Fighting For Life

by Kylie Alyssa Forte

  I sighed at that, I continuously kept hurting my little sister. I never kept her safe and just kept hurting her. I was awful.

  I sat down quickly next to Bridget and felt horrible for how the whole situation had turned out, all due to my bad choices. We all ate dinner quickly. Both Cece and my grandpa asked about Aubry. Thankfully, I stopped them before they could say her name and brushed off the questions shakily.

  I just wanted the stupid dinner to be over and done with. It was miserable to say the least. No one liked Bridget, and all she did was talk about herself. She complimented my mom’s cooking, yet only ate a bite or two of it.

  When I finally got her out of my house without being directly rude to her in front of my mom. It was pretty late. I told her that if she ever came to my house again, I’d file stalking charges on her. I wanted nothing to do with her, and by the time I was done explaining it to her, she had hurried off on her own. She was angry, but I think she took it better than Amber ever did . . . thankfully.

  By the time she left, everyone was exhausted and didn’t want to talk. I definitely didn’t blame them. The girl was a disaster. My mom could barely look at me once again. Although at that time, I couldn’t tell if it was the disappointment over Aubry and my obvious mistreatment of her, or the usual because I looked like my dead father.

  I went into my room and laid down. Aubry was all I could think about, and I felt like a complete dick. That had to be the shortest friendship ever and it only lasted in less than a day. I was such a mess up that I couldn’t even be friends with a girl who had no friends. I had literally no other friendships or comparisons to compete with and I still mucked it up.

  Why was I like that? I’m such an asshole.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Wear Something Flattering

  Aubry

  I was tired and hungry. No, I was beyond tired and super hungry. My face felt stiff from the wind and the chill. My legs were asleep from all the walking I had been doing.

  I had been walking pretty much all night, and I didn’t realize how many homeless people there were in this town. They were all creepy and weird.

  Ha, that must have been what I was too—creepy and weird. That thought sank me even lower into my depressed state.

  The sun was rising quickly when I found myself sitting in front of the black metal doors of the gym, waiting for someone to let me inside. I was huddled up and trying to fall asleep. I couldn’t sleep though, I was too wound-up and guilty.

  I really didn’t want to face Aiden ever again, but I needed his fighting expertise. It was an awful situation, and I felt like crap over it. I deserved everything that I got.

  I would have killed for a drink at that moment. A hit off a blunt would have been amazing too. I would have even considered trying my father’s drug of choice—meth. Well, since they say I looked just like her, maybe I would have enjoyed my mom’s favorite—heroin. I just wanted something to numb my pain, to numb my mind, to make me forget.

  I sighed at my wandering thoughts. I had always been too scared to do any drugs more than weed and alcohol. They say that alcoholism runs in families, so I assumed that drug addiction did too. At that point, who really cared though? What was the point? I had no friends, no home, no money, and I was more than likely to be dead in a few months, so what else do I have to live for?

  I sighed deeply and banged my head against the door lightly. I was trying to reassure myself, but I just wasn’t convincing enough. I was in such a spiral, and so much anxiety and depression were in my head.

  I continued lightly banging my head on the door, gradually getting harder, trying to push out the plaguing thoughts in it. On the last bang, the door busted open. I managed to catch myself before falling over, but I was highly surprised at the unlocked door and that the bright lights that were on.

  I stared at the boy when I finally spotted him standing at a punching bag while looking at me. There he was, the boy that I screwed over and hurt . . . and yet, he didn’t even know it.

  He looked better than ever with the shimmer of sweat on his body and his shirt off. I made note of the long scar on his chest, it reminded me slightly of his sister’s. His hair was messy, making me want to fix it, however, I held myself back. That was something that I definitely wouldn’t have gotten away with, whether we were friends or not.

  “Aubry? I should’ve known . . . You’re always early,” he acknowledged me.

  I nodded and moved cautiously past him to the training room. He followed me and wordlessly got ice packs out of the freezer. I slowly sat down and waited for the coldness to be put on my ribs. He put them on and then left the room.

  It was just like before. It was like nothing ever happened.

  ***

  I woke up shaking. I was having a nightmare or a flashback, I’m not sure what you would call it. The ice packs were no longer on me and the lights were off. I didn’t understand what was going on. I sat up and looked around cautiously. The clock that sat on the counter read two o’clock PM. I was so utterly confused; I had gotten to the gym at barely sunrise.

  I stood up too quickly and gasped as my ribs protested. I had to pause to regain my composure before I continued on my mission. When I walked out the room, I spotted Aiden immediately. He was quite hard to miss.

  However, he didn’t notice me. He was working on his punches and hitting the punching bag with uncanny grace. I rolled my eyes and marched up to him when he glanced at me but didn’t stop.

  “Why the hell did you let me sleep so long?” I asked, upset. I didn’t have time to sleep! I needed to train!

  “You looked tired and barely budged when I tried to wake you, so instead, I let you sleep,” Aiden said with a shrug before going back to his training.

  “I don’t have time to sleep. I need to train,” I said, huffing and crossing my arms.

  “Well, then don’t go to sleep. I’m not your damned alarm clock,” he said, punching the bag harder.

  I rolled my eyes. I mean, he wasn’t wrong.

  Aiden trained me harshly that day. I wasn’t sure if it was out of spite, or because I was about to be introduced so he wanted to vamp up my training. Either way, I sparred with big men all day long and got yelled at all day by him. At least, the hard training made up for the lost time.

  By the time six-thirty hit, I was beat and breathing hard. However, I still wanted to practice since I slacked off during the day and slept.

  “Okay, I need to get home for dinner. I’m already late. You can stay here and practice a little more if you want. Just please be sure to lock the door behind me when I leave. I don’t want anyone wandering in here with just you in here by yourself.”

  I nodded in understanding. “You need to be ready to leave by nine. Also, wear something flattering . . .”

  I tilted my head at that comment.

  “Trey likes pretty girls, he’ll be more likely to give you a chance if he thinks you’re sexy.” He shrugged as if that wasn’t the most sexist thing he had ever heard.

  He turned around to walk away, but quickly turned back to me. “By the way Aubry, I’m sorry about yesterday. It really is better off this way though.”

  I knew he was right. Still, I couldn’t help but to purse my lips and roll my eyes. I wished it were different. Aiden and I could have really been great friends, I knew that because we understood each other so easily already . . . but it wasn’t different. Being friends with me was impossible. Especially if he ever knew. It truly was better off that way.

  ***

  I had about an hour until it was time to leave when I finally stopped assaulting the bag. I was pretty tired, but I was more satisfied with my workout than I was before. I was improving quickly, and it was quite promising to see that. I just hoped that I was ready to fight at the Underground the next week when this “Trey” guy was going to make me.

  I took a shower and stepped out of the stall in an undershirt and thick leggings, ready to find a shirt that was “flattering” like Aiden said. I rolle
d my eyes at that stupid statement.

  My blood went cold when I saw what was standing on the other side of the door. There were four tall big men, including Daniel and Demetri who were standing right outside my stall waiting for me. I felt all of the men’s eyes rake over my body as I stood there in the tight clothing that I was wearing. It was making me feel uncomfortable, and it took everything I had not to back away.

  Daniel’s nose was still bruised and swollen. I felt a smile threaten to cross my lips at what I had done to him. It was what he deserved. I felt proud.

  How did they even get in there? I made damn sure to lock the door!

  “W-What are you doing here?” I asked, looking directly at Demetri.

  “Mmm. I heard you were hanging out here,” he said, taking a step closer to me. I stayed firmly in my spot; something I would have never done before. I wanted him to make sure that he knew that I wasn’t afraid of him.

  “I thought maybe you needed some reminding about our arrangement. It’s been half a month, and I’ve yet to see any money come through my door.” He was now less than an inch away from my face. All the hairs on my neck were standing straight up, but still . . . I stood my ground.

  “I . . . thought I had six months. I didn’t know that you were expecting payments or something,” I replied.

  He laughed bitterly. “I need to know that you’re actually getting the money together and not fucking around trying to cross me instead. Otherwise, why should I even let you live an extra six months?”

  I nodded at Demetri. “You’ll get some money within the next week or two.”

  “I better, little girl, or else I might just stop feeling sorry for you,” he stated and grabbed my chin forcefully, making me look him in the eyes to convey that he meant business.

  “I’ll be in touch,” he said. He released my face and walked out of the bathroom area along with one of the other men.

  “Nice nose.” I snickered like an idiot. I just couldn’t help myself.

  Daniel suddenly pounced on me and pinned me against the stall door that was behind me.

  “Listen here you little bitch, no one hits me and gets away with it. You will pay for this,” he said menacingly and lifted his hand to strike me.

  I smirked at him, just to make him a little madder. Honestly, it was kind of fun making him so angry. He sneered at my smirk and tried to grab my head to bash in. However, I was quicker, and I pushed the door behind me open, sliding in easily.

  “Oh, so you’re just gonna be a coward and hide? Why don’t you face me like the man that you so obviously want to be? You’re the one who hit me so you should face the consequences,” he yelled at me, banging on the stall door.

  I opened it slightly and he began walking in with a sadistic smile. Before he made it all the way through that threshold, I let the springy door go. That took him completely off guard, and I pushed the door forward with all of my might. When it contacted his hard head, the hit could be heard echoing throughout the whole room. It made me smile in triumph.

  He quickly fell down on the ground and groaned. I was expecting the big guy to come after me due to my bodily harm to Daniel, but he stayed in place. I could have sworn that I even saw him crack a smile at his groaning.

  “You were trying to rape me! Therefore, I do believe that my actions were justified. Now, leave.”

  Just as he was getting up to probably kill me, Demetri came back into the room. “Brother, can you—What the hell?” he asked while looking at Daniel’s bloody head.

  I backed away quickly and leaned on the stall door again. I was a little scared of what Demetri might have done to me.

  “Daniel, I told you to physically leave her alone! Although . . . it looks like she was the one beating on you this time.” Demetri cracked a smile as he said that. “Now . . . Let’s go.”

  Daniel smirked at me as he came closer. I held my breath as he got directly in my face. “You think that you’re so strong? I suggest that you watch yourself. Don’t forget, I’m going to be the one who gets to kill you when you fail,” he whispered in my ear and grabbed my waist in a harsh grasp. “I’ll make damn sure that it is harsh and tortuous.”

  With that last statement, they all walked out of the gym, leaving me with a lightheaded feeling and dizziness.

  I slid down the wall and tried to get my breathing under control, but I was too panicked.

  I didn’t understand how they got into the building. I was afraid because if they knew that I was spending time at the gym, then they had to know that I was spending time with Aiden. I wanted him to be left completely out of my mess. It was too late though . . . I had already involved him.

  I finally stood back up after a while. I made my way to the door and saw that it was no longer locked. I quickly locked it back and rested my head against the cold metal for a second. I was nervous, scared, and very much on edge. I didn’t know what else Demetri would do as he was very unpredictable. I just hoped that he would leave everyone around me alone since they had nothing to do with my screw ups.

  After a few more minutes of fretting, I finally pulled myself back together. I calmly started getting ready once again, though that was proving to be a difficult task due to my shaking.

  I was trying to stay calm. I was trying to convince myself that it was all okay. I was trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my gut, the one that knew I would fail.

  ***

  When I was finally done with getting ready, it was almost time to go. I looked in the mirror and scrutinized my attire. I wasn’t sure if it was “flattering,” but I thought it looked nice enough.

  I was wearing a thick pair of leggings that caressed my legs and butt nicely, a long white undershirt, and a tight-ish black V-neck. My makeup was smokey and sultry with bright red lipstick that tied the look together nicely. I left my long hair in its natural waves and down to frame my face. I actually looked better than I had in a very long time.

  Just as I was sticking everything back in my bag, I heard the door to the gym open. My whole body froze in response, and I felt panicked. Were they coming back already?

  I was standing stiffly, ready to defend myself. I was holding my breath when they walked into the locker room. As soon as I saw Aiden’s face, I relaxed and was able to breathe once again. I was very thankful that it was the guys and not Daniel or Demetri once again.

  “Daaammmn Aubry. You clean up nice,” Brandon said while eyeing me.

  I suddenly felt self-conscious about everything on my body. Every single scar, every bruise, and every movement I made.

  “Thanks, you too,” I replied politely.

  Aiden’s eyes hadn’t strayed from me for a single moment when he walked in and caught sight of me. It was making me even more nervous as his eyes seemed to study me like a book. He took a long swallow as I looked down, trying not to give away my nervousness.

  “Alright let’s do this,” Aiden said roughly to everyone. We all walked out of the gym. I was nervous beyond belief.

  ***

  Aiden

  When we all walked into the Underground, we immediately caught a lot of people’s attention. Correction, Aubry caught a lot of people’s attention. There were people staring at us from all around. I saw her unconsciously shift, and it gave away her discomfort at the attention. I knew that she wasn’t used to that kind of attention. She was used to blending in and covering herself; she wasn’t used to standing out.

  With the way she looked that night, I knew that I was going to have to keep an eye on her all night. The men who frequented places like the Underground were sleazy and gross, and I wouldn’t put it past any of them to try something with someone as fragile-looking as Aubry.

  She almost slammed into someone as a man practically stopped completely in front of her to stare at her. I put a hand gently on her lower back and guided her around the imbecile.

  She looked at me with her wide doe eyes as I helped her around the man. I smiled reassuringly at her and she kept walking calmly with my hand
on her back.

  She went directly to the bar.

  “Jace!” she yelled loudly, making him turn around. As soon as he saw her, his mouth fell open slightly.

  He smiled. “Well Aubry, you look very nice,” he said, eyeing her up openly.

  I grunted slightly, but he was too engrossed in her to notice.

  “Oh, you think I look good? Come here,” she said, motioning him towards her across the bar.

  What? My eyes widened at the change of direction that the interaction had taken. I didn’t think she was that type of girl.

  “You think I look good?” she asked again, though it was lower and in a sultrier type of voice. He smiled and nodded as his face was very close to hers. I couldn’t help the sneer that came to my face as I watched. She smiled wickedly and quickly popped him in the back of his head quite hard, making him frown.

  She giggled. “Get me a drink, idiot.”

  I let out a loud laugh as he rubbed his head.

  Jace rolled his eyes. “Dammit, Aubry! This is why people don’t like you.”

  He looked at me, finally realizing that I was standing there too. “Hello, death.”

  I frowned at his use of my stage name, though that was common for Jace. He quickly made two shots plus a jack and coke, then handed it all over to her, then he slid me a single bourbon on ice.

  I frowned at her when I realized that she had to have gone there quite often for Jace to know her drink orders so well. Also, I was concerned at how well she was going to handle the three drinks. She was a small girl; I was a little leery at how much alcohol she could handle.

  She took her shots before I even took a drink from my cup and looked at me with wide eyes. I was impressed by how well she handled the shots, not even a flinch.

  “So, are we doing this?” she asked as she turned towards the middle and watched the fight that was going on. It was between two irrelevant rookie girls. It was a pretty soft hitting fight. However, the guys in the place were loving it.