I was shocked by everything that she had said. I hadn't realized that Julie had put that much thought into what was going on between Jet and me. I didn't want to go into great detail with her at the moment; in fact, I didn't want to talk about Jet at all. I just wanted to get my story down as a rough draft, so I could peel away the layers of it another time.
I smiled at her. “Well, it's a good thing that I don't care about a future with Jet, then.”
“Really, you don't?”
“No, it is what it is.”
“You don't think it might be wise to write about something else? You have a great family life, write about that. Or if you need some drama in your life, write about our experience with the mugging; just make Jet's character look like Ryan Gosling.” She had a sparkle in her eye when she said Ryan's name. “I'm just saying I think it's a mistake to devote so much emotional and mental energy on Jet. He's not worth it. You have lots of good stories to tell, Jet's not the biggest thing that has happened in your life so far.”
“You're the one who tried to get me to talk to him that first time at the bar.”
“Yeah, I know.
He's hot, and I thought he would be a good way for you to get over that asshole, but I made a mistake. I think he's just going to hurt you, and I don't want you to get hurt by another guy. It's obvious it's not going anywhere, so just distance yourself from him.”
“No, I like this story, and this project has been driving me nuts all day. Now that I have a good idea, I don't want to go back to stressing about finding a new one. It will be fine.”
“I think you're making a mistake.”
“Julie, it's not like we are dating. I'm not going to write actual events. It will be more of a based-on-a-true-story sort of thing. I can change whatever I want. I can have whatever ending I want. It doesn't have to end badly. I could have the happiest ending I want, if I choose. If I don't feel like being happy, I can kill off Jet in the end,” I started laughing, and Julie just shook her head and rolled her eyes.
“Well, good luck with that.” She got up off the bed and wiped at the water drips that had found their way on her shoulder from her hair. “I have to go get ready for class, I'll see you later.”
I nodded, and watched her as she walked out my door, closing it behind her. I breathed a sigh of relief and looked down at my notes that I had already made for the story.
Everything was going to be okay.
Chapter Six
Jet
Fight night was tonight, and I was determined to keep focused, to make sure my head was in the game. Game only, this was not the time to think about Natalie, or worry about my grades. It was not the time to get angry over my father's lack of enthusiasm when it came to my career choice, or the fact that he was still determined to have me work for the company. It was also not the time to obsess over the pass Brian had made at Natalie, or the fact that there were a million other men out there who were far more deserving of her than I was. No, this day was only meant for me to focus on the fight ahead, and what the game plan was, in order to leave as a champion. Because if I didn't leave as a champion, then my father was going to start having a reason to tell me to give up what he calls my “pipe dreams.” So I had a lot riding on these fights; they were no joke, and I certainly didn't look at them as playtime. This was about the rest of my life, and I planned on going to war tonight, and sending my opponent home, thinking twice about getting in the ring with me again. Killa Killa, it was time to fight.
I started getting things ready to go. Coach always took care of things like Gatorade, first aid kits, ice, tape?all the things I needed in order to stay hydrated and safe. I always brought my lucky gloves, though no one used shin pads or headgear in professional MMA fights. I wouldn't need much else except my fighting outfit, which consisted of shorts and a T-shirt that had the school sponsorship logo on it. I put everything I needed in my gym bag, and set it by the door. Now it was “me” time. Kyle was hanging out with video games, and that wasn't the scene I wanted before heading out for my fight.
I headed back into my bedroom and closed the door. I put some meditation music on my iPod and lay down on my bed. I got in a comfortable position, and placed the earbuds in my ears. I turned on the iPod, and the music found its way into my head. I needed to zone out to experience my win in my head before I ever got into the ring. I needed to be a winner before I ever got out there. My goals would be realized before I even left my apartment; it was all part of how I won?not only in fighting, but in life, as well.
As the music took over, I imagined myself warming up with Coach, getting my head in the game, moving the way I was taught, throwing punches and kicks. Next, I imagined what it would be like to hear my opponent’s name called out in the ring. I imagined what it was like to know he had already lost, and was only going out to meet a good, old-fashioned beating. I then pictured my own name being called, the music that I had handpicked for my walkout playing through the speakers as I broke through the curtains, my team following close behind. I imagined my team, and how hard they, too, had worked to make sure I arrived that night prepared for the fight. To know that I was ready to knock out my opponent. They were there to support me, and would have my back no matter what.
I would walk down the aisle proudly, with my head held high, waiting to destroy. I would not have that natural fight or flight instinct that kicked in when I knew I was about to enter the cage with another man who looked to cause harm. I was now at the octagon door, my team placing Vaseline on my eyebrows, talking to me, preparing me for what lay ahead. I removed my shirt and walked into the ring. I envisioned the bell going off, and I struck my way into a knockout as I pummeled my opponent, never allowing him a chance to break my guard. I landed a sweet head kick that knocked him out, and he never got back up. It was my goal to get him done in the first round, because no one liked working overtime when they didn’t get paid more to do so. The crowd was going nuts around me, and I raised my hands high, knowing I was the victor before the judges called it.
I opened my eyes, and I was already smiling. I turned off the music, took the earbuds out of my ears, and set aside my iPod. I lay there for a few minutes, reveling in the feelings I was experiencing at that moment. I was king of the world, and no one could have taken anything away from me just then. I had never felt more alive, and I couldn't wait to unleash that feeling tonight when the fight was live.
I rolled out of bed and headed back out to the living area. Kyle was predictably, as always, still playing his video games. I hadn't realized I had been meditating for an hour; time flew when I was enjoying a victory.
“Hey, man, are you coming to the fights?”
Kyle looked up briefly from his game. “Not sure yet. I may have plans.”
I almost laughed out loud. Yeah, plans that consisted of drinking beer and playing video games all night.
“Okay, I will see ya later then; I'm heading to the gym.”
“Cool. Good luck tonight, Jet. Make us all proud.”
“Will do,” I waved as I picked up my gym bag and opened the door, heading out.
I grabbed my gym bag out of my car and headed into the gym arena. The fights were taking place at our gym this time, and they had transformed the area into a fighting arena. It looked amazing, and it got me jacked up in anticipation for the fights. I headed to the locker room, where I would find my coach, as well as the rest of my teammates. I was the main card for the evening, but I wasn't the only one of my teammates fighting on a card tonight. There were three other guys preparing for a fight as well.