The Fight Club Academy

03

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"Take the sweetheart down."

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A brightly lit hall, all kinds of sounds audible around me, screaming, cursing. Everyone was busy practising as my eyes darted up. A large ring elongated in front of me. I fixed my gloves, my braided hair swayed down my back. Bestiring myself and mustering all strength I could gather together, I stepped inside the ring.

Nicole followed me, a smirk plastered on her features. Her gaze glued to my every move as she fixed her ponytail. I tried to focus. Although I knew what I was capable of, the people's stares and the confidence radiating off of Nicole - it was undeniable, daring to falter my poise.

"Will you keep staring holes into me, or are we going to start anytime soon?" I finally looked up at her, meeting her eyes glistening with excitement. Her posture was straight and solid, her gloves up, ready to get this over with. She waved her hand, motioning me to come at her first. But I usually waited for my opponents to start. And as if Nicole had sensed it, she took a few long strides toward me. Her blue boxing gloves seemingly sparkled as she blew her fist at me. Her hot punch grazed my chin, causing me to sidestep instinctively. But as if she had predicted it, her movements matched mine, aiming and adapting quickly.

"Can't wait for your lazy arse to move, poppet." Nicole slammed her fist into the void of my stomach, making me choke for air. A second blow followed right after, managing to hit my right cheek. My face flew to the side.

"René," Nicole halted, shaking her head. I rested my hands on my knees, my gut ached as I glanced at her from under my lashes, "I want someone else." She argued.

What's wrong with me? I swallowed the knot in my throat, straightening up again. Although the eyes watching made me feel fidgety on the spot, I wasn't one to stagger because of a few aims, even if they were clear-cuts. I wiped the sweat on my forehead with my arm, inhaling sharply.

"Nicole, take the sweetheart down. I'll find you a more suitable partner." Shawn's voice reverberated in my ears. My jaw clenched, my brows lifting. If I didn't want them to taunt me this way, I had to show them who they were messing with.

"Right, Nicole," I added, ignoring the pain in my abdomen and the burning sensation on my cheek. Nicole for sure had some powerful punches. I tilted my head to the side, staring at her challengingly, "End this one first."

Something flickered in Nicole's eyes as if I had turned on a switch. Her grin grew large, her legs opening wider, fixing her stance. Her eyes travelled down my body.

"However you want," She chuckled, a mockery lingered in her tone. With her smirk growing wider, she lunged at me. I dodged her fast, landing a punch on her lower back as she rushed past me. A gasp left her lips. She whirled around to face me as I did a roundhouse, my fist slamming against the side of her head.

"Fuck." She hissed, slowly beginning to stagger.

Nicole reached for my neck, grabbing me forcefully, holding me tightly as she started to punch me in my stomach again. My breath stuck in my throat, the urge to throw up swelling inside me, causing my vision to swirl. No matter how hard I wriggled, trying to push her away with all power left in me, I failed, her grip not loosening.

An aggressive yelp erupted Nicole as I stood in my defensive position, taking in her punches one after another, on the lookout for her to give me a second. And she did. Weakening her grip by accident for a short moment, I handled that opportunity to get out, whirling around and twisting her arm around my neck along with me.