Chapter 36: Chapter 36

After dinner that night, my parents completely avoided talking about Adam or anything that had anything to do with him. I appreciated their efforts in tiptoeing around the topic but I was afraid that their efforts were made in vain. Ever since I met Kiara, everything that reminded me of him seemed to be amplified. I find myself laying down on my bed awake at night thinking of how things could’ve gone differently.

I’ve had school to occupy me at times during the week from the crap surrounding my life at the moment but that was temporary. The second I finish all my assignments, there was nothing keeping my brain busy.

Sunday came by quickly and sooner than I realized, I was driving my parents to the airport once again to send them off to their next trip. My dear mother was in the backseat, crying softly saying how much she misses her baby and complaining about how much she’s starting to hate the airport. When we got to the airport, she wouldn’t let go of me until Dad basically pried her off me saying that they’re going to miss their plane soon.

I gave them a soft smile. “Be safe,” I whispered into my dad’s ear as I hugged him briefly.

“I’ll see you in 2 weeks, kiddo.” He smiled at me, patting my shoulder before letting it go and grabbing the handles of their luggage they were bringing. My mom hugged me once again and this time whispered something in my ear.

“Sometimes, you’re too selfless, Case. Sometimes, you just have to know when to say to hell with it and start fighting for what you want. Sometimes, you need to put yourself before others for it to be healthy. Who cares if there’s an innocent heart involved, she’ll get over it. No matter what’s happened or what he doesn’t remember, he’s still the same Adam and I have so much faith that he’ll get his memories back. Fight for him, Case, don’t make the same mistake again.” My mom lectured me. Apparently, she’s been holding herself back the whole week.

“I love you, remember to eat well and remember, yank that boy back to where he belongs.” My mom gave me a hip bump and winked at me, giggling like a school girl at my appalled expression. When I finally recovered, I had the urge to hiss “Mom!” like an embarrassed little girl but my parents were already walking away, I swallowed the word and waved instead.

I got back into the car and started driving. I knew it was bad to zone out while driving; hell I could hear Bryant’s voice in my head on how dangerous it was; but I couldn’t stop my thoughts when it started thinking about what my mother had said earlier. My conscience was in an inner battle with itself about what my heart desires and who was at stake.

I couldn’t possibly do that to Kiara, could I? I mean I had no idea what the girl has been through. She might have gone through disaster after disaster and Adam might be the only good thing that has happened in her life.

“Are you still talking about Kiara or yourself, Case?” Penelope’s question cut through my rambling. I decided to give her a call and ask her for some advice once I reached my house. Penelope was the only close friend I have aside from Monic.

“Case, I don’t know if you've realized this, but you have been dealt the shittiest cards by fate I have ever seen in my lifetime and that’s saying something. Don’t you think you deserve your happy ever after too? I mean I didn’t keep my disapproval subtle when you decided to walk away from Adam. This is all on you for walking away. But as your friend, I’m willing to be the one to give you a hard slap to wake you up from your dazed state. You have to wake up and realize that the guy you love is being whisked away by ANOTHER PRETTY GIRL.”

I flinched away from the phone as she screamed the last three words into the phone. Why couldn't she be civilized for once and save me the trouble of needing to get my eardrums repaired.

“But that other girl, I can’t just disregard her, she - “ Penelope made a hissing sound that effectively shut me up. This girl could be intimidating when she wanted to be.

“I agree with your mom, is all I’m trying to say here. Since we’re 2 against 1 here, it proves that what your mom said is worth doing.” I snorted and rolled my eyes. 2 against 1? What are we, 10?

“I’ll think about it, Pen. Thanks for picking up,” I told her, letting the matter go. I think I do more valuable quality thinking on my own without her trying to force her points across.

“Anytime. Tell me what happens,” Penelope chirped before hanging up on me. I sighed and fell sideways on the couch. Can these people not? I felt exhausted from all the thinking I’ve done. This is even more exhausting than getting heartbroken.

I checked the time. I've still got time to get some ice cream before I have to train tonight. I decided that walking would be best for me right now. The fresh air would do me some good when my thoughts were stuffed like this. I made the walk to the store I met Cole’s mother the other day, making shortcuts through the park. This time, I took two big buckets of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and quickly made my way to the counter before anything could distract me again.

I paid for the ice cream and thanked the cashier, making my way back home happily with a slight spring to my steps. I was watching the dogs run around the park when something caught my eyes. I saw Levy sitting on one of the park’s benches with a woman. The sight of the woman's back made me freeze instantly.

Levy was too busy talking to notice me but they looked like they were talking about something serious. I clenched my fist at the sight of Levy’s smirk.

The second I confirmed who the woman was, an odd feeling spread through me. It was the loosening of a tight knot in my heart and then a seeping coldness before the fire settled in the pit of my stomach.

Bitch, hell no.

It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together. It was simply too big of a coincidence to have her be so close to Adam and be one of Levy’s friends as well.

Right at that moment I locked eyes with her. I could see the fear grow in her eyes as she stopped moving completely. Her face paled and I could see her lips moving as she uttered what I presumed was an ‘oh shit’.

Oh shit is right, bitch.

I didn’t wait until Levy turned around and noticed me. My feet started carrying me towards her at a speed that would break the world record. I admit that it was pretty impulsive of me to rush into the situation without a plan. We were in public; the woman could easily scream rape and people would start staring at us. Levy knew all of my moves. He basically trained with me since I started fighting.

It was a tough fight to win but just one punch would be enough for me to feel satisfied.

“Tamara, run!” Levy yelled at her as he got up to stop me but I was having none of his shit. Her name wasn’t even real. This fake ass bitch.

“Oh not today, you fat ass baboon!” I screamed at him, kicking him straight in the balls before he could do anything. I moved around Levy and went straight for the fake bitch.

“You bloody bitch!” I yelled at her. Pulling my arm back and swinging it as hard as I could, making sure that I punched her with all I’ve got. She dropped to the ground and I straddled her, locking her in place as I got ready to unleash all my pent up fury on her.

“You fucking fake ass bitch! Even your name is fake! Is anything about you real?” I screamed, punching her relentlessly until I was hit on the side of the head and toppled off ‘Kiara’.

I was so busy beating the crap out of ‘Kiara’ I completely forgot about the one rule Bryant made me memorize as if it was the ten commandments. Something I’ve never done during any fight before. Never turn your back on your opponent.

Levy stood over me. Through the pain of my throbbing head, I didn’t think twice before sweeping his feet from under him and rolling out of the way. I didn’t check if he fell or not.

I looked at Kiara and narrowed my eyes at her, “I’m not done with you,” I snarled at her. To my surprise, she smirked at me.

“Your dumb ass can’t do shit, sweetie.” I almost lunged at her again when Levy stopped me by stepped in between us and reminded me that I was outnumbered. My gazes flitted between the two of them before bending down to pick up my plastic bag of ice cream. My adrenaline left me, and I was developing a splitting headache from the hit I took. I tried to push it away until I got home.

I walked backwards, not making the same mistake twice by letting either of them out of my sight, until I was a distance away. I kept my ears open in case they ran after me and tried to ambush me during my walk home.

I wasn’t worried that they would follow me to where I live. They probably already knew where I live since Dom’s their boss and all. At least my ice cream babies left that scene unscathed. I looked down at my clothes, well that was certainly messy. I took note of the dirt and grass that still stuck to my shirt as I tried to brush off what would come off. When I finally got home, I changed into clean pajamas and opened one of the tubs of ice cream.

I was trying to look at the brighter side of things. I alternated between eating a spoonful and using the tub to nurse the bump that was forming on the side of my head.

Well at least I do get a chance to be with Adam now. There’s no way in hell that I was going to back down after finding out that Kiara's true identity.

I should try being artsy and start painting the faces of the people I hate onto all of my punching bags. That would certainly help get the anger out of my system the next time I resort to violence to calm down.

On another note, I think that earlier encounter replaced my warm up for training tonight. The semi-finals were happening in three days and I wanted to be ready for it. There was no way I was letting myself lose now. I was already so close to my exit from this life. I won’t mess this one up.