Fight Like a Girl

b u z z e r

❝Boxers, like prostitutes, are in the business of ruining their bodies for the pleasure of strangers.❞

-Wayne Kelly

“What’s up with you today, Davis?”

“Karen’s coming. To watch me at state.”

Coach swings the pad downward, as if he were punching me in the ribs. I move my body so that he won’t hit me.

“How the hell am I supposed to know who Karen is?”

“She’s my m-” I start to answer, but I catch myself. She isn’t my mom. “Long story. I’ve just had a falling out with her, and I’m not ready to see her again.”

I give a right hook to the pad, duck to make sure I don’t get hit with a body slam, and hit it a few times.

“She’s your what?”

“Long story.”

“I’ve got time, Davis.”

I hit the mat a few more times before Coach drops it. I take off my headgear.

“I don’t feel like telling you. I’m just not ready to face her again, really.”

Coach opens the ring, and I walk out. We have to do a few more practices on the bag, and I’ll be done for the day.

Karen’s been on my mind. Her call an hour ago- at first, I didn’t really think about it. It didn’t seem real. Now, it’s hitting me.

“Well, Davis, I suppose there’s nothing to do now but let it happen. You’ve gotta face your fears at some point in your life. Take it like a m-”

“Don’t go there.”
I run some punches with the bag.

Dear God, how will she react? Will she hug me? Will she even touch me?

Or will she just stand there, her eyes piercing my flesh, smiling at me?

It hurts to think about it.

On my way home, I nearly hit some kid with my car, I’m so lost in thought. When I realize who it is, I almost wish I had hit him.

I can’t hear exactly what he says, but it’s something like-

“Hey, watc- LANE?”

Everett walks around to my window, and taps for me to roll down the window. I do.

“What’s up, state qualifier?” He shoves his hand through the window, as if to high five me. I ignore it.

“What do you want?”

“Seeing that you just nearly ran into me with your car, I don’t want anything. Just saying hello. But apparently you’re gonna be all super pissy, so I don’t want anything.”

I begin to roll my window up.

“Wait!” He shoves his hand in the window, and I stop before cutting of his hand. “I’m coming to watch you this weekend.”

I laugh. Does he think this is a joke? This is state, he can’t just come and mess me up. Their player is out.

“No, you can’t. Sorry.”

“Why not?”

I sigh. I don’t want to tell him, but I don’t have enough energy to come up with some lie. I explain to him that I’ve already got Karen, I call her my “ex-friend,” forcing her way in, and that I don’t need him to bother me.

“Bother you? That’s what you think of me?”

“Yeah, I mean, you aren’t the nicest one around.”

He backs up, and walks around the front of the car. Without being able to do anything, he opens the door and sits in my car.

“What the hell? Get out!”

“No. Drive.”

“No!”

“Well, I’m not getting out until you drive.” I unfasten my seatbelt and reach across him to open the door.

“Get the hell out of my car, now, Everett.” He doesn’t. “Where do you want me to drive to, anyways?”

He shuts the door.

“Get on the highway. Just drive.”

“My Dad’s gonna wonder where I am,”

“Just. Drive.”

I put the car in drive, and release my foot from the brake. I’m a bit nervous as to what Everett’s up to.

“Look, you’re not that hot. And I don’t like your personality, so I’m not sure why I still talk to you. I can see why you can’t put up with me, but I don’t know why I still hang around you.”

I ignore his first comment. I’m still confused as to why he needed me to drive. I get onto the highway.

“I don’t know either. What’s your point?”

“My point is that you should be grateful to have a friend like me.”

“I don’t need friends.”

“You’re gonna need them at some point in your life, Lane. One day, you’re just going to have some realization that friends are necessary.”

I bite my lip. I try not to lash back at him, even though I know he’s absolutely wrong. I have family.

“Pull onto this exit!” I do. “Pull into Burger King’s parking lot.”

“Why?”

“I want a burger.” I’m about to turn around. “You do too.”

I do. I need something a bit greasy in my life.

So I pull into the parking lot, and we order burgers in the drive thru.

“See what I mean? Friends.”

It feels weird, having a friend again. I don’t even like Everett. But I guess he’s alright.

“Sure. You can come to my meet.”

He drops his burger and rips my face into his, kissing me. Not, like, a sloppy kiss, just a quick peck on the lips.

I slap him.

“Friends, you idiot!”

He chuckles.

“I just wanted to see your reaction.”

“Shithead,” I mumble, just so he can hear me.

*AN: if you ship them I will punch you in the f**king face. he's still a butthole.*