Don't fall, it might hurt

Punch to the Gut

My heart races as my eyes connect with probably 50 other pairs. To make it even better its looks as if I'm the only girl here. I really don't need this right now. I look around to see if there is any anyone, in charge that I could talk to. After a second or two I see a man almost covered in tattoos, dreads right past his shoulders, septum piercing, and the body of Hercules. His arms are crossed while he looks at me with satisfaction and maybe a bit of curiosity. Feeling more confident with all of this attention I calmly walk over to him. Making sure to sway my hips more then usual and to keep my chin up. I need these people to see I am more then just a pretty face. The whole walk there I keep eye contact. It's easier for me to do that, I used to be ashamed and couldn't look anyone in the eyes. Now I know I can't let anyone think that I'm cowardly or scared or broken. All I am is bad luck.

Getting closer to him I realize that he is a lot older then me. Probably mid 30's. Still in great shape though, I'm sure he's a fighter. Once I reach him, I drop my bag and  I mirror his stance. I cross my arms and keep my feet pointing him, giving me full attention. I tilt my chin to the side ever so slightly, feigning interest. I am the first to speak.

"I'm sure you've spoken to a friend of mine," I pause for dramatic effect " Bryce Sims, maybe?"

He waits a second before he speaks up. 

"Ah yes, Marina..." subtly asking my last name.

"Just Marina," I say making sure he knows I'm dead serious.

"Ok, well, I hear you're a feisty one.  Sure you can make it here? You seem a bit...unqualified." He says with an unspoken challenge, and knowing me I'm not one to give up. To prove my point I step even closer, our faces inches apart. I notice some of his stronger fighters shift prepared to fight if need be. I'm sure he sees this two because he holds out a hand signaling them to stand down.

"If you want me to show you how 'unqualified' I am, find me your best fighter." I say as cold and sharp as I can.

"He's out at the moment. I have my second in rank, though. I'll give you 30 minutes to warm up then we meet at the ring." He says pointing over to cement platform where the fighters go to get their fix.

"You might want to have a medic prepared. I tend to draw blood." I say with a smirk.

"I'll  worry about that. You get changed and ready," he says before turning to leave. "Chain, show this little lady to the lockers and her warm up room." He says over his shoulder. As soon as he walks away It's like all the tension in the leaves the room. After grabbing my bag, Chain and I make our way over to, what I can only assume is, the locker rooms. I hear a few cat-calls and whistles. For the most part, I ignore them occasionally glancing over and shooting them a wink or a flirty smile, which only gets them more riled up.  

I hear Chain chuckle quietly while shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" I say tugging on him so that we are stopped standing face to face.

"It's just that having you here is the most exiting thing to happen here in a while." He says calmly with a shrug.

"Oh, so, you find me exiting?" I say with my signature smirk.

"Um, well, It's, um..." He stutters, at a loss for words. He looks flustered with his cheeks tinged pink and eyes wider then normal. I put my hand on his chest in attempt to calm him. The action had the exact opposite effect then what I had expected.

"Hey,look, it's cool. Plus you look cute when you're nervous." I say my grin more real now. Again he's rendered speechless, so I grab his arm gently and start walking toward the lockers that I can now obviously identify.