I woke up in a cold sweat, my hands gripping either side of the bed as I breathed heavily.

I swung my feet off the bed, putting my head in my hands as I tried to steady myself, my breathing overwhelming my chest as I gasped for air.

I took one final deep breath and stilled, my body finally easing.

I groaned as I stood up, going to the sink in the corner of my room.

James only gave the trainers small four corner rooms.

Each room containing a single bed, a desk, a small closet and a sink.

Everyone used a communal bathroom.

I rinsed my hands in the sink quickly, splashing some water on my face as I turned the tap off.

Taking one good look at my baggy eyes, my dull skin, my cut cheek-

I gripped the sink.

She fucking cut my cheek.

I pushed myself off the sink and back onto the bed, putting my elbows on my knees and my head into my hands.

She was everywhere.

Always in the gym, always in the hallways, always in my head.

I can't think about her anymore, not right now.

But a part of me couldn't help but want her here right beside me, helping me through my nightmare.

She was all I had, and it was all gone.

The sudden sound of my alarm made me raise my head, and I shut it off.

I grabbed my clothes and changed quickly, adjusting the training pants belt and grabbing my bag.

I shut the doors and made my way down the damp hallway, the lights still dim as I made my way down to the gym.

I took a deep breath as I heard sounds of grunting, and the punching bag move against the chain.

I took a step into the room, my breath catching inside my throat as I looked towards the only person in the middle of the gym.

Her eyes only focused on the bag in front of her, her body moving in the way I told her to a month ago.

I couldn't help but smile. She finally listened.

And look how much better she is at punching.

"Can you stop staring at me," I voice cut through my thoughts.

I snapped out of it, realizing she had stopped moving, her arms crossed as she looked at me directly in the eyes.

I shook my head, brushing off her comment as I placed my bag down.

"You're using the method I taught you," I said from over my shoulder. "Your form is better."

I could feel her eyes burn into my back, and when I turned around, she was back to punching.

She was pissed. Great.

"Come here," I said to her, wrapping my hands. "Let's fight."

She stopped the bag, looking at my hands then back to my eyes.

"And why would I want to do that?" she said in annoyance, "I'm busy."

"I'm your trainer." I said sharply, "you need to follow my orders."

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms once again as she made her way towards me.

"I don't listen to you," she gritted out, "or James, or anyone here."

I continued to wrap my hands, watching as she stepped closer to me.

"We're fighting," I said, "get in the ring."

I handed her the hand wraps, and she took a deep breath, finally agreeing to my terms.

But I watched as she fumbled with the wrap, getting frustrated quickly as she failed to move it over her wrist.

"Here-" I said, stopping her. I held her hand as I wrapped it over and over again, her soft fingers brushing against my callused ones, making my skin tingle.

"There," I said as I finished her other hand, and she stepped back, getting into the ring.

I got in too, putting my hands up and adjusting my feet as we began.

"Fix your stance," I said to her, and she looked down at her feet.

She quickly moved them to be positioned correctly, and I smiled.

"Good," I said, my smile widening as she gave a frustrated sigh.

But I was too focused on her facial expressions to know that she came for me, using her foot to side swipe me.

I caught myself, inches before my face hit the ground.

I pushed myself up, recovering quickly as I moved to attack her torso, her body swiftly moving behind me, sliding underneath my grasp.

"Fuck," I whispered out, a smile reaching her lips as she began to come towards me again.

But I stopped and smiled too, for that was the first time I had seen her smile in months.

Since the day..

I was thinking too much, and couldn't prepare myself for what came next.

Her legs wrapped around my waist, her hands gripping my neck as she pushed me backwards.

I was trying to pull her off, but her legs only wrapped around my neck.

She used her elbows to jam into the top of my head, and I quickly threw her off, taking me down with her.

We practically rolled on the ground to gain dominance, for if the other got control, they would win.

I pinned her down, her legs trying to kick me from underneath.

"I win," I said breathlessly, my smile wide as she frowned.

But then I saw the ceiling, and her smile above me as she straddled my waist.

"I win," she said, moving her hair out of her face as she continued to smile.

"Don't stop," I said quietly, and she froze.

"What?" She asked, looking at me in confusion.

I snaked my hand around her waist, pulling her tight against me.

"Don't stop smiling, please." I begged.

I felt her heart and breathing pick up, her eyes darkening as she looked down at me.

"Stop," she whispered, "I hate this, I hate you."

"I know," I said to her, moving my face closer, "just know-"

"Mr Santiago," a voice called out, and Aliyah got off of me, adjusting herself as she looked at James's assistant.

"James would like to see you."

✥ ✥ ✥

I shut the door behind me, my eyes raking over James's office, and finally meeting him, who sat at his chair behind his desk.

"Kye," he said shortly, and I made move to sit.

But he held his hand out.

"There's no need, this will be quick."

I nodded, crossing my hands in front of me.

"Are your trainees ready?" He asked, and I froze.

"Yes sir," I said, "they're more than ready."

"I knew I could count on you," he smiled, taking a sip from his coffee cup.

"I need them prepared for this Friday," he told me.

"Is it happening?" I asked, and he nodded.

"The war is here Kye, and we must prepare to fight for this mafia."

✥ ✥ ✥

I shut the door behind me, walking quickly down the hallway and into my bedroom.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket dialling a number and pacing as it rang.

"Kye-" a familiar voice said.

"It's here, the war is here," I said quickly, wanting to scream and shout it to everyone in the halls.

I heard him swear from the other side of the phone, and something shattering on the wall or floor.

"Get Aliyah ready," he said, "and we'll meet you when the time has come."

I heard him hang up, and I slammed my phone on the desk.

It's here, the thing I've been dreading for years..