(Kenny's POV)
This is it.
Today's the day.
I brushed my hair away from my face and tied it up into a messy pony-bun. I changed into dark blue almost black acid-washed hip hugger skinny jeans, a dark navy blue v-neck and my black leather jacket with a rock star black and dark blue studded belt, checkerboard style and black, white and blue Nike Jordans. My belt kept slipping down my the side of my hip, so I left it.
Chris picked me up at one. I know the time said they were supposed to be there by 1 p.m., but we, of course, always made the late entrance.
When I entered the gym, I saw about fifty or so bulky guys talking, fighting or just sitting there with bored expressions on their faces. I noticed the faces of few whom I've fought with before. I glanced at Chris the same time he glanced at me. I gave him a small nod.
I walked up to the first guy I could find, and "accidentally" bumped his shoulder, nearly sending him falling to the ground. He gritted his teeth and looked at me, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Watch it, bitch!" he snarled.
The room grew deadly quiet.
Test #1: check their personalities.
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Chris's POV
I watched Kenny walk, talk and move around eyeing the people. She looked pretty hot in what she was wearing.
...Friend to friend.
I watched carefully as Kenny walked up to a guy and bumped his shoulder purposely, nearly sending the guy to the ground. He stood up and angrily yelled,
"Watch it, bitch!"
I shook my head. He failed the test already.
Kenny grabbed his arm and backhanded him, sending him flying across the room. He was stunned, staring at Kenny as realization hit his face.
"You were in the way." Kenny said in a deadly voice. I felt like smiling. Kenny is completely different when she's fighting and damn is it hot!
I walked up to him and shook my head, "Tsk. What's your name?" I asked, taking out the list of names.
He said his name, and I crossed it out. "Get out. You don't pass."
The guy walked off, limping a bit, muttering angrily to himself.
"Test #1," Kenny said. "Personalities matter. So if you're going to act like a fucked up bitch, then get outta my sight!"
No one moved.
Kenny regarded them without emotion. "Line up." she ordered harshly.
They didn't argue. They knew what Kenny was capable of, who she was, what she does, and what I'm capable of doing if they lay a finger on her.
I went to her side.
Kenny went to the first guy and leaned in close, looking at his face closely, her eyes intimidating.
Sweat came down his forehead.
"You're out!" Kenny said. "Test #2. If you're going to be intimidated easily, then you might as well get out before I humiliate your sorry ass."
One by one, guys were eliminated. And that left about ten guys standing. Kenny was strict about her standards. And now we only had nine guys, and one girl--whom I assumed was Hannah, standing there.
Kenny walked up to Hannah. She was a girl with normal brown hair and dark eyes. She blinked, obviously feeling like a trapped animal under Kenny's eyes.
Kenny did one thing that surprised all of us in the room. She raised her fist and aimed to punch Hannah with so much speed that only professionals could catch it. Hannah dodged it and grabbed Kenny's fist, a bewildered expression on her face.
Kenny's lips twitched, fighting a smile. She liked the girl, and I could see it.
"You're in." she said. Hannah gaped, and a few guys murmured uneasily.
I motioned for Hannah to go to the other side of the room. She walked silently, looking nervous and disbelieving.
"Chris," Kenny said, twisting her silver chain around her fingers. "Who do you think is qualified?"
It was my turn to choose. I smirked and walked up to the guys. It only took me one glance. I pointed to a guy who had black hair and wore a black hoodie. He looked at me unemotionally. I've been noticing him for awhile. He didn't flinch or show any fear of me and Kenny. As much as it ticked me off, it was impressive.
Kenny nodded. "Join Hannah there."
The dude walked over without any hesitation.
"Alright." Kenny said. "Since two were already chosen, there's two more to go. I'm going to ask a few questions, and you're all going to answer one by one--truthfully. Don't lie, I can tell if your telling the truth or not. If you lie, you're out."
She gave them each, a long, hard glance. "Let's begin, shall we?"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Kenny's POV
"First question," I started off. "Have you ever hit a girl? Raise a hand for those who did."
They hesitated, then two hands went up.
"OUT." I said. I hated guys who hit girls. They looked confused, but left, dejected.
"Next," I paced back and forth between the remaining six guys standing. "For those of you who have a phobia or is afraid of something, raise your hands."
One guy's hand shot up immediately, without hesitation. Then two more hands came up.
"Keep your hands raised." I ordered. "the three of you not raising your hands, Leave."
The gaped at her, unbelieving. They thought they were the ones to stay.
"I said no lying. Everyone has something they're afraid of. Not just inconsequential things, but others as well. If you don't have any, then you're not a real man, because you will never get a chance to overcome your fears."
They left, two of them glowering angrily.
"Okay," I said, turning to the remaining three. "Who has been abused before?"
All three hands went up.
I nodded. "Not that I'm going to eliminate you. But the reason why you three were left behind was because you've faced something and you've experienced it. That's what I'm looking for, for the members of this group. So I changed my mind. All three of you are in."
I looked at Chris, who just nodded in approval.
Hannah and the other guy joined us.
"Names?" I asked. "No need for the last."
"Hannah," said the girl. She smiled shyly. "But I guess you already knew that."
I smiled.
"Trent." the guy next to her said. The one Chris chose. I looked at him more closely. He'd most-likely be someone Chris could be best guy-friends with. Not best friends, though. I've already acquired that position.
"Aaron." the next guy said, smirking slightly, but nodding in a somewhat accepting gesture.
The other two were Erik and Lucas. Erik was nice, like Aaron, and seemed a bit gay. He didn't look intimidated by me at all. And that was good. I didn't want my members to be all scared by me and Chris. Lucas seemed like the quiet type, but was friendly nonetheless.
"You're Wrath, right?" Erik said excitedly.
I stand corrected. He didn't seem so shy right now.
I nodded, and opened my mouth to say something, when he cut me off.
"I'm a fan!" Lucas added. "I never missed your fights,"
"Thanks." I chuckled.
"And when I saw you backhand that guy, there? I knew it was you!" Erik exclaimed.
"So, Wra--"
I cut him off this time. "Actually, I'd rather you guys call me by my first name. I only use my Alias' when I'm in the ring."
"Okay, so what's your real name?" Aaron asked.
"Kenny." I smiled.
****
My prediction came true.
Chris and Trent were hitting it off, like old friends. They talked and laughed nonstop.
I found out that Trent was only cold and emotionless when he was surrounded by fighters. He didn't show his feelings or emotions just like me and Chris.
Oh, and Erik was gay, but I didn't mind. He was fun to have around. He and Lucas argued constantly, and I was beginning to think that Lucas himself was gay, but he wouldn't admit it. I know that Lucas likes him, though.
And Aaron? He was the delinquent. He got into a lot of trouble at his old school. He and Hannah were usually talking together, and I could see that they liked each other. I'm good at seeing these things. Aaron was also like an overprotective brother to me and Hannah. Although with Hannah, it was more affectionate.
Hannah was like the best gal pal a girl could ask for. She was shy when it comes to boys. And she really is naturally strong. Her father has been training her for a long time, but he died a long time ago. Hannah wanted to get back to her fighting side so she could protect herself, and she thought that this group was a good idea.
I looked around me, annoyed. Hannah was with Aaron. Lucas was bickering with Erik. And Chris was laughing it up with Trent.
I walked up to Chris and jumped on his back, catching him off-guard.
"Ha!" I snickered. "Gotcha. That's a first."
Chris laughed.
I stuck my tongue out at Trent playfully. "You're stealing Chris away from me," I said childishly. They laughed. They were warming up to my childish side. They also found out about my endless addiction to cookies.
When I found out that Trent hated cookies, I nearly passed out.
"How can you hate cookies?" I said, wearied.
Trent rolled his eyes while the group laughed at my useless attempts to get him to love it.
"Really!" I turned to Chris. "He hates cookies!"
Chris laughed. "I know."
I crossed my arms and pouted at Trent, who smirked. "How can someone hate cookies?"
"When someone had a past with it." Aaron offered.
I looked at him like he had two heads. "A past with a cookie? Did it choke you or something?"
We laughed.
"I'm allergic to anything made of flour." Trent explained.
I gasped, loudly. "You mean you can't even eat CAKE?"
"Nope."
I frowned sympathetically and patted his hand. "Aw, that is so sad!" I exclaimed.
Chris chuckled.
Trent rolled his eyes playfully. "You're even more addicted than the Cookie Monster,"
I pulled out a shocked expression. I quit patting his hand and swatted it away like an annoying bug. "Don't you dare compare me to that-...that hairy blue beast!" I laughed.
******
"Come on, Hannah," I muttered, watching the fight in front of me. Hannah was close to winning. Just a bit more...
The man drunkenly swung his fist, but aimed it wrong. Hannah took this chance and grabbed his hand, bringing him down in an instant. The crowd cheered as they announced Hannah the winner.
I stood frozen for awhile.
We won.
Oh my god. We won we won we won! Our first group match! We freaking won!
I sustained a scream and looked at Chris, who was looking ahead. I could see that he was happy, because when he glanced at me, his lips twitched. I gave him a small smile. I just wanted to hug him now and scream up and down, but not in front of these people.
"You did it!" I whispered to Hannah. She smiled proudly, and gave me a hug, which I returned earnestly. Aaron came by and gave her a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, which made her blush.
They announced us leader, and as promised, we won the ten thousand dollars.
It's just beginning though. If we keep this up, we could win ten thousand a match. We agreed to split it up. If we win three matches continuously, it would be enough in my share to pay for Gracie's school fund. She could go back to school, again!
What ticked me off, though, was the fact that I wanted to scream and run around, smiling like an idiot until my cheekbones hurt. But I couldn't. I had to maintain my cool attitude until we got out of this place.
"Let's go!" I hissed to them. "I wanna celebrate at the ice cream place!"
*****
We won again.
Our second match, and we won.
I was able to pay half of Gracie's school tuition, and she was so happy to go back to school.
There was a downside.
I can't help but notice how distant Chris's becoming.
Every night, everyday, it bothered me. He wasn't so playful, and he rarely smiled at me. One time, I hugged him and asked him what's wrong, and he just sort of--pulled away. Not even returning the hug.
He barely texted, or called. Whenever I dropped by his house, he was always gone.
What's going on with him?
I left hundreds of voicemails and texts. I've constantly asked myself what was wrong with him? Or what did I do wrong?
He never returned them.
I cried myself to sleep sometimes, just wishing that Chris would come and just talk to me.
He didn't.
It's been three days without Chris. The next match isn't until next week.
It was miserable.
The group--or my friends, tried to talk to me about it, but they wouldn't understand. Chris has never been like this.
What's happening to us?