Left,
Right,
Check Hook,
Kick,
Uppercut,
The words bounced around my head as I sprung around the ring dodging my opponent.
My hits were rapid.
I wasn't being logical with my movements, not playing to my usual defensive position.
I was now on the offensive, my attacks aggressive and unforgiving.
Normally this would be fine if this was an actual match, but in practice, I was beating down a fellow trainee.
"That's enough for today," I heard my coach say from outside of the ring.
But my attacks didn't stop,
My mind going a mile a minute.
Crack
It wasn't until I heard the familiar sound of a broken nose and my opponent on the ground howling in pain, did I understand the magnitude of my actions.
Freezing in my spot,
Guilt racked through me as I looked at the poor guy who was on the opposite end of my anger.
"Kyle, come here," Coach said as he made his way into the ring, signaling another trainee who was watching the practice to step in as well.
"Can, you take Josh to the infirmary and ensure that Langston here, didn't do too much damage," Coach said shooting a glare in my direction.
"Sorry, man," I said giving Josh an apologetic smile as he shrugged it off.
"Don't sweat it, man, I should've known better than to fight you when you're angry. At least it's not as bad as the last guy," Josh joked, before heading to the infirmary.
The gym doors slammed shut, leaving me to face the wrath of Coach Hanson.
Coach Hanson has been training me since the age of fourteen when he caught me peeking into his gym.
My head peeked through the gym doors in curiosity, hoping to get a glimpse of some action again.
For the past month, I've been sneaking out of the house to come to this boxing gym.
It was number one in the state and all the pro up-and-coming boxers train here.
I would watch as fellow boxers trained, analyzing their movements, and then practice them at home.
I watched in awe at the fight that was going down in the ring.
Excitement filled me, at the thought of how that will be me one day.
"HEY, KID! What do you think you're doing in my gym!" A man who looked to be about 40 years old hollered at me.
His buzzcut hair, large build, tall frame, and inked skin sent a shiver of fear down my spine.
However, I made sure my face was blank, not wanting to show any fear as this Hulk approached me.
"I asked you a question kid, what are you doing in my gym," He repeated again once he was standing right in front of me.
I glanced around the room, noticing come of the guys were looking at our interaction with curiosity.
"I want to train here," My voice was confident and my exterior calm, though I was internally freaking out.
At my statement, some of the guys in the gym began to laugh, not believing a kid like me can do any good in the ring.
My fist clenched at my sides, my stare never leaving the Hulks'.
"Listen, kid, how about you run back to your mommy and daddy, this is no place for a child like you," The Hulk responded making my jaw clench in agitation.
"No, I want to train here," I said determined, my mind already made up.
I saw a hint of surprise flash through the Hulk as he heard my response.
"Alright, kid since you're so determined to train here," Hulk replied seeing that I wasn't going to give up anytime soon.
"Prove it," Hulk said a smirk on his face, his words causing confusion to run through me.
"Okay. How?" I said not wanting him to think he got the best of me.
"Scout, come here," Hulk said motioning for a guy who looks to be about eighteen years old.
"What's up coach?" Scout asked.
So I guess the Hulk here is not just the owner, but the coach too.
I'll stick to the Hulk for now.
"This kid here wants to train at my gym, and you know I don't let anyone train here until they prove themselves worthy. So, how about we have a quick match, one round, whoever taps out first is the loser."Â The Hulk explained.
A wave of excitement washed through me, ready to prove myself to not just the coach and the guys here, but to myself.
"But, coach he's just a little boy," Scout said looking me up and down with amusement.
My eyes narrowed into a glare at the guy beside the Hulk.
His physique was slightly a bit more muscular than mine, but he was still a bit scrawny and his limbs a bit too long for him due to his tall frame.
"And if I win, you'll train me," I said turning my gaze back to the Hulk.
With a nod of his head, a grin made its way onto my face.
"I'll do it," I said making Scout release a scoff, while the Hulk seemed impressed with my response.
"Your grave kid," Scout said a smirk on his face as he made his way to the ring.
His words only fueling my determination to win this match.
"Here kid, wrap your fist to avoid too much damage to them," The Hulk said placing a roll of bandages in my hand.
As I began to wrap my hands, I was stopped by a large hand covering my own.
"No, you're doing it all wrong. Let me show you how it's done, kid." The Hulk said before undoing what I've done so far and then wrapping my hands the proper way.
I watched intently, making sure to remember for the future.
"What's your name kid?" Hulk asked after he was done wrapping my hands.
"Myles"
"Myles Langston," I replied peering up at his brown eyes, which seemed to soften a bit.
"Well, kid if you win this match, you can call me Coach Hanson," Hulk said as I nodded my head in response.
"Okay," I said a small smile on my face.
"Now, show me what you got," He said before leading me over to the ring.
Walking into the ring I ignored the stares of disbelief and the whispers of how I'm asking for my death, my eyes narrowing on my opponent.
"I want a clean fight," Coach Hanson said before beginning to explain the rules.
"The first one to tap out loses," He said making us nod our head in understanding.
"Okay, fight," He said and it began.
We bounced around each other in the ring, neither of us wanting to make the first move.
"Since this is your first time, I'll let you get in one hit," Scout taunted, his arrogance showing that he believed he will win this fight.
I ignored his comment and continued to bounce around the ring, refusing to make the first move.
Seeing that I wasn't going to take the bait, Scout decided to make the first move.
I quickly dodged the right hook before blocking the kick he sent to my side.
Playing on the defense, I continued to dodge his attacks, jumping around him in circles, my size playing to my advantage.
I noticed that Scout was beginning to get frustrated with my dodging, his movements becoming sloppy and repetitive.
Once I recognized his pattern it was easy for me to dodge and anticipate his attacks.
His movements began to slow down, showing that he was starting to get tired.
Seeing my window of opportunity, I decided it was time to play on the offensive.
I faked a left that he dodged, before swinging a right hook, hitting him square in the jaw.
Anger and shock flashed within Scout's eyes before he charged at me once more.
Now his attacks were based on emotion, which could either work for you or against you, and right now it was working against him.
I remained calm during the fight, throwing jabs at him left and right, my movements quick and calculated.
Scout began to do a coverup, leaving his midsection exposed to my brutal assaults.
The blow I sent to his right ribcage, sent Scout down to the floor in pain.
"Tap out," I said taking a step back not wanting to inflict any more damage.
With a venomous glare in my direction, Scout's hand hit the mat in defeat.
The whole gym was stunned to silence, as no one expected me to win.
"It seems like we have a winner,"
"Myles Langston, everyone," Coach Hanson announced
Slowly the guys around the ring began to clap, making a sense of pride swell within my chest.
"Good fight," I said reaching out my hand to shake towards Scout who was now off the floor.
"You just got lucky kid," Scout said before brushing past me angrily and out of the ring.
Someone's a sore loser.
"LANGSTON!" I heard someone yell from outside the ring.
"The first session is at 8 am sharp, tomorrow, don't be late," Coach Hanson said making a large grin appeared on my face.
Since then I've been training with Coach Hanson, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be the great boxer that I am now.
"If you keep on injuring my fighters Langston, I swear I'll put you in the infirmary myself," Coach Hanson threatened glaring down at me.
Despite the seriousness in his tone, I knew it was an empty threat.
Over the years Coach Hanson has become more of a father to me than my own, he was always there for me both inside and outside of the ring and I'll forever be grateful for him.
"I'm sorry, I just have a lot going on," I said, knowing that my actions today were not something to just brush underneath the rug, and with the semi-finals coming up in two more days, I couldn't afford any mistakes.
"You know better than to bring your personal problems into the ring, especially with the semi-finals this Saturday night. You need to be on your A-game these next couple of days not breaking my guys' noses," Coach Hanson said as I nodded in agreement.
"Let's take a five-minute break, and you can tell me what's going on," He said patting me on the back, before making his way out of the ring.
Following him, I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.
Once we were out of the ring I began to reveal all the stress I've been under.
From the trial coming up, how my father called me hours before practice today to try and sike me out and prevent me from testifying against him, and the semi-finals right around the corner.
Once I was done, my shoulders sagged in relief, happy to get all of that off of my chest.
It's rare that I opened up to people about my problems, but as I said, Coach is the father I wish I had and he knows everything about me.
And considering he doesn't have any kids of his own, he views me as his son.
"I'm proud of you kid, for standing up against your father, and for protecting your brother and mother. Everything is going to work out for the good, and that bastard is going to go down okay, I have no doubt." He began to say making a smile appear on my face.
"In regards to the semi-finals, I know I'm tough on you, but that's because I want you to be the best. And to be quite honest, you're already the best, you've been working your butt off these past few months, these past couple of years, actually, and I know you'll be the winner Saturday night," He said making my heart swell with joy.
"Thanks," I replied before pulling him into a hug.
After a few moments, we began to pull apart.
"Alright, Alright, enough with this mushiness, back to training," He said making me chuckle.
"But, I'm already the best," I teased making him glare at me.
"I can still send you to the infirmary kid, don't test me," He said making me laugh.
___
Sitting down at the lunch table Friday afternoon, I couldn't help the groan that fell from my lips.
Coach worked me to the brim yesterday, stating that it was my punishment for sending so many of his guys to the infirmary.
Despite the tension in my muscles, I was glad for the longer practice.
"You okay?" Jesse asked worriedly from beside me.
"Don't worry about me Twinkle Toes, just a bit sore from yesterday's training," I replied with a small smile easing her worry.
"I see Coach Hanson is working you to the bone for tomorrow night's fight," Lance said clearly overhearing Jesse and I's conversation, as I nodded my head in agreement.
"Well, I'm siked, I know you'll dominate that ring," Lance said excitedly as West nodded in agreement.
"What are you guys talking about?" Talia asked curiously.
With a nod from me, West began to explain to Talia how I was a boxer and that I was fighting in the semi-finals tomorrow night.
"Cool! Can we come?" Talia asked making everyone look at me in anticipation.
"Sure," I said as I was planning to invite them anyway.
With a happy grin, Talia turned to an apprehensive Malia to convince her to come to the fight tomorrow night.
"You're coming right, "I whispered, my attention now on Jesse.
"Of course, I have to see my Rocky in action," She replied with a smile.
"Great, now I know I'll definitely win," I said with a cheeky grin.
"And how do you know that?" She asked curiously.
"Isn't it obvious, you're my good luck charm," I said making her turn her head back to her food in embarrassment.
"Shut up, you'll win because you're extremely talented and hardworking," She retorted as I shook my head in disagreement.
"Maybe, but with you being there it makes me a better fighter," I said making her stare at me in shock.
"Whether you believe it or not Twinkle Toes, you helped make me the fighter I am today," I said, the honesty in my tone clear as day.
"Thank you,"
"Glad I could help," She replied a smile lighting up her face.