In Her Arms (LGBT)

{4}

Mack's POV

Sweat dripped off my chin and onto the stone floor. I ripped off my boxing gloves put my hands on my knees and took heavy breaths.

"Oh c'mon it can't be that bad! We are only halfway through the workout!" Mia spoke from behind me.

I stood up and faced her. "This. Sucks."

She placed her hands on my shoulder and laughed. "Oh I know. So sad." She frowned, imitating me.

I scoffed and backed away. "Let's just get this over with. I need to be fully trained so I can be better than Piper."

Mia rolled her eyes and tossed me my gloves. "Listen, kiddo, not everything is about "defeating" Piper. Pipers cool anyway. She's chill."

I tensed up and put my gloves on. "But everything is about defeating her. And she's not...cool, or chill. She's a disgrace. Along with her family."

"I don't know why you hate her so much. She didn't do anything to you personally. It was an accident back in 1988. Before you were even a thought!" She argued.

"I-I don't care. I don't care what she has done. I don't care what she hasn't done. I just-hate her. I hate her family! They hurt my family, so now I'm just trying to stop that from happening again. Ok?" I yelled.

Mia sighed and nodded. "Let's get back to work."

I turned to the bag and punched it a few more times before absolutely hammering it. I was so angered at the moment and filled with...hate. I kept punching until Mia held the bag still.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a low voice.

"You need to stop." Mia responded.

"What? Why? I'm not doing anything wrong!" I cried.

"Do you know why I brought you here?" She asked.

"No." I huffed

"To get your mind off of your competition with Piper. Clearly it isn't working." She sighed.

I scoffed. "Clearly."

She glared at me. "Let's leave."

I sighed and took off my gloves. I then wiped my face with a handkerchief and walked away with Mia.

I then heard Mia's stomach growl. "Hungry?" I questioned.

She shrugged. "A little."

"What are you hungry...for?" I added.

"I don't know. Maybe...a burger?" She recommended.

"Blue Ridge Cafe? You down?" I insisted.

"I mean, sure." She replied.

We got into my Jeep and drove a few minutes downtown. We reached the cafe and got out. Right before we walked in I saw Carson's boyfriend pull up right next to me. As soon as he saw me, he shot me a look I didn't like.

I flashed him a mocking smile. He rolled his eyes and began to walk inside. I went in right after him. Jake sat down and spoke to someone across from him. He pointed to me and I noticed the person who he was talking to's head go down.

Piper.

I ran my hand over a crease in my letterman jacket. "Be right back."

Mia grabbed my arm. "Really? We came here to eat not harass."

I broke away from her grip and walked over to Piper. "Looks like-"

"C'mon Mack not now." Jake muttered.

I gave him a confused look. "What?" I then looked back at Piper. She kept her head down.

I looked at Carson. She just shook her head.

I took Mia's words to mind. We were here to just enjoy some food. Sure, I wanted to mess with her, but I decided not to.

I nodded at Jake and Carson then walked away.

Mia and I sat down a booth over from Pipers. I looked over and saw Piper looking out the window while Jake tried to cheer her up. She seemed so hurt. I decided to lay off her until she started hating me again.

We got our food and drinks then ate. I then dropped Mia off and decided to head home. I grabbed my homework and started working on it.

Today had felt off. Maybe it was because of Piper. But if it wasn't, I couldn't tell you.