Bound to my Enemy-Chapter 177.

Since then, nothing. Which is exactly how I want it.

Training is the only thing that gets me out of this room regularly.

I still go because i need it.

If I stay in here all day doing nothing, my mind starts wandering back to places I don’t want it to go.

So I train.

But not with him, not anymore.

The first time I showed up and he was there waiting like usual, I stopped right at the entrance of the training room.

Aaron was there too, leaning against the wall like he always does.

Zane looked up when I walked in and there was this brief moment where it felt like things were about to go back to normal. Liek he expected me to just walk over and start.

I didn’t.

I stood there and looked at him

Then I said, "I’m not training with you."

Just like that.

His expression didn’t change much at first, just a slight tightening around his eyes.

"And why is that?" he asked.

Like he didn’t already know.

I shrugged lightly.

"Because I don’t want to."

That was enough to set him off.

"You’re being childish."

I laughed. Because the audacity of that...

"Go fuck yourself, Zane."

Aaron shifted slightly at that..... but he was wise enough to not step in.

Zane stared at me for a second longer.

Then he said, "You don’t get to decide how this works."

I took a step closer, close enough that he could see and understand that I wasn’t backing down.

"Watch me."

The room went quiet after that and for a moment I thought he might push it further, might try to force it.

But he didn’t.

He just looked at me then his gaze shifted briefly to Aaron, something unspoken passing between them.

Zane stepped back.

"Fine," he said.

"Train with him then."

I didn’t respond, didn’t thank him or acknowledge acknowledge it. I just walked past him and headed to the mat.

Since then, that’s how it’s been... I train with Aaron Or sometimes I train alone.

And honestly?

It’s better this way. Aaron doesn’t talk much when we traim, doesn’t push in that way Zane does. He corrects me when I mess up, shows me what to fix but he doesn’t get in my head and he doesn’t try to provoke m

And right now, that’s exactly what I need.

Something simple, some thing I can control and Something that doesn’t feel like it’s tied to a hundred other things I don’t understand.

Because the last thing I need right now...is Zane.

————

A few more days pass and at this point, the days are starting to blur into each other.

I wake up, stay in my room, scroll through social media, I read thn I train.

And it’s rinse and repeat. But I’ve gotten used to it or maybe I’m just pretending I have.

I’m lying on my stomach on the bed, my phone in front of me, half-reading something I’ve already scrolled past three times without actually taking anything in, when there’s a knock on the door.

I don’t even bother to answer as the door opens anyway.

I glance up, already expecting who it is.

Aaron.

Of course.

"What?" I mutter, rolling onto my back.

He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walks further into the room and holds something up slightly. A small paper bag with a familiar logo printed on it. My eyes narrow a little as I push myself up on my elbows.

"...is that what I think it is?"

Aaron lifts a brow slightly.

"Ice cream?. Yes it is, I’m done with this one but we can go get another one."

I stare at the bag for a second longer then I sit up properly now, crossing my legs on the bed.

"I’m not in the mood," I say after a moment, my voice flat.

Aarom doesn’t loook surprised.

"You’ve been in this room for days."

I shrug.

"And?

"And you’re brooding."

I scoff.

"I’m not brooding."

He gives me a look, the kind that says you absolutely are but I’m not going to argue with you about it.

I roll my eyes and grab a pillow, hugging it loosely to my chest.

"I just don’t feel like going out."

Aaron tilts his head slightly.

"Exactly why you should."

I don’t answer tha, because part of me knows he’s right but I don’t want to admit it.

He takes a few more steps into the room, setting the bag down on the small table near the bed.

"You liked that place," he adds.

I stare at the bag again... then look away.

"That was before," I mutter.

Aaron exhales quietly... but he doesn’t sound annoyed.

"You’re not doing yourself any favors staying in here all day."

I drop my head back slightly and stare at the ceiling.

"I’m fine."

"You keep saying that."

I don’t respond, because we both know that word doesn’t mean anything right now

Silence stretches for a few seconds.

Then I sigh a long, tired one. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Fine," I say finally, pushing myself off the bed.

"I’ll go."

Aaron nods once... just a simple nod like he expected that answer eventually.

I run a hand through my hair and walk toward my wardrobe.

"I’ll call Tessa, Lila and June " I add over my shoulder.

"They would want to come."

I reach for my phone on the table but before I can even unlock it.....

"No."

I pause and slowly turn around.

Aaron is still standing where I left him but something about the wwy he said it....

My eyes narrow slightly.

"...no?"

He shakes his head once.

"No need."

I frown.

"What do you mean no need?"

He shrugs lightly.

"Just... come out and get some air."

That doesn’t answer my question, not even close. I cross my arms now, watching him more carefully.

"Why can’t I call them?"

There’s a brief pause as Aaron rubs the back of his neck once before answering.

"It’s nothing."