Ava Morris

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

"If you have any problem just talk with the administration, don't sit quietly," mum says loudly. 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 and don't have to worry 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 know. We are in the month of July, the climate is pretty good today. I started walking towards the main building where I have my classes.

A few juniors were roaming outside while a few of them 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 continuing to walk toward our classroom.

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

"I was at home. You know right 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, and we were in the middle of the party." I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head.

We both walked towards our seats, which are 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 my head 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 out 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 same timetable and classes.

Poppy is my roommate but she stays most of her time at Max's apartment. They met in college and became good friends before they ended up 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 while pushing her glasses up. I passed my assignment to the class representative who is 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 somewhat uncomfortable before Ron spoke "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... Almost 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 just to see him but heard there is an important match today. I'm more than excited to see him," Poppy says dreamily. Julian laughed, taking my notes. Watching everyone, I miss my brother, Axel, Caleb, Brad and Valerie.

They all used to be my favourites. Every day we used to hang out in my home except for Brad who was busy training. I miss Valerie's and my brother's fights. They used to be my favourite thing to watch. I miss everyone back home. I miss those days. My friends know that my brother is a singer and he is a well-known personality on social media.

In the beginning, it was hard, as everywhere you go, people used to ask if they could meet him. And 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 haven't met Vincent yet.

"Babe, I will go to the dorm and will meet at seven," Poppy said to 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 with her.

"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 know what atmosphere it is. 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 took off 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 of timings, it will take 45 minutes to reach the place. 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 then washed my face before walking out of the bathroom. Poppy and Lola went in to wash their faces.

I hummed a song while walking over to my wardrobe. I went through the tops I had, 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 eye liner, leaving my face bare without any makeup.

"You look good, girl," I said, looking at Poppy who was done with her makeup.

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

"Nah, I'm good," I say said, 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 when we were done getting ready. I looked at Poppy and Lola. We three match but in different jackets.

"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.

When I got bored, I spoke with Julian and Ron about upcoming movies and shows. 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 car 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 him. 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 is. It's far away from the city and it's 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 boxing or local boxing, but illegal fights where you may lose your lives aren't his place.

I saw him fight but that was a local fight. Julian explained to me that the match we are going to is 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 packed 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.

If they only took strong fighters, I don't think Brad would be here. 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 spoke.

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 be facing serious issues."