He Thought I Was Finally Learning Novelas e Histórias

What he didn’t realize was that with each passing day, I was learning how to fight back. And when the moment came—I wouldn’t hesitate.

“Finally. He’s not untouchable anymore.” And for the first time in months, I believed it. We weren’t just surviving. We were learning to control the game. And the next move would be ours.

Did he consider me dumb? “Thanks for your concern, but you need to teach me nothing! Get it? Nothing at all!” He laughed, enjoying getting me all riled up. “Oh, you have a lot to learn, little mate. I’m sure you will love to take lessons from such a hot teacher as me!” he indicated himself while I rolled my eyes at his arrogance. Of course, I could understand what sort of lessons he was implying. I wasn’t dumb!

“But you’re not quite there yet.” I stared up at him, panting and feeling the ache in my muscles. I had given it my all, but he was right. I still had a lot to learn. But even so, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had held my own against something the old me could never have done. “Maybe next time,” I said with a grin, and he chuckled, helping me to my feet. “Keep training,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “You’ll get there.”

“4 left to do but I’m okay with that”. I packed my books away. I had come a long way and I was quite proud of myself. I was straight up failing when I came here and now not so much. It was becoming easier, clearer to me and I was finally getting it. My brain was finally taking it in. “That’s not bad. Did he message back?”. I’ll tell you something she wasn’t half eager to get out of morning patrols. “Not yet but I’m sure he will”. I wasn’t convinced but he could come out his mood when he was ready.

He sounded disappointed in himself. “Hey, it’s okay. The man who taught me everything I knew, couldn’t hear me when I was in stealth mode either. He is 10 times better than me. Over time, with practice, eventually you will too. You are a fast learner,” I said with some respect in my tone. This caused him to look up and smile. “I’m sorry for being a jerk the first time we met and during our session earlier today,” was all he said. “It’s okay, but just remember, never think you understand someone until you know what they are capable of. Most people will surprise you once you get to know them,” I replied with a small smile.

"Patterns. You will get it." The first time I try to navigate alone, I get on the wrong train twice. By the time I make it back, I am exhausted, frustrated, and close to tears. "I cannot do this," I admit quietly. Renlo shakes his head. "You can. You just did." "I got lost." "And you found your way back." He smiles. "That is how learning works."

When I finished, breathless, he said, “What did you learn?” I frowned. “That I need to slow down.” “Yes.” “And that I don’t like feeling stupid.” “No one does.” I sighed. “I wanted you to tell me it wasn’t a big deal.” He smiled into the line so I could hear it. “It might be. Or it might not. Either way, you’ll handle it.” Something settled in me. “Thank you.” “For what?” “For not trying to fix it.” “Anytime,” he said. “You didn’t come all this way to be protected from learning.”

I asked. “I notice what makes you comfortable. I notice what makes you laugh. I notice when you want me close and when you want me to leave you alone.” He folded the wrapper from his sandwich into a neat square. “I am still learning the last one,” he added. I smiled. “You are.” He leaned his head against the sofa. “I am not always going to get it right.” “I know.” His eyes moved toward me. “I understand,” I corrected. “That is better.” “Do not become proud.”

“Because it stopped reacting to us.” My chest tightened harder, confusion hitting me fast, like my thoughts couldn’t catch up with what he was saying. “What the hell does that even mean,” I muttered, shaking my head slightly like I could reset my thoughts. “Stopped reacting? That sounds like it gave up or something.” “No,” he said quickly, sharper now, almost cutting through me. “Not gave up. It’s more like… it learned.” Something cold slid under my ribs and I hated that feeling immediately, like my body rejected the meaning before my mind could even accept it.