Jade's POV
"Psst! Jade!" someone hisses in my ear. I growl in frustration, my eyes clenching shut. Can't the world leave me alone for once? Is that so much to ask for?
My mind goes dark again, sleep pulling me in before something, rather soft and plush (a pillow perhaps?) bonks me on the head.
My eyes flash open, the irises contracting into pinpoints. I immediately turn my attention to the person disturbing my slumber. I snarl at them, my teeth bared. The idiot whimpers, trying to cower away. I blink in confusion, allowing my surroundings to sharpen from their hazy state. All I could see was a large red splotch in front of me. "Cat?" I husk, rubbing my tired eyes. "What the hell are you doing here?" My eyes scan the room for the time. They settle on the small digital alarm resting on my nightstand.
Surprise, but mostly agitation, inject themselves in me. "At eight in the damn morning?"
Her dark eyes examine me, ignoring my vulgar language, before she answers. She plays with her velvet red hair as she speaks. "Well, we have no school since it's Saturday and I was bored so here I am!" she exclaims a bit too loudly for my comfort. A bright smile overtakes her face.
I cringe at her sudden peppiness. "Cat, quiet down. It's too early to tolerate you," I mumble grumpily. Yawning, I run a hand through my raven locks. I crawl out of bed, the chilly temperature of the house piercing my lukewarm skin.
A violent shudder overwhelms my body as my toes curl up into the soft carpet at the side of my bed. Looking down, I notice my current attire. It was a black tank top with dark blue boy shorts.
No wonder I'm so freaking cold; I'm barely wearing anything. "How did you get in here?" I ask, breaking the silence, heading downstairs into the kitchen, Cat following behind.
I regret it soon after.
The redhead starts rambling about how she woke up and something her brother did. Turns out that my little brother let her in. I tune her out after that, no longer paying attention.
Strangely, all I could think about was Vega.
My thin brows knit together at the realization. Why the hell am I thinking about her of all people? Gritting my teeth, my steps harden into stomps as I storm into the kitchen. The cold tiles burn the heels of my feet, numbing them. I inhale sharply, enjoying the instant twinge of pain.
Stop thinking about that stupid Latina, Jade, I curse to myself. Anger flares in me, temporarily making me emotionally unstable. What is up with me this morning?
Shaking my head, I clench my jaw and start to brew some coffee. To seem somewhat less ganky, I ask, "Cat, do you want some food? There's waffles and poptarts." I turn to her, struck by her bright orbs.
She giggles, opening one of the cabinets. She's been here enough to know where the food is. The ditzy girl snatches a strawberry poptart, spewing out a thanks with her mouth full.
I roll my eyes at her childish antics as I prepare my cup of coffee. The scent of coffee beans makes my mouth salivate with hunger. I stare at the steaming cup of Joe longingly. Rashly, I gulp down the scorching hot liquid, burning my tongue in the process. Hot warmness spreads throughout my body as I feel the beverage descend into my stomach. It's a familiar sensation, causing me no pain.
A throaty sigh escapes me as I lean my head back, pleased with the moment of pure bliss: peace and quiet with a good cup of coffee. My mind floats to another place, forgetting all its troubles.
My eyelids flutter, getting heavier and heavier with every blink. Another yawn rattles my chest as I take another sip. I was on the edge of falling asleep...
RING RING. RING RING.
"Shit!" I sputter, nearly dropping my mug. Cat's eyes widen in surprise as she slowly swallows her treat.
Setting my cup on the counter, I run up the stairs to my room. The ringing gets louder as I enter, turning on the lights. My PearPhone chimes on the bed, the screen flashing. My nose scrunches up as I reach for it.
Beck's name flashes on the screen repeatedly. My thumb presses the answer button as I reply. "Why are you calling me this early in the fucking morning?" I growl. I was annoyed at him for interrupting my private time with my coffee. No one, and I mean no one disturbs me while I'm drinking my morning cup of Joe.
An airy chuckle is his reply. "Cat told me she'd come over there and wake you. I just figured that you didn't kill her yet."
The remark brings a smirk to my lips. I stroll out of the room, my cell still in my grasp. "And what if I'm killing her right now?" I contemplate with a sharp tone. My feet thump down the stairs as I reenter the kitchen, collecting the black mug filled with the dark drink.
He pauses. "There would be screams of agony since you like to torture your prey. The person's death wouldn't be simple and swift." I could almost feel him chuckling on the other line. That sly bastard.
I purse my lips, shrugging. "You have a point but that's beside the case. Why exactly did you call me?" I inquire, sipping my coffee. It better not be something stupid.
"Cat wants us to hang out today since the match is tonight. She thought it'd be fun, you know? All day to ourselves. We should just stick together and enjoy the day as a group." There's a small sound of a microwave beeping. "So, you in? It'd be great if you tagged along," he adds.
The air around me thickens suddenly, clouding me in heat. Shaking it off, I nod. I'd do anything to stop thinking about Vega. "Sure. Pick us up in about half an hour." Then I hang up. Don't criticize me! It's what I always do when I reluctantly agree about something. Plus, this has happened before.
I place my PearPhone on the counter and exhale deeply. My eyes settle on Cat, who was currently licking the poptart wrapper. "Cat," I start dully, "Was it intentional that you came to my house this early in the morning?"
The redhead freezes, a small noise bubbling up in her throat. "Um...maybe?" she answers, her voice an unusual pitch. Her dark eyes flicker from me to the wrapper in her grasp. Cat's shoulders slump. "I just wanted all of us to hang out together, you know? Watch a movie or two."
My cheek twitches before I grin. "Of course, baby girl. All you had to do was ask, remember?" She tilts her head to the side. "Beck's coming in thirty minutes. Go watch some TV or something while I get ready." The ditzy girl nods, smiling wide before scampering to the living room. I could hear the television switch on and I snicker.
Ah, Cat. So innocent and oblivious. It was refreshing.
Taking a deep breath, I head to the bathroom in my room since I had all of my clothes and body products in there. I grab a towel and an outfit; a black tank top and black jeans with, oh let me guess, black boots. Gee, that really surprised you didn't it.
I snort and lock the door behind me. My eyes snap to the shower curtain. It was a really dark grey with a white slime decoration at the bottom. In my opinion, it looked like white blood and that's why I liked it. Reaching out, my hand curls around the shower valve.
Water pours out of shower head, the temperature a freezing cold. I quickly slide out of my short clothing and hop in the tub when the water reaches a bearable state.
A violent shudder escapes me as my skin prickles from the strange sensation running down my back. Heavy exhales pass through my lips as I stare intensely at the wall.
All I could see were Tori's petrified eyes as she gawked at her bloody hands. So many emotions clouded her vision as she glared down at the defeated jock. Her jaw was tight with rage as she ran off, leave us all confused and wondering.
Who knew that Vega could cause such damage to a living being? Especially one who has been doing it longer, like that athletic dumbass.
I close my eyes, leaning my forehead against the slated wall. The surface is smooth and even, unlike my jumble of thoughts.
All I wanted were answers. Answers that I could not get since the only person who had them went missing; off the face of the planet.
My heart beats frantically in my chest as I try to wrap my head around yesterday's situation. If Vega could've done that the entire time, why hasn't she lashed out on me by now? The Latina hasn't laid a single finger on me and I've pissed her off more than anyone ever has. It doesn't add up.
For fuck's sake, she could've pummeled the guy to death with that kind of punch. It was a surprise that she didn't make his nose concave into his face.
My mind keeps replaying the scene over and over as I go over every little detail. The tension in her body as she swings. The lean muscles in her arm bulging as her fist tightens. The little sprays of blood falling upon her tan skin and clothes.
"Why?" I croak, my eyes opening slowly, probably revealing tired blue orbs. "Why can't I get you out of my damn head?" No matter how much I tried, there was always a trace of that perky brunette in my mind that I couldn't get rid of. Ever spare moment my head had, it shifted over to the "Vega side."
I straighten my bent posture and run both hands in my soaking hair before I cut the water. Instantly, my skin bristles as cold air swarms around it. My teeth chatter, my toes curling.
Sometimes, I really hate this house and its blasted air conditioning.
I lunge for the soft towel and wrap it around me, grateful for its soft texture. I step out of the shower, my feet making puddles on the floor.
Drying myself off, I quickly brush my wet raven curls and throw my clothes on. I make sure everything is in place before I exit the bathroom, leaving no trace of me using it. I take my phone, keys, and money with me. My scissors remain in my hiding place as I practically gallop down the stairs.
And right on time.
The doorbell rings, alerting us of our friends' presence. Cat jumps up in the air, giddy to meet up with the boys. "C'mon, Jadey! Don't want to keep them waiting!" She runs out of the door, her limbs flailing about. I snort, walking to the entrance of the house. My eyes examine everything before I leave, the door sealed shut behind me.
Sunlight hits me, warming my cool skin. I look up through narrowed eyes, catching a glimpse of Beck's car. His dark eyes meet mine and he grins. The Canadian runs a hand through his thick hair. "You coming?" he calls.
Exhaling in thought, I shrug. "Sure. I'll tag along." I climb into the passenger's seat, welcomed by the smell of the boy's cologne. Robbie and Andre welcome me, Cat squealing some "yay's" behind me. I roll my eyes, smiling softly. "So, where are we going?" I ask them.
Beck starts the car, his fingers playing with the stereo. "We're going to the Gorilla club," he replies coolly. I raise a brow. "They made some new challenges and I thought it'd be cool to try them out before the match tonight."
"Yeah, it's gonna be epic," Andre adds with a suave smile. "A bunch of people tried them out and they're ridiculously popular cuz they're more dangerous than the old ones."
I purse my lips, nodding. "Sounds cool enough." My finger presses down on the window button as a gentle breeze refreshes my skin. A silent sigh escapes me as I lean my head back, enjoying the relief on my tense neck.
The sounds of cars zooming by and people walking fill my eardrums, somehow making me feel drowsy. My eyes slowly close, images of Tori flashing before my eyelids.
And for some reason, I don't feel like opening them.
Some song by Maroon 5 lulls me to sleep, my head lolling to the side. Blank nothings buzz through my mind as I nap. My brain just shut down, leaving me with empty.
The smell of candy floods my nose as my cheek twitches. The scent just grows stronger, agitating my nostrils, my eyebrows scrunch together. I shift in my seat, groaning in displeasure. "Mmm... What is...that smell?" I murmur tiredly.
"Jadey...wake up. We're here," a petite voice informs. The person softly nudges my shoulder, tearing me away from the void of sleep.
I blink, my eyes readjusting to the sudden light. "Cat. We're here?" Damn, it felt like I've been asleep for hours. Jesus Christ. This is why I sleep in; so I don't pass out in the freaking car.
Clicking the seat belt off, I gingerly grip the door handle, swinging it open. My boots hit the concrete, sending jolts up my legs. I almost fall over. Fuck. My legs are asleep. Clenching my jaw, I press my palm against the car as I hold myself up.
Cat looks at me quizzically. "Are you okay, Jade? You look tired." I nod, pinching my arm. Pain seems to awaken me as I shake the pricking feeling off my legs. I stumble into the building with Cat tagging along. She locks it before we enter. The boys left us in there since the wimps didn't want to wake me and agitate "the kraken."
The Gorilla Club was as vile and vicious as before but tenfold. It was simple to find the new challenges and the fact that the whole place got bigger isn't hard to see either. It was like an amusement park built for killing and for bringing pain.
I love it.
"Look!" Cat squeals gleefully. She points the ride next to the bunny. My brow quirks at the sight of the killer bunny. Hmph. I could never get over that challenge. But that's beside the point.
Next to the bunny is a bull ride. It's just like the bunny ride except that it jerks you around faster while shaking. Plus, there were hard balls, similar to volleyballs, being thrown at you constantly. People couldn't even last ten seconds on the ride. Many of them crawled away from the beast, betting to go again.
The redhead's eyes were gleaming and I got a bad hunch about the new rides. They could jack you up more than the originals. "Cat," I hiss, "you better not even think about riding that." The guy who works here comes closer with the contracts.
He hands the papers to us and I reluctantly sign them. There were new rules.
'The Gorilla Club in no way is responsible for any mass injuries or the death of the rider. The participant chose this responsibility and they, and only they, will be held accountable for any future consequences. It is your decision to take part in this club and we will not hold you back. The choice is yours.'
I snort at the contract, giving it back to the heavily tattooed man. He huffs, taking them back to his office. We proceed forward, eyeing the new monstrosities.
One of the other new rides consists something like hopscotch but an adulterated version. Personally, I like it. The Gorilla Club must have some money if they were allowed to do shit like this. Then again, this was Hollywood.
There were slated rocks in a rectangular shape of a difficult path. As an obstacle, there were thick foam jousting sticks, resting on the columns on the sides of the course that suddenly appeared in your way. They were unexpected and hurt when they made contact with your body. I bet they were overstuffed—the surface a dark leather—so the impact would literally send you flying.
The worst part of the whole thing was that you had to do it barefoot. It made it harder to get a good grip on the rock. Plus, the rocks were small and smooth.
If you slipped and fell off the rocks, you were out. And the ground was not something you wanted to land on full force from a blow from the jousting sticks.
Huh, no wonder the contract changed. Just being here was a death wish. It explained why there was so many new people willing to risk their lives to win some stupid bet.
Another one of the challenges was an obstacle course. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. You got a ten second head start before one of the "gorillas" came and tried to tackle you to the hard floor. The course was long and difficult for many people. In fact, none have made it even half way.
So to be honest, the Gorilla Club has lived up to its notorious name. The rides are fucking hard and dangerous yet unusually popular.
"Jade, I'm going to ride the bunny. The boys are at the hopscotch thing. Bye!" The ditzy girl runs off, climbing onto the bunny. She giggles throughout the whole thing. Fire shoots out of the bunny's nostrils.
I roll my eyes, heading over to the new challenge. The boys come to view, all watching with awe as someone tries to cross to the other side. I cock a brow at the person and smirk when one of the jousting sticks hits them square in the balls. All the boys in the nearby area cringe, imagining the pain. I hold back my laughter.
"So, which one of you are going next?" I inquire, eyeing all three of them intently. They gulp nervously as they look at one another. I grin at the sight. "So you're all wimps?" Ha, I loved it when I pulled on their pride.
The Canadian sighs as he slips out of his shoes. "I'll do it. I mean—there's a first for everything, right?" His dark eyes were wary.
The previous guy was taken out with a "Loser!" and it was Beck's turn. The person in charge of the ride turns his attention to the dark haired boy and grins. "Alright, pretty boy." I snort at the nickname. "Rules are simple. Cross to the other side without falling off the stepping rocks. You have thirty seconds. Ready?" Some teens cheer loudly, betting if Beck would make it or not.
He prepares himself, crouching in a starting stance. "Three...two...one!" The loud buzzer rings, starting his limited time.
People roar as he throws himself forward, landing on one of the rocks. His brows knit together as he hops to the next open space. Right as he secures himself on the slab of stone, a jousting stick appears out of nowhere, hitting his shoulder. Beck's eyes widen as he balances himself. The crowd cheers. "Don't count your eggs before they hatch," I mutter lowly, my eyes stuck on the tan boy.
Beck gets across four more times before he is thrown off with a hard thud. "Loser!" the announcer calls out, the bell ringing. I wince at the loud groaning passing through his lips.
Trudging over to him, I stare down, my arms crossed over my chest. "C'mon, get up. Try not to die." He grunts, crawling to his knees. The dark locks of hair are wild around his head, some strands stuck to the back of his neck. "So, how was it?" I ask, curious about the experience.
He tilts his head up, his eyes meeting mine tiredly. "Well, let's just say that I'll be sore for a while." He cracks an awkward grin, shakily rising to his feet. I eye him warily, an eyebrow cocked. He better not pass out on me.
The statement brings back a memory. It was Tori, during Sikowitz's play, falling face first into my chest.
I remember the way she smelled that day. Ironically, she radiated a manly cologne—for the play, I bet—but I could still detect her own scent: vanilla and strawberry shampoo. Her head was just resting on my breasts, her wig in my line of vision. The contact just send weird tingles throughout the front of my body, my knees almost feeling like jelly. The sign of embrace just seemed...right? I don't know.
And the way she said "I love you" literally made my head spin. Vega said it with so much pure emotion that I sincerely thought she was telling me the truth. I shook it off and recited my own line, hugging her afterwards. The whole situation messed me up and intoxicated my mine with thoughts of the Latina.
"Jade?" A voice interrupts. What? I blink twice, catching Beck looking at me in concern. "Are you okay?" His brows are furrowed.
I brush off his interest and curtly nod my head. "I'm fine," I answer flatly, refusing to meet his gaze. "What is it?" Why the fuck was I thinking about Vega again? Did I seriously tune out again?
His dark eyes linger on me as he looks past my shoulder. "I said, did I make it far? I can't seem to remember." Mmm. Too many blows to the head, I see.
Smirking, I take a step forward. "Well, you made it about half way. Not bad but you still didn't finish." He grumbles, pulling hard on his jacket. I raise a brow in amusement. "You can always try again," I state.
He frantically shakes his head. "I think I'll pass." I laugh, my shoulders bouncing. Beck smiles softly, straightening his hunch posture. "Come on, let's go get the others."
Agreeing, I follow him to the other side of the club.
It turns out that we spent most of our day there. We just blew hours at Gorilla Club, doing nothing but participate in the insane challenges and watch others attempt to do them.
Cat rode the bunny so many times that people actually started to notice and bet how long she would last. Poor suckers didn't know that the redhead could ride that thing forever.
I laughed at the people who said less than two hours and lost. Idiots.
Chewing my fry, I eye Robbie holding his cheek. We were currently eating some burgers and fries to control our insatiable hunger. It was almost seven and we were eating out at Inside-Out-Burger, one block from the Gorilla Club. "What's up with your face, Robbie?" I ask, swallowing the salty delight.
He pouts his lip in pain, rubbing his face. "I rode the bull and one of those balls hit me right in the face!" he exclaims dramatically. Cat gasps, covering her mouth. "I'm okay, Cat," he reassures, smiling weakly.
"You could have broken your jaw!" the redhead shrieks, her hands pulling at the boy's shirt.
"Kitty, I'm fine. Just a bruise. I'm okay." He hands her a bag of sweets but it doesn't remove the worried look in her dark eyes.
I snort, rolling my eyes. "Sure you are." I pop two more French fries in my mouth, somehow enjoying the greasy texture on my fingertips. "So, when does the match start?"
Beck sips his soda, glancing at his wrist watch. "Well, right now it's 7:08 and the fight itself is at 8 o'clock. I think they talk about the match statistics and whatnot." I nod, remembering what the true purpose of all this was.
We were about to watch two old rivals battle in the octagon. Plus, one of them looked like Tori. A vicious Tori. My eyebrows knit together in thought. "What do you think Vega's doing right now?" I ponder aloud, catching all of their attention.
Wide eyes fall upon me, full of questions. "What do you mean?" Andre inquires, wiping his mouth from some ketchup.
"Yeah," Cat tilts her head to the side. "I thought she said she was at her grandma's house."
I shrug, dusting off my hands of the bitter condiment. "Just thought I'd ask," I mumble lowly, keeping my gaze on the table. The sounds of the door opening and numbers being called out fill my eardrums. I'm surrounded by many smells, all making me hungry. Unfortunately, my mind is still full of the same thoughts.
The unnerving feeling of someone watching me ignites my body with adrenaline. My lips straighten into a thin line. "What is it?" I hiss, glaring at the suspect.
His dark eyes don't waver, their stare becoming much more intent, as if I had righted his assumptions. "Nothing," he lies, breaking the eye lock. "Just...thinking."
Thinking about what exactly? Narrowing my eyes, I could feel a growl form in the back of my throat. You can't just stare at a person for that long without a fucking explanation.
Brushing it off, I reluctantly finish my soda. "C'mon guys. We should hit the road if we want some good seats for the match. I heard that it was going to be crazy full."
Everyone agrees, throwing away their trash. Cat follows me to bathroom, washing off. "Why were you asking about Tori, Jade?" Her tone is curious as if she knew there was more to my sudden interest.
My blood freezes as icy water drenches my pale hands. "No reason." My body tenses as she nears.
"You miss her," she realizes, her brown orbs going wide.
A scowl manages to appear on my face as I force the water off. I walk past her to dry my hands. "Why'd the hell would I miss that obnoxious ball of sunshine? She's a pain in my ass, remember?" I thought she knew better than this. I would never miss Vega. Not in a million years. Not even if my life depended on it.
She giggles. "A pain your ass that you love," the redhead teases. I curl my fingers into tight fists as I shove the towel in the trash can. "I can see how your eyes brighten when you talk about her, Jade. Doesn't that explain why you're so interested in her now? Why you can't stop thinking about her?"
A stabbing sensation impales my chest. My face contorts in faint pain. "Cat," I strain. "Please drop it. I'm not in the mood for this. Or ever, as a matter of fact." She tries to say something but I storm out of the restroom, trying to forget everything she told me. I don't care if I'm denying the truth.
I won't—I can't—fall for Vega.
My jaw clenches. I can't go through that pain again. It's just a measly crush. I'll get over it.
Without looking, I roughly bump into someone. Their hands hold me up by gripping my biceps. "Jade?" Beck.
I wrestle out of his hold, fixing my flustered appearance. "Can we just go to that stupid match, already?" I bark, scaring the other two boys.
Beck frowns deeply before nodding. We all, Cat included, hop in his car as he drives us to Hollywood Arts.
The car is suffocating in silence, no one daring to speak. We could only hear cars in the streets, zooming past us. My eyes were stuck out the window, inspecting every little thing. That thing about Vega really riled me up and it was best if I just stayed calm and collected.
The Canadian hesitantly puts the radio on to ease our minds. It's some song by a random pop rock band. Though it was unknown to us, the steady beat of the song soothes us.
Our school comes to view in the distance as Beck parks in his usual space. So far it looks moderately packed but I bet it would get fuller real soon.
"You guys ready?" Robbie asks as we walk to the Asphalt Cafe. We already signed in with Sinjin and now we were to take our seats where the match would be projected. "I bet that Maya Feckner is going to win," he states cockily, raising a brow.
Beck steps forward, shaking his head. "No way. Shelby's got this one. She is going to beat Feckner's ass," he states bluntly, a spark of competition in his eyes. He reaches into his pocket, showing us the money we bet. "Tonight we're going to find out who keeps the cash."
The ventriloquist just waves it off before finding us a good set of seats. It was a few tables from the food table and it had a good view from the large projector.
Memories replay in my mind as I remember the time I messed with Tori's prome and showed horrifying images to the entire student body. A small smirk curls my lips. Yeah, good times.
People start to rapidly appear and soon enough, the entire cafe and parking lot are full of eager teens. They talk about who will win and bets go around. Maybe the whole school is here. It wouldn't surprise me though. This is one of the biggest matches of the year. After tonight, there would be one true CFC champion.
From the corner of my eye, I see Sinjin and the school's technical crew start to work on the display. The screen turns blue before the match visualizes on the projector. The crowd cheers as they could now see the fight. I intake a sharp breath, eyeing the screen intently. Everyone turns quiet as the hosts speak.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight will be one of the biggest fights in the CFC championship this entire year. Two of the biggest rivals will go head-to-head in the octagon, ready to end it all." The students shout in agreement as I shift in my seat.
The other host nods, fixing his set of cue cards. "Shelby Marx must now maintain her champion status as she meets Maya Feckner in the ring yet again. Only one will succeed and we're all anxious to know which girl will prevail."
The camera zooms to the fighters, catching a glimpse of them before the fight. My mouth runs dry at the sight of Marx. She could be Vega's freaking twin sister for fuck's sake. There was a strong determined gleam in her caramel eyes as she bounces on the balls of her feet, the robe around her moving along her skin. A scowl ghosts over her lips as she places her mouth guard in, cracking her knuckles.
Then we see Feckner in all of her six foot glory. Her dark blue eyes are cold and brutal, her blond dreads tied at her nape. Muscles bulge out of her arms as she glared at Marx. Is this girl on fucking steroids? I gulp uneasily.
"Looks like we'll be seeing blood tonight after Feckner's hateful glare at Marx. It would be explainable since she was the CFC champion before Marx stripped her of that title when Marx was just," the TV announcer clarifies.
Both girls enter the cage, shrugging off their robes, revealing their fighting outfits. My eyes were drawn to Shelby's torso. The tan skin nicely hugged the chiseled abs underneath it. They were tone and finely defined. Seriously, Jade, I scold myself. You're checking out a MMA fighter for God's sake. Stop it. I shake my head as the doors close.
Both girls shake hands, crouching in their respective positions. Finally, the sound we've all been waiting for rings, announcing the beginning of the match.
The whole parking lot inhales a sharp breath as the professionals circle each other. Different emotions flicker on both their faces as they eye each other, looking for a flaw in their stance. Everyone is at the end of their seats as Feckner initiates the first punch. She throws a high jab towards her face which Marx easily deflects with graceful slip.
In that moment, the Latina performs a strong uppercut, her fist slamming into the Russian's jaw. The blonde falls back, regaining her balance. Marx looks at her with a dark expression, keeping her guard up, light on her toes. "And there goes Marx with the first punch! Will Feckner take it?"
The foreign fighter growls, rushing forward, managing to surprise the brunette with her sudden outburst of speed.
Luckily, the intended attack only collides with Marx's forearm. She grits her teeth, throwing a right hook to the blonde's face. The Marx fans are smiling proudly, ready to see their favorite fighter to crush her opponent.
What Feckner does next surprises all of us.
She catches the incoming fist and holds it in a tight grip as she uses her other hand to land a hard punch to the brunette's face. Marx yelps in pain, retreating. She touches her lip, red staining her fingertips. The blonde managed to cut her lip. Her face morphs into one of pure rage. Blood trickles down her mouth as she strengthens her defense, lowering her head between her raised arms.
"Marx doesn't look happy and it looks like she's willing to return the favor."
Feckner proves impatient as she again rushes at the other fighter, ready to deliver another punch. Marx's dark brow quirks as she turns her body to the side, her leg propping up, kicking at the Russian's chest. She stumbles back, clutching her injury. She barks angrily, swinging at the Latina. The brunette blocks all of the hits and crashes her covered fist into the girl's nose.
We all cringe as we hear the loud snap of bone. A scream of agony passes through the blonde's bloodied lips. Red is smeared all over her face, making her look even more lethal.
Marx's eyes widen but no sympathy reaches her eyes. Instead, she takes this opportunity to throw some low crosses and hooks at her chest. The other fighter is then pressed against the side of the cage. A twinkle of fear is highlighted in her eyes.
"Will Marx end it all? Can she now successfully pin down this colossal fighter?"
We all stare as Marx readies her hands, the dark liquid tainting one. She clenches her jaw but at that moment, Feckner forces a brutal kick at the Latina's shin.
I cringe. Ooh, that's gonna leave a mark.
Marx falls on the hard floor, groaning in pain. She looks up in shock as the Russian straddles her hips, throwing more punches her way. She raises her forearms to hold them off but many fall upon her shoulders and arms
"There's no way that Marx can escape that hold. Feckner is much too large to move and she receiving too many blows to do anything but play the defensive role."
I grit my teeth. C'mon, Shelby. Do something. Prove everyone wrong.
The brunette glares at the offender resting on top of her. Bruises were scattered all over her upper body and she now had a problem with her right leg.
Baring her teeth, she pushes her forearms up, catching the fists on her skin. With a flick of her wrist, she catches Feckner's arms, pulling her forward. The smaller fighter leans up, crashing her forehead with Feckner's.
I grin at the move. Classic.
She escapes the blonde's trap and pushes most of her weight on her left. Pain reflects off her now dark amber eyes.
The other girl shakily rises to her feet as she wipes her lip, crimson on her arm. Marx takes this advantage of weakness and lunges for Feckner. She pins her to the chained cage, her hands gripping the thick wrists. Her front is to the larger girl's back, leaving her defenseless. "Tap out," she growls darkly, her nose flaring. The blonde shakes her head, managing to slip out of Marx's hold. Her elbow collides with the tan skin of her side.
Marx's eyes widen as big as saucers. She pulls back, holding her abdomen as another punch to the face spirals her to the other side of the octagon. She gasps, catching her breath. Their eyes lock as Feckner goes in for the kill. Marx was down and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
The blonde looms over the smaller girl, as she takes her in a rough hold against the cage. "Your turn, Marx." Dark blue eyes eye the clock.
Time was almost up for the first round. Wow. Time did fly.
Her nails dig into the thin wrists. The Latina cries out, pressing her forehead against the cold chain. She purses her lips as she steps on the fighter's foot, digging her heel into the talus, or the juncture between the ankle and the foot. She grounds the bone of her foot into the sensitive area, making Feckner loosen her hold. Marx then jumps away from the Russian, taking a few steps back.
Feckner charges with all her strength, time ticking away on the clock.
"Five seconds, folks!"
That's all she needed.
The brunette stands, her side facing the blonde as she spins in a 90 degree angle and her leg flying out, her foot smashing into the fighter's temple. Feckner crumples to the ground and the bell rings.
"Knockout!" the announcer cries out happily. "Marx wins! Shelby Marx reigns as a CFC champion!"
Most of the school jumps to their feet in celebration, including me. A small smile tugs on my mouth. Good job, Marx. You did it. Took long enough.
Shelby grins, throwing her arms in victory as they hand her with the champion belt. She slings it around her as she takes in her surroundings. Even though she was beat and bloody, the smile never faded. The audience cheers as the show hosts hug in happiness.
"This has been Marx versus Feckner. Tune in next week at eight to see Marx go against Ollie. Good night!" The match cuts off with a blue screen.
"Marx is one tough chick," Andre grunts, rising to his feet. "I don't think she's ever fought this hard before."
Beck nods, getting up. "Yeah, never doubted her for a second." He eyes a sulk Robbie. "Looks like we won the bet," he states confidently.
The nerd groans, his shoulders slumping. "I know. Don't remind me." The two other boys high five. Cat giggles at the sight. "But I'll admit, I did not expect that from Shelby. She really stepped up her game. I think she'll do well with Ollie, injured and all."
I shift in my boots. "As much as I like waiting in a packed parking lot, I'd like to go home now. We spent the whole day out and I need to catch up on my sleep." They all nod as we make it to the car. We climb in, images of the fight flashing in my head. Somehow, I knew they'd end up in my dreams. "Drop me off first," I demand hotly.
The Canadian shrugs as we exit the lot and zoom down the road. A blast of cool hair hits my face, immediately cooling me off. My body relaxes, soft music playing in the background.
Beck nears my house as he parks in front of it. I look at the four faces and smile. "I'll see you idiots on Monday," I promise, leaving the car into the dark night.
"Bye Jadey! Sweet dreams!"
"G'night, girl."
"Happy dozing!"
"Good night, Jade. We'll split the wagered money on Monday. See you later."
The car starts off, disappearing in the darkness.
I trudge to my house and stop at the door. My eyes close tight as I try to rid the new images of Vega bloody. Mmm. That fight really was intense. It had us all on suspense and fortunately, Marx won. So today wasn't so bad.
I take out my keys, gently sliding the metal in the keyhole. It unlocks and I turn the knob. Inhaling deeply, I smile. Now hopefully, I could get some damn sleep. But I knew it wouldn't happen. Not with Vega clouding my mind.
But for some reason, her kind smile and warm eyes lulled me to sleep. And to be honest, I didn't mind it.
Not at all.
