I was dirty, cold in the vast room. A high ceiling above us, boxing ring in the centre. It made me wonder if this had once been a gym, all be it a very long time ago. But I could see the potential. It was nothing like the gym in which Harry and Tom worked, left abandoned and to ruin.
Word must have spread about the looming fight, any number of people talking as they stood or sat round the ring. How long had people been waiting for this showdown? An uneasy feeling washed through me, knowing that there were stakes held against each of the fighters, someone had to lose. There was money going to be made out of the victor. The thought made me feel nauseous.
I was soon distracted from my gradually increasing level of anxiety. Hayley stood to my side giving me a weak smile. It was because of her, this whole situation had stemmed from Hayley. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it. I knew she detected my uncertainty towards her, a warm hand quickly grasping mine. But before she could speak both Harry and his opponent had entered the ring. The audience was loud and I found it difficult to distinguish the words being spoken. Hayley tugged me a little closer.
“I didn’t ask him to, I-I didn’t want him to do this, Bo.” She desperately spoke. “Harry’s just so stubborn.” She breathed.
I stared at her for a second, sincerity in her voice. She looked a little relieved as I squeezed her hand. I didn’t desire for her to feel any worse about the current situation. I knew only too well how determined and driven Harry could become once he set his mind to something. There was no stopping him.
Her hand remained in mine as we turned our nervous gazes to the raised platform, all eyes on the ring as the guys got ready. Harry’s orbs seemed to take my breath away as he stared at me. I had never seen him like that before, he looked intense, uncompromising, powerful, almost as if he was looking straight through me. But his vision swiftly averted as Tom placed the gum shield into Harry’s mouth, giving him a pat on the back. Tom exited the ring leaving Harry to stand alone, bare feet moving forward. I quickly came to learn that his opponent’s name was Scott, numerous people shouting at him for support. We watched as they courteously knocked fists, signally both opponents were ready.
As soon as the bell rung out Harry’s fist landed a solid hit on Scott’s face. Numerous punches were thrown, both men receiving blows that made me wince. I knew Harry was good at what he did. But I never imagined him to fair so well against someone in a heavier weight class. His skill astounded me as we observed both opponents blocking hooks that would have done some serious damage. Harry was quick, quicker than his competitor. Maybe that was what made him excel, that and his obvious anger behind every hit.
I don’t know how long had played out, but my grip soon began to tighten on Hayley’s hand as Harry took a heavy blow to the left side of his chest. The punches Harry was receiving exceeded that of what he was producing. Why was he slowing down? His forearms seem to be continuously raised in defence. I desperately looked to Hayley. Tom was on her other side as he shouted out to Harry.
“Wha..” I couldn’t finish.
“It’s fine, Bo. He’s trying to find Scott’s weak spot.” She informed me.
“I don’t understand.” I shook my head, frowning.
“Everyone has some sort of flaw; Harry needs to find it in order to take him down.”
“Well can’t he do a bit more than just stand and take the hits?” I cried.
My mind whirled as I thought about what Hayley said. Harry appeared to have no physical flaws, none that I could see anyway.
“W-What’s Harry’s weakness?” I stuttered.
Her eyes fell on me, a small smile spreading on her lips.
“You.” She whispered.
My heart swelled, beating rapidly in my chest. The more I pondered over it, I came to believe that he was also my weakness, the tall, curly-haired guy that had, quite literally, forced his way into my life. And now I never wanted him to leave.
I found it difficult to watch as Harry repeatedly blocked the punches. There were sure to be a number of bruises all over his tanned skin once the match had ended. All I wanted was for him to make it out alive.
“There, there!” Hayley shouted.
She tugged me closer, stretching out her arm to point at Scott. I winced as Harry took another hit but it allowed us to see the twinge in Scott’s right shoulder. Hayley was screaming out the discovery, hoping to alert Harry. But I knew he had already found it. The small smirk on his face was confirmation. There was no time to act on it though, Scott’s right glove thumping hard into Harry’s stomach. My hand covered my mouth as I desperately looked on. Harry stumbled back against the ropes, his eyes squeezed closed attempting to focus, block out the pain he must have been feeling. Hayley’s hand remained tightly gripped in mine, fear in her brown eyes. Mine were widening as Scott approached Harry. I silently begged him to raise his arms to defend himself, but it surprised me when Scott didn’t take the obvious opportunity of the curly-haired guy in a weakened state. Instead he smirked, wrapping an arm round the top his shoulder, Harry’s bowed head pressed to his forehead.
Harry grimaced at the words being spoken between them. A deep frown in his brow, lips tightly pursed. The one sided conversation undetectable to our ears. The ref had come over to break it up but he dared not touch Scott to warn him. Harry’s gloves suddenly shoved against his opponent’s chest in anger, pushing him away as Scott laughed.
I gasped as Harry’s gaze travelled to me. Whatever Scott had said provoked the flare of darkness in Harry’s eyes. His jaw tight, breath increased. I knew he was fuming, the muscles in his stomach tensed as he stared at me.
“Come on, Styles!” Scott goaded.
Numerous cheers were heard at the fighting talk. But Harry’s focus possessively held mine as he forced himself away from the ropes. His forearm rose to harshly wipe away the scarlet streak dripping from the corner of his mouth. Scott had a challenging smile spread across his face, knowing that he had triggered something deep inside Harry. I had seen him angry before, but never like this. Scott glanced over to me, causing fear to strike through my body. I felt myself take an involuntary step back, tears springing in my eyes. Disgust filled my entirety as he winked at me, the gesture only enflaming Harry further as he aggressively walked forward.
I couldn’t watch anymore. I had to get out. The noise from the audience suddenly becoming overbearing, painful almost. My vision became blurry as I fought the tears brimming in my eyes.
“I-I can’t..” I spoke urgently to Hayley.
Her face was full of concern as I pried my fingers from her grasp. I turned, quickly shoving through the crowd to find an exit. Hayley and Tom could be heard as they shouted out my name, but I continued with my escape, fleeing from the vast room.
***
Almost twenty minutes had passed as I sat on some metal railings outside the back of the building. It was still mild in the night air, only a small breeze flowing through the length of my dark waves. The sound of cars starting their engines ignited my interest, the match had finished, people were going home. Worry trembled across my skin, goose bumps forming. It was over.
My face instantly drained, the thought of Harry sprawled out unconscious on the ring floor flooded my mind. The picture forced heavy tears down my cheeks. I don’t think I’d ever cried as much in one night. The ache in my heart frightened me a little, my feelings for Harry had begun to reach new heights that I never knew were possible. I didn’t know what to do, my sobbing making it difficult to rationally focus on anything.
I jumped as a hand was placed on my shoulder. My right arm swung round, fist pounding into the person’s stomach. The guy doubled over, wincing.
“Shit, Tom. I’m sorry.” I gushed.
My hand was placed on his back, bending down to peer at his face, making sure he was ok.
“You’ve got a pretty mean right hook on you, Bo.” He strained, joking.
I half-heartedly laughed, watching as he rose to his full height.
“Harry taught me.” I whispered.
He chuckled with my revelation.
“Trust Harry to teach you something like that.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?” I questioned.
He nodded, eyes connecting with mine. I gulped as the amusement disappeared from his face; the atmosphere suddenly becoming serious. I quickly wiped the moisture from my cheeks as I stared up at him.
“He wants to see you.”