The Struggle •Unedited•

Chapter 28

•Elisabeth•

My lips tugged a slight smile as I caught up with Niall and exited the locker room.

A nudge on my side took me out of my racing mind and I turned to look at the friend me with a shit eating grin plastered all over his face.

"I saw that," he teased.

"You didn't see shit," I hissed and punched him hard, straight in bicep.

"Ow! Okay, okay," he huffs rubbing the sore spot on his arm, "I didn't see anything,"

A voice interrupted our trail, "He didn't see what?"

Liam is standing in front of us, holding onto Mason's hand. My eyes glare at Niall, threatening him to not say a word.

"Nothing," he complies, "What are you doing on this side of the arena? Shouldn't you be spectating the other fights?"

My best friend's shoulders slump as he's denied the secretive information, but it quickly shows that he shakes it off. "Came to wish the father luck, that's all. There's a short break, anyways,"

"Oh," I answer with a smile, "Well we need to find our seats. See you later,Payno."

"Later," he returns the grin, forcefully.

Mason shouts and waves his tiny hand side to side, "Bye, Lissie! Bye, Niall!"

We wave off to the toddler and find our way towards the ringside seat entrance.

Passing the familiar security guard, we pass loads of spectators, some looking filthy rich and as if they're only here looking for a good gamble. My eyes scan the parameter, looking for the best possible seats - seats where I can see Louis very clearly, even when he's in his corner.

His best friend looks jittery; worry etched in his dark blue eyes. Finally, we take seats beside a single female that seems to be passing time on her phone. Long blonde hair is slicked back in a high pony tail, a deep dark red stains her lips, and black outlines her eyes boldly. She looks bored as her slim, manicured fingers tap and scroll through her iPhone. I turn my attnetnion away from our neighbor and glance around the ring. Maintence people seem to be scraping dry bloody off the floor and this just drives my anxiety further. My mouth gapes open as I try to regulate my nervous breathing.

I'm not even fighting. Why the fuck am I scared?

Niall taps my thigh and I turn to face him. He's looking like a wreck and I flash him a small smile, trying to get him to relax even for just a tad bit.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" he whispers.

My attention falls back on the janitor who had just exited the ring. "We can only hope,"

A shaky sigh leaves his lips and his back is rested against the chair. I follow his actions a minute later and we wait.

•Louis•

Light beamed at the end of the entrance tunnel as the three of us made our way out towards the ring. My heart is going a hundred miles per hour and I feel my fists shaking inside my gloves.

This is it. No turning back now.

A loud, thunderous voice boomed through the speakers as they announced my opponent's entrance - and then came mine. All of my stats were being shouted at towards the audience.

I was slightly sweaty and the cool, silk fabric of my robe clung to my body. Our feet shuffled and my nerves were getting fretful by the minute; the seconds seem to being going slow and the end of the tunnel seems so far away.