Thoughts and Doubts

“Fine.” Selena agreed bitterly, admitting that Samson had a fair point.

Slowly, she looked up and straightened her back, feeling the dull aching from the crash spread from her spine to the sides of her ribcage. Once she had finished stretching she looked forwards, getting a faceful of fingers and palm instead of the expected sight of the destroyed ring.

Samson lowered his hand further. “Here.” he said as he extended more.

Unsure of what to do, Selena continued to stare at his hand. She studied the green veins bulging from it and the blistered fingers on it.

After waiting for a few moments Samson pushed her, “Well, are you going to take it or just keep staring at it?” Samson said annoyingly. 

Timidly, Selena touched his hand. Once she had made contact with his fingertips, Samson latched onto it and heaved her up.

“AAH!” Selena shouted, the pull had sent a sharp pain through her spine, “Can’t you be more gentle!”

Samson shrugged before making his way back towards the ring. As he walked back Selena noticed a trail of deep red following him. “What are you going to do about that?” She asked, pointing to his still bleeding arm.

Samson brought it up to his face as he continued walking towards the ring. “It’ll stop eventually.” He studied it, having suffered worse wounds before.

A flash of annoyance danced across Selena’s face as she rolled her eyes. She made her way to the far right mirror and pushed against it. With a sharp click it opened revealing a shelved closet. From one of the middle rows she grabbed a red bag and threw it at Samson.

“I’d rather not have blood stains on my carpet.” She said.

With a smile Samson caught the bag and began attending to his wound. “Worried about me?” Samson teased.

“Like hell I am.” Selena retorted.

With pace, Selena entered the ring. She walked up behind Samson as he finished wrapping the bandages around his arm. “So.” She started.

Samson ignored her and continued working.

“So!” She said a bit louder.

“So.” Samson echoed this time, closing the red bag and standing up.

She shook her head and looked around as if he was missing something.

Samson mirrored before realizing he was still holding the red bag. “Ah, here.” He said as he tossed it to her.

“NOT THAT!” She snapped, “ASK ME SOMETHING!!”

He remembered his prize for winning but a part of him deep inside held him back from asking her a question. It felt as if it were something Lycan would do without hesitation but Samson couldn’t muster up the heart nor the ability to ask her anything. Instead he smiled, “I’ll save it for another day.” He said as he turned around and left, making his way downstairs and into the basement.

What just happened? Selena asked Penny, dumbfounded by Samson’s decision.

I believe you just got rejected, Penny responded.

Selena rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She mumbled as she made her way into her room, grabbed her towel and headed towards the bathroom. 

Once inside she took her shirt off and looked at the large bruise on her back. “Jeez, he really did try to kill me.” She said when she saw the giant black mark that stretched downwards from her shoulder blades to her lower spine. 

He held back, Penny responded.

Selena fully undressed and entered the shower. “What do you mean he held back, clearly he didn’t.” She responded.

Right before he threw me, he pulled his punch, Penny told her.

Selena went silent as she washed herself.

After a few more moments of silence Penny started again. Selena dear, what do you think of that man? She asked.

“He’s an arrogant, self-centered weirdo like all the others, who thinks he can woo me with status and strength.” She responded quickly.

Out of all the men that have come to win you over, Penny started, He seems to be the most different.

“That’s cause weird can’t be understood.” Selena retorted.

As strange as it is to say, I believe he cares about you, Penny said.

Without a word, Selena finished her shower and stepped out, drying herself and wrapping the towel around her chest before staring at herself in the mirror. She studied her white hair that she despised for being different from others and glared at her blue eyes that separated her from her father.

She took a shaky breath and looked into her eyes, seeing Penny in them, staring back at her. “Weird can’t be understood…” She whispered.

                                                                      ***

After Samson had made his way down, he laid down in the old wooden bed and brought his hands behind his head. He stared emptily at the ceiling, unsure and out of his depth. “Was that the right thing to do Skull?” He asked.

Silence followed.

“You there bud?” Samson asked.

Boy, in matters of the heart, warriors are useless, Skull responded.

Samson scoffed, expecting no less. “Some would argue warriors are the best suited, having a powerful enough heart to withstand anything, even rejection.” Samson retorted.

Now Skull scoffed, That may be true, but in that case neither you nor I are warriors, we’re both just heartless murderers… Skull finished.

Samson closed his eyes and smiled a sad smile. “You got that right…” He murmured.

More silence followed.

“Six more days to get her to fall in love with me… ” Samson mumbled.

You mean Lycan… Skull’s voice sounded sleepy and distant.

“Right… Lycan…” A wave of drowsiness washed over Samson, “Let’s hope that boy… can do something…”

Silence followed, eventually being replaced by rhythmic breathing and a quiet ambiance.

                                                                      ***

The next morning Selena woke up early and made her way down, still wearing an oversized t-shirt and shorts. Once she was on the staircase she could hear her mother hissing something to her father. Upon sight of her, the two stopped talking.

“Good morning dear.” Her father said. He had on his usual attire, a shirt with a pattern and some blue pants.

“Good morning.” Selena responded as she grabbed a piece of toast and some eggs.

A silence washed over them before her father cleared his throat. “Dear, how free are you today?” He asked.

Quickly, Selena ran through her schedule before realizing that all her meetings had been canceled due to Samson. “I’m free the whole day today.” She answered.

“Good,” He readjusted himself, “Anthony is being… hard to deal with today so could you run an errand for me today?” He asked.

Realizing that’s what they had been talking about, a faint wave of relief fell over her. “Of course, where do I have to go?” She asked.

“City hall, I need you to deliver a letter for me,” He said.

Selena nodded, understanding it wasn’t anything too complicated.

“And also, bring Lycan with you.” He added.

Panic swelled up inside her. “What!” She shouted.