A Bout for Two // NCT Renjun

Chapter 18

Renjun: Aria, where did you go?  I'm trying not to worry, but I can't help it.

Aria: I'm fine, really, I just need some space right now.

Renjun: At least tell me where you are for your safety.

Aria: I'm in the gym, but please don't come, I just need to be alone.

Renjun: Okay, I won't, just please be careful.

I shut off my phone after letting Renjun know where I am.  My day went from great, to absolutely terrible.  Lia made it feel like my scalp was going to fall off, and she brought over the person who hates me the most.  I just seriously don't understand her.  What does she have against me?  What did I ever do wrong to her?  I just let everything that has happened sink in.  I close my eyes and listen to some music to calm myself down.  I wrote a letter to my math teacher explaining that I wouldn't be attending class today because I had to practice before my fencing match, but we all know that that's a lie.  So there I am, in the gym, lying on the floor listening to some music.  

       "You don't seem very happy with my presence."  A chill runs up my spine.  I know that voice from anywhere.  I sit up instantly and turn around to see Jack, walking towards me with that evil smirk on his face.  I panic.  I whip out my phone and start to text Renjun for help, but I don't even get the chance to send it.  Jack kicks the phone out of my hand, making me dive in the other direction so that I don't get hit.  I start crawling backwards like an idiot, trying to give myself as much space possible between myself and Jack.  "Aww, cmon babygirl, you know I won't hurt you, I just wanna play that's all."  "No Jack stop!" I say as I continue to crawl backwards, now in tears.  "Aww baby, don't cry.  I seriously won't hurt you."  He grabs my leg and yanks me towards him.  I let out a stream and cry out even more.  He covers my hand to muffle the sound coming from my mouth.  "Now you will do EXACTLY as I say, otherwise you'll be punished, got it?"  "Fuck off you piece of shit!" I say.  Jack throws me aside and kicks me in the stomach, hard.  "You really don't know when to shut up do you."  He kneels down and raises a hand to slap me.  I close my eyes, waiting for the impact, but it never came.

       I look up to see Renjun holding Jack's wrist to keep him from hitting me.  His eyes burn with rage, and he looks like the most dangerous person in the room right now.  "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he says in a low, cold and intimidating voice.  "Pfft, what are you gonna do about it pretty boy?" Jack says with a smirk.  Renjun sighs, looks away, and throws a huge punch to his face.  Blood splatters everywhere.  I'm guessing Renjun just broke his noise.  I look at the boys in utter shock.  "Talk back again and the next thing that's gonna go is your jaw," Renjun growls.  After a few seconds, I hear footsteps running towards our direction.  I see three police men making their way towards us, followed by Mark, Jeno, Julia and Aera.  "Is this the man you're talking about?" one of the police officers ask while looking at Renjun.  "Yes sir, he's all yours."  The police men nods towards Renjun in acknowledgement, handcuff Jack and escort him out to the car.  Julia runs towards me with tears in her eyes.

"Girl oh my goodness are you okay??" she says while crying.

"Yes, I'm fine now.  Thank you for saving me," I tell her while stroking her head.

"You won't have to worry again from now on about that guy," Jeno says.  "Mark and I told the police about Jack, and apparently, he has a bad record."

"Yeah no shit," Mark says.  "He's been accused of being a thief and he's been charged with sexual harassment of girls, this being the third time."

"He's going to be in jail for a long time now right oppa?" Aera asks while looking at Mark.  He nods his head yes as confirmation.  

"Do you guys mind if I talk to Aria in private before our competition?" Renjun asks.  Mark nods and then escorts everyone to the locker rooms to get ready.

       "I thought I told you to be careful, so what happened?" Renjun asks me.  His tone is now much softer than before, and his eyes look at me with worry and fear.  "I tried texting you to come over to help me, but before I could send it, Jack kicked it out of my hand," I said.  "That son of a bitch," Renjun mutters under his breath.  He embraces me in his arms and gives me the most loving hug I have ever received in my life.  He looks at me and continues.

"Forget everything that just happened.  Now I know that that may be hard, or impossible in fact, but we got to focus on fencing right now.  So use all your fear and anger towards Jack, and use that as fuel when you're fencing today alright?" I nod my head as a yes and bury my face in his neck.  It's seriously so nice that he's always there for me.  It makes me feel strong and confident in myself; it makes me feel special, like I'm not completely worthless.  I look up at him, and he gives me a quick kiss. 

"Now, let's go get suited up alright?"

       The competition had finally ended, and Neo High School wins again once more.  It was a pretty easy school to beat to be honest.  I could tell that most of them were beginners as they didn't have much technique.  The boys also did a flawless job.  I watched Renjun the entire time when he was fencing, and when he wasn't, we sat together and analyzed our other teammates' bouts.  After bidding the other school farewell, Renjun and I decide to head off on our own.  

"How about going on a nice long drive?" Renjun asks.

"I would love that," I reply, "but I need to drop everything off at my house."

"Here, what about we do this.  We'll both drop off our things off at our house, and I'll come to your place and pick you up around 7."

I shake my head yes and bid Renjun goodbye as I make my way to my car.  Once I'm in the driver's seat, I close my eyes and let out a tiny squeal.  This is going to be my FIRST ever date, and it's going to be with Renjun!  Now as horrible as my day has been, this date is definitely going to cheer me up.  It's exactly what I need, and I can't wait.

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