week, it should be me she's facing not you." I say with finality. Joe nods hearing my complaint. "If that's what you want." She still looked at me with concern and worry. She knows there is more to the story but she knows not to push me too far. She walks to the door pushing her braid from her shoulder. "I'll be right back." She grips the door handle her knuckles white. "Just going to get a hobby or something." She turns and passes me a smile before she exits the room.

I probably should be more trusting of her. I know we'll always have each other's back but I just need to experience life without training wheels. Without her guidance and protective hand. Putting this distance between us is good for both of us. Just until the Trails are over. At the top of the page I've already written all the information I know. Chloe Allen. Rank fourteen. Favoured weapon: sword. Trail weapon: axe. Good start. I grab my pen and just below I scribble.

Step one: Know your opponent.

Hello my friends. Thanks for reading this far, hope you liking it. I know this chapter wasn't as exciting but character development, ya know. Feel free to comment what you think and I love hearing your guys suggestions. Please guess what you think will happen next. Ways to improve etc. I really do benefit from you guys. If you enjoyed this chapter don't hesitate to punch that annoying vote button in the face, seriously do it.

Until next time: Unicorn Out.