Oblivious

Chapter One

Unedited chapter.

Word Count: 1618

_________

"Get up" He practically growls, as I feel a new set of weight press into the small of my back.

Using my arms I attempt to push myself up, only to come crashing back down.

"I said get up."

Letting out a deep sigh, I wait a few moments and then quickly push myself up hoping to take him by surprise. But then again who am I kidding, I don't think it was humanly possible to take this man by surprise.

I feel the wind being knocked out of me as I come crashing back to the ground. I hear him let out a deep sigh, the weight that was once pushing into my back is removed followed by the shuffling of feet.  Sitting up I turn to look at him, immediately defeat consumes my entire being as I see the look of disappointment take over his features.

"I'm sorry," I mumble softly

"Sorry isn't going to cut, this is the third time this week."  

"I know and I'm really sorry, I swear it won't happen again." 

I watch as Raimo slowly turns around to face me while crossing his arms over his chest.

"This isn't like you, Lou. I'm really worried about you." I watch as Raimo's brows pinch together in worry.

This only fuels to my already growing guilt, I feel my shoulders sag at his words. As much as I would like to play the ignorance game, I know that Raimo is right, I have been slacking off. My reason for slacking off, well to put it simply there is no reason for my slacking off. I wish I had a good explanation for why I've been slacking, but there isn't one.  Lately, I've been out of it and at first it wasn't affecting me, but now it's becoming a bigger issue than I originally thought.

"I really am sorry, though, I don't know lately I've  just been out of it. I promise though after tonight it won't happen again. I swear." I say

I watch Raimo as he lets out a deep sigh and uncrosses his arms from his chest.

"I know you are like I said earlier sorry isn't going to cut it, especially out there. In the real world, one step behind or a punch thrown to late will be the end of you. Your enemy isn't going to care if you can't focus that day and sorry sure as hell isn't going to keep them from putting a bullet in your head."

Every single word Raimo said is true. I don't know what's gotten into me, but I have to get over it. Like what Raimo said, with the kind of world we live in there is no room for errors or mistakes because one small slip up will cost you everything.

Knowing no other words can be said to make up for my lack of performance, I simply nodded my head in understanding.

"Look Lou don't beat yourself about it, I just want you to understand so that you're more cautious and careful. Go take few laps and you'll be done for tonight."

Without another word, I watch as Raimo walks away. Getting up I begin to run my laps. Once I finish my laps, I exit the gym and walk into the locker room. Going over to my locker I open it and grab all of my things and then quickly shut and lock it. Leaving the locker room I walk back into the gym to find Raimo inside of the ring practicing .

"If it's ok  with you I'm going to go ahead and call it a night."  At the sound of my voice, the next punch Raimo is getting ready to throw stops midway. I watch as his arms drop to his sides as he comes up from his fighting stance.

"Yeah, you're good to go for the night. I want you to take off the rest of this week and get yourself sorted out, the last thing I need is for you to continue showing up and waste both of our time by not being focused. I want you back here bright and early Monday morning, is that understood?" He says walking over to me