His eyes fascinated me and the boy smiled at me, leaving some of the girls frustrated. I kept staring at him like there was no one else around. Looking away, I pretend I don't know him, and I make a frown. Everything around me turns to silence when the judge starts announcing the fight.
- On my right side, undefeated champion, and preparing for his last fight of the night, The Rock!
The girls only missed jumping into the ring when their name was announced. I make a face of disgust when Ryder Taylor waves again to the girls around him. The judge announces the name of the other fighter and they've prepared to start fighting. The gong sounds after he dictates the rules and Ryder positions himself. The other opponent applies a right hook, but Ryder deviates. He hits the man with a punch, he takes two paces backwards. Ryder then hits a shot in the leg and the man loses his balance by going down. Ryder behind the man and fits a key, holding the big guy and taking him to the ground. At least five minutes of assault, until Ryder was declared the winner by knockout and the people were madness. I was shocked because I'd never seen anyone move so fast. Ryder stands up, roaring and raising his arms in a sign of victory. He blinks at me and tries to get close to the railing, but I walk away. Sighing, I decided it was time to go home and that the fun had been enough. It was dawn on Friday and there would be a test on Monday. I wanted to spend the last few hours studying and preparing for the stories that would arise on campus the next day.
I turn around, while a bunch of girls surround Ryder, when the cage starts to rise. I'm going to the bar and say goodbye to Dave. A girl delivers part of the money won in the bet and surprises me with the amount collected. That money would be very welcome and serve to compose my savings. As I approached the corridor leading to the exit, my joy gave way to sadness. I remembered why I had gotten there and it almost made me cry. I was already at the end of the corridor, when a pair of huge hands held me, almost at the exit door. I pull my arm, scared and turn to face the guy. It was Ryder's fighter opponent, who was standing still, blocking my passage and smiling with presumption.
- Hey, doll! - he says showing all the teeth in his mouth. - Are you alone?
I sigh trying not to look nervous.
- Yes, and I intend to stay that way! - ...I answer dry, pushing his arm to make way. - Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm leaving.
The man, however, grabs my arm again and starts pulling me in again.
- But why is that? - he says smiling, all brute. - The night has barely begun and can be even more fun.
- Will you let go of me, please? - I mean harsh, but very afraid because of his aggressiveness.
I struggle and I pull my arm, but he won't let go. On the contrary, he laughs and tries to kiss me.
- I love the ones that resist! - he whispers with his hot breath on my face.
I try to push him, but without success, so I do the only thing that occurs to me in that moment of despair.
- Do you realize what you've done? - ...he's scoffing at me after the slap I slap in the face.
I'll take a step back, by your dreadful ferocity. Thinking I was heading towards the entrance to the corridor, I kept going back, until I leaned against a wall. Without being able to move, I widen my eyes when the man raises his arm, ready to hit me with that huge hand.
- No! - I let out a desperate scream, closing my eyes and covering my face with my hands, but the blow didn't come.
- I wouldn't do that if I were you!
A deep, threatening and very cold voice echoes through the dark corridor. I raise my head to see Ryder holding the man's fist, who looked at me with his eyes on fire.
- Stay away from her! - Ryder threatens - That's mine!
I look up, realizing that the wall I had leaned against was actually Ryder's chest. He was so tall that my head could barely reach the height of his shoulder. I hold my breath when Ryder's free hand bypasses my waist in a gesture of possession. My chest gasped when I felt the warmth of his naked skin, against the back of my thin shirt.
- She said she wasn't with anyone. - the man responds by pulling his hand and folding his arms.
- Your mistake! - Ryder snarls by squeezing his arm harder around me. - She's stubborn and out. We're going through one of those phases, but I can guarantee it's mine. Therefore, if I catch you touching her again, I will only stop when I hear the noise of broken bones.
Ryder threatens his teeth with coldness. I swallow on dry, while the other one raises his hands breathing deeply and gives us his back, disappearing into the darkness. When everything seems to have calmed down, I take a deep breath of relief, but Ryder keeps me trapped by the waist.
- Have you gone mad? - Ryder asks harshly as he turns me around, leaning
