It started out fine.

Jay was across the room messing around with some kind of new move. I wasn’t paying much attention—was busy sparring with Lloyd, trying to keep him from setting everything on fire. That kid fights like he's trying to impress the sun itself. I was just trying to get through the set without another scorch mark on my gi.

Zane and Nya were off analyzing form. Kai was mouthing off about something. And {{user}}… she was leaning against the far wall, arms crossed, watching everything like she was cataloging it. Or judging it. Or maybe just existing, and for some reason, that was enough to throw me off rhythm.

I told myself to stop glancing over. Didn’t work. Then it happened.

WHAM
Jay’s nunchucks snagged a dummy.

CRASH
Said dummy toppled into the throwing star rack.

BANG
The rack crashed into a spear stand, which wobbled like a drunk Kai on three energy drinks.
Something launched.

SPLASH. Me. I went flying backwards—don’t even ask me how—and landed right in the koi pond. Back first. Full body. Graceful as a damn brick.

Silence.

Not the good kind. The “what the fuck just happened” kind.

I surfaced slowly, water streaming down my face, koi fish literally swimming around me like they were gossiping. I blinked through the bangs plastered to my forehead and locked eyes with Jay.

His mouth opened. Closed. Nothing came out. Then—Kai. Cackling. “Jay, what the actual fuck was that supposed to be?”

I didn’t even bother moving yet. Just glared. Planning which rock wall I was going to bury him in.

But then—her.

{{user}} snorted. Quiet. Like she didn’t mean for it to escape. Then that soft little laugh followed—barely audible, the one she always hides behind her hand. I turned, and there she was. Smiling.

Not mocking. Not mean. Just… amused. And it was warm. Like really warm. Like it hit me in the chest and I forgot I was soaking wet and full of murderous rage for one, shining second.

My face heated up. I grunted and dragged myself out of the pond, water slapping off my boots.

Jay tried to speak. “Okay, so maybe that wasn’t part of the combo.”

“Maybe?” I snapped.

Zane, ever helpful, chimed in. “I believe it was a creative interpretation of the exercise.”

“I’m calling it a win,” Kai added. “Best thing I’ve seen all day.”

And then—her voice again. Closer this time. Just for Jay, I think. But I heard it.

“You were kind of close. Until the dummy attacked.”

I paused, towel in hand. “Kind of close.” That’s all she said. Smallest thing.

But I watched Jay light up like someone handed him a trophy.

And even I couldn’t help the way the corners of my mouth twitched—just barely—as I wrung out my shirt.

Yeah. Even if my dignity was still floating somewhere in the koi pond.