Make Me Choose

Hᴏᴏᴋ

Chapter Two
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Both of my gloved hands shoot up to cover my face as one of Coach Douglas's old friends -Manny- throws another punch towards my head. I side step, managing to just barely block the blow. The gym has been overbearingly busy lately, after word spread about Titanium's defeat men just began to flood in, asking Glen for his expertees. He is making money now, and a lot of it, however I just can't seem to shake the annoyance that comes with a crowded room. I can't concentrate like I used to and it's all the commotion that is to blame.

The men are hungry for victory. They are young and stupid... we even had a boy sign up at the fresh age of only thirteen. The gym reeks of testosterone and it is competitive. We all want to prove ourselves, but I think it is clear who the real champion is here.

"C'mon, H! Watch his technique. Where is his power coming from?" Glen's voice booms from the other side of the gym and I silently nod my head in response. I have been dancing around this ring with Manny for what feels like hours. Manny is an absolute mammoth of a man. He isn't much older than I am, maybe in his late 20's. He was one of Coach's best fighters until he hung up his gloves and took a more practical approach towards making a living... I think he mentioned that he works in finance but I really wasn't paying attention. Whatever he said, it was fucking boring.

We move in a tedious but tense circle and Manny throws a right hook however I duck my head and dodge the assault with ease. Our eyes are focused only on one another whilst other people clatter around outside of the ring.

There has been a lot of rain recently which has resulted in a leak, causing a gaping hole to rip through the interior of the gym roof. Glen has bagged a bit more cash so today it is finally getting fixed.

I lunge my body forward, swinging my arm around and knocking Manny in the side of the head. He stumbles to the side, obviously caught off guard by the sudden action.

"Oooh... you're lucky I like you, kid." Manny warns as he shakes a finger at me and I shrug my shoulders smugly.

"Yes, finally!" I hear Coach roar over the noise and I grin. Thankfully we are both wearing head guards or Manny may be on the floor knocked out right now.

"He got fucking lucky!" Manny shouts back at Glen in an attempt to protest and I shake my head whilst chuckling lightly. It's around 7 a.m. and I have classes soon. I shimmy my head guard from my scalp with a groan and allow my wild hair to bounce back into place.

"Leaving already, princess?" Manny pipes up and I shoot him a quick glare.

"I have class in thirty minutes, dip-shit. Don't make me waste my time and put you on your ass." I teasingly warn and both Manny and I chuckle.

"When can I expect you back?" Glen asks as I jump down from the stage of the ring. I contemplate my answer for a moment as I go over all of my college subjects in my head.

English literature... then it's musical history... after that it's physical education and to end the day it's photography study.

"I'll be back here this afternoon. Don't have much to do today." I bring my hands up to my mouth as I bite the velcro straps from around my wrists and shake the sweaty gloves onto the floor in front of me.

"Better get a move on then, you don't have long before classes start." Glen looks down at a small watch that compliments his thick wrist. The straps are thin and a worn out colour of mahogany brown. The small face of the clock has a crack across the glass. I raise a brow in slight suspicion, how would he know when lectures begin?