Chapter 26: Chapter 26

I adjusted the strap of my duffel bag on my shoulder before straightening up and tightened the ponytail I tied my hair in. I got off the bike and took the keys out of the ignition, slipping them into my bag.

I was dressed in all black, a V-neck shirt that was loose enough to not constrict my movements and decent enough not to show any cleavage. There is no way in hell am I going to play dirty by exposing my boobs. That thought can go to hell.

I made sure to leave all my personal things that has initials, ID cards basically anything that can link to my life outside fighting back at the house to make sure that whatever happens today, stays here and wouldn’t be knocking on my doorstep anytime soon.

I took out my payphone and called Levy while walking to where the noises came from.

“Hello?”

“Don’t you ‘hello’ me, you big oaf! Get your ass here! Where the hell are you anyway?” I voiced my thoughts irritably.

“Whoa, what crawled up your ass and died?” He teased and I grumbled under my breath.

“Steven Fucking Moffat, that’s what!” I seethed into the phone. It wasn’t a lie, though. An hour before deciding that it was time to go, I watched the last episode of BBC’s Sherlock Holmes and when the screen went black, I almost tore all my hair off my scalp in frustration.

Heck, I was so frustrated and annoyed that I started kicking everything; the vanity table, the bed in my room, the couch in the living room and the door on my way out. Basically, I unleashed my wrath on anything that was in my way.

“Must be some fucked up ass you got there if it got Moffat The Great wanting to rot in there,” Levy muttered and I growled in warning. I was annoyed enough.

How long has it been, again? Three years? Fucking hiatuses; killing me every day.

“Okay, okay. I’m here! I see you,” I turned around, cutting the call and tucking my phone back into the bag.

“What took you so long?” He grinned at me deviously.

“Miss me?” He mocked with a smug smirk, causing me to shudder and fake gag.

“You wish!” I stuck my tongue out at him and he looked stunned.

Okay, I may or may not have taken this test on how bad my mood swings can get back when I was a child and it may or may not have come out a little more to the positive side. Go figure.

The guy chose to not comment on it and just went along with it, smart dude.

“Let’s go, we’ll be late.” Levy was already walking in long strides and since he was tall, he has these freakishly long legs and I had to jog to keep up with his pace. Yeah, that’s how bad our height difference is.

I glared at his back when the small smirk made its appearance. He obviously knew that I was having a hard time catching up and he still wouldn’t slow down.

And that’s when I knew. Chivalry was extinct. I could picture my subconscious kneeling and sobbing over the death of the chivalry it has never gotten the chance to meet.

We made our way around the mini stadium, towards the back doors where a buff looking dude was keeping watch in front of the door. To say that he looked intimidating would probably be the understatement of the century.

His arms had a sleeve of tattoos crawling up underneath his shirt and reappeared on his collarbone and the side of his neck. His head was shaved clean.

“Passes?” He asked in a gruff voice and I immediately steeled my expression, whipping out the passes Levy gave me.

He shifted slightly and pushed the door open, letting us pass after inspecting the passes.

I stepped inside with Levy trailing behind me, his hand fell on the small of my back and I tensed up.

I trust Levy, but I still felt uncomfortable with the physical contact. He was a friend from the illegal side of my life and although I trust him to have my back, I don’t trust him enough to know everything about me.

Walking faster, his hand dropped and I released a sigh of relief but that didn’t last long after we passed a small crowd of people carrying a stretcher in a hurry.

They were wearing white shirts, a girl shouting out instructions behind them and they turned a corner in a quick blur, disappearing from sight.

“Should I be worried?” I asked aloud, turning to Levy and he shook his head, giving me what I think is supposed to be a reassuring smile.

“You’ll be fine, Pix. You’re the great Pixie, are you not?” He raised an eyebrow, daring me to challenge him and I gave him a small unsure smile instead, deciding to play along.

“That’s it. Now, let’s go over the rules here,” He said as we entered a changing room and he shut the door close behind him. I took a seat on one of the stool and threw the bag off my shoulder and to the floor beside my foot.

I raised my eyes to watch him pace, ticking off the rules one by one with his finger.

I listened tentatively like a student being lectured by her teacher.

“...use of sharp objects.” He finished off, turning back to meet my eyes and he groaned when he saw my most probably dazed off expression and detached look.

“Did you even listen to a single word I said, Pix?” He whined and I rolled my eyes at him.

“Pix, this is serious! You need to know the dos and don’ts in that ring! You have got to pay attention.”

I sighed and gave him a sheepish look before asking him to go over it one more time, this time actually paying attention to his rambling.

“Okay, basically, all you have to do is pin the guy down for 8 seconds or knock him out. Either will do.”

I nodded, my whole demeanor turning serious in the blink of an eye.

“Neither of you will be able to bring any sharp objects in that arena so you’ll be okay as long as you focus. Remember, Pix, focus.” He repeated and I offered him a sincere smile.

“Hey, I’ll be fine. You know I won’t let them lay a single punch on me. Don’t worry too much, you’ll get wrinkles and soon enough, you’ll have back pains.” I smiled cheekily and he cracked a smile.

“It’ll take more than a mere back pains to bring this guy down,” He boasted, puffing out his chest ridiculously and flexing his arms.

I rolled my eyes, “Alright, Lev. When will you be fighting?” I turned my back towards him when I saw him about to strip off his shirt and busied myself by taking my water bottle out and taking a small sip. I licked my lips, moistening them a bit before taking another gulp and screwing the cap back on.

It’s not that I think he has a hideous physique, it’s kind of impossible when you’re a street fighter, it’s just that I’ve never been comfortable with looking at a guy’s naked torso if not necessary.

I know I see guys flanking their torsos all the time while fighting them and beating them to pulp but that was because I don’t have any other choice. It’s not like I can chuck them a shirt and demand them to cover themselves, who the hell am I to order them around.

I’ll probably be a laughing stock so all I can do is suck it up and put my big girl shorts on but right now, I am not going to start ogling Lev. That’s just wrong, in every sense of the word.

“Right after you’re done, do you think you’re going to be able to watch?” Hope tinged his voice and I must’ve been heartless if I told him that I won’t be watching so I just nodded my head, agreeing to be there to give some moral support.

I could hear his grin even without looking back and a smile tugged at the ends of my lips whilst trying to suppress it.

I turned back around after stuffing my bottle back into my bag. A knock on the door brought both of our attention towards it and a bored looking woman with a lip piercing poked her head in.

“You’re up in 5 minutes. Follow me,” she informed in a monotone and beckoned for us to get out. I brought my bag with me and followed suit, trailing behind her like a lost puppy.

Because there was no way I could’ve brought anyone else as a plus one, I brought Levy with and he’ll be waiting at the edge of the ring, gaining a VIP view.

The lady left us at the bottom of a set of stairs that would lead up to the ring which, judging from the previous fights I’ve watched, I’ll have to climb over. There was a guy beside the set of stairs, standing in a similar position as the man who let us in through the back door of the building.

Only this time, he had hair on top of his head, styled upwards like a porcupine’s back. Sorry, I just had to.

I shoved my duffel bag onto Levy’s chest and started warming up by cracking my knuckles, raising my thighs and rotating my neck. Above me, I can hear the shouts and the cheers of the crowd. The guy, after a moment of silence, finally acknowledged my presence by nodding at me and motioned for me to climb up the stairs after right the speakers blared, a voice introducing me.

I nodded back at him curtly before jogging up the stairs, immediately engulfed in the uproar of the crowd and a familiar rush of adrenaline entered my system instantly, forcing my senses to focus on everything I see and feel.

Though the shouts and yells threatened to deafen me, I felt grateful for the loud noise that gave me a sense of familiarity. At least I can pretend that it was just another fight in the Underground Place. I stopped short when I finally saw the ropes that outlined the ring. Shaking all thoughts out of my head, I forced myself to think clearly and my body switched to Pixie mode.

With my face clear of any expressions and a guarded look covering my features, I slipped through the ropes and entered the arena. A spotlight greeted me blinding me for a second.

The butterflies threatening to erupt in my stomach was stomped on once I reminded my conscience once again that I was Pixie; a fearless street fighter.

You’re going to be fine. I thought to myself, taking a couple of deep breaths, preparing myself. I looked back, catching Levy’s eyes and he grinned at me, his eyes urging me to keep my head held high.

I nodded at him, turning back as my opponent got called up, I mentally prepared myself. I’m ready.

Let’s get this over with, shall we?