ANASTASIA:Lara and I found ourselves at the door of the boxing practice room inside the gym, and my jaw practically hit the ground. Oh my God! The room was filled with boys, each one radiating a captivating blend of handsomeness, their shirtless bodies glistening with sweat, every muscle carved to perfection.It was a sight to make anyone's heart race and jaw drop. We both stood there, almost in disbelief. Why hadn't we found this heaven before?As we strolled by like two little girls lost in Wonderland, the trainer's voice echoed through the room as he shouted instructions to one of the fighters in the ring, urging them to give their all. Standing by the door, we could see a crowd gathered around the ring to witness the ongoing match.Intrigued, Lara and I made our way through the throng, pushing to get to the front with grins on our faces.And then, we both exclaimed in shock in unison."Holy shit."In the center of the ring, it was Tyson, squaring off against none other than Lara's rumoured hate crush, Mark Jonas."Go Ma...rk," Lara started a high-pitched cheer, but abruptly halted, glancing around to ensure no one caught the fervour in her voice and the glint of excitement in her eyes for the person she claims to hate so much. Scoffing, I rolled my eyes at her, which she shrugged off as if it was nothing.However, I couldn't help but notice the distinct sparkle in her eyes when Mark stepped into the ring, wearing nothing but red shorts. His huge, buff body with muscles on display made him look nothing less than a monster right now. And with that, I noticed a little drool on Lara's face."Just so you know, manifesting is a real thing, girl," I teased Lara with a hint of humour in my voice.This time, Lara rolled her eyes at me. Her pink hair was styled in a low bun, with a few locks gracefully framing her beautiful olive eyes. She had on an oversized T-shirt cinched with a fashionable belt and a pair of trendy sneakers. As for me, I wore a simple floral dress, complemented by a black leather jacket to combat the approaching winter chill."Thank you for your valuable insights, but I'm pretty sure I won't be manifesting a beast, Ana," she quipped, shaking her head with a smirk."Oh, you love beasts, don't you forget that," I remarked with a grin to which we both laughed together.Bringing our focus back to the game, I realized it was my first glimpse of Mark's face from the front, and I couldn't help but remember his striking presence was akin to Lorenzo's. His sharp, diamond-like face was complemented by a well-defined, muscular physique, boasting six-pack abs and piercings in his ears and nose. But I know for a fact that Lara was more enthusiastic to know more about his piercings.Similar to Lorenzo, Mark's body was adorned with tattoos too, featuring two wings on either side of his chest with an inscription in cursive. However, it was hard to discern from our vantage point.The first bell rang, gaining our focus back to the game. Mark stood tall against Tyson, a commanding 6 feet 5 inches against somewhat 6 feet 1 inch, seemingly touching the very sky with his towering presence. His piercing brown eyes remained fixed on his prey, Tyson. Mark's sun-kissed skin glistened with sweat. Tousled, brunette hair framed his intense expression, revealing the relentless fight in the ring. While Tyson was no less than a confident boxer in the ring against the beast Mark.Even though it was clear that he stood no chance against Mark, still he didn't falter. That's what a true athlete is. A fighter never backs down before the fight.The second bell rang, and the referee blew his whistle to the fighters.Mark exuded dominance, poised with coiled muscles ready to unleash powerful strikes. His formidable aura would surely make anyone facing him feel timid. As he readied his red-gloved hand, it was apparent that he had no intentions of being defeated. Tyson stood in Blue, taking his position against Mark, ready to strike.Tyson was a focused man. He kept his eyes on Mark as they began to circle each other.With the third and final bell ringing, cheers erupted for both fighters. The first strike was drawn at Mark's face; he neatly dodged it and prepared a rear hook at Tyson. The game instantly became a ravishing sight for the viewers.Lara seemed utterly captivated, as anyone would be. Mark's shirtless form was an awe-inspiring sight. Not that Tyson was anything less than him right now. His inked tattoos flowed seamlessly with his tanned skin, starting from his navel and extending to his chest. Beads of sweat caught the light as they clung to his resolute brow, and his feet appeared ready to pounce with precision.As they circled one another, their movements displayed a synchronicity that resembled a symphony of power, grace, and strategy. The intensity grew, and it was evident that a storm was brewing. And with that finally, the thunder struck once again.In the midst of their fierce combat, both fighters bore the marks of battle, their faces marred by bruises and bloodied features. Despite this, they fought with unwavering determination, neither willing to yield.Tyson initiated the exchange, his gloved fist slicing diagonally across Mark's guard. Mark countered with a well-timed hook, expertly defending his flank. In response, Tyson launched a sharp uppercut, aiming to penetrate Mark's defence. The room crackled with the intensity of the match, the sounds of blows landing and filling the air, and Lara and I kept gasping with each strike.It was a moment of awe with wow.Their unwavering gazes locked in a fierce stare, and their bodies pressed together, necks and shoulders straining as they engaged in the relentless battle.Cross, hook, uppercut—defensive manoeuvres. And lots of oh my gods.They fought with unyielding resolve, and both were marked by blood and bruises, testaments to their determination. Both of them breathed hard as they stood opposite each other."Finish him!" The crowd cheered. Not sure to whom.Both Tyson and Mark stared at each other as they thought about their next move.Then, in a breathtaking display of athleticism, Mark unleashed a rapid combination of punches and hooks at Tyson. It was so sudden that Tyson almost lost his balance. With the final blow, a powerful cross struck Tyson's jaw, sending him reeling. The room briefly fell silent as Tyson staggered backwards, blood oozing from his nose as he tried to blink rapidly, his legs trembling beneath him.Mark's perseverance had paid off. With a swift and precisely placed uppercut, he delivered the final decisive blow. The impact reverberated throughout the room as Tyson's body went limp, crashing to the canvas, the fight entirely knocked out of him.A murmur spread across the room. Some whistled. Some disappointed.The crowd erupted into cheering and hooting within the next minute, and Mark's hand was raised in victory by the referee. Looking at his trainer, I could see the pride in his eyes. Mark yelled in excitement like a true ring monster at his audience, garnering more cheers. And I couldn't help but cheer for him too.Excitement bubbled in Lara, beside me, as she cheered along with the crowd. I watched her getting totally mesmerized by Mark's performance. Then, within the cheers, her gaze met Mark's for a fleeting moment. There was something in that exchange. Something so beautiful and mischievous that I couldn't help but smile. A connection or perhaps a history known only to them before they both withdrew themselves.But honestly, it left me curious, wondering about the untold story between Lara and Mark.****As the game ended, I couldn't resist a triumphant smile, flashing it at her more as a friendly taunt than anything else. 'Yeah, and you say you don't like the beast, huh?'Lara, in response, just rolled her eyes playfully as a grin adorned her face, and she proceeded to drag me away from the buzzing gym. I could clearly see a flush on her face after their subtle encounter that she was trying so hard to hide.But in that fleeting moment, as I scanned the crowd one last time, my eyes suddenly locked onto Lorenzo amidst the throng. He was engrossed in conversation with his brother, outside the ring. A smile and pride on his handsome face. With them, I noticed another boy.Hardin.He was the same one who had seemed like a pawn of Oliver's group that day, cornered and terrified. The memory of his distress lingered, and I couldn't help but worry for him. Given Lorenzo's reputation and Mark's dominance, I hoped they wouldn't further intimidate the young lad.****I had a free period, and my initial plan was to dive into the stack of cases that had piled up, but that all changed after witnessing the electrifying fight between Mark and Tyson. My thoughts were now completely consumed by that incredible winning punch Mark had delivered. It had been nothing short of remarkable, and it was a punch that had the entire gym buzzing. How could anyone ever doubt Mark's prowess in the ring, even against a renowned boxer like Tyson?Mark displayed an unmatched level of professionalism that seemed to outshine Tyson.As one thought led to another, my mind inevitably drifted to Lorenzo. His visit the previous night. The memory of him entering my room and ensuring my body went weak under his influence lingered in my mind. The close proximity of our lips and his teases didn't leave me much choice but to surrender myself to him.My face reddened at the thought of our almost kiss.Does he remember that, or was he too drunk to remember that?I was well aware that when he had asked me to help him understand his feelings towards me, he was drunk. My brows furrowed in displeasure. What was he thinking?Maybe he thought that I was just another one of the many girls he had encountered who could fall right on his feet, begging for more. Someone he could control with his drunken beautiful eyes and sweet smiles and gorgeous body and...Get it together, Ana.Lara's insights into Lorenzo from the first day echoed in my mind. And I have witnessed his affairs with Mia. No matter how much he says they are nothing, I am still unsure of the facts. But I also cannot deny the pull he had on me. It was dangerous. He was dangerous for me. And perhaps it was wise to heed her advice to stay away from him.Will I be able to stay away from him?Amid my contemplation, Lara's voice snapped me back to reality. "Are you okay?" she asked with genuine concern as we sat in a nearby park on the campus."Uh..." I began to respond unsure, but before I could finish, I spotted him again. Lorenzo. Strolling casually through the park, clad in black denim and a jacket, exuding that undeniable aura behind him. I watched his fangirls going crazy on him, as he ignored them and took a seat on a nearby bench. Taking out his phone, he began to scroll through it.Through his curly hair, a few locks fall on his face, making him more handsome for some reason.Who was I kidding? I was undeniably attracted to that man!And I need to stop it!His mere presence heightened my self-awareness, making it difficult to breathe. As I kept staring at him like a fool, our gazes locked once again, but this time, the coldness in his eyes was unmistakable, perhaps a result of my refusal to accept his offer for a ride to college.For some reason, my heart ached as soon as he looked away. What's wrong? Isn't he the same man who broke into my house last night and almost made me believe that we could be a thing?Ugh. I groaned mentally.Lara noticed the difference in my eyes as she teased with a playful warning, "Well, just make sure you don't end up with a broken heart, Ana. There are plenty of girls in line."I snapped back to reality, scoffing at her words. With one last glance at the man sitting in front of me, I replied, "I don't plan to."Yet, as I continued to steal glances at Lorenzo secretly, even though I wanted to resist, I couldn't. I couldn't help but acknowledge the magnetic pull of his hypnotizing eyes, holding me captive no matter how hard I tried to resist."Why do you hate Mark so much?" I finally mustered the courage to ask her, diverting my attention momentarily from Lorenzo, my curiosity getting the best of me.Lara's response was initially dismissive. "It's a long story, Ana, and I have to get to Mr. Ramadasan's class."But I wasn't ready to drop it so easily, and this time, I asked with more determination. Lara sighed, seemingly weighing whether to share. Finally, she relented, giving me half of the answer. "Just know that a few months ago, he saved me from one of my biggest mistakes, and since then..." Her voice trailed off, hinting at deeper emotions. "He hates me for that," she said, her tone laced with bitterness. "And I hate him for judging me."As she left, I began to think, does this anyhow relate to what Miley wrote in that journal?----X----LARA:I had chosen journalism because I had a genuine love for the subject. Well, I still did. But over the past year, things had taken a turn for the worse. Attending classes had become less enjoyable, not because my interest in journalism had waned, but because of the whispers and judgmental glances that seemed to follow me everywhere.As I entered the classroom, I realized the lecture had already begun, focusing on the topic of media communication. I hurriedly took a seat at the back, retrieving my notes and trying to concentrate on the class. Mr. Ramadasan was explaining the importance of effective communication with an audience when I noticed someone approaching my row.I turned, and my eyes widened in surprise.It was Mark! Taking a seat beside me, casually. The one I have been avoiding for a week now.Frowning, I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing here. Was he following me now? Is he here to embarrass me again? I mean, after that computer room episode, I can totally picture him scouting for places to ramp up my embarrassment.But he wasn't like that before.It didn't make sense. I vividly remember that after the incident a few months back, where he had saved me, he had started avoiding me like the plague. The disdain in his eyes whenever he looked at me had been palpable, and I absolutely hated it. But we once used to be friends. Well, at least companions.Then what is he doing here today?Confusion swirled in my mind. Leaning closer, I whispered in a hushed tone, "What are you doing here?"He didn't reply. His face, as usual, remained cool and impassive, the silent one. However, I couldn't forget how his expression had changed that day when he had been genuinely concerned about my well-being.But I vividly remember our encounter in the computer room. His cocky smile as he left that day. That can't be the reason he's here. "Are you keeping tabs on me now? Aren't you satisfied with what you did to me that day?"He sighed, replying in a lazy tone, "Don't flatter yourself. We have one common class, Miss Garcia. Have you forgotten that?"Unbelievable.I scoffed. "I've never seen you attend this class before.""That's because I simply didn't need it.""Then what made you change your mind today?""I'm here just to kill time," he responded nonchalantly."What?" I asked, surprised. "That's stupid.""Can you tell?" He mocked.I scoffed at his confidence. "How do you even pass exams? I've never seen you study. Tell me honestly, do you bribe the professors or gift them dildoes too?""Miss Garcia?" Mr. Ramadasan's voice boomed in my ear, snapping me off from our conversation. Looking ahead, I met a very unpleased Mr. Ramadasan glaring at me. "If you have something interesting to share, please, be our guest."I bit my lip, feeling the weight of embarrassment. Mark's expression remained unchanged. I awkwardly turned around with a nervous laugh, preparing to answer the professor. "Uh, no, I—actually...""If you don't, then you're disturbing my class, Miss Garcia," he stated plainly. "And I detest those who attend classes with the sole intention of killing time."My head snapped to Mark, who still bore the same blank expression. What a strange individual. "I, uh... I'm sorry, Mr. Ramadasan... It was Mark, and I was—""Stop blaming others,""No," I protested. "It wasn't like that! I—""I request that you please leave my class."I was left speechless. Why did it always have to be me who suffered the consequences? I looked at Mark, hoping he could tell him the truth, but like the ass he is, he seemed to make it abundantly clear that it was all my fault. I despise him."What?""You're wasting my time!"Exhaling my frustrations and quickly gathering my belongings, I exited the classroom.****Ana was still sitting in the park, digging her nails into the keyboard. I was pretty frustrated and tired. As I made my way to her, she eyed me cautiously before asking the question."Oh, you're back early!"I sighed. "How can I have a peaceful day when the monsters are walking on this campus in the flesh?"Her brows knitted. "What happened?"As I explained what exactly happened, I could see how she was trying hard to suppress her laughter. But she made sure she didn't burst out. Stupid her."Ana!" I snapped."What?" She replied with a small chuckle."You're not helping!""I'm sorry... okay?" Her voice came. "It was hard not to laugh at it." I gave her a bored look, and she quickly recomposed herself. "Fine, tell me, who do I need to eliminate today for ever making my best friend's day sad?"I dramatically cried out in a howl before burying my head in my palms as I replied, "Could you please kill that brown-eyed monster, for me?"I had expected a laugh or some other reaction from her, but instead, all I heard was a male voice clearing his throat. When did Ana...Wait."I didn't know I was being assassinated for coming all the way down here just to return your sparkly notebook of confessions!"Raising my gaze, my eyes widened as I realized who stood before me. It was the monster himself, Mark Jonas. Lorenzo too was there, a few distances from him. But Lorenzo was accompanied by Betty, Preston's most beautiful cheerleader, and they appeared quite close as they chatted in the distance.In the blink of an eye, Betty had jumped onto Lorenzo, and they shared a hot, passionate kiss. Ana's expression quickly turned to one of disappointment, and I felt the urge to console her. However, with Mark standing right in front of me, all other thoughts seemed to fade into the background.Stupid Jonas Brothers!Looking at him, my eyes widened even more. He was here, standing with my sparkly notebook of all my confessions to my secret crush, which also happened to be him, among others, in his hand.What the heck!"Give it to me," I snatched the book from his hand. "Where did you even get this?"He shrugged casually as he replied, "A clumsy girl like you probably didn't even notice when it must have fallen as you were leaving the class.""Shut up," I retorted. "And it wasn't a confession book," I said before making my way out. I grabbed Ana with me. Thankfully she didn't decide to tease me.I heard him chuckle from behind me as he murmured, "Sure thing, I believe you, Miss Garcia. And I'll totally overlook the part where you mentioned how you're obsessed with my abs."----X----A/N: Oh My What? That was a lot! A hot Mark in the ring! Lorenzo kissing Betty? And Mark teasing his long-time enemy Lara?Did you enjoy Lara and Mark's engagement? Let me know in the comment section.