My hands flung in the air as I took my victory lap. I was then given a medal for my match, and I left the octagon to meet with my team.
“Why didn't you take him to the ground, man?” my coach asked me.
“He was strong, really strong. I didn't want to go down unless I had to. You know, for me, going to the ground is a last resort. I like fighting. I like feeling a solid knockdown.”
“That was a pretty sick back fist, I have to admit.”
“I had everything under control, man, no worries.”
“Yeah you did. It was a solid win, but it’s time to get your mind set for the next one.”
My mindset was already ready for the next one.
I received my congratulations, and went out to meet with my family. We were all planning to celebrate tonight with some decent food and a couple of drinks.
Chapter Nine
Natalie
I slowly opened my eyes to a sound. I couldn't place where the noise was coming from, or what it was. God, I was tired. No, not tired, utterly exhausted. I rubbed my eyes and settled back on my pillow, trying to focus on the sound. I couldn't figure out what it could be. It was a great indication that I may need to get regular sleep. I had a long day, and retired to bed early, probably too early. I looked around, trying to place where the sound was coming from again. My thoughts were still fuzzy, and it felt like it had to be the middle of the night.
I had just gotten to sleep, hadn't I?
The clock beside my bed read 11:00 p.m., and I wondered what in the hell was going on. I had only been sleeping for a few hours, and I did not want to be awake again.
I jumped when Julie started banging on the wall from the adjacent room. She scared me half to death. I tried to sit up in bed as my heart was beating in my chest furiously.
“Come on, Natalie, I have a 7:00 a.m. class tomorrow, for crying out loud! Either answer the damn phone, or turn it off. I need to get some sleep here.”
My phone. Ah, it was my phone, of course. Now the sound registered in my brain. I slowly wiped at my eyes. Wow, did I ever feel tired. How did I not recognize my own phone ringing? I wondered who on earth would be calling at this hour. Not one of my friends would ever call me this late. I rolled over in bed and grabbed my phone, looking at the screen. When my eyes had finally cleared from sleep and exhaustion, I looked at the number, and I didn't recognize it. I figured what the hell, and clicked the talk button.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Natalie, it's Jet.”
I groaned inwardly. “Jet? Why the hell are you calling me at this hour?”
“Why, were you asleep?” I heard him chuckle on the other end.
“Well, yes, I was.” What a moron.
“You need to live a little. It's only 11:00 p.m., why are you already in bed?”
“I live just fine, thank you. I have classes in the morning, and I’m exhausted. So what do you want, Jet?”
“I want to see you.”
“Seriously? Jet, it's kind of late for a get-together, don't you think?”
“But I'm already here. You don't have to go anywhere.”
“Excuse me?” He better not be here. He so better not be here.
“I'm standing outside your apartment right now.”
“What? Are you joking? Actually, you had better be joking.”
“Nope, I'm out here, come down.”