Lily's Summer of Precarious Happenings

Chapter Thirteen

Nothing could touch the feeling that I would get from landing a perfect punch.

Not even reading, or my pro-cons lists.  Those lists that I haven't felt the single urge to touch since I've gotten back into fighting.  Books that can't even begin to entertain me anymore - not when I know there is an entire world out there where I belong.  

Everything in me needs it.  

It's like an addiction.  Like every time I train, I'm reassured yet again that nothing will ever make me feel the way I do when I'm in a good match.  Those lists and every book I've read since I quit in a desperate effort to forget my father had been a pathetic attempt at covering up what I really need.  

Slip.  Jab.  Uppercut.

The blow landed, like it always does, and the blood pumping through my veins rushed and rejoiced in my ears.  

There's nothing to describe it.

Like I was made to do it - as if every moment I spend denying it, and seek fulfillment in something else, it pulls me back.  Only those cut out for it could ever understand.

It makes me feel powerful, calms me down, focuses my mind, and gives me a rush.  There's no drug like finding what I'm supposed to do and unleashing everything I have.  I'd never call myself a thrill-seeker, though.

A gloved fist flew towards me and I moved out of the way just in time to catch it, leaving the right side vulnerable, a perfect target for a swift and powerful round-house kick.  I was tempted to smile when it landed, and I watched the repercussions unfold from the other side of the mat where I retreated.  Briefly, I was glad that there was no one in my head.  My thoughts could be a worrying place.

"Jeez, O'Sullivan," Moaned my coach, who's bent over and clutching his side, "I thought you said you haven't been training these last few weeks?"

"I haven't," I said as I watched him rip out his mouth guard.

"Well, then I don't know how you've magically gotten stronger and faster since our last session."

"It's like riding a bike!" Colin glared at me through his head guard as I smiled and spit out my own mouth guard.  I strode over and patted him a little too aggressively on the top of the head, "But thanks for the compliment,  though, buddy."

"Buddy?" He sputtered as he straightened out to his regular, towering stature.

"Buddy," I beamed, refusing to take a step back even though I now had to look up at him.

He reached behind him, ripping the Velcro from his mask and slipping it off his face.  The movement unfortunately made my heart flutter, as I watched one hand run through his mussed hair.  "Let me get this straight.  I'm so kind as to call you princess and I get the nickname buddy?"

Colin's amused eyes pierced through my own and I was suddenly very conscious of the sweat still dripping down every part of me.  "Well, first of all, I do recall saying that I don't appreciate that name."

His face scrunched, "Funny, I don't remember that."

"Selective hearing," I nodded thoughtfully, "Or maybe... early signs of dementia." 

Colin's face instantly dropped, "My grandma has dementia..."

My heart sank and my mouth flew open, suddenly feeling like a complete idiot. "Oh, no- I'm so sorry... I didn't mean-"

"No, it's okay," He sighed dramatically, "I'd rather be forgetful than be that gullible."

"What-" Colin pranced away, as I quickly put the pieces together.  "You jackass!" I yelled, holding back the laugh that was bubbling in my throat.  Ripping my face mask off my head, I hurled it towards his back, but he swiftly dodged it and twirled around to face me.