“So tell me more about you.” He grabbed a water bottle, taking a quick swig, and eyed me pointedly. “What secrets are you hiding?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “Why do you think I’d keep secrets?
“Are you?”
“No! Of course not” Thinking twice about it, I pressed, “I’m not that special.”
The mischievous sparkle in his eye made me realize he was kidding. “If we’re going to be spending this much time together, it’s worth knowing something more about you besides the fact that you look really hot in a sports bra.”
I couldn’t stop the blush that formed on my cheeks. I cleared my throat. “Um, thanks, I guess.”
His answering wink made my knees buckle.
I stifled a giggle, not wanting to look lame. Shrugging my shoulders, I answered, “There really is nothing much to tell.”
“What about hobbies? Besides gymnastics, of course.”
My eyes darkened. It wasn’t a hobby of mine. At least, not anymore. “Um, I like movies.”
“Movies? Like going to them or filming them?”
“Going to them,” I clarified. “I like the whole experience—going to the theater and stuffing my face with a giant tub of popcorn.”
“Buttered, I assume?”
I nodded my head excitedly. “Oh, yeah…dripping in butter.”
“You know that shit’s fake, right? It’s like chemically compounded soy.”
I shrugged. “Then compound me chemically.”
He choked a bit before breaking out into laughter. “Okay, that’s a good hobby, I guess. Anything else I should know about you?”
I pretended to glance around, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. “Well, you have to keep this a secret.”
He straightened, eyeing me curiosity. “Okay.”
I bowed my head and took a deep breath. “I’m a murderer.”
He blinked in confusion. “Come again?”
“One time, I just took this metal piece of…” I exhaled loudly and shook my head. “Let’s just say before I knew it, I heard the bastard’s neck snapping in two, but that’s what he got for trying to steal my cheese.”
Mitch blinked slowly, looking at me with utter shock. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m kidding,” I told him. When he still didn’t budge, I giggled. “Think about it.”
He was quiet for a moment, unmoving. Then after what felt like forever his eyes widened and he burst into laughter. “Oh, you got me there, you rat killer.”
“Do I really look like someone capable of murdering someone? Please, I’m as good as they come.”
“Hey, you never know exactly what you’re capable of until you face it. Besides, I don’t doubt that you have a few tricks up your sleeve.”
“Believe me, I have none,” I said with a chuckle.
His eyes sparkled. “Oh, I think you do. I can totally see you fucking over someone who hurts you.”
I pressed my lips together and thought about it. “You know what? You’re probably right about that.”
“I’m always right.”
“Ugh, why are you so cocky?” Narrowing my eyes, I twisted my lips into a smile and added, “You better not mess with me or I may just fuck with you.
Mitch
“I’m going to fucking kill him.” I sighed and stepped into the crush of bodies in my dim apartment. Red plastic cups stretched out for as long as the eye could see and the pungent smell of weed and tobacco was extremely suffocating. People were smashed together, moving in synchronization to the music. To my shock I even noticed a couple practically fondling each other right on my couch!
If my key hadn’t worked, I would have been sure I had just stepped into a low budget porn studio or at least a five dollar strip club.
I walked up to Anthony and slapped him on the back. He turned around and threw me a sloppy grin. Even in the dark room I could see the redness his eyes and the glazed look behind them.
“Yo, you’re here!” He slurred a bit, further irritating me.
“What the hell is going on?”
Without answering me, he reached out and plucked a cup from a nearby girl’s hand. I recognized her as one of the sorority chicks who frequented the battles, but the fact that she didn’t even protest to her cup being stolen bugged me further.
My roommate thrust the half-empty cup into my hand. “Drink up! We’re celebrating!”
“Celebrating what?” I looked around in disgust and shoved the drink back into the girl’s hands. “You didn’t think that it would be a good idea to ask me whether I thought a party on a fucking Wednesday night would be a good idea? I have an early class tomorrow…not to mention work.”
He rolled his eyes and chocked back his drink. “You’re forgetting this is my condo. You only pay pennies—”
“Anthony, don’t start.” It was hard to stomach the fact that he was right. I really had no room to complain. “Am I the last one in the crew to know about this party?”
He shrugged and tipped over to the side, stumbling over his feet. God, what time did these guys start drinking?
“It was Craig’s idea. A bit last minute, honestly.”
“Speak of the devil,” I muttered, catching sight of Craig stumbling in our direction. His huge arms were wrapped around the necks of two giggling girls who were dressed more like they were going to a burlesque show than a cheap college party.
“Surprised you’re not busy playing teacher.” Craig took a swig of beer and smacked his mouth. “Word on the street is that you’ve been meeting with that wannabe b-girl. What was her name again? Armor or something?”
“Aurora,” I corrected him with a snort. “And how would you know that? You spying on me or something?”
Craig grunted. “I have eyes and ears everywhere, Kickwit. You can’t do something behind your crew’s back without it getting back to me.”
I knew no matter what I said or did, Craig would twist it around so that it blew up in my face, so, I decided the truth was the best way to go. “You’re right. I’m training her.”
“Training her?” He threw his head back and laughed. “Isn’t that the biggest load of shit I’d ever heard? Training her for what, exactly?”
“To show you that she’s good enough to be part of Annihilation.”
“Good enough?” Craig shook his head. “You have to be better than ‘good’ to even come close to us. You of all people should know this.”
Of course I knew. I was the one who started Annihilation to begin with, not to mention the person who recruited Craig. Irony and fucked-uppedness to the fullest, but I never really cared that Craig stepped up as leader. Until now, that is.
“She can—will—do a great job. Just let me prove it to you.”
“Three weeks.”
“Three weeks?” I gaped. “Four.”
“You’re lucky I’m giving you three. If she’s as good as you say she is, she doesn’t even need any training. Besides, I need you fully committed to our cause. I can’t stand you being distracted anymore. Three weeks so you can finally put this bullshit behind you and focus on Battle of the Crews in time.”
I rolled my eyes. “She can do power moves like nobody’s business. I just need to teach her to harness it and get her style right, and three weeks—”
“Is enough time,” he finished for me. With a shake of his head, he sneered. “I’ve never seen you like this. You never paid a girl this much attention before. Are you sure this is about Annihilation and not you trying to fuck her?” With a cocky smile, Craig leaned over and placed a sloppy kiss on top of the girl’s head to his left. In response, she stumbled forward and vomited over his new kicks.
“What the fuck!” Craig released her and stepped back in utter disgust, lifting his shoes so that orange chunks slid off his laces.
Had it been anywhere else but my home, I would have laughed. Luckily, Anthony took to that role easily and burst out laughing. Feeling annoyed, I slapped him on the ribs and pointed toward the mess. “
This is your condo, right? Clean that shit up.”
***
I left the room of tipsiness, vomit, and really bad music and walked straight to my room, slamming the door shut. Even from behind the wooden door I could hear the muffled sounds of drum and bass and couldn’t help but wonder why the neighbors hadn’t reported us yet.
“Knowing Anthony, he probably paid them off,” I muttered under my breath.
School was kicking me in the ass already and even though it was still only three weeks into the new semester, I had about four projects due. Since grade school I always suspected, and still do, that teachers get together and plan to have everything due at the same time. Hell week.
Those assholes.
I stared at my Physics book and shut my eyes, rubbing hard against my lids. There was no way I’d get any studying done. Not when I was exhausted, mentally fried, and not when there was a big orgy going on in my living room. I eyed my bed, but knew I wouldn’t be able to get to sleep either, so I did the next best thing to relax myself.
I walked over to my door to make sure it was locked and plopped down in my desk chair. I spun it around and nudged it forward, taking each step one heel at a time. Placing one arm on top of my desk, I clicked my mouse to wake up my sleeping computer and was just about to undo my belt buckle when another idea came to mind.
Instead of visiting some, ahem, bookmarked sites, I decided to jump on Google to do some other form of research.
Aurora Crane
I don’t know what possessed me to search for her online. Perhaps it was the feeling she was hiding something from me. I know it sounds weird, but amidst that hard hitting energy I felt emitting from her there was also a wave of darkness. I sensed it the moment I asked her to tell me her secrets. She was sad…maybe lonely and even depressed.
I wanted to make it better.
The search results were astounding. My eyes widened as I perused the different articles chronicling her accident.
Star Gymnast’s Injury.
Is this the end of Crane’s Career?
Aurora Crane Neck Injury.
Recalling her joke about snapping a rat’s neck, I absently rubbed my own and mused, “Wonder if it’s a subconscious thing.”
Damn, I should have been a psychology major!
My stomach grumbled, but there was no way I was about to step back into that hot mess outside. Ignoring my hunger pangs, I continued to read about my mysterious student.
Crane seems in good spirits despite her death defying injury. On traction for twelve weeks, Crane has now returned to campus, but whether she will return to the competitive world of collegiate gymnastics remains unknown.
I clicked on a more recent article dated from over a year ago and read some more.
In a recent interview with Ohio University’s Head Women’s Gymnastics coach, it was confirmed that Crane would not be returning to the team and has chosen to pursue other academic interests. Subsequently, her enrollment at Ohio University has been terminated.
I spotted a link to a video, and though part of me screamed to leave it alone, the other part, the ‘train wreck-watching-can’t-look-away’ side of me, went ahead and clicked the link like some sort of masochist.
Once it loaded I watched a stern browed Aurora step onto one of those blue colored runways leading to a vault. She hopped onto her toes a few times and stretched her arms, looking completely zoned out. She wore one of those tight, shiny leotards that showed off each one of her assets and damn, did she have the nicest looking ass I’d ever seen. Sure, I’d noticed how long and shapely her legs looked in her favorite pair of shorts, but with that bathing suit looking outfit, my body was practically screaming to be wrapped up around hers.
My carnal thirst overpowered my hunger and despite a weird feeling that I’d regret watching the video, I couldn’t look away. I was entranced by the curve of her hips and the little fold where her ass meets her toned legs.
Aurora took off into a run. Despite knowing how it would end, I couldn’t help but feel the leap of my heart as I cheered her on. Everything looked as if it were going well, but there was something off about the way her body was angled. Before I could look away from the screen, I watched as she landed head first on the floor. Her body twisted to the side and I heard an audibleSNAP.
“Shit!” I instinctively jumped up from my chair, nearly toppling over backwards. In shock, I continued to watch the events unfold. A medical team rushed over to an unconscious Aurora and carefully took her vitals while placing a brace around her neck. Then, before I knew it, the screen went black.
I blinked in horror, staring at my computer. Unable to move, I took a deep breath as I tried to compose myself.
Well, it certainly explained her sadness and unwillingness to talk about her life in Ohio. Anybody who had to live throughthat would understandably shut off.
I glanced at my phone, tempted to give her a call, but what would I say?
Hey, I saw your video, and man, that was messed up! I’m glad you’re okay.
I shook my head and walked over to my bed, lying down slowly. For the rest of the night it was Aurora and her alone that infiltrated my every thought.
She stopped competing, but why? If I got hurt b-boying I wouldn’t just quit doing something I loved. At least I didn’t think I would. How could she just walk away from gymnastics so easily? Better yet, what possessed her to want to battle with my crew?
I knew the only way to learn the answers to my questions was to ask her, but obviously the subject was a bit too sensitive. Maybe one day I’d earn her trust enough so that she’d feel comfortable sharing her experiences with me.
I glanced back at the computer, which now had dimmed to a sleep, and sighed. “One thing’s for sure, that’s one strong girl right there.”
As I began to drift off, I knew there was no denying it anymore.
I was flat out attracted to Aurora.
Aurora
I brushed off my hands and visualized my next moves. “Go into a handstand, pull down, hop, and do it again.”
I nodded and broke out into a top rock. Now, I don’t want to toot my own horn or anything, but my flow was pretty sick. After I was satisfied with my wind up, I went into my handstand and began to lower myself to a hop. I was about to do two flares when my elbow gave out and I crashed onto my side.
“Shit,” I muttered, slapping the floor in exasperation. “I thought I had that one.”
Mitch quickly ran over to me and grabbed my arm, gently helping me up. His face was creased with worry. “Are you okay?”
I shot him a bewildered look. “Uh, yeah. Thanks.”
“Did you land wrong? Are you sore anywhere?” He took a step back, looking me up and down.
I wriggled my arm away from his grasp and stared at him with wide eyes. “Okay, who are you right now? You’re like some pod person.”
He reached up and tugged at his beanie, looking a bit sheepish. “What? I can’t be a gentleman?”
I softened a bit, but not by much. There was something definitely off about the way he was staring at me. I was used to his strong presence, but today was especially odd. It felt as if he were skating on thin ice around me, worried to push me too hard.
When he finally looked away from me, I took the chance to examine him, not that I wasn’t already attuned to staring at him every now and then. I mean, somebody would have to be blind not to notice his chiseled jaw, almond eyes, and dazzling smile. His Japanese ancestry definitely made him even more handsome and having him as eye candy was definitely icing on the breakdancing cake.
Mitch busied himself, playing with that stupid iPod of his, totally stalling on calling out more moves for me to do. There was no denying the weirdness anymore
“What is wrong with you today?” I asked, not bothering to hide the accusation in my tone. “You’re being weird.”
He finally lifted his head from the silver rectangle and shot me a weak smile. That’s when I saw it. Right there in his eyes. It was the s
ame look my old coaches, teammates, friends, family, and Ohio University as a whole often gave me after my accident. It was the unmistakable look of pity.
“You know about my accident, don’t you?” I whispered. The words felt almost painful against my tongue. After a whole year, I thought I’d grown accustomed to the whole notion that my life had changed beyond measure. Finally finding something else to focus on gave me a sense of purpose once again, and now it looked as if it were all about to crash down before I even had a chance to really enjoy it.
Mitch hung his head guiltily. “I was curious about you—”
“Why?” I snapped.
“Because…because I’ve never met another girl like you. I’ve never wanted to hang out with a girl as much as I have with you. I wanted to learn more about you.”
“We both know the only reason why you’re hanging out with me is to train me,” I responded flatly. I knew my tone came out a bit cold, but I couldn’t stomach the embarrassment that he knew about the one thing I wanted to put behind me. It was one of the reasons I left Ohio. I couldn’t stand the looks of pity, not anymore. And now here he was, throwing that same exact look at me.
“I just want to make sure I’m not pushing you into this,” he explained with a frown. “If you get hurt, it’ll be because of me. Because I’m practically making you do this.”
“Because I can’t make my own decisions?” I snapped.
“Because I sort of manipulated you into it,” he clarified, as if that would make me feel better. “I invited you to that battle because I knew once you saw it, you wouldn’t be able to deny that thirst to compete. You’re an athlete. You can’t easily put that behind you.”
“Did you stop to think that maybe I can’t be manipulated?” I placed my hands on my hips and smacked my tongue distastefully. “I wouldn’t have gone to that stupid battle if I wasn’t already interested.”
Breaking Promises (B-Boy #1) Page 7
