TYLER'S POV

A week had passed. A tiresome week of having to train with Hope after school and a fixed time during the weekends.

I have to admit that it was fun, though I had to constantly remind myself to focus.

It was the day of the competition.

I waited patiently as Hope pulls open the door to my car and hop in.

For the first few days, she was reluctant to enter my car, but it became a routine after a while. I am afraid after this day, it may not continue.

It was our deal and I know I have to keep my words but I find it quite impossible.

"Hey, you'll watch me fight this afternoon, right?" I ask. "Josh will be there too."

She listens to my conversations with Grayson and Josh every morning. Though she does not join in, she does smile once in a while.

The boys surprisingly liked her being around too, they would not usually want to be around Ashley or the other girls but Hope seems to be an exception.

I received a nod in reply and I could not help but smile. It boosts my confidence knowing she would be watching as I fight.

My car halted to a stop outside the school and I climb out first. After making sure the others do not suspect another person in the car, Hope steps out.

I learned that she hated attention which was not shocking since she does not communicate with anyone.

She followed behind me as we enter school, which was much crowded than usual.

"How do you think you're going to do for the fight tonight?" Josh asked me, but his eyes were trained on Hope.

She was uncomfortable to hang out with us at first but had grown to be used to our presence after a while.

"Disappoint me and you get your ass kicked," Grayson joined the conversation. He was not able to tag along since he has problems back at home with his mother.

"Are you sure you know how to fight? Who's teaching you?" Josh finally looks away from Hope. "Hired?"

I glanced at Hope, who was already eyeing me with a murderous stare. I got the message clear; she did not want me to tell him it was she who taught me how to fight.

I would have never known she fights if I have not walked in on her in the gymnasium a week ago so I did not find the need to question why she wants to keep it a secret.

"Yeah," I lied.

Hiring someone was never in my mind since I thought I could teach myself. But after seeing Hope, the thought went down the drain. I then learned it was so much harder than it seems.

He did not buy my lie for a moment. "Your father is allowing you to hire a fighter with money to a competition that you might lose and risk not getting the cash in return?" Disbelief was evident on his face.

I opened my mouth, but nothing comes out. He had a fair point.

"Let's plan something for tomorrow," Grayson thankfully changed the subject.

"Yeah," I agreed without hesitation. It has been long since the three of us hung out. We have known each other since childhood, and would usually go out together. Just the three of us.

"We should invite Hope as well," Josh suggested, still eyeing me suspiciously.

"Hell yeah, an extra pretty girl would be fun," Grayson commented, smiling at Hope. "Quiet and attractive, wouldn't faze me if she has this scary secret."

He did not know how right he was.

**

Right after all my classes, I hopped into my car.

I waited for my friends since we planned to take the same ride to the location where the competition will be taking place.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I see Hope and Josh walking abreast towards my car. He sat on the passenger's seat in my car, while she climbs into the backseat.

Saying I was nervous was an understatement. I was beyond anxious.

If my father hears that I did not win the money from the competition, I might be homeless for days.

There were no rules, people in this competition could end up blind from what I heard. We just had to keep in mind that the only way to win was to either pin the opponent down for five seconds or deliver a complete knockout.

The earlier you sign up for the competition, the better. The first few participants will immediately be placed in the finals. Late participants have to fight for the final spots.

My father signed me up as soon as he realizes it was a competition that could earn me cash. So, fortunately, my name is already parked in the list of people in the finals.

I was told that I will be going up against either a Don White or Ajax Cameron. Both of the guys were a few years older than I was.

From what I have heard, many people quit the competition knowing Ajax would be participating. He must be a decent fighter.

"I would have never guessed you would invite Hope to come with us," Josh said. "Ashley has been pestering me to confirm whether both of you are dating, but figuring you didn't tell me anything, I assumed you were not together."

I let out a chuckle. "No, we're... friends."

Honestly, I did not have a clue what we were, but I would like to think we were friends after the past week. Hope had an uncertain look plastered on her face, enough to tell me that she, too, was not sure.

The rest of the ride was peaceful, with Josh starting a conversation once in a while and Hope being silent the whole time.

It was a long drive before we arrived.

The outside of the building was already filled with cars. It caused me to wonder how many people left because of the man Ajax. I expected more cars to be present.

The three of us made our way inside the building, where fights are already taking place.

"What's your name?" A woman asked. She approaches us, most probably because we were walking around aimlessly with no idea where to go.

"Tyler, Tyler Rivera," I replied.

"Ah, your turn is up soon. Maybe you should get ready first, then you can have a look at the fight going on before your name is called," she said before giving Hope and Josh their seats and leading me to prepare for the fight.

Every second drew the fight closer, the time of the day I have been dreading.

It might be dumb to admit a few minutes before the big competition that I was not ready for it but it was true. I have only trained for a week while others might have been training for months or years.

I made my way into the crowd after I wore the boxing gloves over my hands. There was even a choice to not wear it, according to what the woman said.

"I think I'm going up next," I tell my two friends. However, they paid no mind to me as they were focused on the fight which was currently taking place.

"Are you sure you can do that?" Josh suddenly said, pointing at the man who already had blood on his knuckles. He threw a punch, which was caught by his opponent, but he used it as an advantage and lurched his opponent forwards to kneel him in the face.

I flinched but could not look away.

The one who was knelt in the face fell on the ground with a thud, about to climb back up when his opponent jumped onto his back and pinned him to the ground.

Gasps were heard from almost everyone when the guy on the floor made use of his elbow to push the guy away from on top of him and roll away.

He quickly regained his composure as the other man got to his feet with an intense glare.

That man, whose name I think was Ajax, according to the crowd who was chanting his name, swiftly ducked a fast attack the man threw and launched forward to catch the legs of the guy. This resulted in a deafening scream from the crowd.

He then threw himself forward and caused the other guy to land on his back with force.

I doubt the man will be able to stand with ease for the next few weeks.

Ajax, who had the obvious advantage started landing some punches on the other guy pinned on the ground. The microphone suddenly boomed, "One!"

The crowd continued, "Two."

"Three."

"Four."

"Five!"

"Congratulations, Ajax Cameron for winning the fight against Don White!" The man holding the microphone approached the two guys.

"Now, it is time for what seems like the last fight for the day," he announced. "The Ajax Cameron will be going against Tyler Rivera!"

Hope shot me a look of reassurance, which made me so much more anxious than I already was.

Her being here did make me more confident in my skills, but I was too overwhelmed by the pressure to focus on that tiny bit of hope.

I made my way down the set of stairs to the big area where the fight was supposed to take place.

I sigh inwardly, looking at the man who laid breathless on the floor with crimson red smeared all over his face being carried by another man to the medical room.

"Really? You don't look like someone who fights," Ajax commented, scoffing. He does not even look breathless from his previous fight. I forced a smile in reply because I could not exactly retort. It was true, I did not know much about fighting.

The announcer stepped out of the way and out of sight before talking once again. "Are you ready?"

"May the fight begin-"

"Now!"

I ducked a fist that was aimed for my face and launched forward to hit his waist with my elbow. It was a move I vaguely remember learning from Hope.

What he did next, however, was uncalled for. He does a backflip, and while he was in the air, he punches me in the face. I stumbled back, before lurching forward again to deliver some simple jabs.

While he was too focused on blocking my punches, I swung my legs, determined to sweep him off his feet and cause him to land on the floor. He seemed to be able to step away before my leg makes contact with his.

I had to fight, I told myself. For my father, and for Hope.

He gets closer to me, which I took advantage of and delivered a hook. But he blocked my attack with one of his arms and swing another, which lands on my stomach.

"Ready to lose?" I heard him whisper before swiftly raising his arm. Widening my eyes, I step out of the way and missed his attack.

He muttered a bunch of profanities under his breath, glaring at me.

The tremendous cheers of the crowd were messing with my brain and I can barely fish out any steps Hope had taught me from the back of my head.

My eyes roamed the uncountable amount of audience and caught the eyes of Hope, who stared back with the look of worry. Her eyes widened, looking behind me with pure horror.

A punch landed on my face before I could even register, sending me flying onto the ground.

With a small smirk on Ajax's face, he straddles me and started with his punches.

"Five!"

"Four!"

I narrowed my eyes, using all the energy I had in my body to lift my right hand and punch his nose and roll out of the way. The audience to explode with cheers once again. That did not last long since Ajax sprinted my way and hovers over me before I could get on my feet.

I was still conscious but very, very tired.

So I gave in and let my hands fall.

"Five."

"Four."

"Three."

"Two."

"One!"

"Congratulations, Ajax Cameron for winning the fight against Tyler Rivera!" I heard the familiar voice say.

I felt two unfamiliar pair of hands supporting and bringing me to my feet.

I sighed, urging to take a seat. I dismissed the medical help which was sent and walk back to Hope and Josh with difficulty.

"Hey, good job out there. I didn't know you will be going against Ajax Cameron. You're already good to be able to land a punch on him," Josh says and I plopped onto the seat beside Hope. "He's won many fights. Even his voice scares people."

I did not bother to take in what he was saying. My eyes were trained on Hope, who looked back at me with a proud smile. But I did not miss the glint of disappointment in her eyes.

I returned with a sad smile as I look back at Ajax and the announcer.

"Tyler, are you sure you don't need medical help? Your nose is still bleeding," Josh says.

I respond by shaking my head.

"Ajax, this is yet another win!" The announcer brought my attention back to him. "Do you have anything to address to all loyal fans?"

"If there is someone who would want to challenge me in a fight," he held up his big bag of cash. "This will be yours."

The whole building was silent. No one spoke.

Even I was shocked that he was willing to give away the money so carelessly. He had confidence that no one in the same room can beat him.

He was indeed strong. I doubt anyone in this whole building can win.

I frowned, about to make my way back to the preparation room to return the gloves when unexpectedly, Hope stands and made her way to the front.

I could not bring myself to stop her.

Everyone looked at her with pure shock. Josh's mouth hung open as he watched her approach Ajax and stand in front of him, putting her weight on just a leg.

"A female?" Amusement danced in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't hit girls."

Hope did not talk, or move. She just gave him a threatening glare, which I was quite familiar with. But this time, it was so much more menacing.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he spoke, giving the announcer his microphone back, along with a brief nod.

The announcer hesitated for a moment, looking between Ajax and Hope. "May the fight begin-"

"...now"

Ajax smiles, giving her the time she needs for her first attack but I knew she did not need the head start.

She tilts her head slightly, silently telling him that he could go first.

After receiving her unsaid message, he raised his fist and swung it her way.