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But when I entered the gyht back out

Ronan had beateverywhere all of a sudden? I wanted to leave, but there was no turning back The place was empty, and he’d spottedup, those haunted eyes ht nod back Well, as good as one could nod while on theone-armed push-ups?

Wow

He stood, mopped his face Approached His navy blue T-shirt was al to a particularly muscular bit of his chest, to a aze didn’t budge froh there wasn’t war Questioning

Did he think I’d co for him? He was always here, after all

No I hadn’t co

Though, now that ere both here, I knehat I had to do When I’d last seen him, I’d casually chatted about Carden-this and Carden-that, when I kne he felt about vas reserved for y

I realized neither of us had spoken and it was about to get weird, so I slungonto the bleachers and said, "Hey"

"Hey," he said back

Unco for a distraction Maybe some jerky Trainee would come and interrupt us Or another Initiate would co But, aside froo into the locker rooirded myself "Look, I’m sorry about…you know…"

Wait What was I sorry for? For talking about one of the few residents of this godforsaken island who actually cared about ize, exactly?

Before I could go too far down that path, he surprised ave him a startled look "It is?"

"I shouldn’t have reacted as I did You’re just trying to survive In the only way you kno I understand"

Now he really had throwna person’s humanity When you--" He stopped abruptly, and his eyes sharpened, narrowing in on my arm "What happened?"

The bruises hadn’t yet formed when I was in my room, but they were there now The Trainees ht hand and arm My wrist was the real proble on my biceps, but it ay more tender "Yeah, ow"

"You didn’t answer my question"

"Your question," I repeated flatly What happened…? There was no avoiding it He’d hear about it eventually "Yas and his friends decided to have soed to avoid the sudden wash of e Yasuo’s friendship hurt more than any sprain

I brushed it off and abruptly strode to the back of the gys like tape and chalk "Where’s the tape?" I asked coolly "I think I should wrap up this wrist"

"Youclose on ed one of the rolls of athletic tape and used ainst this"

I et s"

"Youalone as much as possible"