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7
BILLIE
Blood-Call Me Karizma
“Bil’s!” Emma shouts as I walk out of the gym. Some people have gathered, having drinks out of their trunks and using the parking lot’s lights to have their post-fight party. “You were unbelievable in there!” My sister takes me in her arms and gives a quick hi to Dickie.
He nods to everyone hello but doesn’t actually stop. “Get some rest, Billie,” he says before getting in his car and driving away.
“Yeah, fuck that. We’re celebrating your win.” Xi turns to me with a bright smile. He and Lik take me in their arms and hug me until I can’t breathe.
“That’s my little sister, y’all!” Lik shouts at whoever wants to hear.
“She’ll kick your asses if you fuck with us,” Xi adds before we all burst out into a laughing fit.
Feisty Cathy makes her way to us. Her face is bruised, and her left eye is swollen shut, but she beams at me. “You’re one hell of an opponent, Scott,” she says.
I nod and smile. Now that I’m not competing with her anymore, I welcome my fellow North Shore Crew girl into a hug. “You’re not too bad yourself.”
“Yeah,” she smiles awkwardly as we separate. “Not unbeatable, though.”
I shrug, not really knowing how to answer.
“Anyway,” she cuts it short. “We’re all going to the Death Cage warehouse. Someone is fighting in the smaller ring. Just a small NSC vs. Kings fight, nothing too serious. We’re gonna take bets on us if you wanna join.”
I glance at my sister and stepbrothers, about to say no, except Xi beats me to it. “Fuck yeah. I want to see more blood tonight.”
“I don’t know,” I hesitate. “I can’t get involved in shit like that too much anymore.”
“You’re not the one fighting,” Emma insists. “And if things go south, we’ll be out in no time.”
“We got you, Bil’s,” Lik smiles. He’s got the most contagious smile I’ve ever seen in my life.
He plays with his nose ring as he waits for my answer. He’s got a fashion sense that demands constant attention. It calls to everyone. Earrings, nose piercings, pearls around his neck, and a lock necklace he never takes off. I love how much effort he puts into it.
“Alright,” I give in. “But I’m leaving as soon as I feel too tired.”
“‘Course you are.” Xi winks at me. He’s a few years older than Lik and usually a little more serious than him.
Xi takes care of drugs and hiding bodies for NSC. Lik has long stopped actively participating. He has found himself a nice hitman boyfriend who takes care of him and earns money for the both of them. They’ve moved in together, and he now goes to college with me while living his best life, trying to stay away from North Shore troubles as much as he can. Only tonight, it seems he wants to have a bit of fun.
It’s only a small fight and a bit of betting. And as Emma said, if things start to heat up, I’ll just leave.
We arrive at the warehouses piled up in Xi’s car.Rockstarby Post Malone is playing so loudly inside we can hear it as soon as we open the car doors.
“I love a good Friday night fight.” Xi grabs some beers from his trunk and hands one to everyone but me and Lik. He knows I don’t drink. Taking care of my body is essential.
“Here’s a water for our future UFC champion,” Lik says as he gives me a small bottle.
I’ve had time to update them on the ride here, and now they just won’t leave me with it.
“Oh yeah,” Emma adds, doing a little dance. “My sister is going to be rich.”
“Guys, I have to start with beating Clover. And before Clover, I need to win my next fight leading up to her. So let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.” I emailed Taylor from my phone as soon as I sat down in Xi’s car. I’m not waiting for another opportunity. This is my chance. But I don’t want to hope for anything and their optimism is scaring me.
The heat of the crowd hits me as soon as we enter the warehouse. It contrasts with the cold night outside, and I’m glad I left my jacket in the car. The music is loud,Smells Like Teen Spiritnow blurting out of some speakers. Everyone has started to gather around the small ring, and my siblings and I make our way through the mob to end at the front. We quickly recognize what side of the room our crew is on and don’t mix with the other guys. Even the ones I don’t know, it’s still easy to tell them apart. Everyone who is part of the North Shore Crew has a dagger tattooed on them, with the letters N.S.C. on the handle. Mine is between my breasts, dipping onto my sternum, just like my sister's. Xi’s is on his shoulder, and Lik’s is on his forearm, below his elbow.
In contrast, all people who are part of the Kings crew have a crown tattooed somewhere on their body. People choose wherever they want to tattoo based on which crew they side with, although Caden’s is famously on his neck for everyone to see he’s part of theoriginalKings.
