Heat!

"Fuck! This was going to be the longest three hours of my life"

She dragged herself off the mat, wobbling slightly, and shot West a glare that would've melted a lesser man. He just raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

By the time the first hour passed, Raine's arms felt like noodles and her palms were raw from gripping the staff too tightly. Her ponytail had half fallen out, sweat clung to her spine, and her shirt stuck to places she didn't want to think about.

"Break!" the instructor called.

Raine practically collapsed beside the bleachers. Selena handed her a bottle of water with the solemnity of a funeral priestess.

"Still alive," Raine muttered between gulps. "Barely."

Selena tried not to smile. "You didn't get injured. That's something. My mother would say you have a very beautiful potential"