Bruised

Chapter 25

Few words were changed when Joe arrived at Matt's, actually they had simply made a bet, the one who lost the race would buy the other a beer. Having done that both hopped on their motorcycles and drove to the nearest park as usual. They never really cared about the park in fact but there was a bar nearby that had an amazing view and they would normally go there, have a beer, chat for a couple of hours or so accompanied by friends most of the time, yet today it seemed like it would be only the two of them.

"Have you been talking to Nate?" the taller one asked "We talked yesterday, he said they'd come soon but not how soon so I guess it will be two more weeks or so before they decide to come back" Matthew said bittersweet "But I couldn't be happier for them, seriously, if anyone deserves the best it's those two, no question." Joe smiled, the other didn't really know why but figured it should be because he just found it cute how Matthew cared so much about his best friend.

"Did Stella talk to you?" Joe brought up after a few exchange of words about motorcycles and even about the possibility of going to a near festival "She was going to but then she just said something about Long Beach and said you'd tell me" He stated quite confused.

"We are going to Long Beach tomorrow. It will be a short trip and probably one the funniest you'll ever have" the blue eyed let out a laugh but that didn't stop Joe from continuing "You know we are from there right?" a simple nod was more than enough for him "So yeah, my friends invited us and it would be could if you could come with us"

"Long Beach is quite a drive from here though" Matthew stated the obvious "We're going by plane obviously, but that's all you have to pay cause we have a house there so"

"I don't know" he didn't know anyone after all "Oh c'mon ! You know us! That's all you need" he knew Joe would cover up for pretty much any excuse he gave so after some minutes he just gladly nodded "Long Beach it will be".

The ride home took way longer because Matthew stopped at Scandal to show the other the place. Although he wasn't planning to he ended up training for a while, specially after telling Bossy he wouldn't be around for the next days, not that Joe was bothered by it at all, actually he couldn't have loved the idea anymore. While Matt went to the locker he asked Bossy if he could try and the old man laughed in his face just to say next "Of course you can son, let me just get you a pair of gloves"

For the first time practising you couldn't say he was terrible, he was average Matthew told him but he was so into it that didn't even bother him. Then he just took off the gloves and decided to watch Matthew train in the center boxing ring. In the begining it was just normal training, him hitting the way Bossy told him but then he stopped and went to get a rope which was used to make sure his hands were immobilised. Then a big guy nicknamed Hedgehog jumped in and started throwing punches that Matt couldn't obviously answer. The whole idea was for him to be able to move faster and deviate easily in future matches, needless to say that didn't turn out ao great. Finally after a good two hours of sweating and hurting Matthew was finally ready to go.

Matthew took a shower, packed some things, then he made his way to the kitchen and after a few days of eating out jumping from friends homes to restaurants he decided to prepare something for him to eat. Living with only his father he had learnt everything about housework and cooking from a young age so that didn't really bother him. Was he good at it though? Not masterchef material for certain. He laughed at the thought remembering everything he had burnt from rice to eggs it wasn't hard to name.

After cleaning everything he went to his room and ended up sitting in front of his laptop, headphones on quite loud while he yelled Eminem's lyrics and read a bit about the world around him but as usual it didn't take long before he was bored.

"Bossy? Do you think I could stop by to grab the keys?" The man on the other side of the line let out a loud laugh "I mean a couple of years ago I would have to pay you to make you do something like this, stop by anytime kid" He thanked and quickly changed.

The old man lived at least 7 miles away and from his house it would be around 2 more but Matthew decided to run there. It was summer and the night was really warm, he had his phone and his keys and nothing more. He could see Bossy's house lights on and it was obvious he was already outside "Took you long enough kiddo" Matthew was breathless so he just showed him his thumb as a sign of mocking, after that and once he catched his breath he grabbed the keys and made his was to Scandal not slowing down.

The letters on the top had been changed recently and were of a bright red iluminating half of street. Once inside he made his way to his usual corner and began training as someone who was actually going to fight- he had decided to do only one set of ten repetitions for each exercise, starting off with pull ups, then he did three different types of push ups, following dips and stopped after doing some deadlifts . He was more than awake by then even though any normal person should be asleep. He grabbed a jump rope that was on the floorand just began his daily routine, going faster as the music got louder.

By now, tired was the best word to caracterize him but he just wouldn't slow down. He put on his gloves and walked in a slow pace to the speedball allowing himself to rest for a while before actually beginning . It felt so good to be there alone, doing what he wanted and pushing himself as hard as he could but not because someone else wanted him to, tonight he did it because he knew this was his life and he really wanted this.