Hidden Despair

Prologue

I remember the very first time I saw her. I was at an underground boxing tournament my freshman year. She caught my attention because she was the only girl there. And I mean the only girl there. Because, this was something similar to Fight Club. There were three rules: No weapons, no questions, and you have to pay your bets. I was even more surprised when I saw her jump into the ring, tearing off her jacket to reveal a black sports bra that matched her sweats. Her shoes were also deposited on the sidelines, leaving her barefoot on the grimy, bloody floor.

I remember the very first words I heard her speak. "Place your bets, gentlemen." The entire crowd has laughed, except me. I saw something in those dark brown eyes of hers, and I looked towards my friend's friend that had taken me here.

"Bet on the girl." The blue haired punk looked at me like I was nuts. "Trust me. If you lose I'll pay you back." Shrugging, he placed a ten down, muttering to the man logging the money. Turning back to the ring, I pushed forward to watch. She intrigued me, there was something about her that I just wanted to figure out. I could only make it halfway, the men around me were much older and also stronger. She sat on the ropes, balancing precariously.

"Don't be shy about hitting me. I won't be shy about hitting you." Grinning lazily, she moved out of her opponents way, also jumping to the ground. Ducking a wide swing he threw, she threw a direct punch to his chest. The man stumbled backwards, clutching the spot and wheezing. The entire crowd was silent . . . before they erupted into a yelling frenzy, some trying to take back their bets. It was during this time that somehow I got hit in the head, gaining a concussion and losing all recollection of that night. Including the memory of the girl. I was, of course, told about it the following day at my worried friend's house by the blue haired punk, but all the attraction of getting to know the girl was gone. Not remembered in the least.

Shrugging off his excitement at winning about a hundred dollars, I vowed to never again go back to anything that my friend invited me to, unless I knew about them from more reliable sources. Preferably with tamer girls. I had no idea that would change after another chance meeting. Three years later.

An: Well, I should be working on my Honors Lit homework, but I thought I'd type up this prologue (and begin the first chapter). Hope you enjoyed it. And merry belated Christmas and happy new year in advance!