AMBER'S POINT OF VIEW

"Knight, was it really necessary to wake up at 7:00a.m. for today's training?" Amber asked drowsy. She made it perfectly clear that she hated waking up early, but apparently Knight didn't get that memo.

"About that, I've been thinking..."

"That's never a good thing." Amber teased, slightly more awake now. Like a toddler, Knight responded by sticking his tongue out to her. She holds in her laughs, coughing viciously instead.

"Haha, very funny." He paused, smiling a bit before growing serious again. "Time's running out as it is."

There it is: time. I know time is running out for me, you don't have to tell me.

"...I mean, I know it's only the fourth day, but out of twenty one days, time is going by fast..."

"Get to the point, Knight." Amber impatiently acknowledged.

He sighed heavily, but continued firmly. "We should have two trainings a day. I'll train in the morning and you can train in the afternoon..."

"What if I wanted to train in the morning?" Amber pouted, crossing her arms in protest.

"Really Amber? Fine, whatever, but do you agree to doing it twice a day?" Knight inquired.

"Fine, we can do that. Unless, I'm really really exhausted and can't go much longer." She responded grimly, but Knight had a smile on his face.

"Good, now can you guess what my training is for you?" He challenged forcing her to look at her surroundings. Their at the front yard in front of her new favorite tree. The light blue sky has hints of orange from the sun that rose an hour ago. It's hot at this time, but not overbearing. Barely any breeze.

None of this information gave her a clue about what their doing.

She shrugged, waiting for him to tell her the answer. Fortunately for her, she didn't have to wait too long. "We are going running." He said enthusiastically, but nothing about that statement made her happy, quite the opposite in fact.

"You mean you're going running, I'm going back to bed." She stated turning towards the front door, but he jumped in front of her, stopping her momentarily.

"Come on, it will be fun." He argued. She laughed in his face, stepped around him, and walked up the steps. "Okay, you force my hand. Do you want me to be straight forward with you?" He asked her, not a hint of that annoying amused smile. He was serious.

"Yes." She said slightly curious. She still doesn't know what he means, but she wants to find out.

"You're slow, that's right I said it. You're slow, and sloppy. You need to be fast when fighting vampires, but you're anything, but fast." He said flatly, no sugar coding it.

Taken back by what he said she bitterly ask "and I suppose you're fast?"

"Fast enough." He responding not boasting himself, but Amber still didn't like that answer. "Look, you told me I can tell you. The whole reason why I'm telling you this is so I can help you."

"Help me?" She immediately countered. "By telling me I'm not fast?"

"Yes, it's better you hear it from me, than die because of it. Being too slow is just as deadly as not knowing any combat moves, and unfortunately for you, you don't have either of those things." Knight said seriously. Amber masked her irritation with her furious glare.

She didn't hide it very well.

"Man, a bit harsh, even coming from you. I mean, I expect me saying those things, but not you." She said annoyed, turning her gaze anywhere but him. Her eyes apparently landed on his car, and all she could think about is how much she wants to drive away from this conversation, or training activity.

There was several moments of silence, but before Knight could say anything she beats him to it. "I guess you were opened with my training methods I should be opened with yours." She took a deep breath before adding, "and I guess it wouldn't hurt improving my speed and stamina."

Yeah, that wouldn't hurt, but just saying that sentence hurt my pride.

"Perfect." He said enthusiastically, making Amber even more annoyed with him for being so cheery at this moment. "Now, we'll start easy. Run to that lamppost..."

"You mean streetlight..."

"Same difference. Run there and back. It's exactly 0.2 miles in total, should be a breeze." He ended his speech, gesturing for her to go.

For the longest time, all she does is stare at the streetlight. She suddenly wished she didn't agree to this.

She glares at him before running towards the streetlight, murmuring under her breath.

She came back not even breathing hard. "It took you five minutes to run there and back?" He questioned, his tone laced with disbelief.

"Hey, you never said I had to run it fast, you just said and I quote 'run there and back.'" She accused pointing a finger at him. Clearly irritated, she heaved a sigh as she waits for what he has to say next.

"Well, I guess this makes it easier on you. Run to the same place again, but make sure you beat your last time." He challenged. In his mind he's probably thinking this is a piece of cake which it is, but that's not the point.

"And if I don't?" She challenged right back at him.

"Then the next run you have to run twice as much, and still beat your previous time. So instead of 0.2 miles it's 0.4. From there we will keep adding 0.2 until you beat your previous time." He smiled sweetly, but Amber just wanted to smack it right off. Nothing of what he said was sweet.

"Whatever." She said trying to sound careless, and went off. This time she did pick up the pace, but she started getting tired, and went back to a more slower, more relaxed pace.

"Well, you beat your last time by a minute so it's an improvement. Go again." He told her when she came back to him.

She took a couple seconds to relax, glared at him, and went off again. She ran a bit faster, trying to hold on to any breeze that came her way.

Apparently, the slight breeze only came when you run fast, so that's what she did.

She ran faster and faster, feeling the breeze intensify each time. She wanted to hold onto that feeling, that breeze that came in the hot morning.

She got to Knight and stopped abruptly, trying to stop herself from running into him. "Wow, you cut your time by half. You ran that in two minutes and ten seconds, now that's what I like to see." He complimented. She has to admit, she's starting to like this training.

Though she still prefers to be sleeping at this time of day.

She starts running, not even waiting for him to cue her. Yes, she much prefers running in her wolf form, but her human form isn't that bad either. It still gives her that same feeling that  she gets that makes her want to run harder.

Feeling your feet stomp harder on the ground. Hearing the sound of your feet on the pavement. The breeze following you while running. The noises of the world around her, slowly drowning out.

This is what she has grown to love.

"Wow, amazing, you cut your time by half again! You ran it in exactly one minute." He said, as she came up to him, panting. She waits a few seconds just trying to catch her breath when she hears his voice, with a challenge. "Do you think you can beat it?"

She takes off as her answer. She knows she can with a little help of her vampire skills. She's not too fast to make him suspicious, but nonetheless flashes in front of him within thirty seconds, literally counting the seconds in her head.

"No Amber, that's cheating. We're doing this the old fashion way." He said.

"Hey, you never said we can't use our powers..."

"Well, I am now, what if someone saw you!?" He accused a little too harshly. "We're in broad daylight!"

"Nah, I would have probably been too fast for them to see it." She boasted, but dialed down with the look he gave her. "Fine, I'll be more careful."

"Thank you, now beat a minute without cheating." He accused, gesturing for her to go.

"You know, I really don't like your training methods." She muttered loud enough for him to hear her, and runs off again. She felt that same feeling as she felt before and clinged to it, making sure she's keeps this fast pace
consistent.

She goes back, panting and leans forward placing her hands on her knees. "You know, you should put your hands on your head when trying to catch your breath, it helps."

She mumbles under her breath hoping he can't hear her.

He wouldn't want to hear what she had to say.

"Now, to more pressing matters. You came back here within a minute and ten seconds. You're ten seconds slower, so I'm afraid you have to double your run, and probably triple your pace." He said sincerely, while looking down at his stopwatch to reset it.

She looked up at him. "You're kidding right? I was ten seconds off..."

"But ten seconds slower. I'm sorry, you have to try the 0.4 distance, so run to the lamp...streetlight back and forth twice." He said flatly, explaining the rules once again. She looks over at him as if he's completely mad. She can't believe he's making her do this.

But of course, he is.

"You're kidding? If I can barely run the 0.2 distance in a minute, what do you think doubling the distance would make the difference, what's the point in that?" She questioned him.

"Hey, I told you we are going to be working on your speed and stamina. Running nonstop, trying to accomplish the impossible, it's a great way to do it." He answered firmly, dismissing her question.

"Fine." She paused before adding, "I think you're forgetting that I train you right after this, and I'm going to make it hurt." She threatened, but started jogging. She found a loophole to this brilliant plan anyway.

So he adds 0.2 every time I don't make the time limit. So, either way I'm running 0.6 miles, I can't run 0.4 miles in one minute unless I use my powers.

Which I can't use.

So I mind as well take it slower so I have a longer time limit trying to accomplish the even longer distance.

She stops jogging altogether on the start of her second lap towards the streetlight. She wants at least five minutes for the 0.6 mile run, and she've been jogging slow and walking to do that.

"Hurry up! You far exceeded your time limit!" Knight shouted in the distance. Amber smiles to herself at the completely oblivious Knight, who doesn't know her plan.

She jogs the last few steps towards him. "I know what you're doing." He accused, crossing his arms. She mimics his stance, crossing her arms as well.

"Doing what you asked of me and run the stupid distance?" She asked innocently, smiling at the accused look he shot her.

"Don't give me the innocent act you're far from it. I know you were going slower so you can have longer time with the longer distance, but I'm actually going to make you run it within a min..."

"Nope, I distinctly remember you saying 'previous time' not previous previous time." She interrupted satisfied.

"Sneaky." Was all he said.

"What can I say, it's a gift." She responded in a snarky and cocky manner.

"I suppose training is over since you can just keep doing that again and again and again. You don't even need to run anymore, you'll just walk to increase your time." He said grimly.

"Wow, I didn't think of that. I only thought of it for this one time thing." She confessed.

"Really?" He wondered.

"Of course not. Really Knight, you know me better than that."

"Whatever, we end training now and start yours soon, but next time, I will cover every loophole, every trap ther..."

"I'm sure you will. Now what's for breakfast? I'm starving." She asked satisfied she won this round. Her eyes are glowing a light orange.

KNIGHT'S POINT OF VIEW

Her satisfied eyes are just as annoying as the satisfied grin on her face.

"I need to go to the store. All I have is basically rice and bacon." Knight answered a little flustered.

"That's perfect." Amber responded, opening the door and stepping through, leaving Knight outside.

He takes a deep breath in and out. He stays out there just staring at the door left slightly open. "Amber is so frustrating. She couldn't even respect my training methods. Now, she expects everything to be perfectly..."

"Knight, stop talking to yourself and make me breakfast!" Amber shouted within the house. He mentally counts to ten in his head, trying not to scream in frustration.

He closes the door behind him, immediately noticing Amber sitting on the couch comfortably.

Well, that's an improvement from the last time she sat on it.

"Tick tock, I'm starving." She singed, being more obnoxious than normal. I mean sure she hasn't eaten in like, a day, but still there's a nicer way to say this.

"Yes, ma'am." Knight answered, murmuring under his breath the rest of the way to the kitchen.

Everything just has to be done her way.

He sighs heavily, as he pulls out the bacon and starts up the rice. He notices he has eggs in the refrigerator. "Do you want eggs?" He shouts.

"Yes, please!" She shouts back, resulting in him pulling out the eggs. "Scrambled!" She adds, which was perfect because that's what he was going to do anyway.

He places the bacon and eggs on two separate pans heating up on the stove. After he checks everything is up and running, he walks back over sitting on the wooden chair across from the couch. He looks anywhere, but at Amber.

"Are you mad?" Amber asked out of the blew.

"No, I have nothing to be mad about." He shot back sarcastically, still avoiding her eye.

"Knight, your eyes are intense dark pale gold. You're clearly angry, why?" She asked sincerely. Out of pure curiosity.

"What? Now you memorized what my eyes look like when I'm mad?" He asked half jokingly.

You memorized what her eyes look like when she experiences satisfication.

Shut up, I don't want to listen to reason.

She smiled bit before looking away. "I noticed because of the aura you had..."

"Aura? Just when I thought I heard the weirdest thing from you, than you say that." Knight teased a bit too sharply, resulting in Amber raising her brow at him.

"And what was the craziest...weirdest thing you heard me say?" She countered, almost in a demanding way, but in a lesser, harsher tone.

"I quote, 'you stunk...far more than a'...what was it... skunk!" He said a little all over the place, but yet again, so was she when she said it to him.

"I was mad that I couldn't even make any sense..."

"Clearly, I mean the other stuff you said was pretty funny too, but I forgot it. I just remember it being hilarious. It was all quite hilarious." Knight interrupted, clearly amused. The feeling of anger slowly vanishing.

"More hilarious than me using 'aura'?" She asked, rolling her eyes at him.

A quick a lightning, his mind starts to travel elsewhere.

He notices just how more relaxed she is than the other day when she sat on it the first time. She barely even sat on the couch the other time, now? She's leaning back, totally making herself at home, topping it all off by putting her legs up on the table.

Something I wouldn't do, I mean putting your feet on the table is messy! You knock stuff over all the time, spilling water, stacks of books, whatever your feet has contact with!

It's also completely immodest!

But at least there's nothing on the table now.

But it's also the table we're going to be eating on any minute, and she still has her running shoes on. The food's going to taste like foot.

"Well you're deep in thought, and here I thought I was the only one who ignored people when their talking to me." She snickered at him.

"What? Um, yes?" He answered unsure. Sure enough, she started laughing, her amused smile on her face.

"What did I just say?" She questioned, and when he didn't answer him, she added "would you like to know?"

"Um, is it something serious?" He asked, trying to hide the curiosity in his voice.

"No, do you still want to know? The curiosity is probably eating you alive now." She pressed.

"Not really?" He said, hating how it came out more as a question than an answer.

Why does she want me to know so badly?

Or is she just playing me because she knows that my curiosity gets the better of me?

I'm going with the second one.

And two could play that game.

"Oh really?" She challenged, clearly amused. "Okay, I won't tell you."

"Good, I don't want to know." He challenged right back at her. She raised her brow at him.

"Good, because I wasn't going to tell you anyway." She shot right back at him.

His mouth starts twitching upwards. "Oh really? Because it sounds like you want to tell..."

"Please, I don't know why you're making this such a big deal. It's not a big deal." She said dismissively.

"Good, then you don't have to tell me..."

"Isn't that what I've been saying?" She asked, her amused smile quickly vanishing. "Hey, how's the food doing?" She asked.

"What fo...oh!" He was gone in a flash. He ran into the kitchen turning off all the devices. The rice looks fine, but it's definitely overcooked. The eggs are tough and rubbery. The bacon burnt to the crisp. He's just grateful the house didn't burn down.

He even finds this amusing as he makes a plate for Amber. He walks into the living room, with the plate and bright amused smile on his face.

"I should have known you were a terrible cook. How do you eat all these years?" She looked towards the plate, completely disgusted by it. She takes the plate, holding it with one hand, the fork with the other.

She does know there's a table in front of her right?

I would hope so, her feet has been on it all day.

"I'm an excellent cook..."

"This food says otherwise." She debated, still playing with her food. She moves her fork around her burnt bacon, not even touching the rice that was the best out of the three. "How do you even get rice to be this wet and mushy?" She asked, even more disgusted.

"It may have been overcooked, I thought it was fine enough." Knight answered, his amused smile still on. "Are you going to eat your food? Before it gets cold."

"Are you kidding me? No, no, no way am I eating this." Amber gave him an incredulous look, can't believing he asked her that.

"Beggars can't choose." Was all he responded.

"Well, this one can and does..."

"If you don't eat some of it...even a bite of this, I won't make you any more food, and you're not allowed in my kitchen." He said authoritative, but his amused smile never once left his face.

"Mine as well end training altogether then because I need to eat." She challenged him.

His face fell, but the smile was back up within a second. "No you wouldn't. I know you hate to admit it, but you need me."

"Your right, I would hate to admit it, just as much as you would hate admitting that you need me." She agreed, but countered him all the same. He huffed, but she's not wrong.

"You know Amber, you're not a very adventurous girl are you?" He suddenly asked, clearly catching her off guard. Her small smile was gone, and she's no longer leaning against the couch. She's leaning forward, hands on her knees.

"What do you mean?" She asked before quickly adding "I'm very adventurous."

"Someone who's adventurous is also daring." He continues, mimicking her stance. "I'm afraid, I don't see you as an adventurous or daring girl." He whispered, but she heard it as clear as day itself.

She leaned closer to him, her eyes glowing a dark orange, already making him more uncomfortable. Now that he knows what the darker eye colors means, he jumps to the worst case scenario. If anything happens, he can throw the table, or at least tries to lift it up in self-defense.

He hopes it doesn't come to this, but he's ready nonetheless.

"I guess you don't know me as well as you thought." She commented before leaning back on the couch.

"Really?" He asked his tone slightly wavering. He's just grateful that she's further away from him, and her eyes are slowly becoming lighter. "Prove it, eat that piece of bacon." He challenged, leaning back on his chair.

"Are you adventurous man?" She asked grabbing two pieces of bacon, handing him one.

"I leave myself out of it." Knight said, taking it and putting it back on the plate.

"Huh, I guess not." She answered, looking over to the piece of bacon she's holding. She looked disgusted by it, and Knight would have too if he were going to eat it. The burnt taste is going to linger in her mouth for awhile.

Slowly, she takes the bite. You hear the crunchy of the bacon as she continues to chew until the whole bacon was gone. Her face of satisfaction wasn't there like it normally would be, just disgust.

After a couple minutes a smile appeared on her face. "Ha! I told you I can do it. That's pretty adventurous and daring if I do say so myself." She boasted, flicking her low pony tail hair over her shoulder.

"Huh, why care so much?" He asked, that question forcing her to look up at him.

"What do you mean?" She questioned back for her answer, completely clueless as to where Knight was going with this.

He shrugged, planning on ending it there, but decided to give her what she wants: the answer to her question. "That's the difference between you and me, I don't care what others think of me..."

"I don't care eith..."

"Oh really? You don't care?" He questioned, his turn to lean forward again. She stays leaned back on the couch, but keeps her eyes on him. Not backing down.

"Yes. Really." She emphasized.

"Than why did you eat the piece of bacon? Obviously, you wanted to prove that you're daring and adventurous, but the thing is, you knew you were those things, why did it matter proving it to me?" He asked, which she had no answer too.

She was speechless.

He gets up from his chair, getting ready to take his leave, but faced her once more. "Training with you starts within a couple hours. I'll be ready for the pain you're going to put me through." He gave a small smile, and with that, took his leave.