Short Stories by Panic! At The Disco

Victorious

The atmosphere within the gym made Brendon Urie's hair stand on end. It was harsh and intense the moment he walked in. Thomas Lentz, the man that spoke to his girlfriend one night and convinced her to leave him hoping she'd fall at his feet soon after. I guess I can't call her my girlfriend any more but at least he hadn't gotten what he'd been after either.

"Hey Thomas." He called out, interrupting the man from his work out. "I have a bone to pick with you."

Thomas huffed and stepped away from the punching bag. This brute of a man was substantially taller than Brendon and had few kilograms more muscle, not to mention he was every bit intimidating.

"What do you want pipsqueak?" He taunted, stepping up close and personal to flaunt his superior appearance.

"You're the reason I'm single and as you can see I'm not very happy about that."

"Listen man, I don't even know who you are."

"Does the name Krista ring a bell?"

Thomas thought for a moment before ginning gruesomely. "Yeah I remember her. Amazing body, if only she knew how to shut up."

Brendon shoved the man backwards. "That's my girl you're talking about." He was fuming, blinded by pure anger.

"Not since the last I check." He laughed, cracking his knuckles.

"You two!" Mr Weekes, the owner of the gym, hollered as he stepped between the two. "If you want to fight take it outside or sort it out like men in the rink. I will not stand for this violence in my gym."

"You man enough to face me in a little one-on-one boxing or are you afraid to get beaten by a little pipsqueak."

Thomas laughed, his deep voice echoing in the gym. "You honestly think you can beat me? Now this I've got to see."

"That's better. Now I want you two to gear up and head to the rink in five. I'll be the ref to make sure nothing gets out of hand." Mr. Weekes said, patting the two on the back before swiftly exiting to ready himself for the match.

Brendon had never felt more fired up in his life. He was going to beat this lump of meat at his own game then prove to Krista that he was worthy of her.

Brendon ripped his gown from his shoulders, bouncing up the stairs that lead to the rink and swung under the elastic cables that signalled the boundaries of the rink. Thomas stood waiting, punching his fists together as Brendon approach.

"I want a clean fight, no cheap shots. I f you lose don't be bitter about it, accept defeat and move on." Mr. Weekes instructed before stepping back.

Brendon spat out water and rolled his neck as he readied himself. The bell went off and Thomas wasted no time as he launched into his first attack. He aimed for Brendon's jaw, gut and anything else he could reach and succeeded every time. Brendon received a glove to the face and fell.

***

"I'm leaving you." Those words were enough to stop his heart.

Brendon chuckled uneasily. "You're not serious? This is an April Fool's joke right? Did Pete set you up to this?"

Brendon walked briskly around the middle-class apartment he shared with his long term girlfriend, upturning sofa cushions and checking inside cabinets for his mischievous friend.

"I'm not joking around Brendon." His ex reached out for him to halt him in his illogical search.

"You're holding my hand." He stated, his eyes flickering to where her fingers wrapped themselves around his palm. "You're still holding it which means you still love me."