Chapter 30
Mireya
Play - No Care by Daughter
Brave heart
“Mireya, you’re allowing your emotions to bubble to the surface,” Mister Jensen, our training coach says as he walks by me.
I dodge one of the attack moves that my opponent sends my way.
My head throbs with every step I take across the training mats. The taste of this morning’s vodka still lingers at the back of my throat and no amount of coffee has managed to wash it away.
“You’re like an open book Vitelli, stop anticipating your opponent’s next move,” the professor tells me as I’m continuing to defend myself from this fuckers blows.
Will, the guy who spends every class looking at Hayzel like she hung the moon, offers me an awkward smile as we go back to our position.
“I’ll try not to hit you too hard again, Mireya,” he says, breathless
A small tired laugh slips out. “I’ll try not to fall asleep halfway through."
He narrowly ducks the uppercut I throw his way, blinking at me. “...Should I be concerned?"
“Probably?”
His movements falter for a second. “Wait.” His brows knit together. “Are you actually okay?”
I shake my head, smiling as I throw a high kick toward his shoulder. “I’m kidding.”
Relief watches over his face as he raises his guard again. “Okay, good.”
“You know,” he says while blocking another punch, “your guard keeps dropping on your left. You’re leaving yourself vulnerable—”
“Fuck!”
The word bursts out of me as he takes the opening without meaning to, sweeping my legs out from under me.
I hit the mat with a groan and his eyes went wide. “Oh fuck, I’m sorry.”
I stare up at the ceiling. “Will…”
“TIME!” Mr Jensen yells loudly, and Will offers out his hand. I grab a hold of it, glaring at him through the pain.
“I’m really sorry about that, Vitelli,” he mumbles again.
I shrug my shoulders as I heave myself up. “Stop apologizing, it's okay. I’ve been hit harder than that before.”
I walk away to grab my water bottle and feel Mr Jensen’s hand on my shoulder. “You did well in the ring, Miss Vitelli. Keep up the good work and listen to the advice I gave you.”
“Yes sir, thank you,” I grumble.
I need to get my fucking shit together. I can’t be letting down my walls so easily and getting distracted.
My hand wraps around my aching forearm as I push open the door to the girls' changing room. I peel my jumper over my head with a wince. A dark bruise is already beginning to bloom along the side of it.
“Shit..” I let my head fall back against the locker before opening it one-handed.
My fingers find the gauze and bandage without much thought and begin to gently wrap the wound. Around me the changing room slowly becomes louder, lockers opening, girls laughing.
I pull my sleeve back down, hiding the bandage, and swing my bag over my shoulder as I gather the rest of my things.
“Nice work today, Vitelli,” the assistant coach tells me as I pass by.
“Thank you,” I replied loudly before slipping out of the door.
I make my way towards the courtyard. It shouldn’t be busy at this time of day, but I find myself ducking and diving out of the way of other students as they make their way past me towards their classes or wherever they’re going.
Annoyance bubbles up inside me as someone bumps into me for the fifth time today, this makes me alter my route and I make my way towards the elevator.
I lean against the metallic wall of the lift, shutting out any noise or distractions for a brief moment before opening them as the bell rings, signaling my arrival on my floor.
“Fuck…” I mutter under my breath, shuffling out of the small space. When I open it, Blue comes over and gives me a bit of a sniff as I crouch down to give him some soft strokes.
“Missed your mom?” I ask him and he replies by purring louder than usual. I shake my head, watching him strut off to sit on the edge of the windowsill.
I toss my bag on the bed before pulling my phone from my pocket. My thumb finds the speed dial and the call connects as I place it on my dresser.
“Hello...?” Hayzel’s voice fills the room as I start taking off my clothes.
“Hey, do you mind coming over in the next five to ten minutes? I’m getting ready to head out, and I need you to watch Blue for me. I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”
“Yeah, sure, but you could have just knocked on my door.”
I bite down on my bottom lip before continuing, “Hayz, just hurry up, woman.”
She laughs and I end the call quickly before she can say anything else.
I’m smoothing out my hoodie as Hayzel comes bursting into the room.
“Christ. Hayzel, don’t you ever knock?” I ask as she makes herself comfortable on my bed.
She shrugs her shoulders, looking up at me. “Why would I? It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.”
I glare at her reflection in the mirror. “Perv.” I pause before continuing, “I shouldn’t be long, I didn’t want to leave him alone in case he starts to get restless.”
Blue decides to greet Hayzel by trotting over towards the bed. He pounces on her, settling himself in her lap and she starts stroking his fur mindlessly as she continues talking to me, “Rey, I love the little guy.”
I grab my wallet and keys and hand over a twenty-dollar bill. “Here, dinner is on me tonight,” I say out loud.
Hayzel snatches the cash out of my hand as a slow smirk crawls up her lips. “Don’t mind if I do!” I scoff as she adds, “Also, Rey, don’t forget we’re going out for my birthday.”
“Do you know where we’re going?” I ask her, and I pray she doesn’t say the words I think she will.
“There’s a new bar downtown, I think we should check it out.”
I resist the urge to bang my head against the wall. “A student bar?” I bite out the words, and Hayzel narrows her eyes, fixing her gaze on me.
“Birthday girls get whatever they want, Rey. It’s the rule.”
I throw my hands up in surrender before dropping them by my sides. “You’re right, you’re right, it’s the rule. I gotta go now, but I’ll text you when I’m heading back, and be safe!” I yell as I make my way out of the door.
“Have fun!” Hayzel calls out to me.
I’m downstairs just in time, and jog over to the cliffside. The air feels thick and fresh as it blows through my hair.
I rake my hand through my curls as I come closer towards a parked car. That’s when I notice him leaning against the back of the car, looking at the ocean whilst having a phone to his ear.
“You’re not scared of heights?” I call out to him, and his head snaps to mine, meeting my gaze.
He hangs up the call without a word before speaking to me. “No, I’m careful.”
I glance behind me one last time before looking back. Mr Caldwell already has the passenger side door open for me, and I walk towards it. “Nice to know that chivalry ain’t dead after all.”
He chuckles as I slip past him into the seat, and closes the door once I’m settled. My eyes roam over the leather interior as he slips into the driver's side.
“So, do you know where you want us to go?” He asks, starting the car.
I snicker before glancing over my shoulder at him, “You know I keep forgetting that you’re not from here.”
“I don’t really have the luxury of touring the island,” he replies with a small smile.
I press my head against the glass, allowing the coldness to seep into my skin. “We can go to a cafe not too far from here,” I say, giving him the directions on where to go and for a moment I drown out the noise.