Page 55 of Greased

“The king has arrived,” I say, my voice laced in sarcasm. Rhodes gives me a sly wink as he heads over to our group.

“King of the castle. King of the castle,” he chants in the most ridiculous Borat accent I’ve ever heard. I can’t control the snort that escapes me.

“You’re ridiculous, Rhodes,” I say once my laughter subsides. Rhodes just chuckles before pulling me into a hug.

“How was your first day?” He asks before letting me go. My face drops slightly before I can stop it and he doesn’t miss it. He quirks a questioning brow at me. I let out a sigh before tempting a smile that falls flat. “It was like any first day, I guess.”

He gives mean understanding nod but he doesn’t pressure me for any more information. I know that he hasn't completely dropped it though, there will be an interrogation later that I’m already dreading.

Rhodes turns and aims a murderous glare at someone behind me. I follow his gaze, turning my head and finding Dawson. His expression is completely blank. Like there is nothing behind his eyes. All emotion is void. Honestly, it is absolutely fucking psychopathic. A smarter woman would run for cover. Yet I don’t shy away.

After the stare down match of the century, with no real winner declared, Rhodes leads us to one of the doors leading off the main bar. We step into a near identical gym to the one at Rydell Prep. Instead of volleyball nets, rings have been spaced out around the room. As I look around the room, I notice a room toward the back of the training area with a sign saying‘Warning. Live Fire Range’on the door and a small viewing window showing the gun range beyond. A few ear muffs hang next to the door.

I look further around the room watching as the last few recruits filter in through the door we just came through. Mr Green stands at the centre eyeing everyone that comes in. His demeanour is the complete opposite of what it was at school. The hard-ass warrior in its place. He is exactly as I expected him to be. The trainer of the Thunderbirds’ newest recruits. It makes sense for someone hardened to be leading a bunch of rowdy teenagers. Someone that has the ability to break them down just to build them up into a soldier.

I watch as Mr Green brings two fingers up to his mouth and lets out a shrill whistle, all but piercing our eardrums.

“Alright recruits, gather around,” he shouts. “Today, we will be sparing. Considering we have a greenie in our presence, we need tovirtually start from scratch.” I don’t hear any groans compared to the ones that would have sounded if we were standing at the gym at Rydell Prep but I can feel the stares aimed at me. I hold my head high, not letting their judgement bother me. What they think of me is the least of my concern.

“I will be pairing you each off, testing what level you are at and areas we need to focus on.” Mr Green looks down at his clipboard before listing off pairs. Dacre is paired off with Rhodes, Sonny off with Jethro; something he looks way too excited for. Nicky and Pike pair off and I can see the excitement in their eyes at being able to roll around on the mat together. Thoughts of them both in compromising positions give me way too many ideas and I need to shake my head of those thoughts before I start spiralling. I do put a mental pin in it though. For future reference, obviously.

A couple of other recruits are paired off with each other. The group begins to drastically thin out until there is just myself, Dawson and two other guys. “Cody and Blake. Lastly, Dawson and Scarlett.”

For fuck’s sake. Of course I couldn't have been paired off with a stranger. Instead I get paired off with a guy that has had a sneer on his face the entire day. You could almost assume the wind had changed direction and his face was permanently stuck that way.

I take a deep breath, needing to steel myself for what I am sure is going to be a fucking shit-show. Not only do I have absolutely no idea of what I am doing, but from the look on his face; Dawson isn't in the business of giving me any graces. From what I can tell, which really isn’t much to go off considering how emotionless he is, I am going to have my work cut out for me.

We silently walk over to the last available sparring mat. Dawson doesn’t say anything as he takes a fighting position. His eyes stay locked on mine but I don't let his judgement sway me. I was born for this whether he likes it or not. I am made for this. Being here feels right and I am going to do everything in my power to show assholes like him what I am made of.

I mimic Dawson’s stance on the mat, something he clearly finds amusing as finally he shows a slither of emotion. The corner of his mouth tilts up slightly. It feels like he is mocking me or trying to rattle me. I won’t let him slip under my defences. I refuse to allow him to.

I hold his gaze and wait for him to strike.

He moves like lightning. The moment I blink, he is already on me. I hit the mat instantly. I am so out of it, I dont realise the wind has been completely knocked out of me until Dawson’s face pops up directly in front of me.

“Fuck’s sake Scarlett, breath!” he shouts. He gives me the jolt I need as I rasp in a breath. My lungs burn as I keep sucking air in.

“Like I said: this world isn’t for you. I’ve tried to warn you but you just won’t fucking listen. Do you have a death wish?” He snarls at me. The only noise that escapes me are rasps as I greedily suck in breaths trying to slowly calm myself down.

Dawson scoffs, shaking his head as he looks back over towards the other sparring matches. It gives me the perfect in though. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I smash my knee into his balls.

His reaction is instant. He goes to curl into himself but my reaction time is quicker. I bring my legs up, wrapping them around his neck. With as much force as I can muster, I flip him onto his back and pull the closest hand towards me, keeping my hold firm on him. He doesn’tsay anything. The shock of being brought down stunning him for a moment.

“Yield.” My voice doesn't even sound like my own. If it wasn’t so imperative that I make him surrender, the shock of how quick I moved would have me in an absolute state.

Dawson is silent for a moment. “Yield,” he eventually says, his voice a low rumble.

I instantly release him and scoot back a few paces as the reality of my ability sets in. I don’t notice the way Nicky, Pike, Dacre and Sonny all stop their fights obviously having witnessed what I did. I don’t notice the way Dawson sits up and stares at me.

All I can focus on is the fact that I was able to overpower all six foot three of sheer muscle and ego that is Dawson Zelko. My hands shake. I can’t help the panic that slowly seeps into my system. The way my breath quickens. I know all the signs of a panic attack, having had them regularly after the accident. But the shock to the system is intense after not having one for years. Tears slowly begin streaming down my face.

Hands grip my shoulders and I jolt. I beg for the touch to pull me from the panic slowly setting in but it's no use.

“Breath Scarlett. Come on, with me, pretty girl. Deep breath in.” The voice is almost a whisper but hypnotic. I follow the instructions instantly, sucking in a deep breath and holding it. “Now, out.” The husky voice stays silent until I fully release my breath.

“Good girl. One more time.” The voice coaches; I follow instantly pulling in another breath before releasing it. The panic still lingers on the edges but I am self aware enough to do the exercise again.

“Are you alright?” My head snaps up in shock. Dawson’s face is ridiculously close to mine. His arms still linger on my shoulders butI’m thankful for it. Right now he is the only thing still holding me to this earth; even though a part of me holds resentment to the way he has treated me today. The part that hates him for the way he has treated me, is holding onto him just as tightly as he is me.

---