Straight-Up Not Having A Good Time At Night Raven College: Chapter 2

Chapter 20: Truth Brought To Light

....Why are they making Jojo noises, Kat thought dully, watching Jack and Deuce duking it out.

She hadn't actually sat on the bench for long while she was...
What was she doing, spectating? Observing? Making a point, maybe?

Whatever she was doing, it was too nerve-wracking for her to just sit there...
...So she ended up just standing there instead.
It wasn't really much of an improvement, to be honest.

....They really were making Jojo noises, though.

"DORAAAA!!" Jack roared, lunging forward and sending his fist flying towards Deuce.
She winced as it collided with Deuce's raised forearms-- the impact seemed to echo through the air like a movie or TV show sound effect.

Deuce skidded back a good half-foot, digging his heels in to stop himself from going any farther.
"ORAAAAA!" He shouted hoarsely, returning the punch with a swing of his own.

This one connected, too-- but Jack only skidded back a couple of inches, nowhere near as far as Deuce had.
He definitely had the advantage in size and strength... But Deuce was barely giving an inch, apparently powering through on sheer willpower alone.

They were the only ones left in the fight now...
Ace, staggering to the side, had collapsed into a crumpled sitting position on the grass, with Grim sprawled out next to him.

Jack and Deuce didn't seem to notice or care, though... At this point, they were singlemindedly going at each other like nothing else mattered.

Staggering back from one of Deuce's punches, Jack wiped his chin on his fist, panting.
"Man-- you..." He muttered, swaying slightly. "You-- really don't know how to give up..."

Deuce, also panting, staggered back a few steps, fists still raised.
"That's-- MY line," he said, shoulders rising and falling with his heavy breaths. "You're-- not bad yourself..."

Shaking their heads, they took a few more breaths, swaying on their feet.
Then they tensed, preparing to leap forward again.

"Jeeeeesus Christ-- OKAY, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Kat barked, stepping authoritatively forward.
Cutting between Jack and Deuce, she held up her hands, motioning for them to back up.
"We're not doin' this anymore-- fight's over, okay?! Sit your asses down!"

Blinking, both of them looked at her, surprised.

Arranging her face into a sterner expression, she turned her head, giving both of them her best disapproving look.
"Well? Either of you feel like giving up?"

"Haah..."
Breathing hard, Deuce shook his head.
"N-No way," he managed. "I could-- do this all--"

"Uh-huh," Kat interrupted. "Yeah, that's what I thought... And you?"
This last part was directed at Jack, who she'd turned to with her hands on her hips.

He blinked again, like he wasn't sure she was addressing him.
"Uh... No," he muttered after a second. "I've still got plenty of fight left in me, if this guy's--"

"Yeah, okay, I don't care," Kat interrupted. "Look... Jack. To me, it looks like Deuce has already shown what he's made of-- and the same goes for you, obviously. Is that good enough? 'Cause I am NOT gonna stand around and let you guys beat yourselves to death for no good reason."

Hands still on her hips, she gave him another stern semi-glower.
"Well? You satisfied? Got all that outta your system yet? Or do you literally wanna keep going until you both keel over? Which, in my opinion, would be about..."