A Change of Heart || Archie Andrews

4

I get into the car and see Kennedy with an open mouth. I don't say anything, i just sit there. What the hell just happened? I turn my attention to Kennedy only to see her sporting this shit eating grin. I silently chuckle and put the keys in the ignition. I begin to drive occasionally taking a look Kennedy. She just has this look of pure satisfaction on her face.

"Shut up Kennedy, i don't wanna talk about it."

"I didn't even say anything." She says laughing.

"But you were thinking it, just drop it." I say trying to maintain my straight face for as long as i can.

"Alright." she pauses. "But you were thinking it too."

"Shut up Kennedy." she puts her hands up in mock surrender. We pull up to the dorms and walk in. I go through my bag and find my shorts and signature sports bra. I walk to the bathroom and run the shower water. I check my phone and see a text from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hey it's me Archie. I did as you said and begged my sister for your number. She kept screaming something about how she loves her fingers.

Shit, I forgot about that. I laugh a little and think of what to say. This whole thing is making me sound like a teenage girl. He's changing me already.

Me: Hey, I see you did or you wouldn't have texted me. And as for the loving her fingers thing, it was just a misunderstanding. I'm in the process of taking a shower, so later Archie.

If he replied, I didn't get the chance to see it because i quickly began to shower. I think about the fight tonight. Apparently there's a new comer, does it worry me? Not necessarily. I mean, it's just a new person, if anything i'm excited. A new face to see in the ring. I quickly lather my body up twice, since i've actually been outside today. I step out of the shower and begin to dry myself. I braid my hair in two french braids and slide on my shorts and then cover them with a pair of my dads old sweatpants that i couldn't bring myself to get rid of. They're kinda like my good luck charm, only their pants. I then put on the bra and a random shirt, like always. I exit the bathroom and throw my wraps and what not into the bag and head to the car, Kennedy in tow.

"So, we have some news on this new comer. She's a reigning champ from a complete different country,but she keeps that under wraps. She's been fighting ever since her parents split, and shes fucking good. Her parents splitting was 6 years ago and she's been winning since the tender age of 15." Damn, that's longer than i have, shes good. Now i may be a tad worried, but i'm not gonna let it get to me. I'm the champ of Yancey, and no one, not even this foreign chick, will take that title from me. I worked long and hard to get it, and i'm keeping it.

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I stand in what's considered my dressing room, trying to provoke some anger into myself. It'd normally take 3 minutes to make myself angry, but for some strange reason it isn't working as fast.I look at myself in the mirror and I try to think about the specific details of the court case, how that evil son of a bitch, sat there and lied about murdering my father. This definitely sets me off, i'm shaking with anger as i replay the words in my head.

"How do you plead sir?"

"Not guilty."

I stare at this man, with pure hatred. How could you plead not guilty to murdering someone, most importantly how could you live with yourself knowing you destroyed a family. Better yet, left a little girl father-less.

I open my eyes and punch the mirror, letting it shatter to the ground.I feel a hand on me and i whip around to see Derek. He instantly pulls me into a hug. I enjoy his embrace, he doesn't necessarily agree with my tactics to win my fights, but it's just one of those things. I pull away to see the guy i call Manny, this chubby little guy, ushering me to come out and get ready.

"Thanks Derek, but i need go." I pull myself away from, only to be pulled back again.

"Hey, take it easy alright? I mean go out there a kick some ass, but know your limits."I smile at him, and nod my head and exit the room. As usual i get the special introduction, that kinda gets old after a while, but hey at least i get one. I close my eyes and hold on to that anger and pain. Whoever this new fighter is, she must be well known because it is packed here. More than normal. They say my opponent's name first, considering this is my home. They begin the fairly long introduction of mine. I do a silent prayer like always and commence the long start to the ring as they play what Derek calls trap music. I like it, only because it hypes me up. I start shaking my head and hopping. I look down until i get to the ring. I look over to see Derek and Kennedy and Derek smiles but Ken looks like she's just seen a deer. She jerks her head to the ring and i see something i wish i hadn't. I squint my eyes, as that person looks at me and does the same.

What the hell is Amelia doing here! My mouth drops and as does Lia's. I march up the steps and walk to her.

"Amelia? You're the champ everyone says i should be worried about. Does Archie know? Where is he?" I look around and she grips my arm and turns me around.

"No, he doesn't know and he's not gonna alright? Don't tell him, its my buisness and i choose when to tell him." she snapped.

"I'm not gonna start whatever were starting to have, with a secret. But i'll tell you this, if he asks me anything about this i'm not gonna keep anything from him. Now that that's out of the way, im gonna beat your ass." I say with a small smile. She laughs and pulls me in for a hug and i awkwardly stand there. I push her off of me and laugh a little as i retreat to my corner. I take off my robe and meet her in the center, with a smile.

"Okay ladies, i want a clean fight, you guys should both know the rules, being vets and all, so let's skip all that. Clean, Fair, Fun. Shake hands, and begins." He backs away and i pound her fist. The match has begun. She makes a quick jab to my face, that shocks me and will leave a mark. I recover from it quickly, and begin to advance. Seeing that she isn't moving backwards, I note that me advancing is what she wants. I fought people with that same theory which is pretty much them assuming i'm not fast enough to advance while dodging, and i always happily prove them wrong. I move forward and decide to blitzkrieg her, throwing punches that will perhaps leave a mark, but not at her face, that's just rude. She is still my friend. The punches are all fast and she moves her hands down to cover her torso, where all of my hits are. Without thinking, and practically forgetting she's my friend, i deliver one final blow to her face, sending her plummeting to the ground. The crowd goes crazy, as the ref begins counting, and i begin silently praying she doesn't get up because i don't think i could do that again.

My prayers lie unanswered as she rises and shakes off blood from her lips. She sends me one of those Flynn shit eating grins, and my inside churn slowly. Its official, she's out for blood.

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I limp to my car to see Derek, Ken, and Lia. I did in fact beat her, but she didn't go down without a fight, hence why i'm limping to my car. I attempt to give Lia a hug.

"Congratulations love, you deserved it. Now come on, Kennedy is gonna drive us to you guys dorm. The blows you delivered to me will sure as hell leave Archie confused." I barely register what she is saying and just hobble to the car and lay on Derek's legs. Kennedy talks about what it was like from the audience's point of view with colorful words, the entire way home. Even calling it the most exciting thing she's ever seen in her life. We reach the dorm and i go to my bed and collapse, i'm not tired, just physically drained. Lia lays on Ken's bed and begins to talk.

"So, are you gonna tell Archie? Because then you'd have to tell him about yourself too." I didn't really think about it that way. Archie and I could potentially have something, and i wouldn't want to start something great, with a secret.

"Only if he asks, will I speak. Now get some sleep. We have to wake up early and hide our bruises before we leave to show you around. Can't walk around looking as if we were in an intense underground fight,can we?" she stares and laughs. I walk and turn the light off and within seconds i'm out, just like that light. 

Well, Thats a wrap for that chapter. How'd you like it? I also wanted to say if anyone is interested in making an awesome book cover, you can. Mines honestly suck. Adios! Happy Reading!

Kay Kay Glovez