FALLON   Between sessions on Friday, I finally have a chance to fill Brooke in on everything that has been happening lately. Being the perfect angel she is, she’s shocked to hear that I nearly swiped my v-card at Gray’s register, but she doesn’t admonish me for wanting to keep things going with him, which I appreciate. While it’s exciting that Gray and I have this little secret affair going, I’m glad I have someone I can talk things through with. I don’t think he’d care if he knew I told my sister. I trust her more than anyone in the word, and I know she’ll keep our secret, too. I’m actually relieved that Gray and I had the chance to talk and clarify things. I’m so on board with keeping things casual- the last thing I need to worry about during training camp is a relationship. I’ve never been in one, and I don’t think I’d be very good at it anyways. Not to mention the reason I’ve always avoided them- the ever-present fe

FALLON   “What was that all about?” Boyd asks as I approach our little group. They must have decided to take a break from dancing, because they’re circled up at the bar, sipping on cocktails. Boyd has an arm slung around Vienna’s shoulders, like he’s staking a claim. It’s about time those two took their shameless flirting to the next level. I pause for a moment, trying to think quickly on my feet. “Oh, he had some more questions about that rogue that attacked me,” I say coolly, tossing my hair over my shoulder. “They’re still trying to identify who he was.” Boyd seems satisfied with my answer, because he just nods and takes another sip of his drink. Vienna’s got a smug little smile on her face, though- she knows about the little fling I’ve been having with Gray, but she doesn’t give me up. I knew I could trust that girl. “Where’s Brooke?” I ask, glancing around. Casey and Davis are also posted up by the bar, but

FALLON   I push open the nearest door to the squad complex, hanging a right to go to the squad dorms instead of taking my usual left into the trainee barracks. Everything that has transpired over the last twelve hours has my brain completely scrambled, and I just have to tell someone about it. And by someone, I mean my sister. I speed-walk down the hallway to her room, testing the door handle. It’s unlocked, and I don’t mean to throw it open as hard as I do. As the door collides with the wall on the other side, I rush in to see a very startled Brooke sitting on her bed, her legs crisscrossed beneath her and her laptop upon them. “Hi! Sorry…” I grab for the handle again, swinging the door closed gently. “Is everything okay?!” Brooke asks, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “You scared me half to death!” I spin around to face her, leaning back against the door and grinning. I don’t even know whe

FALLON I train hard all week, but something’s just off- I’m making stupid mistakes, sloppy errors. I know it’s because my emotions are on overdrive right now, but for the first time I can’t seem to just turn them off and focus. I miss Vienna. I miss Gray. I’m training harder than ever before, but I still feel like I’m behind. Even the night sessions that we’ve been doing haven’t pulled me out of my rut. The five of us- Boyd, Davis, Shay, Connor, and me- have been sneaking out of the complex and into the forest after dinner each night to brush up on our moves and spar, but I still don’t feel like I’m improving. I’m terrified for the next cuts and rankings. On Friday evening, Casey offers to lead our little after-hours training session and teach us a few things. She probably just wants to be around Davis, since the extra training has been cutting into their time together, but we’re all appreciative nonetheless. Among the moves she demo

FALLON   “Circle up!” Theo calls out, his hands cupped around his mouth. We’ve been out in the arena training under the hot summer sun, and we’re all sweaty and tired. This morning was endurance training, while this afternoon we’ve been doing some sparring with our partners. I’ve been partnered with Shay all week, which would have been fun if I wasn’t in such a rut. Today’s session has been much better, though- I don’t what know changed, but I’m back, baby. I’ve been landing every offensive move, dodging every advance on defense. I just hope it’s not too little, too late. Saturday afternoon’s training session is always stressful because it’s the last one before weekly cuts are posted. There are thirty of us left, so half of us will be going home at some point before training camp ends. Since I’ve had such an off week, I’m even more anxious for the cut list to be posted, and I’m dreading seeing my name on it.