Iridescent by Peyton R (e reader manga .txt) 📕

I fall to the ground, breathing deeply as pain travels throughout my back. I close my eyes, trying to calm myself. "Opaline?" Dante asks. "Are you alright?" I open my eyes, and there he is, right in my face. I jerk back, wincing as my back screams in protest.

"It's...Aline," I gasp. He smiles a little. He offers me his hand, which I gladly take. "Thanks," I say. Slowly standing up, Alex comes forward.

"I'm sorry, Aline. I forgot that you aren't used to fightig. I-I guess I just assumed you had learned more before you, uh, left." His eyes shine with guilt. As I stare at him, I come to realize that he still thinks it's his job to protect me. I smile in spite of myself. "What?" Alex asks, moving closer to me.

"Nothing, it's just... Oh, never mind. Let's just finish training." I force myself to stop thinking of how Alex used to make everything seem better than it was. Instead, I focus on the one time he let me down, so I can prevent my crush on him get in the way of our training. He gives me a puzzled look, but doesn't push it.

"Alriiiight..." he says. Alex takes a stance, looking like a warrior. My GOD, he's gorgeous. Realizing I'm staring, I wink at him, and turn to face Dante. He's gazing at me curiously, like he's trying to figure out what I'm thinking. I raise my eyebrows in a challenge.

"Come on, school boy. I was going easy on you. Let's see if I can beat your ass twice in a row." Dante glances behind me, a question in his eyes. Apparently he got the answer he was looking for, 'cause he gets a wicked grin on his face. He charges at me, but I just step to the side, and yawn. I hear feet charging at me, so I spin around, surprised to see him just a few inches away from me.

He strikes my arm, which I stupidly look down at, not reacting at all. He slams me down to the ground, and I hear Alex laugh. I start to struggle, knowing it was useless. Dante's hot breath is in my ear, and he whispers, "That good enough for you? Bet you like being on the bottom." I gasp, becoming still. "Ooh. Score for Dante. By the way, you are pretty hot, so you know."

"Alright, that's enough. I don't know what you're saying to her, but I bet it's not good. Off her." When Dante doesn't do as Alex asks right away, Alex screams, "Now!"

"Damn, lover boy. Calm down. Can't you share?" Dante mutters under his breath. His weight on top of me disappears. I roll over, and look up at a fuming Alex.

"Alex," I snap. He looks at me. "That's enough." His jaw clenches, but he gives an abrupt nod. He stalks off to his bag. "Boys," I say. Giving me one last grin, Dante leaves the gym.

I roll to my feet, and go to Alex. I gently put my hand on his shoulder, feeling all his tense muscles. He sighs in content, and turns to face me. "Come with me. I want to show you something."

Turns out, Alex wanted to take me back to his room. "Umm," I say, "is this allowed? Last I knew, no boy and girl were permitted to be in a room by themself." He just rolls his eyes, and opens the door. It's decorated with pictures of him and me. His walls are plain white, with nothing on them. Figures, I think.

"I kept all of your pictures. I hope that doesn't seem creepy." I look at Alex, who has a pleading look in his eyes. I smile, dropping my bag. I close my eyes, and remember the feel of his lips on mine. My fingers trace my lips, and I sigh at the memory. My eyes flutter open to see Alex a foot away. "What were you thinking of?" he asks, his voice husky.

Editing: Myself
Publication Date: 07-20-2013

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To my ex-boyfriend, who somehow gave me the passion to write again.