Chapter 36 Mia

• To distract myself from the maddening ache for Nathan, I decided to do some light training. Mrs. Harrisburg had insisted I stay away from anything too intense, given the unpredictable state of my energy, so I stuck to basic combat drills. Right now, I was sparring with her, toe to toe—at least, that’s what I thought until she managed to lock me up in an arm hold I didn’t see coming.
• “No, Mia,” she said, exasperated. “You’re still distracted. You left yourself wide open. Have you forgotten everything we worked on over the last nine months?” Her tone was sharp, chastising, and I felt the sting of her words. Staring down at the ground, I focused on her bright pink combat boots rather than meet her gaze. She wasn’t wrong; my focus was completely off.
• With a sigh, she released me, and I straightened up, noticing how I’d had to bend slightly because I’m actually taller than her. It made the lock that much more awkward and reminded me of just how off-balance I’d become.