Beware The Water

Progression

Shorter looked down at his shoes and took a deep breath before making his way through the glass doors in front of him. As soon as he walked in he noticed a front desk off to the side and a man with a white tank top sitting at a computer. "Member?" The man asked.

Shorter turned and looked behind himself, thinking someone was being asked. He looked back and shook his head. "Uh. No. I uh-" he stammered and scratched his head nervously. "Is Toro here?"

The young man, who was no older than Shorter, tilted his head in confusion then perked back up. "Oh!" He held his pen up, "You mean Coach Shibata. Did he know you were coming today?"

"Uh... no. I um- this was kinda a last minute thing."

"Ah. Hm." The bulky brunette held his chin, "I'll go ask him if he has time to meet and if not-"

"Tell him it's Shorter." He cut the guy off, "I'm sure he'll make time."

The new hire nodded and hurried to the locker rooms. Shorter leaned back against the cold windows and observed the two guys sparring in the middle of the boxing ring. They looked a little slower than he was. The way their fists swung could have used some work to get more impact and precision. He tilted his head and thought that he could 100% take them in a fight.

"Shorter. Wasn't expecting you." Toro walked out in a black track suit. The jacket being slightly zipped down to reveal a white undershirt and gold chain around his neck. "If this is about last night, I-"

"No." Shorter cut the man off, then quickly cleared his throat and corrected himself. "No, sir." He straightened up his posture. "Well, actually. Something did happen last night."

The coach threw a white towel over his shoulder and crossed his arms, "Everything alright?" Toro watched Shorter's hands slide into his pockets.

"Yeah. Everything's fine." he lied, "Just gave your offer some extra thought last night."

"Oh." Toro blinked at him surprised. "You and your girlfriend discuss it?"

"Um, you could say that." He shrugged.

"Where is she?"

"Still sleeping. She was sick last night and the cold made it worse." Shorter gave a vague explanation. "Anyways, if you'd still be willing to have me then-" he bowed his head, "I'd like for you to train me." A bead of sweat slipped down his face. His heart beating fast. He had already felt naked presenting himself without his crown and now he was bowing to another man with no armor to protect himself.

Toro gave a playful chop to Shorter's head. "Stand up. No need for formalities like that. Let's get you some gloves and we'll see what you can do."

Shorter was startled by how quick he was starting. "What? Right now?"

"Got somewhere to be?"

Shorter thought about Lux and how peaceful she looked wrapped up in his hoodie and blankets. She'd probably prefer to get more sleep in, it was still early after all. "No. I just-" he looked down, "I'm feeling so much pressure right now."

"We haven't even started, Shorter. There's no expectation yet." Toro said as comfort.

"Not that. I mean, I'm afraid that this will be my only shot at making Lux happy. If I fail then that's it."

"And whys that?" He tilted his head.

"I'm not good at anything else." Shorter spoke softly. "But Lux believes in me. So I have to do this for her."

Toro gave a smile and patted him on the back, "Everything will be fine. This isn't life or death. Just relax."
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Lux's eyes fluttered open, the snow poured down outside and the room had a draft despite the portable heater at the bedside. She didn't remember having owned one in the first place. Off to the corner of the room was an empty box and a wrinkled receipt tossed right beside it with the current date. She sat up and noticed a large, heavy blanket she didn't recognize on top of her as well. It smelled like sweet pea perfume. The cheap kind that you'd smell in a girls locker room, the scent being so strong to where you could taste it.