Gym

At half six, after a long shift of cooking, singing and serving, I changed back into my normal clothes and drove to Gavin's gym. I changed into a pair of shorts and strappy top, taking off my shoes and socks and called out to Gavin, the owner of the gym and the coach.

"Gavin, I'm here. Sorry I'm late. Work over ran again."

"It's nice for you to join us Iz. We have three new guys today, teach them the rules."

"Sure. I'll be there in a minute."

I grabbed a quick drink of water before running into the gym.

"Bella?"

"What are they doing here?"

"You know the Cullen's, Iz?"

"They're in my class."

"No offense Bella, but what are you doing here? You can't even play badminton."

"Iz is the best boxer we have."

He turned to me, to see my angry expression.

"Gavin can I talk to you in your office? Now!"

"Okay, okay, I'm coming. Calm down Iz. You three just practise with the bags."

I walked off into his messy office, and screamed in aggravation.

"You know my rule. No one from my school. I was here first Gavin. I've been here since I was five. We grew up in this place together, you're dad taught us everything he knew."

"I'm sorry Iz. I didn't know. I really didn't but they are some of the best fighters out there. Nowhere near as good as you, but we need more people for the competitions. Can you at least try to make it work?"

"I don't know Gavin. I've worked so hard the last 12 years. What if they tell everyone at school? I can't take anything else. Not after everything that's happened."

"I know you have a tough time at school Iz. Just give them a chance. For me."

He didn't know the half of it.

"I'll give them a chance then Gavin. If I hear one word at school, then they're gone. No second chances."

"Deal. Thank you Iz. Are you going to stay late tonight?"

"I don't know. I'll see."

"Okay. Now come on. You've got three students to teach."

"Whatever and you can't blame me if you never see them again after today."

"What, are they going to magically disappear in the middle of the night?"

"Maybe."

I gave him a sly smile before running into the gym.

"So it looks like I'm going to teach you the rules of the gym."

"Why you Bella?"

"First of all, here it's Iz. Secondly, I have one rule. Don't talk to me outside of these walls, don't even look at me."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Okay."

"So the main rule is, don't kill anyone. You need to know when to stop. Other than that, don't use what you learn here outside of these walls on unsuspecting targets. You'll be kicked out immediately."

"Okay, so no killing or fighting other than here. Got it."

"Stamina."

"What about it?"

"Everyone who starts here does three tests. There's no pass or fail so don't worry, just weaklings and the strong. I determine which you are. We start with stamina. You'll take it in turns on the treadmill, run as long as you can. This test is also about mind capacity. Push yourself until you feel sick. So who's up first?"

"I'll do it."

"Come on then Jasper."

I loaded him up to treadmill and set him off.

"I'm going to get a snack; I'll be back in a few minutes."

I ran out of the gym to the vending machine in the hall and bought a bag of dried fruit.

"Hey Thomas, you want a fight whilst the newbies are doing the test?"

"Sure Iz. Give me a minute."

I grabbed my gloves and mouth guard and climbed over the ropes.

"Keep going Jasper. Stop when you need to."

Emmett and Edward leaned against the ropes as Thomas climbed into the ring.

"So how's it going to go today Iz? You gonna go easy on me?"

"Nope, I've had a shit day and I need to get my anger out."

"So that's why you picked me and not Gavin?"

"That's right. You aren't going to back out are you?"

"Me? Never."

"I didn't think so."

We bumped fists and put them up ready to fight. He swung the first punch like always and missed like always. We punched at each other over and over again. Most of my hits, reached their target and more than half his missed. He'd eventually backed me into a corner and I flipped over him and punched him in the back, effectively knocking him to the ground.

"New move?"

"I've been working on it a while. You've just missed a few weeks."

"My mom's spent all our money so I had to get a job. Moms are useless."

I kicked him in the stomach and he fell to the ground, the wind knocked out of him.

"You have no idea how much you rely on your mom. When she's six feet under, then you can tell me your mom was useless."

"I'm sorry Iz. I didn't mean it like that."

"Whatever."

I climbed through the ropes, taking my mouth guard out.

"It's okay Iz. I'll take over the newbies."

"Thanks."

Gavin pulled me into a hug before letting me go off. I took my gloves off and started doing handstands and cartwheels before practising my somersaults.

"You're really good."

Leaning against the wall, I looked up to see Edward.

"I should hope so, I've been boxing since I was 5."

"Why are you so shy at school?"

"I'm not."

"Then why don't you talk to anyone?"

"Because I don't. Can you just leave me alone? I don't have to tell you anything."

"I'm sorry."

He walked away and started to talk to his brothers, glancing over his shoulders at me. I went over to mine and Gavin's boxing bag and did my exercises.

"You staying Iz?"

"Give me a minute."

Running into the girls changing room, I checked my phone to see a text from Sean.

'All girls are needed tonight. Busy night ahead.'

"Shit."

I shoved my things into my bag and ran back into the gym.

"I got to Gavin. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay Iz. Take care."

"You too Gavin."

I grabbed my gloves and ran out of the gym and hopped in my car. Driving a couple of streets over, I pulled my hair from my ponytail and shook it out. After pulling into the staff parking, I ran in the back door and had a quick shower before getting dressed.

Sean came into the changing room.

"Right girls. We have a busy night a head of us. Take whatever money you want from them but try and encourage them to drink more and come back again. Have a good night."

The girls went into a flurry of hair and makeup as Sean left the room. I hoped to make enough money tonight.