"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.