Courting The Champion

4 - Tell Me Bout U

Six hours of training is some' a nigga gon have to get used to. That's if I want to make it big in this industry and make it to the Hall of Fame. I already have a fight lined up this Friday. It's goin to be my first stage as a signed fighter.

It's going to give me the chance to prove that I am indeed  a worthy opponent to guys like Max Reider and Brody Sanchez who hold more than forty two consecutive wins in a single year against world champions. So this ain't no child's play like 'em little fights we held in the streets. I think I can git far if I apply all the physics that Trevor share with me.

There's a World Title at the end of the year which is a couple of months away. Max Reider is the man to beat. Who currently holds that title. Trying to take it from him with me being a boxing rookie is like reaching for the sun. But that's the thing 'bout me. Niggas will take one look at me and decide I ain't shit. I been underestimated my whole life.

That gon' be my advantage. No one will look at me as real competition and in turn come under prepared. But I will give it all I got. I got me a lot of work to do this year. I need to have won seven matches in order to qualify for the 'Qualifiers Round' to git in the actual World Title Match. The World Title match is in eight months. That mean I can only lose one fight. Two strikes and I ain't  qualifying this year. My first match is this Friday. If I win that shit, I got one out of seven down.

It's six pm when I head to the gym showers. It's still feeling like a dream how I went from fighting in the street for quick cash to gittin signed by a big agency and now a nigga aiming for world titles and shit. Now I just gotta prove that I belong here.

As I prepare to leave, I see that Arabelle is putting bits of pieces in her handbag. It look like she 'bout to leave too.

“Hey.” I start slowly. She gives me a small smile and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Hello,” she says simply.

“I would offer you a ride home but I ain't got no car,” I say tryna break the ice. She actually gives me a full smile, that show her nice teeth. Her smile is cute. A bit child like. I just can't look away.

“You cannnnn... Call me an Uber?” she says with a little laugh and I join her.

She grabs her purse and I walk side by side with her. It's a slow silent walk to the exit.

“So you work here full time? Or do you just come in here sometime?” I ask curiosly and she gives a small shrug, she looks at me then looks up in thought. I wait a few seconds for her to speak.

“Well. I only come here when I don't have classes. It's uhm... Kind of a pocket money type of thing.”

I look up at her in surprise. She a student? Looking at her again she sure look like a college girl. Skinny jeans, sweater, Vans, glasses, pony tail. She look the look.

“Really? What's your major?” I ask and she bites her lip with a small smile.

“Law.” I stop in my tracks.

“You a law student? I didn't peg you as the dangerous type. You know lawyers are dangerous right. Justice and shit?” I express loudly and she laughs out loud. She moves closer.

“Whaaat? That's like the biggest misconception ever! I want to become a lawyer because I believe there are a lot of people who become victims of the law. Which is insane right? Because the law was made to protect everyone..” she pauses  to check if I'm listening. I still am. I can't look away.

“Prosecutors, judges. They all have become biased right? There are people wrongfully accused, that can't afford good legal representatives and they get stuck with the useless public defenders who could care less. I want to be a useful public defender,” she says in one breath and I nod in understanding seeing the passion in her big brown eyes.

“That's a lotta big words there shorty!” I joke and she laughs. I like a girl that can laugh at my jokes.

“But I hear you. I haven't had an easy life. If I was ever in a position where I'm up against a powerful dude and I'm just me. I would really want someone who cares that I git fair judgment, know?” I  say and she's looking at me with the biggest smile.

She nods.

“Yeah.” Her voice is low and sweet this time. We just had a moment and she know it. I haven't had such a genuine conversation with somebody other than Troy and Lance in ages. Feels nice. She definitely gits my attention.

There's actually a lotta traffic outside and the streets seem all busy and shit. I guide her slowly, not making it obvious that I'm touching her. We stand at the side of the road and she looks up at me. She's so short.

“Well, it was nice talking to you Andrew.”

The way shorty say my name make me feel some typa way. I laugh awkwardly and scratch the back of my neck.

I nod. I put my two fingers in my mouth and  whistle, stopping a taxi for her. She look at me all weird. She ain't never seen that before in real life? This is how we holler at chicks in the streets.

A blue cab stop in front of us and I open the door for shorty.

“Bye.” she say.

“Yeah have a goodnight. Later,” I shut the door and watch the damn taxi move off. Then I start my walk back to my apartment which convinietly is on the other side of town. This what they call the long walk to freedom homie.

Five minutes in my walk and a nigga legs can't have it no more. I hail for a cab. As soon as I get home I jump in 'em sheets. Sleep more important than anything nigga!

I sigh.

“Arabelle, Arabelle, Arabelle.” I say then shut my eyes.