The Experiments of a Lifetime

Joyride

The last Friday before we would start. Today was the day I was going to make changes. I stood in front of the mirror, wearing clothes I'd normally wear. A black sweater with denim overalls over it. It was a warm outfit and matched my normal style.

I walked out of the house with my backpack on my shoulders. Lots of thoughts were going through my head. I was sure of a few things but very indecisive about others. Within minutes I arrived at school.

The whole day was taken over by my thoughts. It was a half day since winter break was coming up and we had once exam for the day. It was easy, but with the thoughts conquering my head it took me longer than I thought.

I met up with Markus in the hallway and we walked out together. "Looks like we have a lot to change," he said looking over to me. I nodded picking at the scabs on my knuckles. A sudden realization hit me, I had a fight today. Most of the time I fought for money, they could bet on me or not and if they thought I'd lose and I didn't I got all the money they bet.

"Markus I can't do anything tonight," I said grabbing a stray piece of hair from my head and tugging at it. "Why not?" He stopped walking and grabbed me. "I have a fight okay?" I said looking down. "What do you mean? You never told me about any of this."

"It's for money, and I usually don't get my ass beat so," I said shaking my wrist from his grip. "Can I watch at least? Maybe we can go for a joyride to celebrate your victory?" I looked up and nodded. "Just meet me at my house at five."

I walked the rest of the way home in silence, finding myself in my bed regretting the decision to tell him. I put my school things away and sat on my bed staring at the ceiling. I heard my stomach growl and I sat up.

Walking slowly to the kitchen, I heard a fight going on downstairs. "You promised to always use protection!" It was my mother's voice. "I did! She was a stupid bitch and used an oil lube!" I ignored the screaming and opened the bread box. There was some sliced bread left and I decided to make a sandwich. I put left over turkey and some mayonnaise onto the bread and started eating.

"Eleanor Rose get your ass over here!" I put down my food and walked as calmly as I could to my mother who was fuming. I could see her face becoming more red by the minute. "Yes momma?" I asked hiding my hands behind my back. "Why didn't you tell me your brother was sleeping around?" She yelled into my face. I clenched my jaw and saw her eyes soften. "Sorry for yelling," she said in a small voice. "I'm concerned that's all."

"I'm old enough. I can take care of a baby, she's out of school and so am I. I just need to get a better job," Vern said to my mom who was clearly shaken up. I walked away, not exactly feeling anything for them. Of course I knew my brother would slip up at some point, do something wrong. I took the sandwich into my room and finished it, looking into my closet for something to wear to the club.

I picked out a black tee shirt, paired with dark blue jeans and my leather jacket. The leather jacket was one of the first things I bought when I started earning money for fighting. It's a weird system with lots of ways to get around the system and stay off grid.

I picked up a bag and stuffed it full of clothes that I never wear, plus necessities. I looked into my mirror and checked if I looked good, I looked normal. I put a ring on and grabbed scissors off my desk and stuffed them in the bag. I took my stash of money and stuffed it into the bag as well.

I heard a knock on our door and I scurried to the door, seeing Markus there. He was wearing something that made him look more intimidating. I smiled at him and we got in his car. I always walked there, but this joyride was not going to be on foot.

I pointed him to the direction of the club and we made it there within ten minutes. I would be fighting Laura Beringhan. She was a buff blonde and had cold blue eyes. From the outside she looked small and weak but on the inside she was a machine. We are actually friends, but the biggest bets have been placed for us fighting so we decided to do it, for financial sake.

We arrived into the abandoned strip club off the outskirts of town and I got out of the car. Markus followed me into the building and I handed him some money. "Bet on me," I said winking at him. I saw Laura staring at me from across the room. There was a decent amount of time before the fight was supposed to take place so I walked over to her.

"What's your bet ration so far?" I asked giving her a smile. "Six-hundred fucking dollars," she said laughing and shaking her head. "Your fans are some crazy sons of bitches huh?" I asked taking a sip of a drink in someone's hand.

"Yeah. What's yours at?" I smiled widely, "you won't believe it." Her blue eyes widened waiting for the answer. "Fourteen hundred. I have rich old men betting on me," I laughed.

"Holy shit Rosie you're stacked!" She blurted out. I heard the bell ring and I knew I'd have to fight her now. "Good luck," I said no sarcasm tainting my voice. I took my ring and jacket off and watched the circle form around us. I knew Laura, she was a power hog. She wasn't calculated, so that's how I'd take her down.

Chanting was around us and she came barreling at me. I quickly dodged, being able to set up a good trip. She fell onto the ground in a heap and snatched my ankle. I managed to stomp her off and get on top of her. It was quite easy to ignore the hair pulling that she offered when I went in for a simple match ending move.

I didn't know it'd be that easy. When the second bell sounded I stood up off of her relieved to see the only thing that happened to her was a little bit of a bloody lip. I gave her a handshake, "it was a simple mistake."

She smiled at me and patted my back, "I didn't think about how you fought." Her face was red with embarrassment. "See you around sometime," I said collecting the money from the people who placed a bet on her. I put my jacket back on and met up with Markus. I saw another man towering over him.

"What are you doing?" I asked him tapping on his shoulder. He turned around and squinted at me, "sticking up for this punk? He doesn't belong here." I clenched my jaw, trying to manage the anger coursing through my veins.

"I brought him here, thank you very much. Aren't you aware of the rules here?" I grabbed Markus by the wrist and stomped away. He handed my money back to me and followed me to the car. "So are you ready for that joyride?" I asked smiling at him.

He started the car and I put my feet up on the dashboard. "So did you see the fight or was that asshole on you the whole time?" He moved a hand to my leg and patted it, "I knew you could fight but I thought she'd at least get a hit or two on you."

We continued to drive and talk until the sun rose, enjoying the last moments of being Eleanor and Markus.