"Pay attention Koji, he's getting tired." Coach Thompson coached, wiping vaseline on top of Koji's eyebrow. "When he throws a jab, slip, and come back wit' a hook"
Koji nodded, feeling the sweat drip off of his face. His breath was heavy and his palms were wet with sweat. His opponent, Justin Cunningham, another amateur boxer, was also one of the best in his class and had proven himself to be a challenge for Koji.
"He's tired" Coach Thompson pointed out. "He's been dancing around the ring to build some stamina but he won't be in for long"
The bell rang in Koji's ears and just like that he was up again. He and Justin danced around each other, each of them keeping an eye on the other, anticipating the first move.
Justin caught him with a jab, getting Koji against the ropes.
Leaning on the ropes for a quit second Koji felt the cut on his eyebrow burn from the sweat that dripped on it. He watched as Justin guarded his face, looking for somewhere to hit him.
He buried his chin into his chest, keeping his stance.
Justin attempts a hook, yet Koji sidesteps, turning Justin into the ropes. The cheers of his family and teammates rang in his ears. Adrenaline pumped throughout his body as he kept his opponent against the ropes, his confidence boosted.
Suddenly, Justin lifted from the ropes, sending Koji to the ground with a strong uppercut.
The sounds around him clouded, his vision blurry. He could hear the crowd chanting his name, he could hear the timekeeper counting down from five and felt the heavy beating of his heart.
Koji stumbled back to his feet, regaining his balance and getting back into his stance. His mouth was dripping with slob, the bun in his head slipping out. Wiping the slob off of his mouth, Koji looked up, noticing that every single person in the room had their eyes glued to him.
Justin had stopped pacing, a confused look on his face.
"Dude...you're bleeding" He pointed out, just as Nova let out a blood-curdling cry, clinging to the ropes of the ring.
Koji looked down at himself, not seeing what everyone was talking about.
"No, I'm not I'm- I'm fine." Koji urged. "Ma I'm fine look!" He pointed out, going to the edge of the ring where Nova cried, lifting his shirt for her to see.
But as he did, he could feel the blood trickled down his belly, Koji touched it, feeling his knees go weak and the chants of the crowd turn to screams.
"Call that boys parent!" One woman screamed.
"Koji!" Lani shouted.
He dropped to his knees, feeling the weight of two men on his back, grabbing his arms to go behind his back and eventually break his wrist.
The screams grew louder and louder, drowning out the pain he felt and eventually,
Koji woke up.
His hospital gown drenched with sweat, his breathing heavy. Koji's room was pitch black and vacant since everyone had gone home, still, he wished someone was there. It was his first time dreaming about everything that had happened and Koji knew he wouldn't go to sleep anytime soon.
Since he'd been skipping his dinner for the past few days, Koji's stomach was burning a hole through his body, his hunger more intense than the nights before.
