𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐌𝐞

56|| Girlfriend

Celeste // March 13
•••

I'm not sure how exactly I ended up here with sports tape around my knuckles and sweat running down my spine. But here I am, in the common gym, fighting an Italian mobster thrice my size as a circle of observing men stood around us.

The man runs towards me, blood already running down his temple as he swings at me. I dodge his fist, step aside, take his elbow and neck and then flip him onto the ground.

He lands on his back with a hard thud against the mat.

I straighten up and fix my ponytail. "That's called the Whirlpool Throw."

Some people hum while others start to hesitantly clap.

It's all been a bit awkward really, considering I used to kill people on their side. But we've been here for two hours now and the quick curious glances have turned into a full circle of men who are closely paying attention.

The man rises back to his feet with a pained gruff. "Can you do that one in slow motion?"

I nod and demonstrate the self-defense move in as much detail as possible, just like I'd done with the last twenty moves.

Turns out, Italian mobsters don't really know how to defend themselves other than to attack or shoot.

We go over five more self-defense moves, most coming from Judo, Krav Maga and Jiu-Jitsu. I didn't feel nervous talking about something I knew a lot about, even if it was before a big group of strangers.

And by the end, I was even able to say goodbye to all of them.

•••

Adriana's fist collides with Natalia's picture, scrunching her flawless face into many, many wrinkles.

"Nice one," I say when her next swing rips the paper.

She immediately stops what she's doing even though she'd been throwing punches in a good consistent rhythm. But instead of continuing that, she beams at me. "Thanks!"

Her face is flushed, her ponytail messy and the tape around her knuckles would send Dante's face into a permanent frown, but I'd rather she'd get her rage out in a safe way than to let her bruise her hands.

Natalia's picture falls to the floor and I kick it to the pile of identical pictures that Adriana had already destroyed.

I found her in her gym after I showered. I was completely wrecked from both my workout and long social interactions with so many new people, but I was happy to coach while she did the punching.

It was clear she'd been working out and training her technique, which for some reason made me really proud.

Adriana grabs her pink water bottle, which matches with her workout clothes. She throws her head back and lets out an annoyed groan. "Ugh, I just hate her so much, Cel."

"Don't call me that."

"How about Cece then?"

"Absolutely not."

"Les?"

"I might throw up."

"Geez." She puts her water bottle back down. "You're very opinionated on nicknames."

"Yes," I say. "But let's talk about your opinion of Natalia instead. Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah, I guess." She starts removing the tape from her hands. "But I don't want to talk about that witch any longer. Let's talk about something better."