Relentless

13- Saige

The gym was jammed packed with the most people I've ever seen, so close you couldn't stand next to somebody without touching them. It was hot, sticky, and the fights haven't even started yet. The crowd went nuts cheering, whooping, and hollering along with blasting music throughout the building. I felt suffocated and pushed my way out to breathe in some fresh air. I had gotten here early in attempt to warm up and felt fine until all these people came in and my stomach tensed with huge knots, my heartbeat taking a wild ride with no point of stopping. I burst the doors open and sighed in relief when the slightly cooler air washed over me. I still had some time; maybe I can take a quick run to Safe Haven to gather my bearings before my fight.

A hand on my shoulder prevented me from doing so, "You're not quitting on me are you?"

I shook my head and turned to meet a dark gaze, "Just wanted some air."

He smiled sympathetically, "You'll do great; I know it."

"Do you know who I'm fighting?"

"Nope, Monroe has kept it under wraps." I rubbed my palms over the bottom of my shirt; he noticed my antsy state and gently took my upper arms making me face away from him. Before I could say anything, he rubbed my shoulders slowly moving his thumbs in a circular motion in the tense spots. I went rigid, not knowing what to make of what he was doing. He slid his hands down to the muscles around my shoulder blades keeping the pressure, a sigh escaped past my lips. "You need to loosen up, relax; do your best and you'll be fine."

My eyes fluttered closed as he continued to rub my back and shoulders, my body slackened on its own. The roar of the crowd was fainter but clearly heard as something went on inside. "Jackson," I whispered, opening my eyes. "About what happened yesterday, I-,"

"You don't need to say anything. I'm sorry about what I said; I never wanted to make you feel like you're weak." He moved his hands to my upper arms lightly spinning me back to face him, "Because the truth is you're not." I slightly furrowed my eyebrows at his tentative smile, cocking my head at his apprehensive tone. "I'm just glad to hear you say it yourself."

"What's the matter?"

He shook his head, any previous uncertainty gone as if it wasn't there in the first place, "Nothing."

My frown deepened as I reached out placing a hand on his shoulder, "I know something's up, you seem off lately. What can I do to help?"

The corners of his mouth twitched up in a genuine smile, brushing a few stray hairs that fell from my ponytail out of my face, "Don't worry about me, Saige."

"Why not? I'm your friend, and friends are supposed to be there for each other." He stilled, completely motionless, blank. I was a little startled, unwillingly shooting back to the time he had that look right before he would strike; I immediately tried to backtrack, I didn't want him to be mad at me. "Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean too, I was just-,"

He snapped out of whatever trance he was in and rested his warm hand on the side of my face, ceasing me from rambling, "You didn't say anything wrong, Saige, I appreciate it; I really do." He studied my face for a moment almost absent mindedly, "You're so much stronger than you know, O'Connor." He told me in earnest, his voice growing softer with each word, whispering the last part with so much raw, unknown emotion I was rendered speechless, "You're stronger than the lot of us, than me. Never forget that."

We stood before each other, his dark gaze pouring into my own, neither of us pulling away; not that I wanted to. That feeling whenever I was around him bubbled up inside more intense than usual, probably due to our closeness. I swallowed hard when he leaned his head closer, our foreheads softly brushing. His eyes flicked down to my lips, just like the time we were in the car after he took me to the aquarium and ride the rollercoaster. They met my eyes once more, silently asking permission. I wondered briefly if he could hear my heartbeat of how loud it was in my ears, but that thought flew out the window the moment his other arm snaked around my waist tugging me even closer; I was pretty sure he could feel it.