A Fighter's Secrets (Jori Fanfic) [Discontinued]

Chapter 7

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Chapter 7: Tori's POV

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"How could you be so stupid?" Trina screeches as I throw a hard hook at the punching bag. Little volts of pain crawl up my arm, an electric cage surrounding the limb. My jaw clenches as I remain silent, repeatedly landing blows on the hard sack. "I mean-did you think you could keep this up forever? Jade's not stupid, you know."

It was after school in the Jungle Gym. We were currently talking about the incident with Jade and Darren's girlfriend. So far, it had not been a positive conversation. Then again, it wasn't too good to begin with.

Scowling, I breathe in deeply through my nose. "Trina, I think I know that she's not stupid." My fist smacks into the hard surface, reigniting the bursts of flames sprouting across my knuckles. It was a feeling I was too familiar with. Soothing even; it dulls out the inner turmoil. "Besides," I add through gritted teeth, "I'm not leaving any tracks behind. No one will find out and I can live in solitude while the girl of my dreams can hook back up with her ex." A low growl rumbles in the back of my throat as I smash my hand into the punching back, my wrist throbbing in agony.

A soft hand falls upon my shoulder, the fingers squeezing me in reassurance. "Tori... Sis," she starts, her voice gentle, "Jade won't get back together with Beck. They broke up for good last time. Their relationship is just too sloppy to be fixable."

I huff angrily, turning to her. My eyes were narrowed, glaring holes into her body. "They always get back together, Treen. And as much as I like Jade, I can never double cross Beck. It's not right." Shrugging her off, I direct my focus back to the bag. "I could never stand a chance anyway. Not like this. Even if we were to get together, how the hell would I keep this secret from her? It's a part of me! I can't do that. That's why I'm a hopeless romantic. I keep falling for the wrong people," I mutter, my shoulders slumping. "I might be Shelby Marx but I will always be Tori Vega, the idiot who fell in love with the person she could never have."

"Tori, don't say that." My sister grabs my forearm and forces me to sit on the bench. She presses her lips together, gripping my padded hands. "I'm never used to this," she whispers quietly. "I could never get over the fact that my little sister would go out there and risk her life in that ring."

My eyes soften as I realize what a jerk I've been. I was so caught up in the heat of the discussion and my own feelings that I completely ignored the person who probably cared for me most. "Trina..." I hold her hands tighter, bowing my head. Exhaling deeply through my nose, my shoulders lower. "I'm sorry for being such an asshole. I know it must be hard for you to let me go into a metal octagon and let me wrestle people larger than me." I throw my head back, ashamed of myself. "Oh for fuck's sake, this is all my fault."

I was seeing things through a different perspective and I was starting to realize what a screw up I've been. Especially to Trina. "Tori, it's okay. I've gotten used to it because I know you'll come back to us safe and sound. I trust you to do that for us. For me." Her eyes brighten as she looks me in the eye, tightly gripping my hand. I grin goofily as she nudges me with her shoulder. I appreciate how the tension just drained out of the conversation leaving us at ease and without conflict. "Alright, Tor. Shouldn't you be practicing to win on Saturday?"

A fierce dose of determination sinks into my veins as I nod, rising to my feet. I'm about to throw the first punch when she catches my forearm. Raising a brow at her, she points to my vibrating phone on the bench. I frown. I wasn't expecting any calls today. In fact, I rarely get any calls. Just texts. It's easier that way-less hassle.