Stranger Love (Discontinued)

14: A Chance To Impress

Audrey's PoV

I sit in the changing rooms in my gym outfit, tight boxing shorts and a crop top, gazing over at Sasha who was oddly wearing a tank top and gyms pants. She wasn't really the one to risk getting her skull cracked or something. Her hair was now blue, clearly dyed herself as the job was horrific. Yet, I like it's creative look. I wonder why she's changing her appearance and becoming more concerned about things and being more chill with everyone. A lot of questions I doubt will be answered. "So, did you hear about Miss McGregor?" Jessica asks, sitting with me on my left. "No. I only know she isn't in today," I reply.

"She was found trying to end her own life in her home yesterday." I wasn't surprised at all but I was still shocked. I mean, it's suicide we're talking about! Miss McGregor hated the mention of suicide to the point where she'd force a student to leave the room talking about it. "Hope she's receiving help. Something I wish Sophie could've got if someone noticed," I say quietly. "Hey, don't start blaming yourself for her death, alright? Wanna know what might help about it?" "What?" I ask. "Write a song about it when you're ready." Not a bad idea but I'm not creative with lyrics.

She walks away after giving me a gentle hug, leaving only Sasha and I in the room alone. I glance over at her, catching her stare while she had her camera on her lap. "You gonna take gym photography?" I ask. "No," she says when looking away. "Was just looking through some photos and deleting bad ones." I nod slowly and rise to my feet as she puts away her camera. I enter the large gym hall where a large wrestling mat sat in the centre with Coach Fred standing with some guys, giving them a brief of what to do. I look to the benches where Jess sat smiling at me, giving me a cute little wave. I smile too, returning a wave before Coach called my name.

I noticed I was the only girl within the group who'd be doing some Boxing today which is expected. "Yes, Coach?" I ask. "You know it'll be an unfair match with you and one of the fellas here, right?" He asks rhetorically. "Unfair?! That's a bit fucking sexist, Coach!" I exclaim. "We'll see about that, Miss Watson." He looks around for a moment and the guys whisper to eachother, laughing. "Hey, You! Blue head!" He points to Sasha who was just about do some athletics. She jumped when she was called out and she was clearly nervous when walking over.

"I doubt any of you two know anything about boxing so lets get this over and done with. On the mat, gloves and headgear on," he says. "Wait, what?!" Sasha exclaimed. "Don't worry, Just hold your hands out if you can't take another hit, alright?" I say as I throw on the gear. We both ready ourselves but Sasha clearly knew fuck all on how to box. Coach blew the whistle and I start getting closer. It was surprising when she hit me like a child, doing nothing to hurt me even though she swung fast. I send a quick jab to nose and down she went down with a heavy thump. She didn't groan or move the slightest bit.

"Sasha?" I say as I kneel down to shake her a little. No response. "Alright, that was clearly too easy, didn't even know how to fight. Tom, go take the girl to the nurse. Jason, in the ring, now." I glance over to Jess who laughed a little, giving me a funny feeling in my stomach. Teach blew the whistle but Jason didn't get a single hit on me. I jabbed his stomach, both sides of his face and one between his eyes. He didn't fall unconscious which was lucky for him, however, he needed some medical attention for his cheek. "Alright, alright. You're pretty good. Wanna try a few hits on Adam?" Coach asks.

I assume Adam is the tall guy, built like a tank with a shaved head. I'll admit, I don't think I can beat him. But when I look over to Jess, her concern made me want to do it. Maybe I can show off how strong I am. Show her I can protect her if I need to. I smirk a little and nod. "I'll give it a shot. If I win, you'll have to apologize for being sexist." "We'll see," he laughed. Adam stood on the opposite side of the ring, gear on with murderous intent in his eyes. Then it dawned on me... He's the school's brute. Coach blew the whistle and I was too slow to block his fists of steal.

I was taking a serious beating from him. I was beginning to choke on my own blood after a minute and my face was suffering from a strong pulsating stinging pain. I was on my hands and knees, spitting some blood on the mat. I felt something begin to boil when thinking about it. Adam was wearing his gloves when I came through to the hall. His knuckles are solid and a little out of place under them gloves. "Come on, is that all you got?! I heard you've been getting soft, thought it was a joke," he laughed. I rise with struggle and turn to face him, throwing off my gloves and headgear.

"Take it off," I demand calmly. He removed his headgear but not his gloves, implying he's hiding knuckle dusters. "And you're gloves," I say. Hesitantly, he does so, revealing that he was cheating. "You're smart, I like that in a woman. We should spend a night together." He takes off the dusters and only then do I give him what he deserves. He swings his left fist, I duck and send my elbow into his waist, stunning him. I then use the energy I have left to punch him several times in the face. To finish him off, I upper-cut him from under his attempted block.

The crack sounded painful but I'm not sure if it was his jaw or my knuckle. Jason lay there, dazed holding his face while I towered over him breathless. Sweat dripped from my forehead, mixing with my blood when falling from my chin. I turn my attention to Coach who was shitting bricks with a terrified look. "My apologies, Miss Watson. You can leave early if you wish. Check up on the blue haired girl while you're at it." Blueberry is a nice nickname for her. Better than blue haired or head. I look to the benches and Jess was gone and I couldn't see her red flannel anywhere. A sudden burst of rage caused me to slam my steel toecap boot between Jason's legs and storm off.

It was nearing the end of school and I've been sitting with Sasha for the past three to four hours. Jess texted apologising for disappearing. She saw the end of the fight but left quickly because her grandpa needed her quickly. "Excuse me, Miss," I say to the nurse who stopped just as she was walking by. "Will she be okay?" I ask. "Audrey, this is about the twelfth time you've asked since you came in here." "Yeah, but she's been out for quite a while." Just as I say that, Sasha moans quietly with her brows narrowed and lightly slapping my arm. "Shut," she said. "Don't sit up yet, Sash. Nurse is getting you some aspirin."

"Fuck that," she says when sitting up. "You knocked me out." "Accidentally. I'll make it up to you somehow." The nurse returns with a small dose of aspirin and glass of water. Sasha looked to me and I silently push her to take it. She does with a defeated sigh. "You look like shit... What happened?" She asked. Coach got me to challenge Jason the Brute. Fucker cheated with had knuckle dusters under his gloves. So, I gave him a concussion, fractured jaw, broken nose, and several bruises and maybe scars." She looked at me like I was crazy and I understand in this situation.

"Are you okay?" she asks. "Of course. I always am. Just glad I didn't kill you," I laughed lightly. She laughed awkwardly but with a genuine smile. "What you up to later?" I ask. "Nothing other than editing. Why?" "Just curious," I reply. I'm not just curious. I want to hang out with her, make sure she's okay for a few hours while she's conscious. She looks to her bags on the floor beside mine then back to me. "I assume everyone's out of school." I nod and stretch my back then jump to my feet. "Want me to give you privacy while you change clothes?" I ask. She nods reluctantly so I head on out and wait in the hallway.

Down the hallway, I see George and that guy he hangs out with kiss and hug. What was that guys name, Arnold? Adam? Although it hurts, I'm happy for him. He's out to someone who loves him. It was cute to watch but I don't think they know I'm watching. Arnold, being the protective guy he is, throws an arm around George's shoulders and walks away out the doors. Moments later, Sasha was changed and ready to go. "Wanna hang out for a few hours?" she asks. "Sure. Where you wanna go?" I ask. "Anywhere. I just need to get something from a class first. I'll meet you in the carpark." We go our separate ways and I light a cig when I'm out and sitting on the wall waiting.

I waited five minutes before she finally came out with an acoustic guitar, as blue as her hair with a white outlined whale on the back and its edges were a black gradient. "Nice guitar. Never knew you played." "There's a lot you don't know about me... Maybe you'll learn things no one else will get to know." Shit, is she... Will she tell me secrets? Bet she cuddles a teddy bear at night or uses a night light. That would be cute of her. We climb in and she sticks on the radio to some early 2000s music remixes. I'm not sure where we'll go, but I'm pretty hungry and need some caffeine. "Wanna hit the diner or something? I haven't ate since yesterday," she asks. I just smile and nod, finding it hilarious how coincidental that was.