My Mistake

Chapter 4

I stood in front of the gym. It's been almost 10 minutes since Jace drooped me off here. I don't know why I keep getting nervous. I have to focus. I need to forget.

I take a deep breath and enter the gym. I expect everyone's eyes to be on me but everyone's just doing their thing. I sigh in relief and head straight to the changing rooms. After

I change I head back to the front desk to get an annual membership. The lady at the desk is pretty enough, and she is fit. Like, the definition of fit.

"You said one year membership?" She asks, smiling at me. I just nod my head.

"Ok. Give me a second..."She starts to type something on the computer in front of her. Bored I look around. It's bigger then the gym back home. Quite spacious too. And way more equipments.

"Here you go. That will be $70 please." I had to restrain myself from fainting. $70 dollars?! Back at home, it was about 500. She hands me the card. I silently nod and head back to the gym itself.

I head for the treadmill first. I put in my earphones so I can listen to music and zone out whiles being o it. It helps me forget the pain my  legs will soon be experiencing.

After an hour of sweat and music I move on to my favorite equipment. The punching bag.

"Ok. I can do this. Just remember him." I pep talk myself. I start punching. I soon lose my self in it too. Images of past memories flash through my mind, fueling my strength to keep punching the bag.

I notice a few people have stopped exercising to watch me. I just keep on punching. And now I add my legs. It feels so good.

I kick it one more time and the bag tears open. I hear a few gasps and look around to see that now everyone is watching me.

"Oops?" A man-probably in his early thirties- walks up to me . I can see years of exercising payed off. This man is ripped.

"That—that was.." I close my eyes in readiness for the yelling. "That was AWESOME." I opens my eyes to see everyone cheering for me. I'm honestly surprised. Maybe seeing 17 year  old girls tearing open a punching bag is normal here.

Everyone surrounds me and starts to congratulate or compliment me.

"That was sick girl!"

"You have got to teach me some moves!"

"Awesome!"

"Way to go!"

"You treated that bag like it was nothing!Sweet!"

"You damaged public property." At the last comment everyone stops talking to glare at someone at the back.

"I mean, it's not surprising that a negro would do this." The burly man who came up to me first opened his mouth to retaliate but I held up my hand in silence.

I walked towards the voice. The crowd parted so I could see the person. A boy. Maybe 18, obviously works out a lot, and he is hot. Too bad he was only blessed with good looks.

"You have a problem with black people?" I ask, still walking toward him.

"Yeah. Only those who destroy property." I'm now standing directly in front of him. This guy had no idea who he's dealing with.

"What's your name?"

"Mike."

"Mike. Nice name. Hey, so what's up? I mean apart from the fact that you're being—excuse my language— an asshole?" I hear a few snickers and I just widen my grin.

His smile falters a bit.

"So negro, you think you're strong eh? Well why don't we go one-on-one right now?" I scoff at his stupidity.

"Like I would waste my time on trash like you." I turn to walk away but he says something to make me stop dead in my tracks.

"Of course. I understand. It would be impossible for a girl to beat me." I didn't even hesitate. I threw the first punch and I never miss.

The punch took him by surprise but soon snapped out of it. The cheering starters getting louder.

Ok, so maybe I underestimated him a little. He's good. But I'm better.

He throws a punch. I block it easily.

"This is fun Mike. But it's getting late, so..." I quickly slide my leg under his feet to make him fall. The second he's on the ground I'm on top of him, pinning him down.

"Let's end this."

I squeeze his wrists tight to make sure he doesn't get up.

"Ok, ok! Fine, I surrender." But I'm not done yet.

"Apologize." My respond hits him by surprise.

"I'm sorry, what?" I narrow my eyes at him for effect.

"A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E!" I hiss in his ear.

"Listen bitch—" I hold both his wrists with one hand(when I'm angry I become stronger) and slap him with the free one.

"You listen here Mike," I spit at him. "I am no one's bitch. You got that?"

He shakes his head to agree with me. I smile at him.

"Good boy." I release my grip on him and stand up, brushing myself off.

"You've got quite the strength uhh...uhh.."

"It's Lexi." I say, grabbing my bags and heading for the door.

"Hey Lexi!" I pause and turn to look at Mike. He's smiling. Weird boy.

"What?" I snap.

"See you next time? Maybe you could be my sparring partner." I look at him to see any hint of a lie. He looks genuine.

"Ok, cool." And I smile back.

***

"Alright class, here are you're tests." The teacher starts to hand out the surprise test she gave us last week. For a college, this sure feels like high school.

"Hey, Lex, what did you get?" Jace whispers to me. He decided to annoy me further today by sitting beside me.

I glance at my test. My hands start to shake.

"Excuse me miss." I stand up. I'm aware that everyone's eyes have turned to me and I don't notice.

"Yes, Miss —"

" I need to leave."

"I'm sorry, but class isn't over and—"

"I said, I need to leave." This time I don't wait for an answer as I walk out of the classroom. I continue to walk down the hall and soon am running.

Someone grabs hold of my hand and I turn. It's Jace. I feel the tears at the corners of my eyes but I refuse to cry.

"What?" I snap at him instead, focusing my anger at him.

"What's wrong?" I see the concern in his eyes but I brush the thought of him being worried about me away.

"Nothing! It's none of you're business!" I yell at him . "Oh mon dieu! Papa va être furieux contre moi. Alors, tellement fou!" I mutter to myself.

"Lexi..." he tries to hold me but I push against him.

"Don't touch me!" I scream at him as the tears run down my face. I suddenly feel arms around me and I lash out in anger.

"No! Get off me!" I yell at him, hitting him,. He doesn't flinch, he just holds me tighter, running his hands through my hair soothingly.

"It's ok Lex. Everything's gonna be fine."

"How do you know that?" I demand, sobbing into his shirt.

"I just know Lex, I just know." He whispers against my hair as I finally hug him back.