2

Ava Morris

"Mom, I'm good, and I don't have any problem with my teacher," I say into the phone, holding my books with one hand.

"If you have any problem, just talk with the administration, don't sit quietly," Mum roars. I pull the phone away from my ear and bring it back.

"Yeah, mom. . . I understand that you are worried about it. But please don't worry and don't tell dad anything. I will talk with the junior professor and figure it out."

"Good, and eat on time." I looked at the watch on the wall. It's time for me to attend the taxation class.

"Yup! Mom, I will call you back when I'm done with my classes."

"Okay, take care, and I love you."

"Love you too, Mom," I said, ending the call. I threw my dirty clothes in the laundry basket before picking up my books from the table. I quickly arrange them in the bag and pick up my phone. I need to attend my classes if I want to pass this semester.

My roommate is out with her boyfriend. She hardly stays in the dormitory. I don't have any problem with that because I can have my space without worrying about anything.

I hummed to music before walking out of the room. A few girls were walking to their classes. I smiled at a girl whom I knew. We are in July, and the climate is good today. I started walking towards the main building where I had my classes.

A few juniors were roaming outside while a few were hurrying to their classes. I have my share of friends, but they don't stay in college dorms. Some didn't want to stay in dorms, while others didn't get a dormitory.

"Hey, Julian!" I said, looking at the guy. Julian turned around when he heard my voice.

"Hey!" We both smiled, looking at each other while walking toward our classroom.

"Where were you yesterday? We wanted you to join us," Julian says, removing his earphones.

"I was at home. You know, I will be staying with my parents at weekends. Didn't Poppy tell you guys? I left a message."

"Oh right, she did, but after an hour, we were in the middle of the party." I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head.

We both walked towards our seats situated in the middle of the class. "Where are others?" I asked him because I didn't see any of my friends.

"They will be joining us in a few minutes." I nodded my head while taking out my book and pen.

"Did you complete your notes?" Julian asked.

"Yeah, I don't want to feel the wrath of Mrs Watson."

"True!"

I chuckled at the same time as Lola took the seat beside me. I turned to see Max, Auden and Ron entering the class.

"Where is Poppy?" I asked Max.

"She forgot her assignment in the dormitory. She went to collect it," he answered while sitting behind me.

"You have any food with you?" Auden asks while plopping down beside his girlfriend, Lola.

"Yeah," I replied, taking a cookie packet from my bag. Ron sat beside his best friend, Julian. We all met and became friends in the first semester. We share the exact timetable and classes.

Poppy is my roommate but stays mostly at Max's apartment. They met in college and became good friends before falling in love.

"Finally!" Poppy stated, taking her seat beside Max. I chuckled because Poppy is being Poppy here. She forgets her assignments and rushes out at the last minute.

We became silent when the sixty-year-old Mrs Watson entered the room. Mrs Watson is famous on campus. She is known for giving assignments all the time.

"I hope everyone has their assignments and no excuses. I won't be taking your assignments after the deadline. Submit it before I leave the class," she said, pushing her glasses up. I passed my assignment to the class representative who was collecting the assignments.

After five minutes, she started teaching us the next topic on our syllabus. She is a good lecturer. If you listen to her classes attentively, you can pass your papers.

"Pass a textbook," Auden whispered from behind.

"Where's yours?" Julian asked.

"Forgot." I shook my head. Julian passed his textbook silently. I placed my textbook in the middle.

*

"Ava, what you gonna do tonight?" Julian asked. We are all lounging in the college garden.

"Hmm, nothing. Watch a movie or start a new series. But I need to complete my accounting assignment. We need to submit it on Thursday," I said, keeping my phone inside my bag.

"Ohh! You can write your assignment later."

"Ava, we are all going to this match tonight, and you join us," Max said.

"And no excuses!" Lola said, looking determined.

"Match? What match?" I asked them in confusion.

They all looked uncomfortable before Ron said, "Ava, you know about a street fight, right? The knockdown session started, and we are all excited about that. Luckily, we got passes to go there. No excuses; you are coming with us."

"I don't think so," I said, because it was five months since I went to a fight. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to see Brad. I almost. . . I nearly went to watch him.

"Yes, we think so. You are coming," Auden replied. They all convinced me to come there. The girls looked more than excited as they jumped up and down.

"They have already come to watch so many matches in these last four months. They became fans of this guy," Max said.

"Which guy?" I asked him, curiosity in my voice.

"He-" he was about to say the guy's name, but Ron beat him off.

"Let it be a surprise, man," Ron said while winking at me. I rolled my eyes before eating my fries.

"We haven't missed any of his matches to date. We go there on weekends to see him, but we heard an important match today. I'm more than excited to see him," Poppy says dreamily. Julian laughed, taking my notes. Watching everyone, I missed my brother, Axel, Caleb, Brad, and Valerie.

They were all my favourite friends. We used to hang out together every day at my home, except for Brad, who was busy with his training. I miss watching Valerie and my brother argue; it was my favourite thing to do. I miss everyone back home and those days. My friends know my brother is a famous singer and a well-known personality on social media.

Initially, it was hard, as people used to ask if they could meet him everywhere I went. A few people on this campus became friends with me because Vincent is my brother. Later, I met the gang and became friends with them. They met my parents in the holidays but have yet to meet Vincent.

"Babe, I will go to the dorm and meet at seven," Poppy told Max.

"Well then, I guess you need to go with the girls. We will meet at seven," Julian said while Poppy and Lola stood up.

"Okay," I said, smiling at him. We girls walked back to the dorms. It's just six minutes away from the park to the dorms.

The sky is turning slightly golden black. Lola and Poppy both wrapped each other's arms around mine on two sides as I stood in between.

"You are gonna enjoy it, though it is out of the wild," Lola says, while Poppy agrees.

"Yes. . .Yes. . . It can be dangerous with all those drunken hulks and drug dealers, but our boys are there, so we are safe. I'm so excited that I can't contain my excitement," Poppy said. I laughed, seeing their excitement. I just nodded my head because I already knew what atmosphere it was. They don't know about that.

Poppy unlocked the door, and I made a beeline towards my bed. I plopped down while removing my shoes. Poppy opened her wardrobe while Lola went to use the washroom.

"Lola, don't take hours. . . I want to use the toilet!" I shouted so that she could hear.

"You want our neighbours to hear that?" Lola yelled back. I giggled, shaking my head.

"No."

"We have so much time to dress up," I said as Poppy removed her clothes from the wardrobe.

"We have like one hour to get ready," she replies, picking up the clothes and putting them on to see what suits her.

"One hour? It's only five. We have two hours."

"Change the timing; reaching the place will take 45 minutes. Boys will be coming by six," she said.

"Go," Lola said, walking out of the bathroom. I stood up to use the toilet

"Jeans, crop tops and jackets," Poppy said.

I used the toilet and washed my face before leaving the washroom. Poppy and Lola went in to wash their faces.

I hummed a song while walking over to my wardrobe. I went through my tops. I pulled out a black one, followed by a pair of jeans. I changed into my tight ankle-length jeans and black crop top. I wore my dark maroon bomber jacket.

"Pass the mascara," Lola said. I passed the mascara. I applied lipstick and eyeliner, leaving my face bare without any makeup.

"You look good, girl," I said, looking at Poppy.

"Thanks, girl; you want me to do your makeup?" She asks, holding the eye palette.

"Nah, I'm good," I say, brushing my hair into a ponytail. I don't want to grab anyone's attention there.

"Do my makeup," Lola said to Poppy.

"Sit here."

It was six by the time we got ready. I looked at Poppy and Lola. We are wearing the same jackets but in different colours.

"The boys are here," Lola said, standing up. I took my phone and wallet before going out.

Max is driving us there in his rover. Poppy sat in the front while Julian, Ron and I sat in the middle row. Auden and Lola sat in the back seat. I played Candy Crush on my phone to pass the time as Auden and Lola were in their world. Julian and Ron were discussing the new video game they planned to buy.

I spoke with Julian and Ron about upcoming movies and shows when bored. We reached a barren land, and I started observing the place. The whole place is rocky and away from the city.

After some time, I spotted cars and bikes. Max halted the vehicle when he found the perfect place to park the car. I got down, and Julian and Ron stood by my side. "Ava, don't leave Julian or Ron's side. Here, the people are dangerous; stay by our side," Auden said.

"Sure. Got you," I told. Julian and Ron stood on either side of me.

We started walking towards the right, where I saw this creepy-looking place. I looked around to see how abounded the whole area was. It's far away from the city and its barren land. I immediately remembered Brad. What if he is here?

I shrugged off that question because Brad wouldn't be there. He may be involved in street or local boxing, but illegal fights where you may lose your lives aren't his place.

I saw him fight, but it was a local fight. Julian explained that the match we were going to was between strong men who already won so many fights.

"Don't think that people from the streets will be here. Most of them are rich kids, rich people, boxing celebrities, professional boxers and their managers. The whole place is with dangerous people," Julian explains.

"So many high-class boxers are involved in this match. There isn't any place for ordinary boxers or fighters," Max says in a low voice as we cross people.

Brad wouldn't be here if they only took strong fighters. Max showed the passes to the bouncer. The bouncer stopped us aside, checked the passes and looked at me.

"New kid?" He asked Max.

"Uh― She is my friend. She isn't any harm," Max said to the bouncer.

"If anything happens or a matter gets leaked. James won't be leaving you," the bouncer said.

"I know, man, nothing will happen. You know us, and she is one of us," Auden said.

The bouncer nodded his head before letting us inside. "I didn't expect him to stop us," I said.

Julian chuckled, "If news came out about this place, they would face serious issues."