*hands over an Oreo*

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Emily's P.O.V.

Ron : Fight scheduled at 6 today.

I stared at my phone screen for the 15th time in the last hour before slamming my locker shut.

Just my luck. The day, everyone decides to gather at my place, I finally have a fight scheduled.

New fighters have to wait till they find a slot. The locals hog the slots by challenging each other in hopes of having more people bet on them.

We moved here about a week before school began and registered on the first day itself, but I didn't hear from them until now. I guess someone decided to finally play with a supposed 'rookie'.

Just perfect.

"Hey it's okay. You can just tell them you have other commitments that you forgot about. I'm sure they'll understand." Lexi said when she reached me, after shoving her books in her locker.

I sighed, nodding. "I know. I just don't want Cole to go all Sherlock Holmes on me again."

I've never had to sneak around before, hiding my life underground. I was pretty much unapproachable in school in London and well, I didn't bother hiding it from Lexi since she's with me literally all the time.

She accompanied me to fights, stitched me up when needed and after bugging me for months, convinced me into teaching her how to fight as well, I wasn't trained but I had picked up some tricks from YouTube and well, from experience. She has faught a fair share of matches herself and doesn't fail to make me proud.

What she doesn't know is that I choose the opponent for her myself. I ask Ron, our manager to run a background check on the fighter before accepting a challenge or be the one to challenge. She isn't weak or incompetent, but being the one who brought her into this, the last thing I want is for her to get hurt.

I looked down at my phone when another ping echoed from it, which was an 'ok' and 'be careful' by Alec as a reply to my text that I'd be staying over at Lexi's tonight and that he should head home without me.

I shoved my phone in my bag and adjusted it on my shoulder as I noticed some people making a beeline towards us.

A body suddenly threw itself at me, making me stagger back. "I hate everyone." Perri whined into my shoulders, which came out muffled.

My eyes widened in surprise at the sudden outburst as I patted her back in comfort.

"Why is a Perri clinging on to me like I'm a tree?" I asked as the others joined us with amused smiles.

Perri detached an arm from around me and pointed an accusing finger at the others. "They're being asses and won't let me live." She whined and went back to clinging to me.

"Shes exaggerating." Ryder rolled his eyes, making me narrowing my eyes at him.

"I don't believe you." I said with a sickly sweet smile directed to him, still not over the little prank he played on me. "Someone else, speak." I said making him raise his eyebrows at me, amused.

Piece of shit.

'A hot, piece of shit.'

A piece of shit, nonetheless!

'Eh...'

"Oh god!" Cole groaned looking at me and Ryder. "You two need to refrain from killing each other."

"More like kissing each other." Came a muffled voice from my shoulder, making Lexi snort as she tried to cover it with a cough.

My shoulder?

I directed my glare down to Perri who was clinging on to me, as heat crept up my cheeks. Perri looked up with an innocent look which very much didn't work as I shrugged her off of me.

I could feel Ryder's heated gaze on me but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.

"She's being a baby because we asked for a raincheck on today's plan." Mia said, making everyone nod in agreement, while Perri's frown deepened.

My eyebrows raised on their own accord as I turned slightly to see Lexi, looking at me with a small smirk.

"It's only the second day, Perri. We should give Em some time to get comfortable too." Cole said in a soothing voice. "Wouldn't it be better anyway if we plan something for the weekend? I have science club, Ryder's got practice after school, and Mia is a volunteered tutor." He said, making Lexi nod in agreement, as they talk some sense into Perri.

I couldn't help but notice the change in his tone, everytime he talks to Perri and then I looked at Logan who was, yet again, typing away on his phone, making me frown.

My frown slowly deepened as I comprehended what Cole just said.

"Practice after school?" I turned to look at Ryder and noticed that he isn't, where he was a minute ago.

"Took you long enough." A deep voice startled me as I turned my head to the left to see him leaning against the locker beside me.

I rolled my eyes at this sneaky ass and turned completely to face him.

"Well?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest, feeling relieved now that I won't have to worry about my fight today.

"Football players need practice, you know? I can't just laze around all day, like some people I know." He said with a cocky smile on his perfect face.

I scoffed at his attempt to insult me before my eyes widened.

"Wait... what?" I couldn't help the surprise in my voice. "Football? And you?" I asked raising my eyebrows in disbelief.

He frowned at me before he rolled his eyes at my tone, and I noticed his tongue poke the inside of his cheek as he grew annoyed.

'Damn'

Shut up.

"It's not that hard to believe. You're talking to the quarterback of the team." He said making me raise an eyebrow. As surprised I was, I refused to show it and wore a smug smile on my face.

"Well I guess you were compensated for the lack of common sense in there." I said poking his forehead once, making him look away and let out a throaty laugh.

"You're really something else, Miles." He said with a smile making my insides all gooey.

I had to use all the self control in me to refrain myself from reacting everytime he calls me by the stupid nickname. He came up with it when we were 8. Since we were each other's best friends he wanted to have a name that only he can call me by.

"Oh you have no idea." I said with an amused smirk of my own.

"Fine! But no one cancels for Saturday." Perri's voice made us turn to her, to see her pointing at everyone, narrowing her eyes.

Everyone roared in agreement, including me as I sigh in relief.

Just then, I felt it before any sort of contact. A warm body moved close to my back making a shiver go down my spine as a familiar and intoxicating scent surrounded me.

"I better get to practice before she throws another one of her tantrums." His warm breath fanned my ear as he whispered to me, probably leaning down.

His action made another shiver go down my spine as my breath hitched. I immediately turn to face him and put some distance between us before he notices the effect he has on my body.

'Oh would you look at that...' I could almost hear my conscience smirk.

His eyes widened as an amused smile took over his face at my sudden movement and he stood up straight, looking down at me, shoving his hands into his pockets.

I nodded, looking anywhere but at him. "Okay... Yeah sure."

He gave me a look of suspicion and tilted his head to the side. "Are... you okay?"

"Yupp, totally. Go kick some balls already." I said nodding and nudging him back towards the exit.

I saw a grin grow on his face as I realised what I just said and groaned.

"Don't" I begged, shaking my head with my eyes closed in misery. "Just don't."

He chuckled, ruffling my hair. "You're adorable."

I looked up at him wide eyes, at the same time he froze, with a similar expression on his face.

We hadn't noticed till that moment that the conversation around us had quieted down and they were all looking at us.

He retracted his hand that had unconsciously found its way on my head and cleared his throat while I tried to get my heartbeat under control.

"Yeah... uh later losers." He called out walking backwards and then turning to walk away, out of the school, towards the field.

I sighed as I scolded myself for behaving in a way I promised myself I never would and feeling things I promised I'd never feel.

By the time we reached Lexi's place, I had erased everything from my head and the only thing on my mind was the fight.

I felt a rush of adrenaline at the thought of being in the rink after so long, as I crack my knuckles unconsciously.

*****

"FOR THE NEXT MATCH, LET'S CALL UP OUR NEW FIGHTER, MILES!" The announcer screeches into the mic, making me wince as I walk into the ring. Lexi wished me luck and stood outside the ring with our belongings.

The name, well... it was the first thing that came into my mind when I stepped into an arena like this for the first time in London. This name, when called out by someone else, brought out the worst in me, and well I was gonna use that to my advantage.

I had changed into a more comfortable and match-appropriate outfit.

I was wearing my favourite dark grey leggings with a grey sports top, which earned me a lot of lustful stares but... oh well.

I could feel the moisture and heat in the little underground tunnel, or whatever this place was.

For a place where illegal activities took place, this place was heavily crowded. There were fighters, bidders and plain-watchers everywhere, some perched on the couches, placed around the ring while most of them stood around the ring as the fight grew interesting.

In one corner of the place, was a counter where people lined up to place bets on fighters.

The crowd was a lot more quite when it was time for my fight, specially compared to the fight before. The fight before mine was between these two huge guys who just didn't want to give up. The winner of the fight, sat on one of the couches with a girl on his lap, probably his girlfriend.

'Or a hooker.'

I snorted at the thought.

I noticed the blood stains from the matches before ours, on the concrete floor inside the ring. Yes, concrete floor, street-fights are that ruthless. We don't believe in having mats or a synthetic surface, as that just reduces the impact.

Not gonna lie, I've taken some really painful blows and these floors were no help.

"ON THE OTHER CORNER WE HAVE, SOPHIA!" The announcer yelled again, when I was in the ring.

I looked up to see the blonde girlfriend of the winner of the last match strutting into the ring.

Of course I would have to fight someone like her. Who else would want to fight a rookie.

As a streetfighter, people walk in here to blow off some steam and expect a good fight in return. The stronger the opponent, the more content someone would feel at victory. Also, people bet more on matches with experienced and strong fighters.

So, I expected this. The girlfriend of a fighter begging him to let her fight and him, not wanting to say no, sets a match for her to fight a supposed 'rookie'.

I kinda feel sorry for her though. She clearly doesn't have what it takes to be a fighter. I doubt whether she even works out.

A scoff slips my mouth as I watch her trip on the ropes while stepping in the ring, which made the crowd go quite as some turned to look at the guy on the couch, while some turned to look at me.

I saw from the corner of my eye as the guy on the couch raised an eyebrow at me, trying to look intimidating. I couldn't care less.

Sophia, composed herself as she walked to her corners, glaring at me.

The referee entered the rink and muttered about the number of rounds, the timer and the knockouts, and made us stand face to face.

She was about my height but, that was about the only similarity.

We took our positions as she smirked. I squared my shoulders and stretched my neck to either sides.

Crack

Crack

This is a ritual I do, whenever I'm about to kick some ass, it helps me loosen up, and I like to think that it makes me look intimidating.

I noticed Sophia's posture and there was everything wrong with it. I have no idea what the hell she was smirking about.

When the referee blew the whistle, she ran towards me.

Ran? When did I sign up for a bull fight?

I already knew what kind of a fight this was gonna be.

I rolled my eyes and stepped aside making her run past me and collide with the rope on my side.

The crowd let out a soft chuckle as I noticed more and more people gathering up to see the fight.

Sophia's face grew red as she clenched her hands into a poor excuse of a fist and advanced towards me.

I saw it before she moved, her body stiffened, and her foot changed position as she raised a fist to punch me in the face, specifically my left eye.

I blocked it, which was way too easy, as her blow had no power, whatsoever.

Train her well next time, man. I almost wanted to yell at the couch guy.

More specifically, I grabbed her fist before it made contact with my face and threw it to the side making her stagger back.

I squared my shoulder again, and clenched my own hands into fists, in no mood for these games anymore.

If she wasn't going to give me a fight, fine I'll just end this at once.

I was known for showing no mercy. No matter how much of a rookie it was, fighting against me, I played with them for a bit, but won with the most ruthless blows possible.

She decided to hold back for a bit glancing at her boyfriend for a second, before going for the next punch.

The next few seconds were almost in slow motion, as I grabbed her fist again before she could even touch me, with my left hand and landed a punch of my own on her face.

A series of 'ooohhs' went through the crowd at the sound of a crunch from her nose, which was probably broken.

But that sound gave me an adrenaline rush. That is what I liked to hear.

So I didn't stop there, I grabbed her throat and picked her up, slamming her on the floor.

I could see her eyes lose focus as I landed another punch on her face before her eyes completely rolled back to the back of her head.

And then she was out.

"KNOCKOUT!" The referee yells.

He blew the whistle making me come back to my senses again, as I got my hearing back.

It was then that I heard the crowd going crazy and one voice yelling particularly louder than the others.

The boyfriend. He was now standing, holding the rope of the ring with eyes and mouth wide open.

He ran into the ring once I was off of her and pulled her head on his lap, patting her cheek, trying to wake her up.

Well she ain't waking up anytime soon, buddy.

I snorted as Lexi ran to me handing me my sipper and a towel.

"Yeah, I don't need that." I said eyeing the towel and I took as sip of water.

"I figured. That was quick..." She chuckled, looking at the fallen Sophia. " and quite disappointing."

"Tell me about it." I sighed.

"YOU!" The voice made me look at the guy holding his injured mate and glaring at me, like I stole his candy.

"You are not a rookie." He said with clenched teeth.

"No shit, Sherlock." I rolled my eyes.

The crowd was now silent, looking at the exchange between the supposed rookie and the supposed champion.

He jaw ticked at my remark. "I swear if you weren't a girl-"

"Still your girl would've been in the very same condition." I smirked.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" He roared rising with Sophia in his arms and handing her to another guy, probably to fix her up.

I smirked and handed the bottle over to Lexi, straightening up. "Someone who can kick your ass, just as easily as hers."

The crowd hollered at that and the couch guy's face grew redder and the nerve on his forehead almost popped.

"In that case, I'd love to be the one, who shows you your place." He said as a weird smile grew on his face, which, again, was supposed to be intimidating.

I felt Lexi grab my arm, probably to tell me how terrible of an idea this is, but I didn't turn to look at her.

"Even though it hurts my pride, I challenge you, Miles for a match this Friday, right here. Do you accept?" He said extending his hand to shake on it, while I looked at it.

Now, once a fighter wins a lot of fights and people start knowing them, they have more people bet on them, so more and more people try to get a chance to fight with them.

After being a fighter in London for about 3 months, I started getting challenged left and right. Every other fighter would want to fight with me, sometimes to win and sometimes with the sole motive to try and grope me, while some just wanting to learn my fighting techniques with first hand experience.

That's when I hired Ron. Ron would go through everyone's background, and sort through their experiences and choose some of them who were worth fighting.

Since I was new here, and not a known fighter, this was my opportunity to mark my place here without having to go through fights, like the one, I just took part in.

"I accept." I shook his hand.

I couldn't help but be grateful that it isn't Saturday, or Perri would've killed me.

I mentally shook my head at the irony.

*Author's note*

Yeah so... That happened.
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