"And we're closed!"
"Mr. Nuzum, are you sure you don't want me to stay and help?" Kat asked, stopping as she grabbed her jacket from behind the counter. She could never be cold to her boss who was hyper despite his graying hair.
"Kat, you can leave. I know you have school in the morning." Nuzum said, smiling warmly. When Kat opened her mouth to speak, he stopped her. "I can handle the boring financial process tonight."
Kat couldn't argue with the older man. "Have a nice night."
"You as well," Nuzum yelled as Kat walked out of the small noodle shop.
Kat walked down the sidewalk, unfazed by the cold autumn air. She could still smell the lingering scent of soup spices on her clothes as she walked closer to her apartment. The closer she got, the more rundown and cheaper the surrounding buildings grew. Her apartment was dark even when she turned on the lights. It was drafty, and a spot on the carpet had a suspicious dark stain. It was bad but it was the only thing she could afford.
Dropping her jacket on the arm of the small couch, she headed immediately for her bathroom. Stripping, she hurried under the blasting shower head. The warm water quickly turned cold, normal in such a cheap living space. Kat was thankful for it nonetheless. Wrapped in a towel, Kat moved into her tiny bedroom. Changing into gray sweatpants and a black tank top, she brushed out her now dripping hair. Her stomach growled but Kat was too exhausted to fulfill her body's needs. She would do it in the morning.
The smell of blood was thick in the air. A strangled wail sounded, echoing around. All could be seen was bright red. The flash and bang of a gunshot, the thud that the now dead body made as it hit the floor was drowned out by the red. Nothing could overpower the red, hot anger.
Kat awoke with a jolt. She was breathing heavily, sitting in her own sweat. Throwing off the sheets, she stood. Pacing, she calmed her now racing heartbeat. Glancing outside, the sun was just breaking the horizon. The sky was a pale red and pink gradient. A small comfort to her tense muscles.
Kat's mind was whirling as she pulled a hoodie over her shirt and replaced her pants with leggings. With hands clenched into fists, she left her apartment with one place in mind.
"Ah, Kat!" Axel greeted from the front door. "It's been a hot minute!" He smiled cheerfully as he let her into the boxing ring.
Kat sighed. "Yeah, it has."
He stopped her from walking over to the punching bag. "Cover your hands."
The corner of Kat's mouth twitched in mild annoyance as she wrapped her small hands in white bandages. The second they were both tightly wrapped, she was by the sand-filled bag. Her punches flew endlessly, pent-up anger fueling her. Time passed by quickly.
Kat sat on the side of the ring, chugging a bottle of water. Axel sat on a metal bench in front of her.
"I thought you were taking a break from the ring." He sipped his own water.
She swallowed, wiping her mouth. "I was."
Axel eyed her slightly pink bandaged wrapped hands warily. "Nightmare?"
"Of course, what else would it be?" She asked sarcastically.
Axel smiled weakly. "At least it was the punching bag."
Kat nodded, finishing off her water. Wiping her face with the provided towel around her neck, she started to remove the bandages tenderly. Her hands were stiff, small angry looking cuts evidence of her strife.
Axel checked his watch. "Oh, I have to open soon."
Kat perked up, looking up from studying her left hand. "What time is it?"
"Ten to seven." Axel eyed her in confusion.
Kat cursed loudly. "I have class!" she snatched up her hoodie from beside her and zipped it up quickly.
"Bye then," Axel yelled to her as she sprinted out.
A/N
This story started out on a Google Docs document and I have at least forty pages to just copy and paste so the first few chapters might be closes added together. Even if I have it ahead of time, I feel like it would be good to space them out in case I get writer's block and fail to upload later chapters.
I hope you like this so far. I'm really proud of my work, as selfish as that sounds. I hope you like it too! :)
Author out!!
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A Locked Box
Teen FictionA cold, guarded girl is a new student in a local public school. She meets an innocent, carefree boy who annoys her. But of course, it would not be a story without some romance *wink*. How will their relationship play out? Will the girl push him away...