I walk ahead to no where in particular. I don't know where else I can go besides the training room so I head back there hoping Cassandra will not follow but as expected she does. I pull the door open and take a wide step across the threshold but when I see her do the same I stop in my tracks and pull her out with me.

It seems people have noticed my sleeping arrangements and I do not want to draw unnecessary attention to myself by bringing a paramour into the training center, afraid the others might draw the same conclusion as Leslie had.

Suddenly a palpable hatred for him consumes me and my hands bundle into tight fists by my sides.

"Why are you being so evasive? You have a Plutonian boyfriend. Big deal," Cassandra shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly but her expression is full of disbelief and surprise.

I know she's shocked and it only makes me want to avoid this conversation even more.

I dig my heels into the soft stones that divide the walkways in the garden outside the training center. A small asymmetrical fountain stands awkwardly in the middle of the court yard. A trickle of clear water runs down from the top and its stream widens towards the base before it seeps into the ground.

The structure makes me think of myself. The secrets I keep inside bubble up and boil over waiting to trickle out and expose me for who I am.

A fraud and a sell out.

I know deep down that this is why I can't bring myself to admit it out loud. I have always hated the Plutonian's and when I joined to be a fighter I never thought I would need to be in this situation to get to where I wanted.

I think of Lucian's serious face when he reinforced that we were to pretend to be lovers to everyone outside the four walls of his room and I had agreed without thinking of how that would make me look.

Of how that would make me feel.

Even though it is a lie, the fact that everyone would soon know that I was "sleeping" with a Plutonian made me sick to my stomach. I jab my foot into the pool of pebble stones and my toe stings slightly at the impact.

"I am," My throat throbs painfully as I manage to choke out the words and it feels like I have coughed up blood.

I look up at Cassandra and the surprise on her face seems to have doubled which only makes me feel worse.

"Please don't tell anyone, especially Stela," I cover my face with my hands and sink to the floor not wanting to look at her or anywhere else in particular. "I'll never hear the end of it."

She sits down next to me and clears her throat softly. "There's nothing wrong with having a Plutonian boyfriend. I mean they are better looking that the human boys by ten fold and I'm sure you have a valid reason. He must be very nice."

An image of Lucian smiling warmly as he greets me in the morning with artificial sun light casting an ethereal glow over his silver head flashes before my eyes and I almost agree but then I see him pick up a needle and try to jab it into my eye.

My left eye twitches at the memory.

"Yes, I do have a valid reason. You need to believe me. I was never interested. You know," I start to blabber incoherently and my chest feels tight as I wonder why I am trying so hard to convince her.

"Yes, I know at least that much about you. It was always obvious," She shifts her gaze to the same fountain that looks like it is leaning a little to much to the left, it's balance a mystery. "I guess you must really like him. Or he has offered you something valuable."

She knows. She knows about the trade system that went on behind the bleachers in the arena and the thin walls in the training center.

"Who is he?" Her eyes gleam in curiosity and I feel a bubble form in my chest that sucks in all the air and then expands till I can't breathe.

Of all the questions I anticipated, that is the one I want to answer the least.

"Someone in the army?"

I look around and place my palms flat on the rough surface that I am sitting on. I want to leave and throw knives at a wall. It felt much better than talking about this.

"Oh come on. Why are you being so secretive? I told you it's no big deal. My handler told me it was common for fighters to pair up with Plutonians so that they may be nominated to their squads. I know that must be the only reason why you have done so," Cassandra insists. "There's no need to be so embarrassed. People talk and everyone will find out eventually."

I squeeze my eyes shut and nod my head in agreement. She is right and no matter how much I hate it a small part of me knows it will come out eventually. I just wish I could prolong it somehow.

"So who is it? Who is your night in shining armor?" She jokes and I can't help but feel like she is mocking me.

"You know I won't stop till you tell me," She smiles innocently and my heart softens at the sight. "Friends should be able to talk about girly stuff like this, right?"

The word friend stuns me for a second and I stare at her wide eyed. It is as if she has opened up a deep wound that I have forgotten about; the loneliness I have felt ever since I got here. I want to be able to talk to someone, to confide in another human being and finally I sigh in defeat. This is not the secret I have carried with me for years and it is not the secret I will take to my grave.

This secret is harmless compared to the dangerous hope I carry around with me at every waking moment.

"Fine, but you must promise not to tell anyone," I say firmly. "Promise upon your parents."

The smile on her face disappears as I mention them. Her eyes fall to the ground but there is no sadness in them or longing, only acceptance which I have seen in many other slaves eyes.

"I promise, even though they may not even be alive anymore," She answers in a flat tone devoid of emotion and my heart freezes as a deadly cold shiver ices my veins. I have never thought of my family's fate that way and it nearly paralyzes me.

I swallow her doubts and imagine myself spitting them out not wanting to even think of it. It has only been eleven years, they had to be alive. I was counting on it.

"Well who is it then? Someone I know?" She breaks me from my worries and I nod.

"Lucian X." I only say one word and she stares at me unblinking.

"You're kidding me," Cassandra's mouth falls open in disbelief. "That's impossible. He's never had--."

I wave a hand and cut her off. "Yes, I know. I was as surprised as you are." I walk back to the doors to the training center and turn around to see her rooted in place.

"Why you though?" Her question surprises me and for a second I catch a brief moment of awe on her face.

"I don't know. Remember, don't tell anyone," I warn.

"Don't worry I won't but I'm not going to lie, I can't wait to see the look on Stela's face when she finds out," She smiles devilishly before turning around and walking back to the recreation room. "Good luck at practice, Aria!"

I shake my head and decide that no matter how much I like Cassandra, I will not hesitate to punch her pretty face if she breaks her promise. The thought of Stela's tantrum when she would find out does not bring me any joy.

I walk down the corrugated pathways inter spaced between training cubicles and look around for somewhere to train. When I find the punching bags, I go to them and begin kicking and punching till my hands and legs are sore from exertion. It feels good to punch out my emotions instead of expressing them.

Once I feel like I am about to pass out I walk to the water supply and fill my container with water. I lift the rim to my mouth and take a few large gulps of water to quench my thirst.

"I think you may want to watch the next combat session," Leslie makes me jump and scowl at him as he appears out of no where.

I walk away, not wanting to talk to him or worse; punch his scrawny face. I have to take a deep breath to calm myself when I realize he is still walking by my side.

"Don't you want to check out your competition?" He asks innocently and I have to roll my eyes.

"Do you have a problem with me?" I stop in my tracks and eye him angrily.

"A problem? With you? That's impossible," He smirks down at me and lifts his eyebrows in disbelief. "You are so likable."

His words drip with sarcasm but he has lost my attention.

I see a tiny girl jump almost five feet high and land on the edge of the combat ring. She climbs over the thick ropes and lands on her feet silently. Across from her a tall boy walks up the stairs and settles into the ring as well.

I absent mindedly move to the stands that face the ring and I can see others have already sat down to watch.

She leans against the ropes behind her and twists her wrists. I am shocked at how tiny she is compared to her tall opponent. She must be barely five feet and her body is so small I almost feel afraid for her.

The bell rings and I have to blink rapidly as she catapults into the air and charges at her opponent who holds his fists out defensively.

She moves like the wind, within a few seconds she jumps on top of him. She swings her body around him and wraps her legs around his neck as he struggles to get her off him. She then brings her head down to his ear. Goosebumps erupt across my skin as he lets out a piercing shriek and when she lifts her head I see blood on her lips.

The whistle blows and the instructor reprimands her.

"Not here, Christina. Save it for the match," He shouts and she shrugs her shoulders and jumps off her opponent who is clutching the side of his head. Blood drips from his ear which thankfully is still intact but he rushes off the ring and out the training center.

"Mighty Aria, who wishes to join the army. Are you ready for that?" Leslie's smug voice echoes from my side but I can't keep eyes off the nightmarish girl who saunters off the ring with a small smile on her face as she wipes her blood stained lips.

Will I ever be ready for that?

Heyy, sorry for the delay. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! And what do you think about Christina? Do you think Aria can take her?