Unaware of her inner turmoil, he smiled. ‘Of course.’
Raj was right – the move was different with someone physically larger. She had to work harder to tilt her body to the angle needed to kick. Had to adjust her responses. It took several tries to get it right. By the end, though, her aim was unerring. Her bare foot ended up just beneath Sylvain’s chin. Right where it was supposed to be.
‘Nice.’ He pretended to bite the arch of her foot, and she laughed and stumbled backwards away from him.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Carter cast a quick glance at them. There was something raw and conflicted in his expression and she looked away quickly.
This whole training-together thing wasn’t going to be easy.
Unable to stop herself, she looked over at Rachel and Nicole, just in time to see Rachel try the same kick she’d just done and lose her balance again. Nicole moved to help her up but Rachel’s face was flushed with embarrassment and frustration. Jerry walked over to speak to the two of them quietly.
He didn’t seem to be criticising them. Instead, he appeared to be offering gentle guidance. But even from across the room Allie could see Rachel’s misery.
When training ended, Allie took a quick shower and threw her school uniform back on in her usual haphazard style. With her blouse half buttoned and her tie dangling from her hand, she hurried towards the door. But as she passed through the main dressing area, she stopped in her tracks. Rachel and Nicole sat in a corner, talking quietly. Both still wore black training clothes. Rachel’s head hung down in a posture of defeat, Nicole’s hand rested on her shoulder.
Sympathy unfurled inside Allie’s heart.
She knew she should make this all harder for Rachel. After all, that was the plan, wasn’t it?
Right now she should give her the cold shoulder. Make her feel lonely and isolated. Do whatever it took to convince her she couldn’t do this.
But seeing her like this tore at her heart.
When she walked over to them, Nicole shot her a warning look.
When did Nicole become Rachel’s protector? Allie wondered. Isn’t that my job?
‘Look,’ she said, ‘I just wanted to say’ – I’m sorry. Don’t do this. Be who you are, not who I am – ‘I’m sorry about how I reacted earlier. It wasn’t … fair.’ As she spoke, her hands twisted her tie into rope. ‘I know it’s hard. I hated my first Night School session, too. It gets better. I promise.’
Rachel’s face was red with exhaustion and failure but at Allie’s words a light seemed to fire in her eyes. Her bottom lip trembled.
‘Thanks, Allie. And I’m sorry—’
Allie held up a hand. ‘Don’t. I’m sorry. I was pissed off at you because I’m scared for you. You know why. You know everything. I don’t have to tell you. Just …’ She hesitated. There was so much she wanted to say. But Rachel looked exhausted. Now wasn’t the time. ‘Let’s talk about it tomorrow. OK?’
Rachel bit her lip and nodded. ‘OK.’
Allie walked out of the room feeling better and worse. Better because Rachel didn’t think she hated her any more. Worse, because she’d just made it easier for her to tough out the worst week Night School had to offer.
I’m such an idiot.
When she stepped into the corridor, Sylvain was leaning against the wall across from her, one foot propped up behind him. One of the younger Night School students was talking to him, his face aglow with a kind of hero worship. His gaze lowered, Sylvain was listening patiently.
As if he’d sensed her presence, he glanced up, and his eyes met hers.
He said something to the student. With a disappointed look, the boy turned away.
Pushing himself from the wall, Sylvain walked to her.
‘How’s Rachel?’ His voice was low.
Allie thought of the way Rachel had looked at her just before she walked out the door.
‘She’s hanging in there.’
Talking softly, they walked down the long, basement corridor then climbed the stairs up to the ground floor. Their shoes squeaked on the polished wood floor.
When they reached the foot of the main staircase, they stopped. Sylvain pulled her close. Shutting her eyes, she leaned against him, waiting for him to say goodnight. To kiss her and tell her he’d see her in the morning.
But that wasn’t what he said at all.
‘Meet me on the roof,’ he whispered against her cheek, his breath making all of her nerves come alive. ‘At midnight.’
13
Thirteen
Half an hour later, Allie paced her bedroom with quick impatient steps. Every few minutes she stared at the clock. Time advanced with aching slowness.
Eleven forty-five … Eleven forty-six …
She knew what was ahead. Knew what Sylvain wanted up on the roof.
Her heart fluttered with nerves. It had been the most confusing day.
She thought of the look she’d seen in Carter’s eyes. The wistfulness she’d thought was there for just a moment.
Then she forced herself to stop thinking about it.
She looked at the clock again.
Night School: Resistance (Night School 4)
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