Chapter 4: Just Like Dancing

Briony's POV

I nodded and took my stance. Better to see what she could do first - I stayed defensive.

Layla threw a straight punch at my face. Fast, but telegraphed. I dodged left, noting her solid footwork.

"Nice reflexes," she said, switching angles immediately.

For the next few exchanges, I stuck to defense. Layla had decent fundamentals - someone had trained her well. But compared to what I dealt with daily, this felt manageable.

Victoria and her crew didn't pull punches when they came for me.

"Are you testing me?" Layla stopped mid-attack, irritation flashing in her eyes. "Don't treat me like I'm made of glass - show me what you've got!"

I hesitated. Real fighting meant attention. Attention meant trouble.

But looking at her genuine expression, something in me cracked. I was tired of always hiding, always holding back.

Just once, I decided. Let me actually fight.

Benjamin's POV

I was sparring with Noah, but kept getting distracted by the pair next to us.

Briony and the new girl were starting their match. Honestly, I'd barely noticed Noah's sister before - she was like background noise, always there but never really seen.

Today felt different though. Maybe having Layla around made her seem more... present.

"Focus, Ben." Noah's fist grazed my cheek. "What's got your attention?"

I blocked his follow-up, glancing over as Briony began her counterattack. Her movement...

"Hold up." I stopped completely, turning toward their fight.

Noah followed my gaze and frowned. "What?"

I couldn't answer. I was too busy watching Briony move.

She wasn't just fighting - she was flowing. Every dodge perfectly timed, every strike clean and precise. The speed was incredible, but it had this strange elegance to it.

"Has she always been this good?" I asked.

Noah went quiet for a moment. "I... honestly don't know."

Around us, other people started stopping too. Everyone was getting drawn to this match, including Christopher, Maxwell, and Ethan.

"Damn," Ethan whistled. "That new girl's got skills. Look at those reflexes."

Typical Ethan - always focused on the pretty girls. But he wasn't wrong. Layla was holding her own against whatever Briony was throwing at her.

"It's not just Layla," Maxwell said thoughtfully. "Look at Briony's technique. That's not regular training field stuff."

He was right. Every move showed real combat experience. These weren't textbook techniques - this was survival instinct, the kind you only developed when it mattered.

"Look at their speed," Christopher said. "It's like watching a dance."

It really was. The two girls moved together like they'd choreographed it, but I could tell it was pure improvisation. They were having a conversation with their bodies.

"Noah," I had to ask, "what kind of training does your sister usually do?"

He shook his head, looking uncomfortable. "Basic stuff, and... Dad doesn't really discuss her with me."

Strange. As the Beta's daughter, Briony should have been getting attention. But from Noah's reaction, her home situation seemed...

"Little Lightning's been holding out on us," Ethan said suddenly.

"Little Lightning?" I looked at him.

"Just came to me," he grinned. "Look at that speed - it's like lightning."

I rolled my eyes, but the nickname actually fit.

Right then, Briony made her final move. She feinted toward Layla's head, then switched direction the second Layla raised her guard, using her other hand to break Layla's balance completely.

The whole sequence was smooth and brutal at the same time.

"I'm done," Layla said, breathing hard but grinning. "You got me."

Applause broke out, with Griffin clapping first. "Now that's what I want to see!"

I watched Briony's reaction. The moment everyone looked at her, she shrank back into herself - shoulders hunched, eyes down, like she wanted to disappear.

That contrast made me frown. Why would someone with those skills try so hard to stay invisible?

"Let's go check it out," Ethan said, already heading toward Layla.

We followed. Up close, I got a better look at Briony. Her cheek was swollen like she'd been hit with something. And despite trying to hide it, she was favoring one side, like she was in pain.

"That was sick, Little Lightning!" Ethan said enthusiastically, though his eyes kept drifting to Layla. "That last move was beautiful!"

Briony stared at him, clearly surprised by the nickname.

"Yeah," Christopher nodded. "The timing on that leverage move was perfect."

I kept watching her reactions. She seemed more confused by praise than she had been facing attacks. This girl had too many secrets.

"Do you always hide what you can do?" I asked.

She looked at me, panic flashing in those smoky blue eyes. "I..."

"Alright, stop crowding her," Noah cut in, though his expression was complicated as he looked at his sister. "Training's over. Everyone go change."

Watching Briony hurry away, I found myself thinking. This girl we'd all ignored for years - what else was she hiding?

"Hey Ben," Ethan nudged me. "What do you think of Layla?"

"What?" I snapped back to attention.

"Layla," his eyes lit up. "She's gorgeous, can fight, has attitude. I think I'm smitten."

Maxwell snorted. "You fall for someone new every week."

"This is different!" Ethan protested. "I'm gonna ask her out. And since she's friends with Little Lightning, we'll have plenty of chances to hang around."

So Ethan wanted to get close to Briony to chase Layla.

"Don't use her," I said, feeling annoyed for some reason.

"Who said anything about using her?" Ethan held up his hands. "We should get to know Noah's sister better anyway. Haven't we ignored her long enough?"

He had a point, but something still bothered me about it.

Looking at that distant figure, I decided to pay more attention to this mysterious girl.

Briony's POV

Walking off the training field, my legs were shaking. Not from the exercise - from the silver burns screaming across my back. Every step felt like being set on fire again.

"You're incredible," Layla said as we walked. "You have to teach me that balance-breaking thing!"

"Maybe later." I kept my answer vague. Right now I just wanted to get home and treat these wounds.

We reached the locker room and I looked around quickly. Good - Victoria and her crew weren't here yet. Maybe I'd catch a break for once.

"I'm gonna use that booth," I said, grabbing my clothes.

"You know you don't have to hide every time you change, right?" Layla pulled me back.

"I'm used to it." I avoided her eyes. If she saw the scars covering my back, the questions would never stop.

She sighed. "Fine, but hurry up. I'll wait outside."