A Silent Fighter (Punk Liam AU)

Chapter One: Safe & Alone

Aubrey's P.O.V
I sat in the passenger seat of my mum's car, looking out the window as the buildings of the town that was now my new home passed us by. I never in a million years would have predicted I would be moving back here in Hampshire with my mum again. But also, I never would have guessed these last two months of my life would have ever happened at all either.

"Hun," My mum started, grabbing my hand from my lap. I looked to her, the pain still in her eyes as she saw the fear present in mine. "These classes will be good for you and I think it'll help us both sleep better knowing you can defend yourself from here on out." I just briefly nodded to the woman before she turned into the plaza of The UFC Gym.

I had just enrolled in the gym to get some private self-defense lessons and despite how great it would be to know I could defend myself, I just was not up for this today. I honestly did not want anyone talking to me, let alone touching me. I had barely even talked to my mum since I moved back in with her, my step dad and my stepsister, Heidi, almost an entire month ago. Most of my time had been spent in my room, watching television and eating. But because summer is over and my first day of school at Rivington is tomorrow, mum made my first session today so I could get out of the house and I guess interact with people.

"Okay," She started, putting the car in park. "You want me to stay or go home and pick you up afterwards?" I just shrugged my shoulders, really not caring, before I opened the car door. "Aubrey." Mum called for me, an annoyed sigh escaping my lips. "Call me if you need me to come get you early, okay?" I nodded my head and this time I fully stepped out of the car; my gym bag hanging off of my shoulder, before I walked into the building.

There were way more males than females here and as I looked around, I couldn't help but notice how cut everyone was. The place was really professional ad while amateurs were being trained by the gym's experts all over the place, right in the middle of the gym was a large matching ring where two boys were fighting one another. Both of them were shirtless, only wearing those UFC spandex shorts with the thin set of boxing gloves on their hands. And while two months ago I would have stood there and drooled over the tattoo covered brunette in the ring, all he did was remind me of the one person that ruined my life forever.

"Aubrey?" Asked a male voice, my head following it. A young-adult male, fairly good looking, stepped to me as I nodded my head. "Hey," He started, putting his hand out for me to shake. "My names Ethan, and I'm your trainer." (Ethan at the top) I forced a smile, and shook his hand briefly. "Have you stretched or anything yet?" I just shook my head, earning a chuckle from him. "You're not much of a talker are you?" I forced some laughter, pushing my side bangs behind my ear.

"Sorry." I tenderly said, my voice cracking seeing as it's used so little lately. I cleared my throat, hoping to help that out some. "I'm just a bit shy sometimes." He chuckled.

  "No worries babe." I smiled. "C'mon then, follow me." I did as he said and he quickly pointed out a few things as we made our way to an open section of the gym. As he talked, I found it hard to listen to him seeing as there was so much noise coming from every direction. It was either the sounds of people's punches or their trained breathing patterns, which I assumed helped the impact of the blows they delivered. 

It wasn't long before he was done explaining how things would work and I was removing my jacket, leaving me in just a tank top, some spandex shorts and my running shoes. Since it was my first day, I didn't need to be barefoot and all that I would learn today was how to properly punch someone without hurting myself.