Wishing Tree |Alternate Ending |

Mixed Emotions

Piecks POV
Boxing match
Taking the final blow to the face the boxer falls in the ring. I cheer with the roaring crowd as the emotions on the stage are whats brewing in my mind. Standing at a distance to Connie and Liz so they can enjoy their date, I am held hostage by Connie's wingman of 'Im sorrys.'

It took an hour to get him to stop ruining the match by trying to apologize. With the crowd pushing forward, Jean holds a hand on my back to hold me steady "You don't have to hold me you know, Im trained in balance." I say above the cheers.

Retracting his arm, he puts his hands in his pockets. His gaze on the medic pulling the man out of the ring, his face holds almost stoic.

"Alright people of the crowd, today is our last day above ground and we would like to make things interesting!" The referee drags out every word "Today we are offering three of you to go up against our boxing champion! Is there any takers to go first" He shouts, pointing to the crowd.

To no surprise, no one raised their hand until the arm pressed against mind lifts. My eyes widen "Jean what are you doing? You might be able to fight but boxing is different." I exclaim with a hint of worry as the bald man in the ring is ten sizes of pure muscle in a sweaty loose shirt and jeans.

"We have a taker! Everyone give him a round of applause!" The crowd cheers

Jeans turns to me, laying a hand on my shoulder "If I win this, I want a fresh start with you." He shouts to me.

The pressure folding on me to answer quickly, I squeeze my lips together "You don't need to win, just don't get injured before this war. The people will need you." I avert his request to compel him with responsibility.

His face filled with disappointment, he huffs a forced smile "Ill win your heart Pieck, just you watch." He turns with determination, taking the burning excitement for a fight out of me. A sane woman would be pleased seeing the man who rejected her get hit but the knot in my stomach says otherwise.

Connie and Liz rush over to my side "What is that idiot doing! He cant box!" Connie exclaims.

"Yeah, I already explained that to him but he went to prove himself anyway..." I watch Jean, jump through the ropes that round the ring.

"Prove something?" Liz mumbles to Connie. Slapping his palm to his forehead, he shakes his head in disbelief, knowing Jeans intent.

Jean stands in the ring as the other boxer jumps around claiming his win to the crowd. Jean rolls his eyes at the man before meeting him in the middle, as the referee stands between them to explain the rules.

Readying his stance, the bell rings. Immediately Jean gets punched in the abdomen, making the crowd groan at the intensity of his body going up. Managing to stay standing, Jean puts a distance between them, then going in for a punch. His punches were sloppy but enough to make the bald man tired. Back and forth they go at it, each punch making me hiss at his competition's strength.

"Keep your hands up Jean! Cover your face!" Connie shouts in encouragement "Hes not doing half bad up there, but if the bald guy hits his head, hes definitely out for the count." He deducts.

Surprisingly Jean listens to connies advice, lifting his arms. Getting in a good amount of punches in, I find myself impressed of the possibility of him winning this. My eyes glued to his opponent, I watched the man go in for a punch but adds in a harsh headbutt "Hey isnt that cheating?" Liz counters.

I growl in annoyance that a professional would stoop so low to cheat against someone from the crowd. Jean stumbling back, the referee catches him, signaling them to ring the bell. Instinctively I push through the crowd and jump into the ring, Connie and Liz lag behind, just barely managing to make it to the ropes.