Fighting fit ( discontinued)

Runaway

Hartleys POV
I couldn't be here anymore, it was like I was drowning and couldn't reach the surface. Ever since I had came to camp everything had just gone wrong. It was a stupid idea to think I could come successfully. Before the game was over I quickly changed into joggers, a T-shirt, a hoodie and some trainers. Then without talking to anyone I ran. I kept running and running without stopping, as far away from it all as I could get. By the time I had stopped running it was was getting dark out. I must've ran for hours. My legs were aching and my chest was heaving. My throat was dry and my lips were chapped. I needed a drink. Once I had gotten my breathing under control I finally took in my surroundings.

I was in a dodgy area, it was dealt by silent, but even gunshots could be heard in the distance. Most people would've been scared, but I was used to shit like this living with Jason for so long so it was like second nature to me. I kept walking until I came across a bar. I thought about it before walking in and sitting down on a bar stool. " one vodka lemonade please" the bartender eyed me suspiciously, but in a place as run down as this they weren't about to turn down customers because of their age even if it was illegal. I must've have two or three drinks before my phone buzzed. When I opened it a text from Jason was on the screen. " fight Tommorow at 9. Usual place, and it's a four for one. Don't be late and don't even think about skipping, you know the consequences. You'll get £30,000 if u win." I sighed. Of course I was going to go because that was a lot of money, but four for ones were difficult and I had only ever won one in my life. If you don't know a four for one was where I was set up to fight for people in a row in kind of knockout stage, I was starting so I would fight the first guy and if I win I go to fight the second guy but it I lose my opponent fights the second guy and so on etc. They are difficult as your muscles and body aches after the first fight but the money stakes were significantly higher, if I was making £30,000 then Jason would be making millions off of this. I had another drink before paying and leaving the bar.

I didn't know where to go. I definitely didn't want to go back to the hotel. I don't know whether the team won or lost but if they lost it was because of me. Even if they weren't angry I couldn't handle the disappointment in their faces. As I carried on walking I came across a park. There was a wooden gazebo at the park with benches inside. I decided I would stay there for the night. My phone had been buzzing for a while now, with calls and texts from Carli and ash and some from Jill and a few other members of the team. I guess they didn't all hate me. There were none from mal though. I obviously didn't mean anything to her from the beginning. I sent Carli a quick text saying I'm fine then lay down on the bench. I was exhausted from the day so I drifted off to sleep quite quickly.

The next morning I woke to the sound of children and families in the park. It was a beautifully sunny day so everyone was having picnics with their families and playing all sorts of sports all across the grass. It was a nice sight and distracted me for a while. Some of the parents were giving me odd looks but I took no notice of them. My back was aching from the cuts and from sleeping on a hard surface so I walked until I found a shop and went and bought some pain meds. I needed it to be as painless as possibly for my fight tonight. It was roughly 11am right now, my fight wasn't until 9pm tonight but I did need to go back to the hotel at some point without anyone seeing me, I wasn't ready to face them yet. I did however send Jill an apology message about my performance in the game and for running off, I told her I just needed some space and I would be back tonight. She was fuming obviously but she said that it was okay as long as when I got back I made up for everything by giving my all and being the player she knew I could be. I was surprised she was so understanding but I was grateful.

As I was walking I heard my stomach grumble. I hadn't eaten since yesterday morning and I was starving. I turned the corner and walked into a small cafe. It had a very homely vibe going on and I felt relaxed as soon as I walked through the door. I went and sat at one of the booths. A couple minutes later an older women approached me. She gave off this warm aura and you instantly felt comfortable around her. She had deep Wrinkles from smiling and wore an apron that was covered in food. " you alright, what can I get you ?? She said with a strong english accent. I had been to England a couple times before and the food was always good especially breakfast food so I ordered a large full English. " of course love, would you like a cup of tea with that ??" She further added. Now I know us Americans mock the English and their tea but damn was it good. "Yes please, milk and two sugars" I replied. She nodded her head before walking away.

A couple minutes later she returned with a large mug of tea. I thanked her before picking it up. Once I took a sip I let the sweet warm liquid travel down my throat, relaxing all my muscles and warming me up. As warm as it can be in America sleeping in a park is extremely cold. About 5 minutes after this she placed my food down infront of me. I started with the hash browns because they are my favourite before moving onto the sausages. As I was eating I felt a person sit down infront of me. I didn't acknowledge them I was too hungry. After a couple seconds of silence the person spoke "yanno if you carry on eating that fast you'll end up throwing up" I vaguely recognised the voice and as soon as I looked up I choked on my food. I carried on coughing trying to swallow the food as her yes went wide, she instantly rushed round to my side and pat me on the back until I stopped. " Thankyou" I whispered before taking a sip of my tea. The person infront of me was none other than Jessie Fleming. I still felt bad for hurting her during the game. " I'm sorry for hurting you" I said hanging my head in shame. She instantly started shaking her head. " oh don't worry about it, I'm all good snd I scored a pen off of it so I should be thanking you really" she joked. This caused me to smile for what felt like the first time in ages. " well what was the score in the end then??" She looked at me oddly. " how do you not know ??" I let out a embarrassed laugh. "Well you see I kind of ran away after I hurt you. I haven't been back to the hotel or the team since". Her eyes widened before she started to laugh. " well damn I didn't expect that. Honestly don't worry about hurting me it's all good there's nothing more than I small bruise. The score was 4-2 to you guys" I leaned back relieved that I hadn't seriously injured her. " so erm, how come you are here?" I asked her curiously. I knew I had ran for ages last night so she has to be quite far from the hotel. She looked away sheepishly. She looked kind of cute to be honest, oh shut up hartley snap out of it. " the team can get overwhelming sometimes and this place is quite and relaxing" I nodded my head in agreement. I could definitely see where she was coming from.

After that Fleming ordered her food and we stayed there all afternoon. It was nice and relaxing and she was good company. I actually had a really good time and it took my mind off of everything else. Once we were both done we swapped numbers and promised to hang out again. Then we walked back in the direction of the hotel. Now I just had to figure out how to get in and out without being seen.

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Hoped you guys like this chapter. What do we think ??? Is there something forming between hartley and Fleming ?? Or do want the relationship with mal to be repaired ?? Let me know your thoughts