Note the change of POV!

Declan's POV

It was the day of my match against Blake Forbes and I was a mess. I hadn't slept properly since my fight with Goldilocks and every time I worked out, all I could think about was her. I'd texted and called her several times, asking for her to just talk to me. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, hoping for a text from her.

No luck.

I shoved it back into my pocket and grabbed my suitcase off of my dresser. I had to go, I couldn't keep spacing out like this or I was going to lose today.

I wonder if she'll be there.

Damnit, I need to get her off my mind. I heard the front door to my house open so I made my way to the hallway to see my dad waiting for me.

"Ready to go, son?" He asked.

"Yeah." I replied quickly, walking out the door to the black car. I put my suitcase in the trunk and then got in the back seat. It was a two hour drive to the arena and I had never been more nervous for a match in my entire life. Not because I was scared of my competitor, I was scared she wouldn't be there. Or if she was, I would lose my concentration because I wanted to talk to her. I pulled my phone out of my pocket again and texted her, asking her to call me. I officially felt like a creepy stalker. I think I sent her over twenty texts the last few days and I'd called her at least ten times. I stared at the screen, willing her to text or call me. I didn't even care if she just sent one word. I just needed her to talk to me so I could focus on my match today. After a while, I couldn't stand it anymore, I called her again. After a couple rings it went to voicemail, making my stomach turn because I knew she had seen me calling and decided to ignore my call. When it beeped for me to leave a message, I let loose.

"Goldilocks, I need you to talk to me. I'm desperate, I'll do anything you want, just call me. I have a match today and I cant focus because you are consuming my mind! Please, I'm begging you." I let out all my feelings and then hung up. I had always been an honest guy. I didn't like to talk much but when I did, I wasn't going to beat around the bush. I stared at my phone again, waiting for it to beep, telling me I had a text or that she was calling.

"Declan, get your head in the game. You can't be worrying about a girl right now." My dad's voice came from the driver's seat and I immediately felt embarrassed that he had heard my message to Goldilocks.

"I know." I replied. I looked back down at my phone again. It was ringing! I immediately pressed the answer button and put it up to my ear.

"Goldi!" I yelled into the phone.

"Declan, I just called to tell you to leave me alone." I felt my heart sink at her words. I finally get to hear her voice and she has to say that?

"Why? I know I pissed you off and I'm sorry but don't cut me off." I replied, putting strength behind my voice despite my stomach turning. There was a long pause and I felt like I was going to implode from how nervous I was. This girl had me hanging on her every word.

"I hate men." She said. It felt like she was saying it more to herself than to me but I responded anyways.

"I know...but I'm different." I responded, trying my best to sound confident. There was another long pause.

"I'll see you in an hour." She said and then I heard a click.

Wait, what?

It's a two hour drive to where my match is which means she was already on her way when she called. I felt my heart leap at the thought and all of my worries washed away at this realization. All of a sudden, I was able to concentrate on the match and getting into my boxing mindset. I grabbed my headphones from my bag, put them in and turned on my music, imagining how I would win this match. And afterwards, I would get to talk to Goldilocks. I smiled slightly at this thought.

Once we arrived at the arena, I kept my head down and my eyes closed as my dad led me into the building. This was always how we did things to help keep my focus on the match. I thought about my opponent, Blake Forbes. He had a good right hook and was also quick on his feet. I had to be very careful when I got into the ring with him. He wasn't the most difficult person I've ever faced but I never let myself get too cocky. My dad always told me,

"If you get too full of yourself, you will lose. Never underestimate your opponent."

I kept this in mind as we walked into the locker room and got dressed in my signature black shorts. I took some deep breaths and then looked around for my dad. I saw him towards the door that lead to the ring. He was on the phone, probably negotiating a deal for me. I walked up to him and tapped his shoulder as I took my ear buds out.

"We'll talk more later, bye." He said and hung up his phone, sliding it into his suit pocket. He turned to look at me and smiled.

"You ready?" He asked and I nodded. He patted my shoulder and then opened the door. The bright lights from the ring blinded me for a moment as they always did and the cheering from the crowd filled my ears. I walked out slowly, hearing my entry music, Hall of Fame. As soon as I looked up at the crowd, my eyes immediately locked on her. Those beautiful blue eyes were staring right at me and her long blonde hair was draped delicately over her shoulders. She was wearing a white sweatshirt and worn out jeans. Her face looked like it was filled with emotion and indecision as we kept our eyes locked on each other. I flashed her a smirk before finally looking away as I kept walking and made my way to the ring. I finally took this moment to look at my opponent as I put my gloves on. He had short blonde hair  and green eyes that were staring daggers at me, trying to psych me out. I scoffed at him, which made him startle before the referee called us to the middle.

"Protect yourself at all times, make this a good clean fight. Good luck." The referee said and then we went back to our corners. After a moment, the bell rang and we immediately started circling and sizing each other up. I watched his body as he started to shift his weight, the slightest indication that he was going to use his right hook. I swiftly dodged it and immediately took the opportunity to punch him in his ribs. He let out a strong breath of air as he stumbled back from the blow. I didn't waste any time as I took one step towards him and used my other fist to hit him straight in the jaw, knocking him to the ground and out cold.

I stood up straight and let out a big breath of air, relieved to win the match. I felt my right hand being lifted into the air but I couldn't hear the announcer over the cheers. I searched the crowd for Goldilocks but I didn't see any sign of her. I felt the disappointment in my gut as I made my way out of the ring. I felt my dad slap my back to say good job but I walked right past him, back into the locker rooms. I quickly got dressed and grabbed my phone to see if she texted or called me.

Nothing.

I walked to the door that led outside. I opened it and scanned the crowd for her. I spotted her friend, Bridget, and quickly walked up to her.

"Where is she?" I asked, still scanning the crowd for her. Not seeing her, I looked at Bridget's face. It was full of pity and sadness. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What happened? Is she ok?" I asked quickly.

"She's fine...she's sitting in my car with Bailey. As soon as she saw you, she said she couldn't do it and walked out. I'm sorry." She explained. I didn't like the pain that I felt in my chest.

"Where's your car?" I asked. Her face contorted in confusion before she realized what I was going to do.

"I'll show you." She said and started leading the way. I quickly followed her, ignoring all of the fans that were upset I was leaving with Bridget. I could see Goldilocks sitting in the car before we even made it all of the way there. She was looking down at her phone and hadn't seen me yet. I quickly jogged past Bridget and flung open the passenger door of her car. Goldilocks jumped from surprise as she stared at me with those clear blue eyes. I crouched down to see her better before I started talking.

"For shit's sake, Goldilocks, do you realize what you've done to me?!" I yelled. Her shock turned to anger as she shoved my chest, sending me stumbling backwards before I caught myself. She got out of the car and put her hands on her hips.

"What I've done to you?! How about what you've done to me?!" She yelled back. I furrowed my eyebrows at her.

"Why don't you want anything to do with me? Am I really that bad of a guy?!" I asked, hearing the hurt enter my voice. Her eyes widened in surprise and became a bit watery before she closed her them and shook her head.

"No...you're not...but that's the problem." Her voice was much softer now and I felt my heart ache for her. I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and comfort her but I knew she wouldn't let me.

"What's the problem?" I asked, not understanding. Bridget had finally caught up to me and was standing to the side, watching our argument.

"You're the nicest guy I've ever met. If there's any guy out there that could break down my wall, it's you. And I can't have that. I've built this wall for a reason and I can't risk it coming down." She replied, her voice was wavering and I could hear the sadness. I took a step closer to her.

"No matter how hard you push me away, I'm not going anywhere. I will find a way to take your wall down, brick by brick." I told her, keeping my voice strong. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. I felt my breath catch in my throat at her vulnerability. This girl never stopped blowing me away.

"Ok, I think that's enough for one night." Bridget's voice came from beside us as she walked up to Goldilocks and put her arm around her shoulders, leading her into the car and shutting her door. She turned to me, giving me a serious look.

"Crystal has been through a lot in her life. She has never let anyone all the way in...not even me...with that said, I think she knows that if she keeps hanging out with you, she's going to let her guard down. Give her time, I don't think she can hold out much longer." She explained thoroughly. I stared at her for a moment before glancing behind her at Goldilocks, her head was turned away from me so all I could see was her waterfall of blonde hair.

"Just tell her this...I will wait...I will wait as long as it takes. I want her, all of her." I said. Bridget's face turned sad but then she gave me a small smile and nodded.