10

Brad McCarthy

"Take a break, don't stress your body. Don't train until unless I say. You need to save your energy for tomorrow," Conner said, handing me the list.

"Okay."

"Go home Brad, I have confidence in you. Keep your mind at peace." I nodded my head before picking up the bag from the floor.

After leaving the gym, I took a moment to close my eyes and sense my environment. Tomorrow is the big day and despite Conner's reassurances, I can't help feeling anxious. I tend to struggle with anxiety when I know something significant is about to happen.

I hopped into my car and made my way to my apartment. I'm unsure if Ava is around or not. A part of me hopes to find her there. It's been a few days since we last met, as I was occupied with my training and couldn't spare time to see her.

Whenever I see her face, it calms my nerves. Her non-stop talking keeps my mind busy as I try to concentrate on each word that comes out of her mouth.

I unlocked my door and was unaware that Ava was standing on the stool. She lost her balance as I pushed open the door before she could fall. I held her in my arms.

"Ugh!" She yelled out with her eyes closed. As she clung tightly to my t-shirt, I held her close to me, careful not to drop her. My heart raced as I let out a heavy breath. Adjusting her weight in my arms, I made sure to hold her securely.

"What are you doing there?" I asked her. After opening her eyes, she took a minute to process everything before breaking into a smile, still with some tension on her face.

"I was putting a photo frame there."

"Who puts a photo frame there?" I asked, still holding her in my arms. Why isn't she heavy?

"Me."I rolled my eyes before turning around, still holding her in my arms. My gaze landed on the photo frame she had placed there. It was a snapshot of me and the boys back when we were at her place. In the picture, Vincent and I were engrossed in a video game, while Celeb was munching on a slice of pizza and Axel was chuckling at Celeb's antics.

"Where did you find this photo?" I asked her.

"Mum has taken many pictures of you all, but you may not know it. When I asked for a few photos, she sent them to me."

"It's good."

"Look at the old Brad, he is kinda skinny," she said, but you hear the sarcasm.

"Skinny?"

"Yeah, compared to the current Brad, old Brad is skinny!" A chuckle left my mouth. I was busy looking at the photo and remembering the old days when I forgot that I was still holding her.

"Brad, I don't wanna break your arms when your knock-on is tomorrow." She snapped me out of my thoughts.

I put her down. "Your weight is nothing compared to the weights I lift. You need to eat."

"Haha... I need to lose weight! See this fat," she said, showing her thigh fat. "I hate my thighs, they are too fat..."

"They are good." Truly, her thick thighs are good...

"Aye... Aye... You think my thighs are good," she expressed playfully.

"There are many things which are good, should I name them," I said as my gaze went to her boobs before I glanced back at her eyes, which widened for a split second. Her cheeks turned red. I was stunned by what I just said. I blinked my eyes and looked away.

As I gazed around the room, my attention was drawn to the walls. To my surprise, I noticed that she had transformed the space into something beautiful. She had adorned it with cushions, a table, a lamp, and various other items.

"I will decorate that wall in two days," she said, standing beside me.

"You wanna decorate that wall?"

"Yeah, I want to decorate that one but I don't know how."

My apartment looks amazing now thanks to her hard work. It used to feel dull and lifeless, but now it's cosy and welcoming just like her home. When I walked into the kitchen, I noticed she had painted it white and organized everything neatly.

"I never saw this place this neat," I said, placing my hand on the neat counter.

"Don't turn up this place like before. I worked so hard decorating and painting this place."

"I won't."

"I didn't decorate your bedroom because I don't know if you are okay with me decorating it."

"Decorate it however you want it, don't add too many things to it," I mentioned glancing at the stove and other things.

"Okay."

"Did you eat?" I asked her as she was looking at her phone.

"Nope, I will go to the dorm and will eat there."

"I'm going to eat. Join me." I didn't give her a chance to say as I started walking to the door. She followed me with her bag.

We arrived at the restaurant, which was bustling with people and couples. I felt a bit uncomfortable with all the attention on us, as I am not used to being stared at. However, I tried to ignore it and remembered that it was the best way to handle the situation.

"What do you wanna eat?" I asked her. She scanned the menu before telling me about the fried rice.

"Make it two," I said to the person. We ended up at the fast-food centre. I like the food here.

"You always come here?" she asked, looking at the place.

"Yeah, the food is good."

"Brad, I decorated your place. I want to ask something in return," I raised my brow at her.

"You gonna say yes to whatever I ask," She continued saying.

"It depends on what you ask."

"No, you will say yes!" she said with determined eyes.

"You are demanding me to say yes."

"No, I'm asking you to say yes."

"Fine, first ask the question."

"I want to attend tomorrow's knock-on," she said, and my eyes hardened.

"No, you aren't allowed there, Ava. It's dangerous and I don't want you to be there."

"Brad! Please, I will come there. I want to be there for you, please don't say no." She hit a spot when she said that.

"I don't need you to be there for me when it is dangerous for you. I'm not risking you, Ava."

"Risk? Many girls will be coming, Brad. I saw how girls come to those places. If it is dangerous, why would my friends and those girls come?" she argued.

"Ava, I know I shouldn't stop you, but it is not safe. I― I cannot say anything."

"Brad, please... Everyone is coming there. I want to be there too. I promise I will be there with Julian and others."

"Julian?" I asked her. Who is this boy?

"My friend and others are also there, Brad." Our food came and I started eating it while she looked at me.

"Eat first, then I will tell you," I said. I glanced at her when she was busy eating. I don't feel nervous around her. She looked up and I blinked my eyes.

"Do you want to know how I started and where I started?"

"Huh?"

"Apartment."

"Hmm."

"I first painted a block on the wall and imagined how it would look. Then I wasn't able to understand, so I took a photograph of the wall and then painted the wall-" She went on saying and I kept on listening to her.

"Okay, if anything happens you aren't going to visit another fight," I said.

"Thank you, Brad!" She gave me a huge smile which always sparks my insides. I looked down at my food before she could see my eyes. I dropped her at her dorm and waited for her to go inside.

"Brad, you gonna win this one! Don't be nervous and drive safely," she said before going to her building. I saw her retreating figure. When she entered the dorm building, I drove back to my apartment.

*

"Mack, I want you to look after someone till the match ends," I said to Mack.

"Who?" Mack asked.

"This girl, she is with her friends. Keep an eye out that she doesn't end up in trouble," I said, showing him Ava's picture on my phone. "Don't make her uncomfortable being near her. Just keep an eye on her and her friends. Make sure that they aren't in any trouble."

"Isn't she the same girl from the dinner?"

"Just do what I said."

"Done."

"She will be there at any moment. Tell me if anything goes wrong," I told him sternly.

"Brad, is she your girl?" he asked playfully.

"Shut up before I break your nose."

"Cool down man! I'm just asking. If she isn't your girl, I'm ready to ask her on a date." I caught his collar and pulled him close to my face.

"If you step close to her I won't leave you, Mack. I will break your bones if you say something unnecessarily." I saw the fear in his eyes.

"Leave bro! I'm just playing with you. I already have a girlfriend, I'm seriously in love with her." I dropped him.

"No jokes when it comes to her. Now go and look after her, she is here wearing a white and black jacket."

"Where is she?" he asked. I turned to my left to see her standing with her friends.

"Left side, third row." I can clearly see her from up here. She is standing between a boy and a girl. The boy leaned down to say something while she listened to him attentively.

"The match starts in five minutes. The second round is you and Fisher," Conner said. I nodded my head, wrapping the cloth around my palm.

"Keep your senses on alert. Concentrate on every move your opponent makes. No heavy breaths," Conner explained.

As I glanced over, I noticed Ava searching for someone amidst her chatty friends. The other two girls were giggling while Ava sported a high ponytail and red lips. Restlessly tapping her foot, she seemed to be awaiting someone's arrival.

Throughout the duration of the moment, my eyes were fixed on her. As the time arrived for me to enter the ring, I gazed upon her lovely countenance and was reminded of the reasons why I must fight and the commitments I had made to myself. I recalled the words that I always repeat to myself when battling.

For a better future, for a better life, for a change and mainly for a chance to be with her.