The acrid smell of sweat, sounds of heaving... even the petite females here looked more robust than him. He looked more like the scrawny kid next door who didn't have food to eat at home.
"Hi, how can I help you?"
"Ummm..."
What was he to say? Hey, I am looking into learning how to beat someone up. Wait, that could work...
"I want to learn."
"Boxing?"
"Self defense...I get bullied at school and at the playground."
Good thing she is female... I've always learnt they have a thing for pitying the less privileged. In this case...me!
"What about your parents and teachers?"
"Mom and dad are always busy with work and without them around at school teachers take sides."
This part is fortunately or unfortunately true.
My parents are always busy. If not in the company, they are outside the country attending to something or the next. At home, they are always busy, they say they took time off to be with me but then end up in the study doing one thing or the next.
"I have money..."
I get a bank card out. One problem with parents that are always busy is that they always overcompensate with money and luxury goods. Things I don't think I need more than the occasional how are you, how do you feel.
"Problem isn't even about money...it's that I am fully booked, same as the others."
I look around, the place was really full even beyond capacity if I might say so. How many people want to learn boxing?
"Can't I get fixed somewhere?"
This place was close to home, for one. Next thing was Bruno had left...Bruno was the guy that always kept an eye on me. After my run in with illegalities that day, my parents found out Bruno was part of some gang so they told him to stay away from me.
That and the heat at home had led me into a panick attack when things didn't go well at school so I fought. You should know how it went...they started it but I had to pay the price.
I had to go back to being home schooled and also being grounded. Not like that meant a thing because I have literally no friends. The day we had fought, the people I had thought as friends took the enemies side and slandered me so as to keep from the 'disease' that I apparently was.
"I can fix you somewhere but I need you to be punctual. We have a schedule to keep and you need to have yourself registered, you need a membership card."
"Thank you!"
Well, who's just begun exercising can tell you the strain I went through the first two weeks. It was pure torture. From leg cramps,to full body pain.
There were many a time I didn't want to step away from my bed let alone out of the house yet I had to put in the work so I could see my results. But I got used to it and more.
From little exercises to going all out. Body pain became my company for a good while until it wasn't much to talk about. The gym membership didn't seem to get any reaction from my parents as much as the massage parlor. They thought it was a font for something that they had to personally visit it to see. Don't they know the backyard of gyms? Not that I was saying anything but I saw nothing in the parlor as compared to the gym so maybe I am saying a lot.
In my little life, I've never done drugs or gotten involved in any illegal acts... I think I follow the commandments to the tee...I hope I do.
Tsk! I didn't know i'd get to use my skills one day. I mean, noone wants to get involved in fights any other day. It had taken a good while but I fought well.
I had been at the park...typical after a long day of lessons and staying at home. My parents were home that day, it's why I recall it vividly. I'd left them busy with their work...sure they wouldn't miss me.
Feeding ducks...riding a bike those were the things I did at the community park. Then at the end I'd sit at the swings as I watched people with their families. I had gotten used to being alone so this wasn't new for me. What was new was someone I had learned with during that month at school. The same person I had fought with came to 'help me' relieve my boredom.
"Stay away from me!"
I was taught to always try talking it out first. Afterall, not every problem is answered with fists. And I really tried talking it out, not everyone listens, the taunts, the jeers...I think I had had enough of those...I don't know what happened next but I know it wasn't a great sight.
Great or not I somehow got to the police and he ended up in hospital. It kept them away from me for two years so that's a plus...and also got me my parents attention so I guess that's a win for me in my own way.
From that day, I tried my level best to keep from fighting...though we both know that doesn't work the way we really want it so it's just a fever dream.
There are people who all their lives keep it normal...live as normal as they can. And there are some who have drama all around them however small it is...I seem to be carrying the latter's kind of karma.