Knock Out [ a Harry Styles Fanfic ]

Chapter 5

Ethan didn't even pay attention to the crowd that had gathered to see the fight. Instead, his eyes were focused on the ring, only thinking about the hours of practice he had put in for this fight.

Meanwhile, Emerson had taken her usual position in the back where she was out of sight. She didn't like watching in the crowd, making her feel like she was just another spectator even though she was more than that.

The bell rang, signifying that the fight had begun and immediately, Ethan's opponent swung at him. But with quick reflexes, he lifted his arms to shield his face.

Emerson watched them, a little entranced at how they moved. It was almost like a dance. But what she noticed, not one hit had landed on her brother and that brought a bright smile to spread across her lips.

-0-0-0-

Harry had a poker face on as he watched. But he almost broke it, shock and impressed looks ready to resurface.

But Liam and Louis were thoroughly impressed. They nodded and clapped occasionally. It wasn't long until the fight had ended and Ethan raised his arms with only a slight bruise on his jaw. His opponent had a black eye and swollen lips that'd make Angelina Jolie jealous.

Emerson retreated upstairs to allow Ethan get his moment just in time for Harry to catch her dark tresses whip around as she climbed up to their apartment.

Ignoring the strange wave of familiarity, Harry and his friends approached Paul and Ethan after everyone else had long gone. "Hello, I'm Harold. This is Louis and Liam. And, uh, you did good out there," he nodded at Ethan who was currently chugging down a bottle of water.

"Thanks," Ethan grinned rather carelessly and placed his bottle aside to shake Harry's hand. "I'm Ethan. This is my step-dad, Paul." The conversation went on as usual until the necessary topic came up.

"We can schedule a fight but we're a bit busy since we have something to do later tonight," Paul explained, handing Ethan another a towel. "Tomorrow's Saturday so I'm free. How about at... one o' clock? You guys free then?" 

The three men nodded. "Sounds perfect," Liam spoke up and shook his hand again before bidding them goodbye.

-0-0-0-

Emerson had just finished showering when her step dad and brother finally came up to their apartment, towel wrapped around her dark hair. "Hey, what took you guys so long down there? Adoring fans?" She asked wryly, walking to the kitchen to grab the milk and drinking it right from the carton.

"Empty," she hummed and tossed it into the trash can while making herself comfortable on the couch.

Ethan wrinkled his nose and his sister's antics and just collapsed onto one of the chairs. "That's gross, Em, and no. We just went to talk to someone. We got a little appointment tomorrow."

"Nice. Now go take a shower. You're ruining the Malibu beach candle scent I got around the place."

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well that was short and most definitely not sweet. more like a filler chapter i guess but yeaaahh

~ mac