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Today was long and tiring. They’ve been pushing us to our limits since the new semester started. The fights are more violent, the exercises are fucking stressful, but it’s fine with me, because when I’m tired I don't have the time to think or stress over whatever is happening in my life. I look out at the moon reflecting on the water causing a silver hue to wash over us.

And then, after a few minutes of pure calm, I feel his presence before I hear him.

“Too late for you to be out here by yourself, Miss Vitelli.”

I turn around as Blue hides again inside my sweatshirt, and I see Damien holding out a small paper bag and a coffee cup towards me.

“Is this meant to be some kind of peace offering?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” he says suddenly sitting next to me.

“2AM and you’re offering me a coffee? Bad habits to teach to your student, Damien.”

He shrugs, his large body taking up the rest of the space beside me.

“You could have broken his nose, you know that, right ? Doesn’t bother you at all?” I say, turning to him.

“No.” A couple of seconds pass. “Should’ve broken both his nose and back actually.”

He turns away from me to look out over the cliff's edge.

“Ethan can be annoying, I would’ve done the same,” I tell him bluntly. “But know that Hayzel is now a big fan of you after what you’ve done to him.”

A laugh escapes his lips as he nods, “Are you a fan too?”

I shake my head, laughing too as I taste the warm coffee. “I’ve been fighting Ethan way before you started doing so.”

“What’s the deal with you two anyway?” He asks me curiously.

“The deal between who?” I ground out.

“You and Bennett.” He says bitterly.

“Nothing,” I replied, turning back to look at him again. “Ethan, Hayzel and I… we grew up together, that’s it.”

“That’s it?” He asks me again, causing me to frown.

“Yep.” I scoff, glancing down at Blue who is looking right back at me. “Why don't you believe me?”

“I don’t like him,” he replies, sounding tired. “I don’t like when people are disrespectful to my students.”

Our eyes meet and for a second I don’t know what to reply.

“Cat got your tongue?” He says, smiling this time.

I feel the sound of Blue’s purring vibrating through my body.

“It’s funny that you’re saying that, knowing he’s also your student, but you still punched him earlier,” I reply as he leans closer to me.

His hands reach out to my chest as he starts caressing Blue’s head that’s peeking out of my hoodie. “Am I not allowed to pick favorites?”

He looks up at me, his warmth invading my space slowly and then he tilts his head. “You don’t talk much when you’re caught off guard.”

“Jealousy shouldn’t be something I should discuss with my instructor, don’t you think?”

“You’re still mad at me,” he says softly.

“You have no idea,” I reply, high on what kept me alive and numb for the last few years.