“Is it too much of an effort to answer me Eliza?" he taunted.
“No.., no sorry. I'm desperate for a wee now though. Can I please go to the toilet?”
I looked at him beseechingly, but he just raised his eyebrows.
“Sir." I added quickly. Hitting myself mentally. To my relief he did finally let me go. I was so rubbish at this. The next three days were going to be hell.
When I came out of the bathroom I saw Zaphire sitting on the sofa, next to Zack. They were in a heavy discussion, but stopped immediately when they sensed me. Zaphire's eyes lit up when she noticed me, but they also betrayed guilt. I knew for sure now that it was her who had reported me to Markus. My emotions rose up inside me and I wasn't sure if I could hold them in check. I was truly annoyed with her, but loved the way she had looked at me, all excited to see me. I was struck by her beauty every time I saw her and I couldn't keep the butterflies out of my belly.
I felt embarrassed when I had to ask Zack permission to sit down on the empty chair. I noticed Zaphire throwing Zack a questioning look. He obviously hadn't yet discussed his decision, to teach me a military style crash course on discipline and respect.
“Oh, I see." Zaphire looked me over, which made my hair stand up.
“Can we speak?" she asked Zack uncertainly.
“If she wants to after that stunt you pulled on us, sister." he winked.
“But she will have to ask me for permission first.”
He looked at me, his face devoid of any emotion. I felt like sinking into the ground there and then, face burning once again. It was just so humiliating. However, I gritted my teeth and asked for permission to speak with Zaphire, which he allowed. He wasn't going to be a total arse, then. Zaphire took my hand and knelt beside me.
“I am so sorry it turned out the way it did for you, my sweet. I told Markus out of concern for you, and he said he would just have a word with you and Zack. Had it not been for my annoying dick of a brother blowing his head off at our leader...."
She glared at Zack.
“You wouldn't have had to stay in that damned isolation cell for hours!”
“Not that she learned anything from it." grumbled Zack.
“Hence the predicament she got herself in. I had no choice." he said almost apologetically to Zaphire.
I wished I could tell him I understood, but that wouldn't be enough. I needed to show him I could do this, without having an outburst, be in total control of myself. Instead I focussed on Zaphire. Her hand on mine filled me with intense pleasure and I had already totally forgiven her.
“No worries, Zaphire, I probably deserve this.”
I waved my hands around to signify the situation I was in.
“Probably?" Zack interrupted sarcastically, rolling his eyes at Zaphire.
“See what I mean Sis?" he added, annoyed.
He really wasn't happy with me. Everything I said was wrong in his eyes.
“Okay Sir, I meant I totally deserve this." I couldn't help myself again.
“Sorry Sir, I didn't mean to sound sarcastic. It's a habit. So sorry.”
I hoped I had been quick enough to avoid his wrath and luckily it looked like I got away with it as he stood up and poured himself a drink. Zaphire, though, looked at me with naughty twinkly eyes.
“I didn't think I could like you even more, sweets, but you have me hooked.”
She gave me a little wink. Zack gave her a withering look as he heard of course despite the whispering. Zaphire couldn't have really thought he wouldn't have heard. But she just smiled at him, and though he wasn't happy, he left her alone, shrugging his shoulders.
“As we haven't done a lot of physical exercise today, we will do a session now. Get it in before dinner. Go and get changed Eliza and I will get you a water bottle. You haven't drunk enough today, so you need to make sure you take sips throughout.”
He motioned for Zaphire to leave.
“See you tomorrow Zaphy.”
She gave him a tender hug and waved bye to me whilst blowing me a kiss.
“Good luck Eli. You can do this!" she shouted whilst Zack pushed her out the door, now quite forcefully.
That was the first time she called me Eli, what all my friends call me at home. It felt good.
I thought Zack had put me through my paces before, but that had been nothing compared to what I endured in this last session. I didn't think I could walk, sit or lay down ever again! I bit through it though, determined not to be beaten. I wanted to impress Zack and him to be proud of me again. However, he still didn't show any emotion towards me. He was just the hard task master he had earned his reputation for, which I admired in him, but hated.
I wondered if he'd ever treat me more like a friend again, someone he cared for. I suppose I had to keep showing him I did respect him and that I was capable of following orders without arguing or questioning everything. I knew it wasn't all about me, he also had to prove to himself and Markus that he could handle me and train me so that I would be a useful and trustworthy member to our community, worthy of being a Sensorian.
The rest of the evening panned out as I had feared. Zack still insisted on me asking permission to do anything. And he picked up on every tiny little thing I did. I hoped he would get tired of it himself but, oh boy, was I wrong. He was absolutely relentless. Then he started ordering me to do useless tasks as well, and I have to say I nearly lost it when he asked me to take all my clothes out
