Fighting, Surviving, & Hopelessly Lost

Chapter 6

I arrived at the building for evening practice and when I entered through the doors, most of the guys were already there. I set my bag down on one of the benches and started to stretch out while the events from earlier today replayed over and over in my head. It was a little awkward and I'll admit that. The guys found out that I fought and they were surprised but Peyton was the most surprised out of all of them. I didn't want anybody to know that I was a fighter and I emphasized that to Peyton all the time. But my brother's words lit the spark that created an explosion and I think I made the right decision telling them.

"Hey Jul," Peyton said as he stretched next to me.

"Hey Peyton. What's up?" I asked him.

"Well I was wondering if you wanted to hang out later?" he said, looking a little nervous. I think he was asking me out on a date so I took that as an advantage.

"Are you asking me out?" I asked, smirking a little. Instead of saying anything, he just nodded. "Well then, you can pick me up at ten thirty. I'll just tell my aunt I'll be out."

"Okay! Gather 'round!" J.C called. We all got into a half circle as J.C started to explain tonight's practice. "So instead of just training, we will be doing Friday night's fights tonight! I have already picked your partners so don't get too excited." J.C took out a paper with the list of partners and I completely zoned out until I heard my name. "Jul and Jake, Zach and Peyton, and finally Joe and Mark. You will go in that order and I will grade you on your show. Into position!"

I sat down next to Peyton with a death glare to everything I looked at. How could Jake be my partner!? I was super determined to beat him today and give him a bunch of good kicks and punches. That idiot deserved them. The first two fighters got into position and J.C gave them the countdown. Each fight lasted a good ten to fifteen minutes and there were about 12 groups. Jake and I fought third to last.

"Jul! Jake! You guys are up next!" J.C called as he scribbled down some things in his notebook. He eyed me very carefully as I stepped into the ring with Jake. We got into position as J.C gave us the countdown. When he yelled go, Jake and I started circling each other. In no time, Jake threw the first punch at my face but easily blocked him while jabbing him in the side with a small kick. But right before my foot fully came down to the mat, Jake kicked my leg up harshly and pain flared up my leg and circled around my knee. But I used that to my advantage. I jumped up into the air, tucked myself into a small ball to get the acceleration going and when I came back down I tried to kick Jake's head. Yet I underestimated Jake and his intelligence. He quickly changed his position so that he could easily grab me by the waist. Once he had a hold of me, he slammed me into the fence not only rattling the fence but my bones inside. I let the pain envelope me and I felt a surge of power. I jumped up fiercely and gave Jake a good round house kick. He stumbled back a little but regained his posture looking pure deadly. He'd want to get back at me so I prepared myself for the storm that was about to unravel. Jake came at me and threw two good punches to my jaw. I could smell the metallic smell of blood and I could tell my jaw would be bruised pretty badly. I tried to attack back but Jake blocked me and punched me in the stomach so hard I fell onto the mat with a loud thump. Jake gave me a toothy smile as he came closer to finish me off. But there's a reason I never lost a fight and it's because the opponent was usually too overconfident. I lay still on the floor, acting dazed.

"Come on. Just a little closer," I muttered under my breathe. Then as Jake bent down to pick me up, I grabbed his hands and twisted them which would by me a little bit of time. He winced as I slid under his legs and I stood up lightning fast; I had no time to lose. I kicked Jake in the back and he stumbled a little. He turned around and I grabbed his hand, flipped him (he was so much heavier than Peyton), and gave him a good series of punches to his face. His mouth was bleeding heavily and he had a black eye as well as a few bruises for me.

"Not so powerful now, are you babe?" I whispered while smirking at him.

"Time!" J.C yelled as he saw that Jake gave up. "Get off the mat and the other group get on," he said as he scribbled furiously in his notes. I was curious whether he was writing about me or Jake or the fight. I sat back down on my seat as Peyton and his opponent got ready. After a good ten minutes of punches, kicks, and flips, Peyton managed to beat his partner. I could tell Peyton was focused the entire time and his technique was amazing too.

"Nice job Peyton," I said as I gave him a small high-five.

"Thanks you too," He replied smiling. There was only one fight left and after that we went to the locker rooms, well I went to the bathroom, and got changed. Once I got out of the bathroom, I noticed Peyton waiting on the benches for me. He stood up as he saw me approach him.

"So I'll see you in half an hour?" he asked, hands in his jean pockets.

"Uh, yeah. Is there anything specific I have to wear?"

"You'll look good in anything," he said softly and I must've blushed or something because he returned his usual smirk.

"Nope! Get out!" J.C yelled as he walked out from his office. "I will not have two of my best fighters making love on my gym floor!!! And you two better not do anything stupid, I need you to compete in the next fight next weekend," J.C grumbled. "Now get out!"

Peyton and I scampered out of that super awkward situation. We quickly said our goodbyes and I rode back home to take a quick shower and change. This was going to be interesting; I've never been on a date and I was going on it with my only friend. If I can call Peyton that. My friend.

AN- Super short update for today! The reason for this is because I will not have any internet for the next 24 hours. I hate this chapter, I really do but I'll edit one day. Plus school starts in 6 days, which sorta sucks, so updates might be a little slow. Swim season is also starting in September so updates will be every week or every two weeks, sorry. Thank you all for the follows, reads, and votes. Please do the following---> COMMENT VOTE FOLLOW SHARE READ!!!! It makes me happy to see that my readers are actually reading. Until next chapter.

Love,

Juju