Courting The Champion

26 - Round One

Andrew

I messed up big time, I knew that the moment I snapped at Arabelle, but her letting me walk out by myself to one of the most important fights of my life shows me the extent of my mistake. I shut the door behind me and walk to my car, ironically, in defeat.

The door opens behind me as I throw my duffle bag into the passenger seat. I turn around curiously and she's staring at me with her arms folded on her chest. She remains silent, but her facial expression is expectant. I look down at my sneakers, hands in pocket and let out a sigh.

“I don't know what I was thinking, I didn't mean that. I just — I knew I was overworking myself but I was in denial. You saying it out loud kind of made it real for me that I was afraid of going out and losing today. I'm still afraid and I'm sorry... I'm sorry for raising my voice at you and for saying all that stuff. I'm sorry shorty,” I say remorseful, holding her unnerving gaze. She keeps her lips in a straight line.

She breathes a sigh after a while and walks closer to me, her arms falling to her side. She holds my gaze.

“I know that I'll never understand your sport Andrew. I'll never know just how much training and skill you need to have to make it in that ring, but I care about you and I'll always tell you when I feel like you need to take it easy a little. You don't always have to go full throttle everyday. You're not new at it, and I know you're busy but I still need you. To spend time with you and to feel like I do matter to you,” she says with a low and shaky voice, desperation in her gaze. I grab her small and soft hands.

“You do matter to me, a whole lot. I might do a better job than you at hiding it—” I say with a side smile  and she rolls her eyes playfully.

“—but I need you. I can't imagine life living without you and yeah shorty I've been selfish in not showing it to you but.. I love you, I'm in love with you, only you and I've always known it but have just been too selfish to tell you. I know you love me even when you don't say it because you let me in so easy, without hiding anything. And I'll be more like you from now on,” I say sincerely, and her eyebrows knit together in emotion as her eyes start to water.

“I love you Andrew. I love you too,” she says in tears. She presses on me closing in, into an embrace. I hold her tight and lower my head, my chin resting over her shoulder.

She pulls back and laughs as she wipes off her tears. My heart beats violently in my chest for this lovely creature in front of me. I never want to see her cry over something like this again.

She deserves nothing but love and happiness. I feel very lucky that she wants these things from me, and I'm more than willing to give them and more to her. Whenever she needs it, I'll take some time off and spend it with her. I'll listen to whatever she has to say and I'll give her anything she wants or I will die trying to get it for her. So this is what it feels like to be loved.

I really have come a long way and I don't even know how I can possibly go back to who I used to be. Even if I try, I wouldn't know where to go. It's as if, I've just been born into this life filled with love and glory, something I never thought could happen to me.. A Bronx boy, broke with no family. I didn't have anyone that wanted to love me or be there for me. No parents, or siblings. I just did everything I could to survive. And now here I am, with a nice house, nice car, living in a decent neighborhood and with a girl who I believe is way out of my league.

I look down into her sparkling eyes. “Well... I don't think I can do this without you either sweet girl. Will you come and cheer for me shorty?” I ask and she blushes. I smirk at her reaction and look at her expectantly. She nods and I throw my fist in the air in victory, she throws her head back in laughter. Her laugh is a beautiful and enchanting song to my ears.