I knew that, if I wanted things to stay the way they were, I had to say no.

The problem was that if I was anything, it was weak for Noelle Daniels.

“Okay,” I said. “But only if you promise to tell me as soon as something hurts and that you won’t take it too far.”

“Promise,” she immediately said.

And that was how, ten minutes later, I found myself standing in the empty gymnasium again, the scent of rubber and maple wood familiar by now. This time, I barely hesitated before I met Noelle on the blue gym mats.

“What are we doing today?”

“I think it’s best if we start with something easy,” I said. “I’m going to show you how you can keep someone at a distance, for situations like the thing at the party.”

Even while I was speaking, Noelle was already getting into fighting stance. “Cool. What do I have to do?”

“Just step a little closer to me.”

Noelle did as I said, until she was only inches from touching me, the tips of her sneakers almost pressing against mine.

Her eyes were locked with mine, searching my face. Under their inquiring gaze, I did the opposite of what I really wanted: I lifted my arm and blocked her with a forearm to her chest, stopping her from getting any closer.

“This is what you have to do,” I said softly. “And if that doesn’t work just slide your arm farther up so it’s pressing against your attacker’s neck.”

Noelle swallowed. “Okay, sounds easy. Can I try?”

Nodding, I dropped my arm.

Noelle pressed hers against my chest and then very slowly moved it to my neck, the entire time watching me carefully to make sure she wasn’t hurting me. She wasn’t. If anything, being this close to her made my head spin in a way that was everything but bad.

Forcing myself to take a step back, I said, “Good. Um . . . are you up for something more serious?”

“Up-For-Something-Serious is my middle name.”

A nervous chuckle slipped past my lips. “Can you put your hands around my neck?”

Noelle’s eyes widened almost comically at that. “Are you sure?

I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.”

She didn’t seem convinced but stepped closer and carefully placed her hands on my neck.

I inhaled sharply as soon as she touched me, fingertips featherlight against my skin.

“A little tighter.” I hoped she didn’t notice that my voice was seconds away from cracking. “Pretend you’re choking me.”

“Kinky,” Noelle said, breathing a laugh that sounded just as shaky as I felt. A moment later, her grip tightened a little bit, just enough for me to feel her fingers around my neck.

“What you want to do,” I said, “Is lift one arm, twist your body at a 90-degree angle, and crouch down while simultaneously slamming your arm down. That way you get your attacker’s hands off your neck and trap them with your other arm. This will allow you to strike them in the face with your elbow.”