I stared at the steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of me. Both of my hands cupped them, trying to warm myself up. I was in the Jones’ residence because they offered me a place immediately after finding out that I practically lived alone in my own house.
My phone dinged and I glanced at it, the notification lighting up the screen.
Next match is in 2 days, 8:00pm. Don’t be late -Lev
I chewed on my inner cheek. I hate these kinds of moments where you and your thoughts were left alone. It causes me to overthink too much and builds up the suppressed regret for every choice I’ve made.
A hand landed on my shoulder and I felt a thumb rubbing small circles on my shoulder blades. “What’s got you so tense?” Adam’s voice filled the kitchen as both of his hands landed on my shoulders and started massaging them skillfully.
I sighed in content as I rolled my head back. That’s the spot. I thought happily as his hands kept massaging, moving around and kneading the knots on my arms.
“Case?”
I hummed in response and it took me a moment to realize that he asked me a question.
“Nothing important,” I dismissed nonchalantly and it was. I came out of the fight unscathed with an extra 2 grand that I managed to slip into Carla’s hospital room unnoticed that afternoon while she was having one of her naps. She had been weaker and was in need of more rest as the days flew by. It pained me to see her so frail looking and pale.
You’re doing something to help. My conscience consoled and I nodded mentally at her words. That evening, Adam called me to tell me how an anonymous donor had dropped 2 grand in his mother’s hospital room and I didn’t have to pretend. I was as ecstatic as he was while he talked animatedly on how this can help with the bills piling up.
I smiled sweetly, waving off his concern. “I’m fine,” and I was. I was gold. The fight from the previous night didn’t even leave a scratch on my skin.
“What were you thinking about?” He asked and I could hear the smile in his voice. I felt my body turned rigid ever so slightly before I caught myself and forced it to relax once more.
I wanted so badly to just spew it all out but I knew that he would disapprove of my actions, saying things like it was too dangerous.
It sure didn’t feel like it last night. My conscience reminded and I smiled while my mind reminisce my win over the first round that night.
I locked eyes with my opponent of the night and I eyed him cautiously.
As expected, the guy was ridiculously intimidating. No, scratch that. Let’s be frank here, he was abnormally huge. There, I said it. Abnormally huge with a pea sized head compared to his built.
I watched as he stepped over the ropes instead of slipping through them. I forced myself not to show any signs of emotions. His face was stoic and expressionless while I watched his every move like a hawk and vice versa. I let all my nerves unravel and let my instincts take over.
When the bell rang and the guy started circling me, I stayed still before following his lead, shifting my body to never let him out of my line of sight.
I didn’t take my eyes off him. His eyes narrowed before he finally decided to start the fight by attempting to throw a punch. On his defense, it was a pretty good punch but he was too slow and before he could register a thing that was going on, I dodged the hit by diving in.
I could hear the crowds booing at us for taking so long but as I dove in and swung my hand discreetly beneath me, I knew I hit the right spot once I heard my opponent emit a low groan of pure agony and the crowd falling silent.
The guy was too busy nursing his manhood that I previously hit, to pay attention to my movements. It was a foreign feeling, the silence, but I loved the brief second that sent chills down my spine.
I ignored the cease of noise from the crowd and pinned the guy down in the midst of his pain-filled state, digging my knee onto his chest. I made sure to keep a hand on his neck even though he already looked constipated.
I counted to 8 in my head and a siren went off, muffling the disappointed boos of the crowd in the absence of blood. I hid my disgusted feeling behind a mask of stone.
These people are sick. They watch these kinds of match for fun and to see blood splatter everywhere. But then again, they were the source of 2 grand I was going to get. They bid on who was going to win and I was pretty sure a lot of them bet really high on the man that was being hauled by a stretcher since he was in too much pain to even open his eyes.
I stepped down from the ring, only to be greeted by a grinning Levy. His grin was so damn wide I thought his face was going to rip into two. He had a glint in his eyes, looking at me with newfound admiration. I sent a small smile towards him, feeling like all I wanted to do was to scrub the dirt of this place off my entire body but I promised Levy I was going to stay for his match.
“What the hell was that?” He almost sounded giddy and that brought an amused smile to my face.
I shrugged it off, murmuring a simple “stuff” and his eyes seemed to pop.
“Stuff? Pix, you were ruthless out there! Do you know how painful it is for a man to have his dick being punched?! It hurts like hell. Having a girl do it to you is a bigger bruise to a man’s ego!” He was talking so loud that he was almost shouting. I shot him a glare at the almost sexist statement and the smart dude noticed.
He raised both of his hands up in mock surrender before his name was called and it was now his turn to beat someone up.
‘Or to be beaten’ was the comment my smartass conscience slipped in. I watched Levy step over the ropes, clouding my head with unnecessary doubts.
I seriously hate my conscience sometimes. Levy was a great fighter but everyone’s got an Achilles’ heel.
The night went on with me wincing ever so slightly and tightly clutching my bag every time the other party landed a punch on Levy but when the night was over, Levy was granted winner of the match and he finally returned to my side, exiting the ring and walking towards me with a small smile.
I finally got a look at his bruises which wasn’t much but the split lip would probably be a problem to his tendency on smiling widely. The bruise in his cheek was darkening by the second and a smear of blood was running down the side of his face.
“Don’t worry, it isn’t mine,” he reassured and I simply nodded. We walked back down the stairs to retrieve the prize and to go home into the comfort of our respective beds.
Adam shook me out of my thoughts and I snapped my gaze towards his worried eyes.
“You alright, Case? You keep on spacing out,” concern coated his tone and I smiled at how cute it was when he was worried.
He knows I’m a street fighter and yet he worries about my well-being just because I spaced out on him, the goof was way too uptight for his own good.
“Only for you,” he replied cheekily and I blushed once I realized that I had unconsciously muttered out what I was thinking. I racked my brain to avoid an awkward silence and decided to pretend that he didn’t say anything.
It was the best way to change a topic; act like nothing’s wrong and don’t let them suspect anything then, directly talk about something else that doesn’t have anything to do with the previous topic.
I shook my head, offering him a smile, “I’m fine.”
He finally took a seat beside me, looking a tad bit nervous and I furrowed my eyebrows.
The hell is he nervous for?
“So...” He started and I quirked an eyebrow, not feeling like playing this game.He sighed and sucked in a huge breath as if he was about to duck underwater and have some breath-holding competition.
“I was meaning to ask you if you would like to go somewhere with me this weekend?” Both of my eyebrows shot up at the unexpected question but my mouth stayed zipped and I think it was unsettling him on how I hadn’t said a word.
“I mean,” he looked ready to continue rambling. “You know you don’t have to. I know you’re busy with all the stuff that has been happening lately but I thought that-” I quickly raised my hand and covered his mouth, muffling his words.
“Yes, I’ll go somewhere with you. I’m free this Saturday anyways so why not,” I shrugged and his entire face lit up.
“How does a picnic sound to you?” I shrugged at the question.
“I’ve never had a picnic so,”
I shrugged once more. I couldn’t care less where we’ll be going, as long as it’s got nothing to do with fighting. I needed a break from that.
He smiled at me, the grin stretching his face and looking almost painful.
I smiled back at him before yawning. It was barely ten past 9 but I was too tired to care by then and excused myself to retreat to the guest room and plopped down on the comfortable bed. I didn’t get much sleep after the fight so I didn’t complain when sleep consumed me the second my head hit the pillows.