Fuck.
He makes the rookie mistake of tilting me over his back, thank god, so I can wrap my arm around his neck and pull as hard as I can. It catches him off guard and he topples backwards, taking me with him.
“Okay. Okay,” calls Maverick. “I don’t think we need to see anymore from either of you, please take a seat.”
“What? Let me defend,” demands Tyler, smacking his chest as if he needs to be clear on who he’s talking about.
“I’ve seen enough of both of your fighting skills, and that’s what this is about. Now, sit down,” Maverick responds, moving on to the next pair.
“Fuck you, bitch,” Tyler growls at me as he passes, but I don’t even offer him a response.
I haven’t got time for this dick at the minute. It’s not my fault if he’s got little man syndrome.
The final group is Red’s, with Roman and Wren.
“Wren and Becky please,” Maverick calls.
Before I can even release a sigh of relief Wren is interrupting.
“Actually Mav, I think my skills would be better portrayed against Jessica, right Jess?”
Mav?
She’s talking to ‘Mav’, but her eyes are fixed on me, sly bitch. She isn’t a match for me so she’s trying to fuck with my friend instead. Jess can see what’s going on but doesn’t move or offer a reply. I’m ready to storm their group when I hear Roman.
“Maverick, I’m pairing with Jess, move this shit along.”
I could fucking kiss him right now.
Don’t let me down Roman.
She’s my sunshine.
“Don’t be silly Rome, baby,” Wren sweetly interrupts, placing her hand on his chest.
Maverick looks between the three of them, and a single nod from Roman conveys how serious he is about this.
“I won’t repeat myself Wren, get a move on, or I can call this class a fail,” Maverick calls, turning his back to the dramatics.
She glares at everyone as she steps on to the mat, a wicked glint in her eyes. She plants herself in front of me and signals for Becky to attack first.
I go to get to my feet, but I’m not quick enough. Becky is leaping in my direction as Wren drops and rolls. I lift my feet in the air as my defense and brace for the impact, making contact with Becky’s chest forcing her back on to the mat.
“Fucking bitch,” Becky growls.
I don’t know what she expected me to do, it’s not my fault her friend is a dick, and she’s happy to play minion. So I just shrug at her.
They take their positions again, but away from me this time. I don’t take my eyes off them though. Wren shows off, throwing Becky over her shoulder as she attacks. Becky has no clue what she’s doing and is useless at defending herself.
Final move and they’re moving closer to me, and I refuse to remain on my ass. Standing, I remain in the same spot, refusing to step back. I won’t show weakness. Not to this bitch.
Everyone around must also feel something is coming, because any small chatter has gone, all eyes focused on the mat.
Becky turns her back to Wren, allowing her to attack from behind. She sneers at me, telling me I was right to stand.
“Now,” yells Wren.
Becky quickly moves to the side letting Wren charge at me. I don’t have a chance to consider what to do, I just have to move. I know I need to hit her from a distance, otherwise she’ll take me down and there’s less chance of me landing on top.
Letting my instincts takeover I place my right leg in front, turning slightly, as I crouch a little, holding my weight on my back foot.
I see it. In her eyes, she knows she’s fucked, but it’s too late for her pace to slow.
I raise my right leg and extend it with force, straight into her face.
Crack.
The contact has her head snapping back, the rest of her body going with it and she’s out cold.
A part of me wants to feel bad, but she fucking deserved it. I was just defending myself, and I did warn her it’d get worse every time she came at me, but this time it’s in front of a tutor. Shit.
“What the fuck have you done?” Becky screams, and a few other girls stand and join Becky in shock.
I don’t look at anyone but Maverick, I don’t care what anyone else here says. I shouldn’t care what he says but his take on this situation has the most impact on me. He pulls a small device out of his pocket, which he pushes, and a small bell sound comes from the speakers around the hall.
Suddenly three people rush to us, with a stretcher. They don’t look at anyone, just load Wren up gently.
“Knock to the head, clean out,” Maverick says and then they are off.
He stares me down and everyone is watching what happens next. To me.
“Rafe sure as shit showed you how to move, huh?”
He smirks and walks towards me with his hand raised.
Is he fucking joking?
I don’t know, but I high five the shit out of him anyways. While managing to hold in my smile of relief.
“What the hell Mr. Miller, did you not just see what she did to Wren?” Becky screeches.
“Of course I fucking saw. What do you think you’re here for? This world isn’t flowers and rainbows sweetheart.”
Turning to address everyone, he continues.
“This world is death, it’s corrupt, cut-throat and complete darkness. If you want any chance at surviving, I suggest you learn to see in the dark.”
His words hit me deep. Everything he said he knows to be true, the loss in his eyes confirms it.Without wasting anymore time he’s back to it.
“Rome and Jessica then.”
The stress is clear on her face and I don’t know how I can help from here. Roman whispers in her ear, and whatever he says brings a little color back to
