Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,6
the self-defense classes are held. The teacher isn’t here yet. He should be here in-” he looked at his watch. “Five minutes. Next time, please come in from the front,” he pointed. “Since you’re parked in the back, feel free to leave the way you came, so you don’t have to walk all the way around the building. I’m Dan, the owner,” he held out his hand.
“Rollo.”
“Rollo?” Dan raised a brow in disbelief.
“Yep,” Rollo swayed back and forth on the balls of his feet.
“Okay then,” he shook his head and held his hand out for me.
I took it, because it would be rude not to, but released my hand after only a second of contact.
“Katy,” I introduced myself.
“If you need anything, feel free to ask me, or my wife, Patsy, that you saw at the desk. Welcome to Fight For It,” Dan said and then turned to leave.
“Thanks,” Rollo said, and ushered me into the room.
The walls and floors were covered in blue padding. A sign instructed us to take off our shoes, so we did.
Sitting, cross-legged on the floor, I said to Rollo, “Do you think we’re the only ones?”
“No,” Rollo rolled his eyes, “we’re early. I’m sure at least one other person will show up.”
“I hope so,” I bit my lip.
“Stop that,” Rollo commanded. “You’re going to make it bleed.”
I released my lip.
“Thank you,” he sighed and ran his fingers through his curly blonde hair.
A middle-aged man walked into the room and smiled pleasantly. “I’m Todd,” he said, before dropping his bag on the floor.
“Hi,” I said and waved. “I’m Katy and this is Rollo.”
The man raised a brow. “Rollo?”
“It’s short for Rolland,” Rollo replied, reluctantly.
“Ah, that explains it,” Todd nodded with his hands on his hips. He looked at his watch. “We’ll wait a few minutes before starting, just in case more people arrive.”
Five minutes later, a group of people entered the room and I breathed out a sigh of relief. It wouldn’t just be Rollo and me.
“I’m Todd, your instructor in basic self-defense techniques,” he said. “In my opinion, everyone should take a self-defense class, but most don’t until it’s too late. I sincerely hope that isn’t the case with any of you. But if it is, I’m glad you’re here and I hope I can help you.”
He counted off how many people were in the class and said, “Good, an even number. I’m assuming most of you came with a friend, which means you’re comfortable with them. I want this to feel like a real attack so I’m going to divide you off.” He proceeded to separate us into groups of two.
The guy that was paired with me, slid over and his leg bumped mine. I jumped and scooted away. He gave me a peculiar look and shook his head.
Yeah, dude, you just got paired with the weird girl. I wish you luck.
“Today, we’re just going to cover basic defensive maneuvers. Stand up,” he instructed.
I reluctantly stood and faced my partner.
“I’m Paul,” he said, flicking his head so that his dark hair was out of his eyes.
“Katy.”
He grinned, in that cocky way that guys do, when they think they’re super good looking, and God’s gift to women. I had news for Paul; his panty-dropper smile wouldn’t work on me.
“Decide on which partner will attack and then whoever’s not attacking, put your back to your partner.”
Paul said, “I’ll attack first. I promise to go easy on you,” he winked.
I rolled my eyes and turned around. “Oh joy,” I muttered under my breath.
Rollo snickered across the room and I mouthed, “Save me,” to him. He chuckled and shook his head.
“Alright for this first time, I want you all to act on basic instinct. If someone’s grabbing you, what’s your first reaction? Then we’ll move onto the proper way to defend yourself. Get ready…”
Arms came around me, squeezing me, dragging me… It was so much like that night. My eyes squished closed. I wiggled around but he was too strong.
My heart threatened to beat right out of my chest.
“Let go of me!” I screamed. “Don’t touch me! Preston! Stop!”
The hands released me, my eyes flew open, and I ran.
4
MY FEET COULDN’T CARRY ME AWAY FAST ENOUGH.
I ran down the hallway and ducked into the first empty room I came upon.
I sank to the floor and wished it could just open up and swallow me whole.
I buried my face into my hands and tried to get my breathing back to a normal level.