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"And the referee in charge of the action," The announcer says "Harrison Logan"

The referee beckons for the two fighters to enter the center of the ring My breathing deepens i forward in my chair Seth and Fredrick stand only inches away from each other Not once do they break eye contact A microphone drops down from the roof and the referee speaks into it with his southern drawl

"Okay ya’ll, I want a good clean fight I won’t tolerate anything less Touch gloves, let’s do this"

The gloves never touch The crowd falls silent as Seth and Fredrick stare at each other There’s toofroloves" The referee repeats

I hear a unanio back to their corner A loud ‘ding’ noise rings around the arena, penetratingmy heart to stop I’m petrified Excited Sick I don’t knohat to do I can’t watch, but at the sa my eyes away as Seth and Fredrick circle each other My hands are up and covering the bottoes to dodge it and gives the guy time to sca Seth delivers two jabs to his face Fredrick brings his guard up, blocking the inco his fists hard into the guys’ ribs The crowd goes crazy They’re ju whatever they can to get closer to the fight Even Selena is on her feet, but I’et out of her seat to cheer Seth on

Fredrick recovers and dives at Seth again, this time he takes him down I see hihts him off and delivers hard elbows to his face Blood stains Seth’s pointed elbow and I cover my eyes I can’t do it I can’t watch Besideout technicalSelena "Yeah! Fuck his shit up! Whoooooooo!" She screa so loud I can hear every thu rhyth and I’m too scared to take a peek Dad tapsand reluctantly I look over Seth is leaning against the cage, looking directly atchecked over by theinto his eye

"They’re deliberating if he can continue the fight" Dad inforaze back to Seth He’s covered in blood and sweat He points at me and then at his eyes and then at his chest He wants me to watch hiestures again And again

"Just watch, O No one is going to die" Selena laughs in lance around and there are hundreds of eyes on ard me like a weirdo and God knows I feel like one I can only iht when they can’t stomach it? Me, that’s who I let a slow exhale out ofthe bile that creeps up ht, but when they lather more Vaseline across his brow and he cli to be the case

The fighters take their position on their side of the ring and the bell sounds again I grasp the edges of htly Please let this be over quickly Seth wastes no ti Fredrick and with one hard punch to the jaw, Fredrick’s body goes rigid and he falls backwards Seth jumps at Fredrick, but the referee cuts hiht is over

"Ladies and Gentleman," The announcer calls excitedly "The winner of the final bout tonight is Seth Maaaaaaaarc!"

The rab each other I’ Instead of celebrating, I stare wide-eyed I witnessed my first knock-out and it’s sad, but at the sa and I’uy myself I’ like it and I don’t knohat’s happening to me Dad pulls me to my feet and wraps his arms around me My spine aches as he squeezes and tips me from side to side His thin lips place two kisses onhis attention back to Seth A ca and laughing He’s bouncing and talking and every now and then his gaze would drift to s on his hoodie and walks fro As he passes us he flicks his head in the direction of his roous all the way to Seth’s roo and cheering and dancing--except Seth He’s sitting on his bench, looking as cal his hands Soes Selena in a conversation and Dad talks to Darryl I lean against the wall and watch hiht I can’t help but shter’s movements

Seth slides off his bench and approaches ets toon a more caramel than chocolate color The corners of his lips curl into a cheeky ss at the front of it and ood on you"

I feelhihs once and his eyes flare with amusement as I pull my shirt back and step away froet blood on ue runs across his botto at it He knows it too because now he’s trying not to smile at me

I clear my throat and force ht"

"You’re lying I sa excited you hen I knocked him out"

I touchHad I enjoyed seeing aSeth co Seth happy He leans in close and I can feel his body heat waft onto htens and stands to attention "It’ll be our little secret"

His hand wraps around s my knuckles to his lips He kisses each one softly and our eyes reht was for you, Olivia"

For me What does that mean? Why does he have to be so cryptic? So hot and then cold? I don’t knohat I’s his arers tingle at the coolness outside his grasp "What do you think, Seth? Shall we go celebrate?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely" He replies "What do you say?"

I stand there for a few seconds then I realize his question was directed at h excite so bitter is beautiful

"Suit yourself" Darryl shrugs "Your dad is co"

Of course he is He’d never pass up the opportunity to party with a fighter In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s on his bucket list Darryl saunters away, leaving ht" I tell him "I’ll see you around"

I step away froo out with theot here"

"I know, but I’ helped" She s to and I’m pretty sure he’s one of Seth’s friends fro the red cap He’s handsoreen eyes and nice olive skin Tattoos cover the exposed flesh around his neck and down his forearodly hour"