Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

40

I kept my head down in school. My focus directed to my studies and the match. No new fights with Rafe even when he looked to start something. I got my Ma to move me across the room during class. I kept to the library for lunch. If I wasn't at school or sitting doing homework at my desk- I was at the gym.

The match was a week away. Thankfully it was at a venue an hours drive from here so the team and I would leave Friday after school to get there and get the hotel situated.

I stood from the library table to throw my lunch trash away when a shadow was casted over me. I glanced up before moving on. I sidestepped only to be met with an obstacle still in my way.

"I'm not dealing with your shit today, Cameron." I spoke sidestepping again without looking at him.

"You've been ignoring me since we came back from break. What'd I do to get you to finally shut up?" My jaw clenched as I took a forced breath.

"Rafe," I finally looked up my eyes piercing his confused yet smug ones, "get the fuck out of my way." I kept my voice low as he stepped closer.

"Or what, Darling. You're not gonna do shit." I glared as I focused on steadying myself. He was doing it on purpose, his smirk said it all.

"I'm surprised you're still tough without your posse with you, Kook. But you should probably go back, they're heads are most likely wondering where their ass went." He let out a dark laugh before stepping forward making me step backwards. The rough wood of the bookshelf stopping me from moving elsewhere.

Being that my favorite table is in a corner of the library, I was stuck.

"Hmm. Despite you hanging out with those Pogues- you are at the Kook Academy, Darling, making you one of us. And here, you're in my domain. My kingdom. I've told you that before haven't I?" He leaned closer pinning me into the bookshelf.

I glared up into his eyes, hating that he was making me lose time that should be dedicated to my studies. I also didn't want to give him the satisfaction of me retaliating.

"You need to leave me alone. I don't have time to mess with you nor play silly little games. I've got actual important things to do, Cameron. So get out of my way." We were inches from one another. Neither one of us yielding.

"Such a shame." His voice dropped an octave as he spoke his next words. "You're one of my favorite Pogues to play with."

A loud clatter filled the library as I shoved the pompous ass away from me and into a chair causing them both to fall. I didn't care that he implied we 'play' or that he called me a Pogue. It was the way he said it. The arrogance, the loathing. And the fact that I knew exactly why he said it that way.

"You can talk shit to me all you want, Cameron." I hissed, crouching down beside his head. "But speak about my friends that way, and I'll beat you so far down that the worms will have to dig for you."

I rose and took a step, my ankle getting caught as I looked at the blond who began to rise.

"I do enjoy our talks, Tallen. Especially when you get all fired up." I rolled my eyes and shook my leg free. The heat of his hand still there as I glared down at my pant leg. My small bag of trash in my hand still as I left my corner that I hoped would be empty by the time I returned.

_______•*•*•*•_______

I sat in front of the computer at the gym and studied the footage Murphy had gotten of my competitor. She was good. Quick. Strong. But she relied on beating her opponents quickly. As soon as endurance was brought into play- she slowed down. Got weaker.

I watched two of her fights. Her most recent win and her most recent loss. She won in the fourth round, sending her opponent into the mat for a third time.

She lost against someone she clearly underestimated. Her opponent was thin. Quicker than her and wanted the win more. It was a grapple to the end. She lost in the eighth round. Her opponent finally releasing a series of combos that were strong enough to put her to the mat. The referee was counting, and she almost got to her feet, but she wobbled and it was enough to keep her from rising.

"You know how to beat her?" I looked over my shoulder to see Kelce standing taking off his gloves. I looked back at the screen watching the fourth round of her victory. How she hit the opponent square in the jaw, sending them crashing to the ground.

"Yeah," I voiced out, watching her rise her shaking arm in the air and roaring, "I think I do."

"I'll be watching from home. But you've got the full support of the gym and most of Kildare. I've already talked to a few shop owners and they plan on streaming your fight here." I grinned, turning on the stool to face him.

"I appreciate that Kelce. You know, we've never really talked about it- but why are we on good terms everywhere else except at school or around your buddies?" He gulped, smiling weakly.

"I- I uh, I guess it's just how it is?" I snorted as he was uncertain about the reason or sharing the reason.

"I got it. It's cool. I'll see you around Kelce." I turned back in the stool to face the computer, shutting the conversation down.

"Uh, yeah. See ya, X."

Don't worry, Kelce, I understand. I understand more than you realize.