Aaron studies me for a long moment. Something flickers behind his eyes…anger, yes, but not fully directed at me.
"You don't understand how he thinks," he says finally.
"Then explain it to me."
He shakes his head. "That's not my place."
Silence falls between us, as my gaze drops to the bruise along his ribs again. Guilt claws up my throat.
"I didn't mean for you to get hurt," I say,
"I know you didn't."
"I'm still sorry."
This time he nods once.
We stand there like that for a few seconds, the air smelling like metal and sweat and something else....
I inhale slowly.
"I need you to train me."
He freezes.
"What?"
"I want you to teach me how to fight."
For a split second, I actually see him question my sanity. He stares at me like I just said I want to join the military tomorrow.
"You hit your head at the bridge pretty hard right?" he asks.
"No. Well yes but not in the context you're thinking, I'm pretty fine."
"Then why would you say something like that?"
