I punch the bag, throwing an uppercut its way. I don't stop there though. My other fist comes in contact with the punching bag's side then I kick it, causing it to wildly swing from the chain it's hanging from.
Releasing a puff of air, I back away and grab my water bottle.
"Damn, it's just a bag, save it for your next match." I turn to Coach, squeezing the bottle's liquid in my mouth. Then I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand before a dry laugh bubbles from me.
"Too rough?" He furrows his eyebrows, waving his hand from side to side.
"Eh, so-so." We both laugh as he throws me a towel.
I catch it, using it to wipe my face. We begin walking towards my room.
"Hey, when's my next match anyway?" His lips form a thin line as he goes into thinking mode.
"In two days, probably." I nod, putting the towel around my neck.
Coach turns his head towards me.
"That was your longest practice in a while, Nevy." I frown, staring at the ground.
"Really, how long?" He laughs.
"You were punching that thing for a good four hours," my eyes widen as he nods.
"And that was after the workouts you usually do." I sigh, running my hands through my hair.
"Damn, eight hours." He chuckles. Good thing it's Sunday.
"I'm so glad I came here early." After Coach and I get to the halls, we see a guy leaning against the wall next to my room.
Why the hell is he wearing shades? He pushes off over the wall as he chuckles.
"So, this is who took my place?" I furrow my eyebrows, looking to Coach.
He smirks, gazes over my body.
"Is this kid like 12?" I frown at his sarcasm.
What the actual hell?
Coach laughs quietly, shaking his head.
"It's good to see you're back Leon." He nods walking towards Coach. They do one of those bro hugs where you cuffs hands then pull each into an embrace.
"I'm surprised you're not dead." They laugh with each other. I clear my throat, crossing my arms.
They look at me as if I just got here.
"Oh, this is Nevy." He furrows his eyebrows.
"Such a girly name, how old are you?" I roll my eyes at his comment, but don't get fazed by it.
People here automatically think I'm a boy since I'm so good at fighting and I've never shown my face.
"17." His eyes widened then he laughs.
"I can't believe he's the best." I scoff.
Asshole.
Coach shakes his head.
"And what's with the outfit? What's this, mortal kombat?" He goes to pull my hoodie down, but I swiftly slap his hand away. He smirks at this.
"I like this one." Coach chuckles.
I sigh, moving towards my room. I need to change, plus these two seem like they wanna make up for lost time. I stop at my door and Coach nods.
"You should go home and rest, you did a lot today." I nod, offering a smile.
"Will do." We say our goodbyes as I ignore Leon before I make my way into my dressing room.
I sigh once I see my reflection. So sweaty and gross. I'm taking a long ass shower as soon as I get home. I lean against the door then stare down at my hands. I roll them into fists then look at my knuckles.
Even with the gloves, I can already imagine how bruised they'll look. I groan, raising my head and closing my eyes.
Monday's gonna be so shitty.
⚀
I wince when the back of my hand bumps a table.
Ugh, really!
I bring my hand to my mouth with a pout. My body already aches enough. I slowly sit down on my bench then push my glasses farther up my face. I'm never doing eight hours ever again.
Relaxing my muscles, I sigh blissfully when the gentle breeze meets my warm skin. I'm so glad we can go outside during lunch.
I'd be dead in that hot cafeteria.
"Nevaeh?" I open my eyes then blink a couple times, not knowing when I shut them. I turn to the source and smile nervously.
"Hi, Kahlil." He smiles back, walking over to me.
"What are you doing sitting here alone?" I shrug, moving my bangs from my face.
"I like the quiet." He nods with a small smile.
"What are you doing here?" He chuckles at the inside joke, which I don't know about.
"To have lunch with you, obviously." I blush, hiding under my bangs.
"Oh." He laughs, moving closer and removing them from my face.
"Yeah, oh." My cheeks turn a deeper color at his proximity.
He smiles at this then pushes up my falling glasses before turning to his lunch.
"So, I heard you're like crazy good at dodgeball." I stare at him before I go back to the cold wind.
"Hard to believe, huh." He chuckles shaking his head.
"No, actually." I furrow my eyebrows, turning around to face the roundtable and lean towards him.
"Really?" He smiles brightly as a laugh leaves his lips.
"You bet, I can tell you're one of those innocent yet deadly types." A small smile appears on my face as I shake my head.
"That's a thing?" He nods, biting into a ham sandwich.
I look down at the tray of food that I forgot I even had.
"Of course." I laugh, pushing him away.
"Ew, eat first, talk later." He moves closer, showing white teeth and ham.
"What, I'm a great multitasker though." I turn my head then press my hands against his chest to push him away.
Everything stops.
I slowly turn my head back, confused. Kahlil's staring down intently at my knuckles. I quickly remove my hands, hiding them in my sleeves.
"Um, I got to go." Before he can protest, I grab my tray and make my way into the cafeteria. After I dump the food and put the tray up, I find a restroom. When I enter I check the stalls.
With a sigh, I lock the door.
Empty.
Then I press against the door and remove my glasses. Covering my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt, I groan. This is why I can't have friends! I slide down to sit on the floor. I uncover my eyes, looking down at my palms.
What is someone like him talking to me for, anyway? I mean, he's popular... and obviously hotter than most. If we met at a club or bar, and he didn't go here, I would have gladly got acquainted with his bed. I shake my head. But now he's probably gonna ask me questions left and right. I sigh.
It's been a week since the first time we met and he would usually talk to me in the halls, but it was just casual small talk so that was okay. I mean, at one point everyone would talk to me once or twice. They never stick though.
That's how it always is. No one's ever sat with me at lunch. And I just let him like it was normal and we are friends...
I bring my knees up then hold my bangs up while I rest my elbows on them. I can't have friends, my life is too complicated. I groan again. Great, now I have to start avoiding him.
⚀
"Damn." This past week has been rough. It's been packed full of fights, test, and teens mouthing off about the upcoming homecoming dance.
Plus, on top of constantly running and hiding from Kahlil isn't any better. That's why I'm so glad Friday has finally hit and Jonna is staying with the little ones.
That means I'm going out, Saturday can't wait.
"Sammy!" He peeks his head into my room.
"You going somewhere too?" He nods, walking fully into the room.
"We're going over Randy's and playing a lot of video games." I motion for him to come closer to me, he does.
I take hold of his hands. He stares down at me with a cute little frown.
"You're showing too much skin, Nevy." I giggle, bringing him in for a hug.
"Ugh, I love you!" He sighs when I began ruffling his hair.
"Don't tell the others this, but you're my favorite." He nods, hugging me back.
"Just be careful." I pull him away as I get serious and look him in the eyes.
"What about you, Sammy?" I caress his cheek while he subconsciously traces circles on my thigh.
"Are you gonna be okay sleeping over there?" He continues to stare at his traces as I wait for his answer.
"I don't have them anymore, I'll be fine." I sigh then stand up from my chair.
"Alright, have fun, then." He smiles softly up at me then nods.
"Come home safely." I kiss his forehead, giving him one last side hug.
"Of course." I say goodbye and good night to the little ones and thank Jonna before heading out.
Getting in my car, I go to my usual place. After I enter the club, I go straight to the bar. The music is loud and people are hype. Once I sit down, the bartender comes up to me with a drink.
He's different from the usual one, maybe 'cause it's Friday. He looks a little on the young side though. I stare down at the drink. Sex on the beach, huh.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't—"
"It's from that gentleman over there." He nods to a guy a few seats down. I blush when he winks at me then starts walking over.
I take the drink.
"Thank you." I smile sweetly at the bartender. He nods then goes about his business.
By the time he's gone the guy who got me a drink is here.
"Well look at you." I smile while he ogles me. He's a fine specimen. I bit my lip. Today must be my lucky day.