Chapter 51:

~Jane~

The gym smelled faintly of sweat and rubber mats, a sharp reminder that this wasn't just a school subject- this was where people pushed themselves, where they learned how to fight. My heartbeat picked up as my sneakers hit the polished floor.

Students were already scattered across the space, some girls laughing as they stretched together, a few boys sparring lightly in the corner, their movements quick and sharp. The thud of fists against pads echoed through the room. They all looked confident, and I felt like a child stepping into a room full of warriors.

Jay trailed a few steps behind me, hands in his pockets, but his eyes were sharp. His presence calmed me more than I wanted to admit. Even standing across the gym, he was watching everything- watching me.

"Alright, Jane." The girl who had helped me earlier clapped her hands once, pulling my attention. "We'll start simple. Stretching first, then I'll run you through the basics."

"Okay," I said, trying to sound braver than I