Arden

29. Kales

29. Kales

There's nothing more Badass than being who you are...

***

I ducked as Ali's fist came towards my head. He kept throwing punches, and I was barely dodging them.

I brought my knee and drove it into his stomach and as he hunched over, I brought my elbow into his back. I wasn't strong enough, so Ali grabbed me behind my legs and flipped me completely over. I landed on my side and let out a cry of pain. "You okay?" Ali asked breathlessly.

I wasn't giving up. I kicked him from under his feet. "I'm fine." I breathed out. Ali fell to the ground and I quickly hovered over him holding him by his chest I wasn't strong enough. Ali used his foot and kicked me off of him. My back hit the floor and I hastily stood up. Ali was up quick too.

He gave me a cautious look. "Arden, maybe we should stop, your breathing is unsteady." We were both sweating, the end of my ponytail kept sticking to my neck, and Ali's man-bun looked better than most girls.

Not really important, but hey...

I shook my head. "No. Let's keep going, I have to get my Kales back." I told him as I was breathing heavy.

He sighed. "Okay, let's go." He made the first move. Punches, he kept throwing punches, at this point, I was barely dodging any of his blows. I brought my leg to kick but Ali instantly caught it. He flipped me sideways and I landed on my two feet. Ali grabbed my arm, spun me around and wrapped his arm around my neck.

I clawed at his arm as he was choking me. Don't give up, Arden. You can do it. "Tap out." Ali said.

"No." I gritted out as I clawed on his arm. I was losing air fast, but i'm not going to give up. "Arden, tap out." He repeated. I couldn't even talk this time. I saw dark spots, but I still wasn't giving up.

"Arden, I can't stop until you tap out." It sounded like someone I knew, but I didn't think much about it.

What's happening?

My eyes started to roll into my head as I found it hard breathe...but then I was able to. I dropped to the floor and started coughing uncontrollably. I felt a pair of strong arms lift me up from the ground. "Arden, Please tell me you're okay." Ali held me steady.

As my vision cleared up, I stepped away from him. "Why did you let go?" I asked, my voice cracking.

Ali gave me a perplexed look. "I could've killed you...why didn't you tap out?" He asked.

"I don't know!" I screamed. "I couldn't stop, Ali. I need my strength back, damn it!"

"Arden, Mani said it's going to take time-"

"We've been doing this all day!"

"That doesn't mean you should beat yourself up for that." He told me. Ugh, now I feel like giving up.

"It's not even worth it anymore. Seeing my friends getting hurt in front of me, with all the shit Hayden and his friends put us through, what's the point? I can't take it anymore. I give up. No matter what we do, he will always be two steps ahead of us." I rambled, as I felt the tears coming.

I give up. I give up. I'm done.

"Arden, don't cry." Ali said as he pulled me into a hug.

"What's the point, Ali?" I choked. "We all know it, we don't stand a chance against him."

Ali sighed. "Don't say that." He pulled back and looked at me seriously. "We've told you before, you, Arden, you're the one who is going to put an end to all of this."