Bruises

2| Bag Of Disaster

Were we getting lawyers involved? I couldn't go to jail, I'm too young to be there, I haven't even gotten to graduate or get married.

Too much melodrama? Okay.

"Mr Malik, please... It hasn't gotten to that," Mr Pipeson pleaded, he then looked over to me with a stern unforgiving gaze which would make anyone run for their money. "And as for you, you can count yourself fired," he yelled.

"F– fired?" I managed to mumble, my eyes wide with shock. Yes, I know I hated my job but working at the gym was the only place I seemed to hold an occupation for up to a month.

"Sir, I beg yo–"

"Enough!" He bellowed, "I don't want any excuses, don't come back tomorrow."

Tears battled it's way down my eyes but I quickly wiped it off, I was trying to be as strong as possible but losing my third job in two months isn't exactly good on my résumé.

"It's not her fault..."

My heart lightened as I looked up to see the person who was defending me... Ashton?

"It... Isn't my fault?"

Mr Malik and the manager both simultaneously turned to Ashton, brows raised with confusion.

"She tried to warn me... But we were total snubs to her," Ashton lied.

Wait, Ashton lied? For me?

"But, Ash, that neve–" Alex tried to oppose him but Ashton quickly interrupted, taking charge of the situation.

"It isn't her fault, at worst, she's just a bag of disaster."

Was that a defence or an insult?

"Soo... You're saying I shouldn't fire her?" Mr Pipeson asked.

Ashton nodded, looking over at his dad, "we don't need a lawyer, I'll be good as new in no time... I'm sure they're many more matches along the line."

"But son, this one was special... We'd anticipated this for months," Mr Malik complained.

"Don't worry about it," Ashton brushed his concern aside, "I'll be good in no time," he said.

"It'll take anywhere between five to eight weeks for that leg to completely heal," the doctor interrupted.

"Five to eight weeks?" Mr Malik exclaimed, "we don't have five to eight f*cking weeks... He's missing a lot of practice."

"Dad, it's okay," Ashton said with a little more stress.

Jaxon Malik finally sighed, taking a look at the manager, he towered over him, standing at about six feets. "Look, I'll make you a deal," he said to Mr Pipeson, "I won't file any charges and in return the girl keeps her job since that's what Ashton wants." He rolled his eyes.

"You don't want me to fire her?" Mr Pipeson asked again, like he hadn't heard what he'd said.

"You don't want to fire me?" I asked, equally confused. It was amazing to see the power a guy like Ashton held even in the midst of people far older than himself, he could make decisions alongside them.

My heart skipped a beat the moment I heard Mr Pipeson say, "fine... You can keep your job."

"Thank you soo much, sir," I beamed, almost pulling him into a hug.

"One more screw up and you're out of here, understand?"

I nodded charismatically, grateful for a second chance.

Jessica finally chimed in, "okay... Now that's settled, I was thinking I can volunteer to take care of Ashy..."

Ashy?... When did they get to nickname calling.

Ashton raised a fine dark brow, perplexed. "Who are you again?"

"Jessica... The girl you gave your phone number like an hour ago, remember?"

Ashton finally nodded, dismissing her with a wave. Ashton was truly someone who had every girl wrapped around his finger.

"Very well, I'll be back to check up on you," Mr Malik said to his son, "your mother was so worried... Don't come back to this gym again, they're clearly trying to kill you... I have to go now but I'll get someone to pick you boys up."

He casually strided across the room, exiting the gym where a black BMW awaited him.

•••

I had been determined to thank Ashton for his help but he's friend carried him out the gym before I could say anything.

I made my way back to my apartment complex, drained from all the energy by the end of the day.

"Hey, Maddie."

I turned to find Paul walking up the stairs. Paul was my neighbor in the complex, as well as a faculty friend, he was usually helped me out with my Bio 101, an all round a great guy.

"Oh hi, Paul," I greeted.

He grinned, displaying a set of white teeths. "How you doing, you missed Bio class today."

"Yeahhh... I was in a... Situation," I explained.

"Cool, just thought I'd hand you some notes and the assignments."

"Yeah, thanks a ton, Paul, you're a life saver."

He dug into his bag, retrieving his notebook which he passed to me.

He scrunched up his nose, taking a whiff of the air. "Do you smell that?"

Did I stink? I'd applied my perfume today but all that sweat and anxiety at the gym must have washed it off.

I finally drew in a deep breath and I caught the smell immediately. It was smoke.

"What kinda psycho is trying to burn down this place?" I commented.

"Umm... Maddie, I think it's coming from your apartment."

It was infact coming from my apartment. I rushed in there, making my way to the kitchen at the nick of time. The smoke was thick, the stove a burning red. It was so choking, I had to open up all the windows

I turned it off, eager to find my psychotic roommate who left the stove on.

I finally found her in the shower, the curtain only displaying the silhouette of her shape, she held a shampoo bottle, using it as some mic as she sang.

"AND WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE... YOU ARE THE DANCING QUEEN..."

"Angie," I called but she was too distracted by her own singing.

"ANGIE!" I repeated much louder which startled her.

"Oh my god, Mad, you're back."

This was Angela Chika, my roommate and defacto best friend, the only weirdo who could bear living with a fellow weirdo like me.

She sniffed, taking in the burning stench of the apartment. "What's that smell?"

Hmm... I wonder... What is that smell?