"Any higher?"
"Up a bit," I reply, my eyes locking firmly against his.
"If you're sure." I see a sly grin on Alex's face and I feel irritation grow inside me.
"Positive." I crouch slightly, looking up at his face with unfaltering resolve.
The pad's at eye level now and I launch forwards, quickly twisting my body to the side, connecting the ball of my bare foot against the stiff material, forcing it back against his arm.
I land it well, rotating my body slowly, returning to a crouch. Smirking quietly to myself. "How's that?"
"Well done," he concedes, "Now, my turn."
He casually throws the pad over to me and I strap it quickly to my wrist. The coarse fabric rubbing against the bare skin beneath my uniform.
I raise it upwards above my head, feeling the cool uniform graze my flesh. I see his gaze follow my movements until he focuses his attention on the pad. Shifting his balance, he rotates into the quick movement, turning and launching his foot into the air.
He misses.
I see his cheeks rise in colour as he steps back, turning away from me in annoyance, he shakes his head forcefully, beads of sweat dripping to the tips.
"Come on now, you need to relax a bit" I croon softly.
He turns round again, once more launching himself into the air. His foot skimming the edge of the pad, but he misses direct contact.
Again, he falls back, his body tense now, he glares up at me and I know he's lost it.
He tries again; now it's too predictable. I watch coolly as his body resists against his growing anger.
"And Guman," The instructor calls, bringing us back to the front of the hall. "Any questions? No? Okay then, charyot, kyong ye." We bow slowly, before being dismissed.
I chat to a couple of the girls as we make our way to the back of the hall, my eyes drifting casually across the room to where Alex undoes his belt and turns to take of his uniform top. I feel my eyes drawn suddenly to the sight of his broad shoulders and the neatly defined biceps. There's something about his body, youthful but with a firmness that makes my breath catch in my throat. I look away quickly as he catches my gaze, raising a quizzical eyebrow towards me.
Feeling my cheeks growing hot, I turn away hastily to undo my belt. I pull off my jacket, standing in my vest top and trousers, securely facing the wall. Too embarrassed to look back round, I take fervent gulps at my water, feeling the icy tendrils snake down my throat.
"I've got to rush off, will you make sure the lights are off and the latch is set when you leave?" I turn around in shock, looking up at the instructor, surprised to see that everyone has gone.
"Oh, yes, okay,"
He gives me a bemused smile before nodding and leaving.