“No, Maria you cannot skip rehearsal.”

“Bree, I was joking. I’m going to be there.”

I let out a thankful breath as I fussed over the phone, “You better be!”

I hung up, putting my phone back into my pocket as I walked into the gym. This Tuesday had drug on so long I had begun to think it would never come time to dance. Thankfully I was here, but was a bit early as I walked around, looking for an employee to let me into the studio. I was honestly only looking for Drew but eventually found someone in work attire that wasn’t Demarcus or Drew, which dampened my mood a little.

Was she not here today?

Then as I was following the young man towards the stairs I saw Drew and Demarcus coming out of a back room looking quite exhausted. She was focused on unwrapping her hands that were covered in black tape, and finally her eyes caught mine.

She smiled but it was laced with something that made me uneasy, as if she hadn’t meant for me to see her at this moment. She was wearing nothing but a sports-bra and spandex which gave me a quick flash back to the first time I had seen her dressed like that. But she didn’t walk up to me, she just headed towards the locker room and left me to follow the guy up the stairs and to the studio.

I knew exactly what she had been doing, she had been boxing and most likely practicing for the upcoming fight with Jada.

I found the anxiousness of the situation swarming through my head as I set up my music on the stereo system and waited for the rest of the crew to get here. I was attempting to mentally prepare myself but all I could really think about was Drew’s obvious abdominal muscles and how her skin had glistened with hints of sweat.

I rolled my eyes at how my brain continued to replay the magnificent picture in my head, refusing me any focus I needed at the moment. Then I heard people begin to walk in, letting me know it was time to start focusing on the task at hand.

It didn’t take long for everyone to show up so we stretched quickly and refused to waste much time, quickly beginning to work on the first routine. I wanted to do a fantastic job and make sure everyone was completely into the story line and dance. If they put everything into these performances I knew it would benefit us tremendously, all I had to do was completely drill them for the next four weeks.

And if we did well I could possibly land me a solo for my last recital, which would be sometime in December. I wanted one because I had never gotten one the four years I had performed in the Dance Company for NYU but I was going to try my hardest to get one my last semester. Next semester I would be working somewhere, preferably with younger children but I had no idea. After this semester my opportunities for the spotlight would be gone, so I wanted to do my absolute best, along with everyone else in the group.

I counted, “Five…Six…Seven…Eight!” as we fell into the dance bit we had rehearsed so far. Right now we were practicing our final performance which was themed Freakshow, and I had assigned parts to everyone last week.

I watched in the mirror, seeing mostly everyone falling into their separate parts. My eyes lingered on Maria as she performed but I turned around and walked to her, causing her to roll her eyes with a smile on her face.

“What now boss?”

I smiled as I spoke, “Remember, your character is a puppet, so you need to feel Jeremy and how he’s moving. He’s your puppet master, okay?”

Maria smirked as she walked over to Jeremy who was a short and slim guy, and her hands ran over his not-so-buff chest. She lifted her leg in a playfully flirtatious manner, “I have to feel you, Jeremy.”

We all laughed and lightened up a bit, knowing Maria always had a funny way of easing up the mood. And Jeremy was… well, he was gay. I shoved her playfully, “Remember what I said, Maria…”

Then as I turned to face the mirror once more my eyes traveled to the door where Drew was leaning against the frame. I felt my heart beat throb in my chest at the sudden sight of her, but deciding now wasn’t the time to be distracted.

I counted once more, “Five…Six…Seven…Eight…!” and began the beginning of the routine again, except this time I found myself getting more into it.

I wondered internally how long Drew had been watching us. Was it the entire time? Just a little bit? I could feel her eyes on me and it was actually making me nervous as I continued just a little bit more before stopping again.

I called out, “Take a break.”

I could hear noises of gratitude as I walked over to my bag, retrieving my bottle of water and seeing Drew still leaning against the doorframe. She smiled as I got closer to her, “You don’t play around when it comes down to it.”

I stood back up, sipping my water as I smiled but attempted to act tough, “Not when it comes to recitals, especially my last two.”

“So you’re the choreographer?”

I set my water down and walked closer to her, watching her eyes take in my presence. It was satisfying to actually have Drew’s attention on me, but knowing she was taking in my appearance which was probably disheveled and tired was a bit of a turn off.

“Yea, I mean, they’re all able to pitch ideas and such but I have the eye for the entire group. I can see how a performance is supposed to look, and I’m good at it.”

She nodded towards the rest of the group, “I can tell.”

Her subtle compliment even made me blush as I noticed she was in her work attire, which let me know she would be staying tonight to lock up the studio. We only had about an hour left of rehearsal time so I knew it wouldn’t be long till I got to talk to her again.

I dismissed myself, “I should get back.”

“Do you mind if I sit here and watch?”

I could feel my cheeks blush at the question but I nodded, “Yea, I mean… no I don’t mind. I just don’t want you to get in trouble since you’re on the clock…”

She shrugged, sliding down against the wall and smiling up at me, “Don’t worry about me, continue.”

I took my place and began counting off again, teaching a few more measures of the song that way we could get as far into it as possible. I wanted to make a lot of progress with learning the dance and the next few weeks actually mastering it. I knew my group could do it, we had some of the most talented dancers here, so I felt pretty confident with my expectations.

It must’ve been the fact that Drew was now watching us rehearse because suddenly everyone got more into the dance and was performing with pretty much all they had, including myself. I had actually gotten around to turning on the music instead of counting, allowing us to be able to feel the rhythm better. I hated admitting it to myself but I liked Drew watching us, not just because her attention was mostly on me but because it seemed to benefit the rehearsal.

And I could tell she was enjoying it too.

Soon it was 9:00 and time to go but I wasn’t sad about it, we had made tons of progress in only three hours and I was actually exhausted. I picked up my tiny bag and threw it over my back, turning off the stereo as I felt someone’s presence behind me.

Turning to see Jordi I felt annoyance rise in my chest. If he was going to ask me out again I was going to blow my top…

He sighed, “Hey, I just wanted to apologize for last Thursday. I was being pushy and I didn’t mean for it to make you uncomfortable.”

I felt relieved knowing he wasn’t here to pester me about going out with him so I nodded, “Thanks Jordi.”

He pointed towards the door, “I’ll walk you out?”

I looked past him and saw Drew patiently waiting for us to leave as I started walking towards the door. Drew and I had fallen into a routine of her walking me out and either walking me to the bus or bringing me home, and I honestly didn’t want to disrupt the pattern.

Drew had obviously been listening to our conversation as she butted in, “Ready to go?”

I thanked her silently as I nodded, turning to Jordi, “I’m leaving with Drew, but I’ll see you Thursday.”

I could see a hint of defeat in his eyes but it was better than leading him on and giving him the wrong idea. Don’t get me wrong, Jordi was a cool guy, but I just wasn’t into him like that, and I knew he would take things the wrong way. He was the attached type, and I had been with those people before and it wasn’t my thing. I was all for commitment but the overly-attached partner wasn’t something I strived for anymore.

Jordi left, leaving Drew and I to walk out together. We made it out onto the streets of New York City, there was a cool breeze tonight that made me shiver when it hit my skin.

We began walking around the gym when she spoke, “He’s really into you.”

I took in a deep breath at the obvious, silently wishing he wasn’t. I nodded, “Yea, but I’m not, nor am I looking for anything serious right now.”

I watched her from the corner of my eye, seeing a look that I wasn’t sure how to read, “Well you’re young, about to graduate… It makes perfect sense to think that way.”

The way she said “I was young” made me wonder how old she actually was. I mean, she honestly couldn’t be over twenty-five. She looked young, and even though she had that hard exterior and showed very little emotion I was hoping she wasn’t that much older than me.

I asked, “You say that like I’m a child.”

She looked at me and smirked, “I know you’re not a child, Bree.”

I climbed onto the back of her bike as she handed me her helmet. I questioned, “How old are you anyway, grandma?”

I could see a shocked but amused expression on her face as she answered, “Twenty-three.”

Only two years…

I slipped on her helmet, “Good to know,” then I shivered again. I rolled my eyes at myself for not bringing a jacket.

Instead of climbing onto the bike she began to slip off her own leather jacket, holding it out for me to take. She smiled innocently, “Here.”

I shook my head, “No, I’m fine.”

She continued to hold it out in silence, basically forcing me to take it. I complied, knowing I was being stupid and stubborn and she was just trying to be sweet.

I slipped it on over my shoulders, feeing the warmth surround me, “I don’t know why you’re so nice to me.”

She laughed, “And I don’t understand why you’re so stubborn,” then she looked at me and asked, “Have you eaten?”

This was an opportunity to spend more time with Drew and just Drew, not with Maria or Demarcus or anyone else to interrupt us. I could tell she wasn’t used to asking these sorts of things, which made something inside my heart say “awe” at her hopeful look. I shook my head, “I haven’t, but if we go eat I’m paying this time.”

She tilted her head, “And I’ll leave the tip?”

I smirked, “Precisely, but not something too heavy.”

She flashed her bike key and smiled, “Who’s driving?”

The playfulness she had in her voice was too much for me to handle as she climbed onto the bike and allowed me to wrap my arms around her waist. I could tell she was loosening up around me but she still had her guard up, she was just giving me longer glimpses behind her walls now. It was the same with me as she revved her bike to life, allowing me to realize I actually trusted this girl more than usual, which was odd for me.

We took off down the street and away from the gym as the familiar sense of wind rushed around me. It was actually something I was now getting used too, and I could see why people liked it so much. It gave you a sense of freedom and escape.

Traveling under the city lights and not being encased by a car was therapeutic almost, but of course anything worth it came with consequences if you weren’t careful…

Guess that was something to remember.

It didn’t take her long to pull up to a small deli that was actually one of my favorite places to come when I needed a quick but light meal. Not to mention they stayed open till 10:00 which was a lifesaver considering it was already 9:15.

I slipped off the helmet and smiled, “I love this place.”

She nodded, “They’re quick and cheap, just how you like em’.”

I looked at her, appalled at her wicked sense of humor but finding it enlightening at the same time. Seeing this side of Drew was new, but I liked it a lot, and I was hoping I got to see it more often.

I shoved her playfully in response, knowing she had literally taken all my words out of my mouth. She was wittier than I, and she had left me with absolutely nothing sarcastic to say back to her.

We sat and quickly ordered, Drew and I deciding on grilled chicken salads and soup. I knew even though we had about forty minutes it would end soon, every time I was with Drew it just ended too soon. It never seemed to be enough, and whenever she was in this kind of mood she was intoxicating, addicting almost, and I didn’t want to leave.

“So have you considered a color for your helmet?”

I looked up into her eyes, not really knowing if she was joking or not. I had obviously used that as an excuse to get her number, which I hadn’t used yet considering I had psyched myself out every time I had gone to actually call or text.

I decided to play it off as a joke, “Well actually yes, I couldn’t decide on one specific color so I’m choosing them all.”

She laughed to herself as she nodded, “Well, that’ll sure draw attention.”

“That’s the point right?”

She eyed me, leaning back in her chair as she smiled a shy smile. There was something developing between us, a genuine friendship and not one of those awkward small-talk “Hey, how are you?” friendships. Although I could feel something just a bit deeper, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that yet.

Our food came and we ate, exchanging just a bit more conversation. She asked me the date of our recital and I asked her about work. She had rolled her eyes and told me the only reason she was there tonight was because she offered to pick up someone’s shift because he got sick. She really was only supposed to work mornings but occasionally switched for nights whenever she found the need to. This was slightly disappointing because I never went to the gym during the day, so unless Drew so happened to switch her shift I would most likely never see her at the gym.

I checked the time discretely, seeing that it was already 9:45 but I wanted to stay with Drew as long as possible. I wasn’t going to have time to see her the rest of the week unless she hung around the gym after her shifts, which I figured was going to be unlikely.

She looked around, “We should probably get going so they can shut down.”

She didn’t look like she wanted to leave just yet, just like me, but we stood anyway. I followed her outside and into the cool October night, wishing that hanging out with Drew was something that was easily accessible but it wasn’t.

Slipping on her helmet one last time I climbed on behind her, wrapping my arms around her thin waist and pulling myself closer, feeling her tense under me like she did every other time.

It wasn’t long before she was pulling up in front of my apartment and I climbed off once again, but this time I was closer than usual. I handed her the helmet as she put it onto her lap, looking like she wanted to talk to me before leaving for the rest of the week. But instead she just looked down at her lap and then pulled her haunting eyes back up to me. She spoke softly, “Have a good night Breanna.”

“You too Drew.”

I went to turn but my foot slipped off of the curb as I lost my footing, falling forward right into Drew. Luckily she caught me but not without dropping her helmet onto the hard pavement. Her hands were strong but delicate at the same time, and I swore my heart was going to bust out of my chest as I regained my footing and pulled myself back up to standing position.

I picked up her helmet, my cheeks burning in the process, “Shit I’m sorry.”

She was smiling, and it was one of her genuine smiles, you know the ones I loved so much. I could feel my face blushing as she shook her head and laughed, “For a dancer you’re kind of clumsy.”

Only around you, I thought, but just smiled in response.

She started her bike again and I felt the dire need to just lean in and kiss her but I knew better than to act on that. If it would have been anyone else I would’ve but this was Drew, someone that I honestly couldn’t read to save my life. Usually I was good at it but not with her, and taking chances wasn’t something I wanted considering I wasn’t looking for anything serious anyway.

She waved me off as she slipped her helmet on, allowing me to wave and realize I couldn’t peel my eyes off of her until she took off down the street. When she disappeared I felt something in my heart ache, something that actually worried me because if I was already getting attached to her there was going to be a problem. I really couldn’t handle someone like Drew at this point in my life, and the feelings were all there for me to analyze. Not to mention the whole situation with her and my sister…

Then I realized I still had her jacket on!

Shit, and I wasn’t going to see her anytime soon considering she wouldn’t be at the gym anytime I would be for the rest of the week. Maybe I could stop by the gym before class and give it back to her…

I decided that’s what I would do as I headed into my apartment complex, letting myself in and seeing Jada lying on the couch. She stood, “Jeez where have you been?”

I scolded myself internally, and then I realized telling Jada the truth was the absolute wrong thing to do. I shrugged, “Just went eat with Maria after practice.”

She crossed her arms, “You could’ve told me so I wasn’t worried.”

 I nodded, “I know, and I’m sorry.”

“That’s a cute jacket.”

I felt my heart beat quicken at the comment, knowing it wasn’t my jacket, it was Drew’s. I nodded, “Y-Yea, I got it at a shop down the street.”

I escaped to my room then, realizing that if I was going to get involved with Drew I was convinced Jada wouldn’t like that one bit. The upcoming fight between her and Drew was important, probably the most important one of Jada’s illegal career. I’m sure the last thing she wanted was for her younger sister to get involved with her competition.

 But staying away from Drew didn’t seem possible, and I wasn’t planning on it even though it was probably the right thing to do.

I opened my phone and looked at her number, wondering if texting her would be appropriate. I wasn’t the one to over analyze and complicate things but anything that involved Drew was ass-backwards with me. She was literally making me second guess decisions and slow down and actually think.

But I decided that overthinking a text was pretty stupid.

I texted, “Totally stole your jacket by accident.”

After finally using her number I had gotten some time ago I patiently waited for her to text me back. I had to consider the fact that she was probably still driving home and texting wasn’t an option right now. Then a less-logical part of my brain wondered if she had given me a fake number… no that would be stupid.

Unless she believed I wouldn’t ever have the balls to text her…

Oh stop overthinking dammit.

Then my phone vibrated in my hand and I saw Drew’s name pop up on my screen. For some reason my heart fluttered at the sight and I actually got excited. I rolled my eyes at my childishness, Get a grip.

I opened it, “Sure… by “accident”, and it’s fine. I’ll just get it next time I see you. :)”

I smiled at her playfulness, relief flooding over me that she wasn’t upset. I replied once again, “I promise I’ll stop by at the gym tomorrow morning before my classes to give it back.”

She responded almost instantly, “Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night Bree.”

“Good night Drew.”

And with that I was a smiling fool for the rest of the night until I went to sleep.

~ ~ ~ ~

Considering my first class wasn’t until 1:00 today I had agreed to bring Drew her jacket I was currently attempting to hail a cab. I had felt bad for taking it considering the weather wasn’t pretty this morning and she was probably missing it because I was too absentminded to give it back to her. So returning it today was a must, even though I kind of enjoyed having it.  Not to mention the tiny accident actually giving me a reason to text Drew and give her my number.

Finally a cab stopped and I climbed in, taking shelter because it honestly looked as if it was going to rain any minute now. I pressed to the driver, “To the Iron Summit off of Lafayette street please.”

The drive didn’t take as long as I had predicted considering it was New York City traffic but as soon as we drove up I paid and hurried into the gym. I checked my phone, seeing it was 12:00 and I had an hour to get in and out and make it to class for 1:00.

I walked in and immediately looked for Drew, knowing she would be in her work apparel since she was on the clock. I spotted Demarcus rummaging through something at the front desk but no Drew, and I walked around to get a better look. She had to be here somewhere.

Then I noticed her, spotting a young woman on one of the work-out machines. I watched from afar, seeing Drew direct the girl on how to properly conduct a squat on the squat-press. One of her hands lightly fell onto the girl’s thigh and for some reason it lit a little fire in my stomach.

Was that jealousy? Seriously, I barely knew Drew for Heaven’s sake… Get a hold of yourself Breanna…

Drew finished up and I pretended not to notice her as I waited patiently by the front desk. I soon felt her presence next to me as she spoke with a hint of flirtation in her voice, “The jacket thief has obeyed her promise.”

I turned and smiled, “I always obey my promises.”

I slipped the jacket off my shoulders and handed it to her as she took it, looking as if she was kind of reluctant. I was hesitant to give it back to her too because it was one of the most comfortable jackets I had worn, plus it smelt like her too.

She shifted her leg onto one leg as she spoke, “What times your classes start?”

I replied, knowing I actually had a good bit of time to spare, “Not till 1:00, why?”

She slipped on her jacket and walked behind the front desk, grabbing her booksack but leaving her black helmet with Demarcus. She shrugged, “I’m on duty to go pick up lunch and it’s on the way to the University… Wondering if you’d want to walk with me?”

Strolling down the busy streets with Drew by my side? Don’t mind if I do.

I nodded, “Yea I’ll keep you company. Protect you from all the muggers and street thieves.”

Laughing as she walked towards the door she responded, “Yea, no one stands a chance against the hundred and ten pound ballet dancer.”

“It’s actually a hundred and twenty pounds, and I don’t just do ballet.”

She smirked, “So you’re versatile?”

“I’m very versatile.”

She continued to smile and I continued to struggle to breathe, wishing I could read Drew the way I could read everyone else. Even on the busy streets of New York time slowed when I was next to her, like we existed in a different world. I wondered if I was just in over my head or if she was feeling what I felt too, but figuring it out was proving to be harder than I thought.

Then there was a crack of thunder, signaling it wouldn’t be long till we would be drenched by a sudden shower. I hurried to open my backpack, digging around for my umbrella and finding it in the nick of time.

I opened it as the first few raindrops hit my head, holding it over me and attempting to cover Drew in the process. Drew smiled, “Always prepared,” then her hand gently took the umbrella from me and held it over both of us. She shrugged, “It’s easier if I hold it since you’re too short to function.”

My mouth hung open as I tried to suppress my obvious smile, “I’m only 5”3.”

“That’s short compared to me.”

As I decided to let her hold the umbrella I knew it was the right thing to do. She was in fact a few inches taller than me, but that didn’t mean I was short!

I shook my head as I walked close to her, wishing I could just put my arm around her waist to make walking easier. Crossing a boundary like that wasn’t going to happen though, not with Drew. Although, our arms continuously grazed and I was okay with it, and she seemed to be as well while we continued to walk down the street.

I listened to the rain hit my umbrella as Drew spoke, “You know, there’s this new Italian place, and I know you like Italian from lunch last Sunday…”

I was shocked because this honestly sounded as if Drew was about to ask me to have dinner with her or something. Even though she had obviously heard me deny Jordi she was still brave enough to possibly ask, and I was most definitely going to accept if she did.

I nodded, “And you need a wine tasting buddy?”

She laughed out loud this time, causing a few people to look at us but I didn’t care. Her laugh was the most adorable thing I had ever seen, possibly because it didn’t happen often. But I swear to you making her laugh was becoming one of my favorite things to do.  

She tilted her head, still smiling, “Something like that. Only if you have nothing else to do, and you know, actually want to.”

I looked at her, “Of course I want to. Wine’s always a deal sealer for me.”

“Yea well, I know you’ve declined Jordi maybe a million times since I’ve met you so…”

I realized that Drew had in fact been taking notice to all of Jordi’s approaches but there was no comparison with Drew and Jordi. Sure, they were both gorgeous but Drew wasn’t pushy, she was mature, older, and gentle whenever she wasn’t in a boxing ring… Jordi was most definitely pushy, needy, and wasn’t even old enough to drink, given he was a year below me.

I sighed, “Jordi’s just… he’s too pushy and I don’t even like him rather than platonically. Declining him is just me refusing to give him the wrong idea, that’s just the type of person he is.”

She shrugged, moving closer to hold the umbrella over us better, “How do you know he’s just not just trying to get to know you better.”

“I can read people very well, but also because I’ve been dancing with Jordi for three years, so we know each other on a good level.”

“You read people well, huh?”

I nodded confidently, “For the most part.”

Then the inevitable question surfaced, “What do you think of me, then?”

I felt my blood rush and my skin heat up, wishing I could answer her question but knowing she was actually really fucking hard to read. It frustrated me but being honest was probably my best bet anyway. I looked at her, “Not to be a mood killer but you’re an exception. You come off as a bitch, but you’re not, you’re mysterious but you open up when you feel the need… but it’s like are you really opening up or just being nice?”

She smiled, looking down for a split second, “Well, you’re doing better than most people who try to figure me out. Congrats.”

I blushed as I nodded, “Thank you.”

“Most people just stay away, and not many actually attempt to get to know me. I guess it’s good because it keeps the weak away.”

“Yea well, I’m not weak, so,” I looked up at her and smiled, ending up at the restaurant we were apparently picking up lunch. She held the umbrella over us at the door, knowing this is when we would say our goodbyes and think about each other till the next time we were together.

“So dinner… Does Friday at 7:00 sound like a good time to pick you up?”

I took the umbrella out of her hand and nodded, already excited to see her outside of the gym and spend more time with her. “Yea, that sounds great.”

She nodded, “Have a good day, Bree.”

“You too, Drew.”

Then she disappeared into the restaurant and I wondered how I was going to keep my mind off of Friday night enough to do anything productive today.

~ ~ ~ ~

“Oh my God you got a date?!”

I shoved Maria in embarrassment, “Be quiet, Maria…”

She contained herself as she whispered, “Shit, sorry I forgot you’ve been declining Jordi for like, a year now, but oh my God you got a date….”

I glanced behind me, seeing Jordi talking with another dancer on the far side of the studio. The last thing I wanted was for him to hear that I had accepted a date with Drew and him absolutely hate me. We had a recital to prepare for and feelings couldn’t be running high between any of the dancers here.

“Any specific reason you agreed to go on a date with Drew rather than Jordi?”

I looked at Maria, wishing she wouldn’t probe but knowing better because that’s what Maria did. I shrugged, “I mean besides the fact that Drew’s a hell of a lot more interesting than Jordi…. I actually like her more than just platonically.”

Maria wiggled her eyebrows, “I never pinned you to like the bad-girl type.”

I smiled, thinking about Drew with her helmet on sitting on her bike, “Drew’s not really the bad-girl type…”

Then suddenly I remembered she illegally fought underground for money, which was actually pretty bad in a legal sense. Although telling Maria about that didn’t seem to feel right, knowing if I did she wouldn’t allow me to step anywhere near Drew.

But I wasn’t afraid of Drew, even though I should kind of be, right? Not to mention Jada and Drew’s fight… yea that was a whole other situation I really didn’t want to have anything to do with. Then again I was already involved because of Jada, so being involved with Drew was just making it worse…

Oh God, if Jada ever found out…

I suddenly felt my phone vibrate, seeing a text from Jada and wishing silently it had been Drew instead. I opened it and read, “I’m on my way to pick you up. Rehearsal ends at 9:00 right?”

I texted back quickly, “Yea, we’re almost done.”

I set my phone back into my bag as I announced, “Okay, let’s run through this one more time, then we’ll call it a night.”

So we did, and even though we were into it I could tell this Thursday was just dragging on and on. The anticipation for the recital was high but we still had an entire month till then, so drilling them and teaching them the dances was going to be consistent. Not to mention my own anticipation for tomorrow night with Drew.

I honestly couldn’t believe she had asked me to have dinner with her, it just was so out of the blue. I was hoping it would turn out well, but I had a good gut feeling about it because Drew and I seemed to get along pretty good. I was excited because it would just be her and I, no interruptions, just time and a chance to actually get to know each other a little better.

A chance to get a glimpse at the real Drew, because I knew there was more to her than her fighting and her motorbike. She seemed so diverse and intelligent, and I was dying to get to know her on a deeper level.

I ended practice shortly after we ran through the number, settling for the mediocracy considering I was exhausted and ready to go home. We locked up the studio and I walked with Maria out the door, seeing Jada’s car sitting on the side of the road.

I looked at Maria, “See you tomorrow.”

“Yea girl, and can I help you get ready for your date?”

I rolled my eyes, smiling, “I think I can dress myself, but sure Maria.”

She laughed, clapping her hands in excitement as she disappeared into a taxi with another girl, allowing me to climb into Jada’s car.

Jada asked with a worried tone, “You sure you’ll be okay by yourself this weekend?”

I waved my hand, “Jada, I’m twenty-one years old, I’ll be fine. Go spend time with your man.”

She started down the road, looking excited that she was leaving New York to head to Philadelphia to see her boyfriend. It kind of sucked that he didn’t live here in New York but I honestly couldn’t blame him because he was too laid back, the city would swallow him whole.

So Jada was leaving tonight after she dropped me off at home to spend the weekend with him, and I would be alone in the apartment. It’s not like I minded, I liked my alone time as well. Also I was glad she was going out of town because I wouldn’t have trouble hiding the kind-of date between me and Drew.

So everything was working out perfectly.

Then I heard her speak, “Okay so, the date has been set for my last fight.”

I felt something in my heart quiver at the sound of that, wishing that this certain situation wasn’t real. I didn’t want it to be, I didn’t want Jada to fight Drew, and I didn’t want to think about what would happen if Jada so happened to lose.

I looked at her, “When?”

“Next Friday.”

So in a little over a week…

I looked at her, “Is this you asking me to come?”

She peered onto the road, as if she was contemplating that assumption, “I mean, it would mean a lot to me, but if you don’t want…”

I could tell it did mean a lot to her, and it was potentially her last fight, well illegally anyway. What kind of sister would I be if I didn’t go and support her? I knew about it now, and I knew how important this specific fight was. I knew it would only disappoint her if I bailed and decided not to go…

But God, how I didn’t want to go…

I answered reluctantly, “Yea, I’ll go. Only because you’re my sister and I know it would devastate you if I didn’t.”

She laughed, “I mean it wouldn’t devastate me but… okay maybe it would a little.”

I smiled to myself, wondering how this whole situation was going to blow over. It made me nervous because I mean Drew and my sister would be beating on each other in a week… Was that something I was ready for?

Was I prepared to witness something like that again? But instead of it just being Drew it would be her and my own sister?

She pulled up in front of the apartment, “I’ll be back Sunday afternoon, okay?”

I looked at her, gathering my things before exiting, “Jada, don’t worry about me. Have a relaxing weekend with your boo.”

She smirked, “Oh I will.”

I held my hand up, laughing, “To much info, bye Jada.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too,” I waved her off as she pulled off of the curb and down the street, leaving me to the rest of my own relaxing weekend.

I walked to my apartment, images of the first time I had seen Drew fight and the darkness I had seen in those amazing eyes. It was terrifying, knowing that my sister would be stepping into the ring with her. I hated violence, I hated everything about that place and I had only been one time, but it was enough to make me never want to set foot in there again.

But it wouldn’t be long till I would have to return, and that was something that was literally horrifying.