Fighter

Chapter three

Nick’s P.O.V.

Why does the world hate me? I thought as I strolled out of Starbucks, attempting and probably failing epically to hide my disappointment. This was the summer I was going to tell her. I was going to pour my desolate soul out to her. All these feelings bottled up inside of me...Ok. I need to stay away from aunt’s romance novels. They’re doing bad things to my head. Very bad things.

 So I was heading home, contemplating possible activities I could plan for Kris and I to do before she leaves, when, suddenly, I’m tackled from behind. Now, considering my martial arts background, this is not a very wise move, young grasshopper. Acting on instinct, I flipped my attacker over my back and when he hit the pavement, I heard a satisfying ‘oof!’ as the air was knocked out of the suddenly very familiar person.

 “Nice to see you, too, Nicholas,” groaned Bryan as he struggled to sit up.

Of course, I started feeling guilty for causing my good friend pain. So, I said, “Jeez, Bryan, you don’t assault an M.M.A. fighter,”

“I didn’t assault you; I was trying to give you a friendly bro hug from behind,” he said it with a seductive smile on his face while waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

“Please, I beg you, never use those words in the same sentence again. And knowing you it probably wouldn’t have been friendly,” I said the last part under my breath. Why would I say that? You may be wondering. It’s because Bryan is attracted to anything on two legs and is completely comfortable with showing it.

“Whatever, man,”

There was an awkward pause before I decided to correct him. “Bryan, just for the record, you did assault me,”

“Nick, I-“

“It’s ok, man. No need to apologize. Just thank God that it was me and not Kris,”

I watched as a look of horror crossed over Bryan’s face.

Recovering from his probably graphic and painful reverie, Bryan inquired, “So, where is dear Kristen?”

I smiled at the mention of her name. I found it quite beautiful and suiting, but Kris hated it passionately. Don’t ask me why. And, for your own safety, don’t ask Kris why, either. Trust me, I tried.

“She’s working at Starbucks, remember?”

“Ah, yes. She’s an independent one, that girl.”

I raised my eyebrow at him but, otherwise, decided to ignore him.

“So, what are you up to, man?”

“Well, Kris is going to Florida the day after tomorrow for the entire summer-“

“Bummer,” he interrupted, not sounding at all sincere.

“-so I decided to have as much fun with her-“

“Fun with her?” Bryan interrupted again and raised his eyebrows suggestively. He has a sick little mind.

“Not like that.” I said rolling my eyes. Well…. No! “Anyway, I want her to enjoy herself but I don’t know what to do?”

“You, my good friend, are very sweet,”

Bryan earned another funny look from me but, as usual, I decided to ignore his comment. “Well, obviously, I’m going to take her to grab something to eat first. Then we could...?”

“Go shopping for her trip!” Bryan supplied.

I stopped dead in my tracks and dropped my mostly empty mocha chiller, which spilled all over Bryan’s shoes, making him mutter a few profanities.