AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Six
After yesterday’s crazy unforgettable affair, I awoke, needing to sweat off the stress of last night’s madness. So, what better way to kick-start the day than by working out again at my old gym? This time, Anton was adamant for an exercise reprieve. So, all in my lonesome, I braved it out and hoped that the past eight weeks without sweating off wouldn’t badly reflect on me. It wasn’t because I didn’t have spare time to hit the gym, but instead of investing all those valuable free hours to honing my body and skills, I somehow devoted it to sleeping.
During my session, I was paired to spar with a good-humored woman named Carmen, who was high-spirited and had tremendous stamina. So much so that, at one point, I felt the friendly sparring was becoming more like a competition.
“Aren’t you River Ellis’s chick?” Carmen directed at me after she had just thumped me into the floor with one quick sweep of her leg, swiftly making me lose balance, knocking my cheek straight into the black matted floor.
Shit, that hurt like a total bitch!
I groaned in agony as I gasped out a strangled breath before rolling on my side, ready for another round. “Maybe,” I puffed a reply as I felt beads of sweat trickle down the back of my neck and on the sides of my face.
“I guessed as much. Come on, Disney; fight back,” she playfully cajoled, ready for another tumble.
Carmen was in such a great shape; I couldn’t begrudge her from indulging in her victorious smile. It wasn’t her fault I didn’t come fully prepared, physically or mentally. But damn. I wished she would go gentle on me just aweebit.
Mustering up strength to get back on my feet, I arched my back a little, hoping to release the tension from the aching muscle. “I’m not from Disney,” I coarsely stated, annoyed.
Carmen beamed at my reaction. “You sure look like it.”
There was nothing wrong with being a Disney star, but I wasn’t innocent, nor was I aiming to transform my image into one.
“Hurling insults, and it’s not even lunchtime yet? My, don’t I feel special.”
She snickered. “It’s nothing personal. You’re just too pretty. Figured you’d have been a perfect Disney princess and shit.”
Disney princess. I didn’t fit the bill to be one.
“What do you do, apart from judging people you barely know?”
Carmen thoughtfully considered me. “Well, that’s a hard profession to master,buton occasion, I dance professionally—music videos, concerts, and the works.”
Ah, that was where the spunk was coming from. Well, apart from the fact that she was Latina.
“That’s awesome.” There was a hint of jealousy in my tone. Had it not been for acting, I probably would have pursued that other passion of mine, though it had been months since I had indulged in losing myself in music. “I once was obsessed with dancing that I dedicated my summers before a mirror, dancing my heart out. But I haven’t seen the inside of a studio since I ventured out here for auditions.”
“Maybe it’s high time you should. How about you join me tonight and show us some moves?”
Her invitation took me off guard. I hadn’t considered that she would take an interest in my passion. But even if I did take her on her kind offer, I wasn’t sure if my body was up to par. Certainly not in Carmen’s league surely.
“It’s been forever; my body’s probably not in shape for that.” Her kind of dancing only commanded your soul, and after this present match, my body’s state would be beyond beat.
“You don’t look like you’re one to back down on a bet.” Carmen wasn’t one to take no for an answer. “If I win on the next round, you’re coming tonight. Fair game?”
“All right, let’s have at it.” I took her challenge, unfairly thinking that I had a decent shot at winning, or better yet, even just to gain ground. But Carmen was far stronger, far quicker than anticipated. The woman knocked me down in less than a minute.
“Shiiittt,” I yelped as I took another swift kick on the side of my hip, then the other, beating me in one swift motion without pause, knocking me off balance before she Rambo-fied herself and hastily pinned me to the ground while I scarcely took air into my lungs.
“Jesus, stop trying to kill me!” I coughed out as she loosened her hold.
Damn, she just went G.I Jane on little ole me. Carmen was obviously beyond my league.
“Guess you’ll be seeing me tonight, Disney.” Carmen grinned triumphantly as she helped me to my feet.
Even in my defeat, I refused to allow succumbing to my body’s ache, though I wanted to collapse on the floor.
“Oh, don’t forget to ice and take some Aleve, and wear heels.”
“Got it,” I mumbled as I mentally checked the list of her demands. I should’ve known hedging bets never panned out my way. Ever.
