The Only Exception

Chapter 5

Darkness.

That's all I could see when I opened my eyes. The pitch black of night shrouded my room in a dark blanket. I groaned, turning over on my side. My warm bed comforted me, slowly coaxing me back into the deep sleep I was formerly in. I desperately wanted, and needed, the sleep; but I knew what I needed more was to get out of bed. If I didn't get up now, I never would.

Finally, I did just that. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and hoisted myself up. I grabbed a pair of baggy sweatpants and a sweatshirt, put them on, and exited my room; making sure to quietly shut the door after me. I slowly but surely crept down the stairs, taking in extra effort to be silent, making sure that I wouldn't wake Evan.

He didn't need to know about this. Not now, not ever.

I grabbed my house keys from where they lay on the counter, and shoved them in my pocket. I exited the house, and the cool night breeze instantly woke me up. The wind nipped at my nose, and I shuddered.

I sighed. It was going to be a long walk.

I put up my hood, a lame attempt at warmth. I continued down the street, watching the night life happen before my eyes. People staggered in and out of bars; entertaining their sober, or at least partially, friends. In the past I would have chuckled at this, but not anymore. Now I just look upon the carefree antics in jealousy. When I drank, it was to numb the pain, not for fun.

I looked away, the urge to enter into the bar with my fake I.D. and get a drink almost overwhelming. I hadn't had anything even remotely alcoholic to drink in almost over a year. Evan had made sure of that. Ever since he found the empty bottles under my bed, he hadn't even let me set eyes on the thing I so desperately craved.

I love Evan, but he just doesn't understand. No one does. I needed the alcohol to take away my pain; to take away the burden of life.

And Evan removed that release from me.

A smirk slowly formed on my face. It doesn't matter now. I thought to myself. I've found another way.

As I walked down the road a little farther, I finally found the little dirt side-road I was looking for. I looked at my surroundings, made sure there was no one paying attention to me, and once again slipped into the enveloping shadows.

Most people would be frightened walking down this secluded path, but not me. The adrenaline pumping through my veins blocked out all else. However, this is nothing compared to what is to come. I let out a long breath as I continued my journey, trying to calm myself. I need to be able to think straight right now; I need to be able to plan my moves, think of my possible competition. I needed to be prepared.

Finally, I reached my destination. On the outside, it looked like an abandoned and run-down night club. On the inside, however, it was different. Much different. As I approached the building, I could make out the faint outline of a person standing at the door. As I reached the door, I could make out his face. I smiled to myself, relaxing a little bit. It was Leo, the only person I could actually consider my friend.

"Sup' Leo."

He raised an eyebrow, giving me a quick once over. He obviously didn't recognize me, especially in these baggy clothes. Usually I came dressed a little better than this. He cleared his throat. "And you are...?"

I gave a quick, hard laugh, the most I could manage these days, and flipped my hood off. "Oh come on, how could you not recognize me? It's not like any other girls come here without being attached to some guy."

Now it was his turn to laugh, but unlike mine, his was a real laugh. A little gruff, maybe, but definitely real. He pulled me into a hug, and then held me at arm's length. "How is my little Anna doing?" he gave me a stern look, and then said in a more careful tone, "I wasn't expecting you to come back here again." He shook his head. "Not after last time."

I pulled away from his grasp. "First of all, I'm not a little girl. You should know that better than anyone. Second of all; have a little faith is me, would you? It's not like I can't take a punch or two. "

He rolled his eyes, opened the door and pulled me inside, quietly saying, "That was a lot more than a punch or two, and we both know that. Anna, I care about you. I can't stand seeing you get hurt."

"I'm fine, Leo, really." I looked away, and then continued, looking down at myself. "I should go get changed."

He chuckled, pushing me in the direction of the changing room. "Yeah, you should. If you're going to fight, you might as well dress to win."

I gave him a curt nod, then continued my way in the direction he has started me. As I walked, I took in the familiar surroundings. The room I was currently in had blood red walls and cherry wood flooring. In the middle of the floor was a large boxing ring. The room was packed with people, mostly men, with women galore hanging off of them. I wrinkled my nose, the smell of sweat and cheap perfume overwhelming. Thankfully the baggy clothes paid off, for no one really paid attention to me. A quick glance here and there; but that was really it. When I came out of that dressing room, however, it would be an entirely different story. When I came back into that room, the eyes would be on me.

After pushing my way through the clumps of people, I came up to the black doors I had been looking for. Pushing them, I entered the small room, adorned with rows and rows of lockers that matched the doors. Finding mine, I quickly opened it up and grabbed the clothes hidden inside of it. Thankfully, I was alone in the room. This wasn't exactly a room for women.

I stared down at the clothes in my hands, and sighed. Once these clothes got on my body, I would turn into an entirely different person.

Stripping, I started to put on my new clothing. A pair of short, tight, spandex, and a tight tank top. Not to mention the all-important pushup bra. I rolled my eyes. Certainly can't forget that I thought to myself. I put my hair up in a high pony-tail, leaving my chest area completely exposed. For good measure, I applied make up. A lot of makeup.

I gave myself one last look in the mirror, and feeling satisfied, walked back into the crowded room. Just to my luck, they were looking for a competitor to fight against the person currently standing in the center of the ring. I couldn't see the guys face, but I knew every regular fighter here, and he certainly want one of them. Once the people noticed him standing there, the loud chattering almost instantly turned into quiet murmuring. I was immediately curious. Who was this guy? People seemed almost afraid of him, and it was clearly obvious that no one wanted to fight him.

The announcer stepped up beside the competitor, and even he seemed slightly nervous. "This young man is looking for an opponent, any volunteers?" he paused and looked around. "Anyone?"

The room was now dead silent. I couldn't see the guys face from this angle, but I was certain I had never fought him before. His body was very nicely built, and it was very intimidating. The room was now completely silent, so i decided it was time to be noticed.

"I'll fight him."

In a split second, all eyes turned to me. Some people laughed; some people wolf-whistled. Most people stayed silent. Why? Because most of these people have seen me fight. My opponent turned to look at me, but from this distance, I still couldn't make it out clearly. What I could see is his chest rise and fall rather quickly. I narrowed my eyes, he was obviously laughing.

Alright. I told myself. Let him laugh, let him underestimate you. Smirking, I thought, that's his mistake.

I made my way up to the stage, and nodded at the announcer. He gave me a curt nod in response. My opponent turned away from me, and headed to his corner. I did the same. Grabbing my water, I took a sip. Bouncing up and down on my feet, I prepared myself for the upcoming fight. The announcer gave the "ready, set, go" and I turned to meet my opponent, as he did the same.

Getting the first look at his face, I gasped.

"Nick?"

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated this in forever; but I have had absolutley no idea what to write. Writers block is a bitch. Pardon my French.

- Stephanie