Personal Narrative-Consciousness And Exercise Machines
Immediately, I stop.
I avert my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. Suddenly, I’m overcome with an extreme self consciousness. He can always make me feel childish, even when he doesn’t say anything.
The moment the water stops, I step into a clean set of overalls. I leave the shower room without looking back to see if Connor is still watching me. I can feel his eyes on the back of my neck. I continue rolling my shoulders while I head towards the stairs.
I brace myself before entering the gym, knowing what to expect.
The exercise machines have rusted and probably don’t even work anymore. They were supposed to be replaced just last year. Cross is such an ass. I clench my fists, trying to calm myself down.
The machines must have all been moved …show more content…
It’s sloppy, and I could easily trip him. Instead, I sidestep and push him square in the back. His momentum along with my help throws him out of the ring and onto the ground again. He gives me no choice because he refuses to actually fight.
I stride to him and plant my foot on his back. I lean down, whispering loud enough for the crowd to hear.
“This is the last time I’m going to leave you alone when you fall. Let’s go, get up. Stop holding back.” I clench my fists, then loosen them. This is the choice I’ve made. This is the way it needs to go. I just hope it’s the right thing to do.
The moment I move my foot, he jumps up swinging. I block it and counter with an uppercut to the stomach. He cringes, but he notices that both my my hands are occupied before I can really recover. He takes the opportunity to jab me in the throat.
I stumble back, coughing. Fuck, that hurt. He takes full advantage of my distraction by decking me in the face.
I’m seeing stars at this point. I quickly realize that I’m on the ground, and this confirms it: I’m screwed. I was still holding back, just as I meant to. My muscles aren’t responding, which makes it worse when his first strike lands on my …show more content…
That’s not right.
“I told him that he wouldn’t survive the week if you can’t stand at the end of this fight.” He smiles and cups my cheek with one hand. I lean into it and sigh.
“I have something to tell you,” I murmur, “It’s important.”
He shushes me before I can continue.
“Later. You need to do a little more acting first. I know you threw the fight, and you’ll have to live with the consequences. Go be a hero, or something.” He stands and walks away. He ushers the other Skulls out, but Kevin stays behind. Dominic hesitates, but ultimately follows Connor out.
Kevin paces near the door, and I watch him warily as I slowly sit up. My head spins and blood is still trickling down my chin, but I seem fine otherwise. I heave myself to my feet, swaying slightly.
“Did you really throw the fight?”
I narrow my eyes, trying to focus on Kevin. He’s stopped pacing, and is now watching me. I wipe my mouth and stare at the blood on my hand. After a moment, I look back at him.
“Yeah. I told you to stop holding back, but I still was. I’m still not sure if it was a good idea.” I give him a tight smile. “Well, you still won. I hope you have fun with this. It wouldn’t have been worth it,
I avert my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. Suddenly, I’m overcome with an extreme self consciousness. He can always make me feel childish, even when he doesn’t say anything.
The moment the water stops, I step into a clean set of overalls. I leave the shower room without looking back to see if Connor is still watching me. I can feel his eyes on the back of my neck. I continue rolling my shoulders while I head towards the stairs.
I brace myself before entering the gym, knowing what to expect.
The exercise machines have rusted and probably don’t even work anymore. They were supposed to be replaced just last year. Cross is such an ass. I clench my fists, trying to calm myself down.
The machines must have all been moved …show more content…
It’s sloppy, and I could easily trip him. Instead, I sidestep and push him square in the back. His momentum along with my help throws him out of the ring and onto the ground again. He gives me no choice because he refuses to actually fight.
I stride to him and plant my foot on his back. I lean down, whispering loud enough for the crowd to hear.
“This is the last time I’m going to leave you alone when you fall. Let’s go, get up. Stop holding back.” I clench my fists, then loosen them. This is the choice I’ve made. This is the way it needs to go. I just hope it’s the right thing to do.
The moment I move my foot, he jumps up swinging. I block it and counter with an uppercut to the stomach. He cringes, but he notices that both my my hands are occupied before I can really recover. He takes the opportunity to jab me in the throat.
I stumble back, coughing. Fuck, that hurt. He takes full advantage of my distraction by decking me in the face.
I’m seeing stars at this point. I quickly realize that I’m on the ground, and this confirms it: I’m screwed. I was still holding back, just as I meant to. My muscles aren’t responding, which makes it worse when his first strike lands on my …show more content…
That’s not right.
“I told him that he wouldn’t survive the week if you can’t stand at the end of this fight.” He smiles and cups my cheek with one hand. I lean into it and sigh.
“I have something to tell you,” I murmur, “It’s important.”
He shushes me before I can continue.
“Later. You need to do a little more acting first. I know you threw the fight, and you’ll have to live with the consequences. Go be a hero, or something.” He stands and walks away. He ushers the other Skulls out, but Kevin stays behind. Dominic hesitates, but ultimately follows Connor out.
Kevin paces near the door, and I watch him warily as I slowly sit up. My head spins and blood is still trickling down my chin, but I seem fine otherwise. I heave myself to my feet, swaying slightly.
“Did you really throw the fight?”
I narrow my eyes, trying to focus on Kevin. He’s stopped pacing, and is now watching me. I wipe my mouth and stare at the blood on my hand. After a moment, I look back at him.
“Yeah. I told you to stop holding back, but I still was. I’m still not sure if it was a good idea.” I give him a tight smile. “Well, you still won. I hope you have fun with this. It wouldn’t have been worth it,