Drake's POV

"You're up in ten."

Someone shouted outside while I kept drowning myself in my thoughts sitting here in the waiting room before the fight.

This was it. The fight whose end would decide my fate and affect the ones around me.

F*ck...no matter what, I couldn't let that bitch hurt Emily.

So it's decided then. I will have to-

"Drake?"

I released my head and raised it to see who had just arrived.

"Oh, hey." I greeted the guys once I saw them entering the room.

They all greeted back and settled in the rather small room.

"So...what's the verdict?" Liam asked.

"Yeah, what have you decided?" Josh asked right after him.

I sighed heavily and shook my head.

"I can't...I can't let her go through any more sh*t. I won't allow it." I told them with resolve in my tone.

They all nodded in agreement. Of course, they don't know about Emily's past. I wouldn't tell them, either way is not my place to but they do know about what she's going through now.

"yeah, how is she by the way?" Josh asked with concern etching across his face.

"I just saw her a couple hours ago, before undergoing surgery...her scared face broke me man...she looks so hopeless even though she has been told that the procedure is almost a hundred percent safe." I returned to cradle my head on my hands.

Daniel patted my back. "I can't imagine what you're going through but you gotta have hope or you're going to drive yourself insane. Besides, I'm sure everything is going to be fine."

"Yeah, come on man let's beat some fucktard's ass." Liam cheered motioning for me to stand.

I smirked and snickered at the same time. These guys are asses but they sure know how to cheer someone...or at least they try...

"alright, give me a few seconds. I'll be out soon." I nodded towards the door motioning for them to go without me.

"okay, just a piece of advice..." I raised and eyebrow towards Josh for him to continue. "Go easy on the guy." I rolled my eyes. "or at least don't break any bones." He winced remembering the last fight were in went a little overboard and broke the guys arm. Well, in my defense he said some nasty things about my mom.

"Can't promise, the guy could be a d*ck and might deserve it." I shrugged and stood to look for my bandages inside my bag.

They snickered and began to empty the room. Wishing me luck.

Like I would needed. I sound like a cocky bastard but I'm right. I've seen the guy and he's no match for me. I don't know what the hell Gina was thinking when he matched me up with him.

My thoughts were interrupted and I stopped bandaging my hands when I heard the door open with a loud bang.

I turned and immediately started to fume. That bitch has the nerve to come here after what she did?

"What the f*ck do you want?" I growled eyeing the bulldogs that she had standing behind her on either side.

It was kind of comical watching them trying to fit in the small room.

"Hi baby!" I cringed at her insanely, obnoxious, high pinched tone. "Now, that's no way to treat a lady, didn't your momma taught you any manners?"

I snickered evilly. "Lady? All I see are two dogs and a bitch." I spat with as much venom I could.

Her eyes darkened at my response. Her glare would've intimidated anyone but to me she just looked like a p*ssed chihuahua.

Before she could come with some sort of retort, I beat her to it. "This is the last time I'm going to say this, what the f*ck do you want? I'm no time in the mood to deal with you." I towered over her menacingly.

Her glare didn't falter until she gathered herself and shrugged. "Just here to give you a little reminder."

She wasn't finished completely when one of her dogs caught me off guard and punched me square in the face.

I stumbled a few steps back. F*ck, that punch made my sight blurry. I can't see sh*t.

They didn't give me time to recover before I felt a strong blow on my ribs making me catch my breath.

In no time, both men were throwing punches and kicks at me. I was trapped lying on the floor and all I could do was cover myself trying to evade all their blows.

Pathetic

It wasn't until one of them stood on the same spot they hit on my ribs, I felt something crack.

I winced and took a deep breath.

This sh*t hurts like a motherf*cker.

"f*ck!" I couldn't hold it anymore. I hugged my waist trying to alleviate the pain. By now they stopped their assault and every breath I took it got more painful than the next.

Gina chuckled and stood next to me. She raised her heel and mimicked the guy's action and stepped on my broken rib.

"motherf-"

"Who's the bitch now, assh*le?" She laughed and walked to the entrance. Her bulldogs close behind. She let them pass before she turned to me again. "Word of advice: take what's been given to you. Lose...just give up." She winked and left not before screeching her goodbye.

"Sh*t" I hissed while standing. I struggled and knocked down a few things in the process.

"f*ck!" Even cursing hurt like a bitch.

How the f*ck am I going to do? I can't fight like this.

I don't know how but I finished bandaging my hands and fixed myself. Can't show up looking like sh*t.

I tried to walk normally, limping to a minimum.

Now wonder why that bitch got that f*cking d*ck to fight me. She wants to humiliate me by making me lose against a f*cking wimp.

Dammit, I rested my weight against a wall and took a deep, slow breath. I tried not to shake every time I exhaled.

You have to keep going. I chanted over and over again. You have to do it, for her.

Not long after giving myself some time to compose, I walked to the ring without limping.

Many things were at stake here and I refused to let it go through my hands that easily.

I finally reached the ring and sat on the little stool, took a deep breath for the hundredth time.

I raised my head enough to see the guys in the crowd. Daniel was the first one to notice that something was wrong. He frowned and started walking to the ring.

I shook my head signaling for him to stop. I can do this on my own. Besides, if people see that he is helping me I turn into the wimp.

Daniel stopped but alerted the others. Their concerns were plastered all over their faces. I shook my head again trying to reassure them that everything was fine.

I looked to the other side of the ring and saw who I was up against. Hm, the definition of wimp suits him well.

Any other day with just a couple of punches the skinny assh*le would've fallen. Now, in my condition I'm not so sure.

I averted my gaze from him and landed on a sinister smile. Gina was mingling in the crowd that was quickly circling the cage-like ring.

The referee walked and stood in the middle awaiting for us to approach him. It took everything in me to walk those few steps. I had to pat myself in the back for looking normal and not cringing at all.

"You know the rules. No low punches, no weapons and no bone-breaking." He looked pointedly at me. I couldn't stop the smirk that was growing on the corner of my lip.

The wimpy kid looked like he was about to p*ss his pants at the last remark. For the effect, I narrowed my eyes at him and clenched my jaw.

The kid tried to maintain a serious face but gulped audibly. I arched an eyebrow and retreated a couple of steps back to await for the bell.

At the sound of the bell, I got into position and got close to the kid.

Gotta hand it to him for being the first one to throw the first punches. I evaded them easily but my ribs started to complain.

Deep breaths Drake, just take deep breaths.

I threw some punches and landed a few. This was f*cked up. Every time I landed one a sharp pain traveled through my side.

On the fifth one I had to retreat a couple of steps just to gain my stance.

The guy noticed it and furrowed his brow. This lasted a second before I saw him take a brief glance towards Gina who nodded like giving her consent.

I didn't even had time to take my position when he charged at me and began to throw punches at my back side.

I winced and tried to get him off of me but to no avail. The guy was glued to my side and all I could do was cover myself.

Everything became blurry. I tried my hardest to stay on my feet but with every assault I started to lose air. F*ck, I'm no doctor but a rib must be puncturing a f*cking lung.

I faintly recall the guys rattling the fence that engaged the ring and shouting at the referee to stop the fight among many profanities.

My knees began to wobble and with my last once of strength I tried to push the guy off me. It was either that or let myself be beaten by the wimp.

The guy stumbled a few steps but that was enough for me to throw some kicks and punches. Must be the adrenaline or the feeling of losing, or both that had driven me to turn into f*cking Hulk.

The guy was about to hit the floor unconscious when the bell rang.

Sh*t!

I stood there, inhale and slowly began to walk back to my corner. I sat on the stool and was rapidly assaulted by my friends.

"What the f*ck is going on?!" Liam asked exasperated while wiping my face with a towel.

"Drake! What happened?" Josh made me focus on him. His stern face showed a hint of worry.

I held my bad side taking a deep, sharp breath. "F*cking Gina and her dogs." I was barely heard above the crowd.

A string of courses were heard from them. "Drake, look at me. You need to tag one of us. Let one of us fight the wimp and get this over with. You might be internally injured." Daniel said while assessing my fractured side.

"And what? Become a f*cking wimp? Let her win? No" I hissed through clenched teeth.

"But-"

"no!" I cut him off before he could complain more.

He didn't say anything else, just shook his head.

The crowd began to cheer and I looked over Daniel's shoulder. The wimp was tagged by a bulkier guy.

I hissed a couple of profanities making the guys look at whatever was making react that way.

Of course, they joined me. It was Liam this time who turned to me. "Are you sure you don't want any of us to tag you?" I glared at him. I know he was being caring but they knew that I was not one to turn out of a fight.

I shook my head and slowly rose up to finish this sh*t.

They patted my back saying some encouraging words while reluctantly began to walk out of the ring.

Slowly, the loud cheering began to fade and all that I could hear was my breathing. I focused on the other guy while assessing where could be a weak point. This guy seemed like he didn't have any. His sinister smile matched the bitch's. He cracked his neck and knuckles.

Only three words went through my mind.

I'm screwed.

Or are those two words? Do the apostrophe make it one?

I don't know. I never got this grammar sh*t. Man, I'm f*cked if I don't get this sh*t before finals.

I'm going to have to ask Emily to really tutor me this time.

Emily...

I wonder how she's doing right now. She should be getting out of surgery by now. Maybe I should ask one of the guys t-

Ding! Ding! Ding!

My thoughts got interrupted by the bell and my opponent wasted no time in charging at me.

I had enough time to cover myself and dodge some punches that were thrown to my head. I can't afford to be knocked unconscious.

Once the guy was slowing his pace I took the opportunity to kick the side of one of his knees, making him stumble. He lowered enough for me to punch him square in the jaw followed by a blow in the stomach. We hissed and crouched at the same time. Since we were eye level, he glared at me, straighten up and advanced at me. He threw a punch at my face, which I dodged but threw another one at my gut.

My eyes bulged out of their sockets. The f*cking blow left me breathless. He took that moment to elbow me in the back and that made me knee on the floor.

He kicked my bad side and my vision went black for a moment. I fell and blinked several times trying to regain my sight.

The guy wasted no time by straddling me and punching me in the face. I tried to cover but some of them hit me.

I tried a couple of times to encircle my leg by his neck and in the third time I succeeded. That got him out of me. I held him there but he managed to slip out of my hold. I barely got to my feet and that's when the bell rang.

I limped my way to my corner. I shut my eyes after I sat again.

Just one more round to go. You can do this.

I gritted my teeth when I looked down. My bare chest was sporting some nasty bruises. But the nastier was forming at my side. My legs were the only ones useful right now. That will have to do.

I was so focused in not dying that I didn't notice the absence of the guys. I raised my head sensing someone in front of me.

My breath got hitched in my throat.

"Damian" I breathed in disbelief of what I was witnessing.

He looked better than ever. He even had a quite set of muscles.

"Hey little bro." He smirked looking down at me.

"How-when-why?...I..." I stuttered like an idiot at the sight of my brother.

"I'm here to tag you." He said in a serious tone.

"no" I tried to stand but failed miserably. "I won't let you do this. This is my fight. Not yours."

He grabbed one of my shoulders and crouched to be eye leveled with me. We almost look alike except that he was taller and our eye color weren't the same. Mine were brown while his were blue. Just like my moms.

"Listen to me. You do not have to do this anymore. I'm here and I'm going to take my responsibility. I found out that neither of my parents were the ones supporting me, but you. You do not have to do this. I am your older brother. I am the one who should be protecting you." His eyes softened at the end of his speech.

"But I wanted to do it. You did not force me into anything." I was still arguing even though I sagged my shoulders in defeat.

He rested his forehead against mine with force. "I know and you don't know how grateful I am of what you did. While everyone else gave up on me, you didn't. Thank you. You gave my life back, little brother." He patted my back and straighten up.

"Now get the f*ck out of here. I got some assh*le to beat." I smirked at his cocky remark. Guess it runs in the family.

Damian nodded towards the guys and they got in the ring to help me out.

I slung my arms over Liam and Josh. They helped me out while Daniel smirked at me knowingly. The bastard must have contacted him probably sensing that Gina had some hidden plans. I would've realized it too if it weren't for the fact that the two damn choices and Emily's situation were clouding my good judgment.

We barely made it to the floor when a screeching sound stopped us.

We turned to the side to find the only source who could be human enough to make that sound.

"Where the f*ck do you think you are going?" Gina screeched in a high pinched noise.

"Out of this sh*t and as far away from you as possible." I spat with that sweetest smile. I was truly happy. Damian apparently was out of rehab and now was able to take care of himself.

"We had a deal and you broke it!" She was so p*ssed that I tried hopelessly to retain my smile.

"Broke it?" I turned to look at the ring were the fight has already begun. My brother seemed to be keeping his word; he was truly kicking that guy's ass, while he was unscratched. I let go of the guys and walked towards her. "But my dear dumbass bitch, can't you see that someone's fighting for me? And I honestly don't give a f*ck whether you like it or not. So I suggest that you get the f*ck away from my sight and my life or you, and only you, will regret it." I finished my rant inserting as much venom as possible in my words whilst towering her.

She glared at me but kept her trap shut.

"Oh and just so you know if you mess with Emily, you'll have to deal with us." Daniel said to her with a warning tone. The others nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry about it guys. I'm sure the bitch didn't know that she has four older brothers and that one of them is a cop." I turned to look at her, amusement tracing my face at her stunned expression. "so, that means that you won't only be dealing with four but eight possible threats, one being directly related the force. I bet brother dearest wouldn't be so happy if you messed his little kingdom now, would he?" I finished with a smug look.

To say that she was mad would be an understatement, she was fuming. Any minute now I was expecting to see smoke coming out of her head, literally. She screeched again making us cringe and left muttering under her breath.

"Man, that was some funny sh*t right there." Liam chuckled watching her retreating form until she disappear among the crowd.

"Bet she won't dare to mess with you again." Josh said and everybody nodded in agreement.

"Now let's get the hell out of here. I got to see how my girl is doing." Liam and Josh came to my sides and began to help me out to the parking lot.

"You know, I'm starting to believe that you like to be this close to us." Liam said amused making me narrow my eyes at him.

Josh scoffed. "Yeah, he looked fine to me when he confronted Gina." He arched his eyebrow at me.

I rolled my eyes at their stupidity. "You wish."

"Hey now, come on leave him alone. We all know that he has a soft spot for me." Daniel said walking next to us and the f*cker had the nerve to wink at me.

I gagged. "Would you guys shut up!"

They all laughed and opened the exit door.

Liam started to do kissing sounds coming near me. I crane my neck as far as I could.

"Liam if you come near me I swear I'll cut your balls!" I yelled trying not to laugh at their idiocy.

The assh*les kept laughing even after we got in the car and left the place.

~~~~

We made it to the hospital and it was already ten thirty. I walked to the waiting room by myself. I won't risk being that close to the guys...ever.

I limped my way to where I saw Emily's brothers and father.

I wasn't able to see their faces fully but I definitely knew something was wrong and hurried my pace towards them with the guys hot on my heels.

Nate was the first one to notice my arrival and turned his head in my direction.

I stopped midway when I noticed his eyes. They were bloodshot. He stood up and walked my way.

"He-how is she?" I stammered and by now everyone was looking in my direction with the same expression and eyes as Nate's. "How is she?" I demanded with a little more force when no one was answering my question.

"Emily is...she..." Matty began to say but couldn't continue.

"What? SHE'S WHAT?" I yelled frantically looking at everyone in the eyes.

Why weren't anyone answering me?

She can't be...no she CAN'T!

"She's in a coma." Nate answered shakily with a single tear running down his cheek. "She-"

He began to say but I couldn't listen anymore. I shook my head trying to wake up from this dream. It must be a dream, right?

"No, no, no, no, NO!" I yelled forgetting my state. Nothing mattered anymore. Not without her.

"f*ck!" I punched the wall so hard that I left a whole in it. I rested myself in it and started to slip down until I sat on the floor resting my arms on my knees while cradling my head in my hands.

This can't be happening...I repeated over and over again.

I shamelessly felt tears rolling down my face. I didn't care that anyone was looking at me.

How can I keep it together when she might as well be...

gone...

______________________________

I know, I know I'm evil but not for long! There's one chapter left so please put your sticks and torches down...this is not the end, yet.

Please write your comments, I love to see what you think. Even if you want to strangle me. :(

Kim <3