

Chapter 9


**********


"Well, I see I am interrupting." Sharon paused, her statement 
coming out with slight irritation. And this is how it went the 
first time Sharon met Nik, typical, I should have known.

"Hey Sharon, this is...." I started out upbeat, but before I could 
finish.
 
"Hello Nikki." Her tone cold as she quickly looked back to me 
before the return 'Hello' could come out of Nikki's mouth.
 
"Hello Sharon, nice to met you." Nikki remained seated, 
seeming none too eager but then graciously moved to stand, 
and then I sensed something odd, that Nikki was actually 
relishing in the moment, her head held high and an air of 
supreme confidence.

I quickly looked over to see Sharon's reaction, she did not 
disappoint, in typical Sharon fashion she couldn't help but 
sneer, most of it full of hostility. But Nikki never stopped 
staring her down, their intense glaring continued until I cleared 
my throat. Before Sharon allowed a look of hospitality to 
finally overcome her expression she let slip a cruel sneer, that 
condescending diva look she had become well known for.
  
"I just came by to see you." Sharon leaned over to give me a 
warm hug, taking me by surprise, but it felt good.
 
"We need to talk." She said as she pulled away and put on her 
best pouting expression while gripping both of my hands 
possessively trying to get all of my attention. More girly games.
 
"About?" I looked up warily.
 
"About something in private." She raised an eyebrow and gave 
a quick nod in Nikki's direction.
 
"Well, I uh...." I stuttered and looked at Nikki and then at 
Sharon, I sort of panicked.
 
"It's okay Corbin, I need to run home and change properly." 
She smiled and her left hand came up and gripped my right 
shoulder. Sharon made a point of studying our exchange, very 
carefully I might add.
 
"Wait a second...." I followed Nikki out into the hallway 
outside my Dorm room "....be right back...." I looked back 
over my shoulder at Sharon who was standing there, even 
tapping her foot impatiently a couple of times. 

"Nikki," I whispered and Nikki spun around with a faint smile, 
"call me okay." and reached to hug my friend. Nikki leaned in 
and pressed her lips against my cheek, "I'll call you." she 
reassured.
 
"What's wrong?" I asked as I watched Nikki turn away.
 
"I'm sorry Corbin, but Sharon doesn't like me." Nikki shrugged 
and paused in the hallway while taking a step back.
 
"Phuuullleeeaseeee" I whispered out a plead and leaned 
forward with a look of desperation, "Just try....I'll talk to 
Sharon....she isn't so.....". What am I thinking, I am pleading 
with the wrong person, Sharon has to drop the attitude first. I 
should have known. Oh well, hope for the best, prepare for the 
worst? How do you prepare for something like this?


*********


Goalkeeping drills
Defending drills
Possession play drills
Running with the ball drills
Attacking play....blah, blah, blah
 
It seemed like the coach was trying to kill us as we could never 
run fast enough, score enough, move the ball enough, make the 
right play. 'And it looks like it's going to rain.' I looked up at the 
sky, which didn't really bother me too much. The rain made it 
fun to play at times the game seemed like it was meant to be 
played in the rain especially when the field got muddy, slipping 
and sliding around. A big fucking, fun mess :) 
 
And then it did start to rain, not much, just a very, very faint 
drizzle and everyone was getting tired, sloppy, even a little 
punchy with the plays. Of course the Coach saw no humor in 
any of it and just yelled at everyone louder, chastising the ones 
that broke into giggles when they would slip or collide with 
another teammate. A second wind of energy ran thru my body 
when I almost collided into another player on my team. My 
legs and arms were burning and I was now openly breathing 
thru my mouth, but still there was enough reserves to keep 
pushing myself and I even smiled because best of all, I had 
managed to avoid Mora. 

Don't know Mora? 
Oh just another official member of the 'Corbin Haters Club' as 
I like to call them. You either love me or hate me, guess which 
one she is? So other then a couple of close calls during the 
scrimmage we had no problems, Mora was also playing on the 
opposing team, Right-Forward while I was Left-Midfield.
 
To this day I not sure what happened but my mind simply 
screamed "COLLISION! FUCK! This is going to hurt!" it 
happened so fast, too fast and there was nowhere to go, at least 
no time to move out of the way. I shuddered and winced as I 
retracted my arms, folding them against my chest and every 
muscle in my body tensed praying I would turn into a granite 
statue and deflect the blow. I grunted and literally felt my entire 
body shudder violently, my feet shifted several inches across the 
ground as a pair of sweat drenched bodies smashed into one 
another. My ears popped and I felt what could only be 
described as a bone-jarring impact and then nothing, silence, 
until a few seconds later I heard a whistle blowing in the 
background and the sound of several voices getting closer. I 
opened my eyes, my legs seemed to wobble and then move on 
their own, I took two steps back to help keep my balance. 
Immediately an agonizing soreness made its way thru the left 
side of my body, inch by painful inch it spread as I tried to 
relax.
 
"You okay?" Bev, Nikki, and several other girls gingerly 
touched my shoulders and head, flocking about me. I didn't 
answer right away as I was still trying to figure out if I was still 
really on my feet and what had happened.

"Corbin." Nikki's voice finally registered but I wasn't paying 
attention, I was turning toward the girl that collided into me 
"Damn" I sighed when I saw Mora lying on the ground, I 
watched how her legs slowly squirmed over the wet grass in a 
display that conveyed agony as she clutched the side of her 
shoulder.
 
"You fucking clumsy bitch!" Mora yelled but she couldn't 
disguise the pain in her eyes, from which flowed tears as she 
struggled to sit up. The Coach and everyone insisted she remain 
still, but that was no use. 'Damn she is one tough bitch' I 
thought, the girl was obviously holding back a lot of pain from 
the way she was nursing her left arm and shoulder, she seemed 
to fight with every ounce of strength to keep from openly 
sobbing, but the tears kept streaming down her face.
 
"MORA! STOP!" The Coach screamed and something told me 
it was a warning I should heed immediately! For some 
unexplainable reason, maybe luck or instinct, but my entire 
neck and head jerked several inches back, barely enough. 
'Barely' in the sense that a whoosh of air passed in front of my 
face and Mora's knuckles skimmed the very tip of my nose, 
fuck that was close. Mora had thrown everything she had into 
it, but no connection was to be found, lucky me, unlucky for 
Mora. I watched as Mora's entire frame simply continued to 
twist until she lost her balance and hit the deck yet again, I 
suspect that had that punch connected it would have been lights 
out for me, and wrecked my beautiful nose! Mora might have 
broken a few fingers also but that was not likely to be a 
consideration on her part. 

By now the Coach and about ten girls were between us. I found 
it odd that I had a few girls holding my shoulders and arms 
because I wasn't even doing anything, just standing there. Mora 
was the one needing restraining, her body flailed as she fought 
to get at me. 
 
"How's your arm?" The Coach was now standing next to me, 
asking with concern.
 
"Just sore I hope." I sighed but agreed to get it checked out as I 
rotated my shoulder to continue the check for injury. One by 
one I felt hands release my arms when it was clear I wasn't 
going to retaliate. 

"Come over here." I heard Nikki say and willingly allowed 
myself to be lead to another part of the field by my friend. 

'This sucks' I thought as a really great day just went down the 
tubes, even the sun breaking thru the clouds did little to lighten 
my despair, despair over the fact that no matter how nice or 
accommodating I was Mora was never going to let up, never.
 
"You sure you're okay?" Nikki asked as she and I stretched out 
on the ground.
 
"Yeah I'm fine I think just shaken up." I winced as I laid down 
feeling the muscles along my back and left side ache. The rain 
clouds had moved on and I decided it best to wait things out, 
let Mora change and get out of the locker room before going in. 
But emotionally and mentally I wasn't fine something bad was 
setting in, in an ironic moment, I felt like something dark was 
beginning to fill my subconscious even as the sun continued to 
break free from the scattering clouds.
 
"What a shame there aren't more clouds in the sky." Nikki 
sighed, "I love this time of the day, to be able to relax and 
watch the formations."
 
I realized how quiet I had become and quickly snapped to 
attention, smiling I lifted my head off the ground looking over 
at Nikki who remained looking up. I rested my head back down 
and studied a small, white billowy formation floating above, 
"Do you see that small one?" I asked.
 
"Yeah" Nikki said as we both lay in the middle of the soccer 
field. "What are you doing tonight?" Nikki asked, making small 
talk more then anything I think.
 
"Studying." I said less then enthusiastically.
 
"Again? You study more then anyone else I know."
 
"Yeah" I sighed, "It takes several reads for the material to sink 
into my thick skull." and I even chuckled a little.
 
"Your thick head is great for knocking around the soccer ball." 
Nikki smirked as she sat up brushing the dry grass from her legs 
and arms. Just then I decided to have a little fun and stood up 
first.
 
"Need some help getting up granny?" I teased.
 
"I think I can manage." Nikki smiled and went to stand up, but 
I just firmly nudged her back down with my knee, forcing her 
onto the ground.
 
"You sure?" I asked again and moved right next to Nikki, who 
was almost on all fours now, recovering from my push.
 
"Yeah I'm sure." Nikki smiled at my sudden mischievous 
actions and went to stand again only to be knocked back down 
with a little more force causing her to roll over onto her left 
side. She looked up at me now standing almost on top of her 
now, my hands on my hips looking down with a smile of 
satisfaction.
 
"Here, I'm just foolin' about." I smiled and reached down 
offering my right hand. Nikki hesitated, her mouth curling into 
a suspicious grin as she reached up with her left hand. Sure 
enough Nikki had gotten half way up when I suddenly let all of 
the weight from my body come crashing down on top of her as 
if I was trying to smoother the girl. 
 
"Oh it's going to be like that, now is it?" Nikki grunted as she 
began to resist more. 
 
"Not going to be," I smiled, "but it is like that!" while I began to 
try and secure the struggling girl's wrists. I worked fast to secure 
Nikki's arms, I knew that my friend was dangerous when it 
came to grappling based on her martial arts training.
 
"Come 'on wimp, is that all you got." Nikki taunted from the 
bottom.
 
I shifted into overdrive and began to power Nikki's arms down 
to the ground that's when I think Nikki realized my strength 
could truly amaze her at times and this was one of those times, 
"Fuck" Nikki groaned and realized she was going to have to 
utilize all her ground skills and quickly. There was no way she 
could out muscle me, although Nikki was strong, she wasn't 
strong enough. I could tell it frustrated the girl to no end as her 
jiu-jitsu techniques were quickly countered by my strength, 
endurance and my natural aptitude for wrestling. When my 
fingers curled around portions of her soccer top she found it 
impossible to pry them loose. There was no anger here as we 
carefully avoided hurting one another, but there was an intense 
level of competition coming out in both of us and we both seem 
to be loving it! Our hot, sweaty bodies twisting and turning 
under the late afternoon sun seemed to take on another level of 
aggression, Nikki's legs were conducting their own attack, 
latching around my waist, trying to control me, but I would 
reach back and hook Nikki's ankle spinning out of Nikki's 
'guard' repeatedly with amazing ease and speed. But then I lost 
my grip several times as Nikki twisted and then rolled out from 
under my body, slipping free, she's an elusive one and did I 
mention strong! 

Quickly we were both on our knees about three feet from one 
another, gasping thru open mouths, the friendly tussle had gone 
further then either of us intended and I glanced around 
nervously to see if we had drawn a crowd, but the field was still 
barren. Nikki also glanced around taking several deep breaths 
while nervous, frustrated hands fumbled with pulling her long 
black hair into a ponytail. With Nik's hair out of the way I 
suddenly became lost in the beauty of her Portuguese heritage, 
her eyes and lips so full and sensual. Her face was born for 
modeling (which she does do) was now drenched in sweat and 
flushed, even more sensual was how her skin, naturally dark 
from her Portuguese/Brazilian heritage, was even darker now 
from time in the sun playing soccer. I wanted to lick the sweat 
off her arms and legs! Uhmm....Okay did I just think that? I do 
like guys remember! I'm confused. :(

I felt a droplet of sweat hang off the end of my nose, I wiped it 
away quickly as a smile came over my lips, I wasn't sure why, 
but it felt good to fight and vent my frustrations like this. I just 
wished it was Mora across from me and my fists clenched 
involuntarily at that particular thought, 'That stupid Latin bitch 
staring me down, taunting me.'  Damn! Get a grip I chided 
myself, it was Nikki I was wrestling with and not to get too 
carried away.
 
"You're going down." Nikki gasped as she took another drink 
of air, her left forefinger pointing at the grassy field beneath us 
for emphasis. Our friendly-fight thus far was now leaving the 
realm of being just lighthearted, Nik and I had so many 
suppressed feelings for each other that this match now seemed 
inevitable, a nice physical way to vent our bottled up emotions.
 
"Bring it on." I sighed taunting with a flick of my wrist, but I 
was in for a surprise, how quickly Nikki moved and lunged for 
me. 

Before I could react Nikki's sweaty arm was around my neck, 
our chests thudded together as I was tackled to the ground. 
There was another flurry of activity where it didn't seem like we 
were even wrestling, almost like we were throwing ourselves at 
one another with ferocious intensity, loud grunting as I used all 
my strength, but Nikki would use her techniques to wiggle out 
and try and get a hold, but I could tell her emotions were 
boiling to the surface. Nikki seemed pretty sure she had a 
submission hold within her reach, cranking out a kimura on my 
shoulder causing me to yelp in pain (Wait, did I say earlier we 
were trying not to hurt each other? I guess that's changed!) but 
with the help of sweat and my strength I was able to wiggle out. 
She even almost had me in a guillotine choke! I could feel the 
blood being restricted right before I popped my head out. I tried 
to roll away only to have Nikki instantly latch onto me again, 
but now I was getting exhausted from trying to power out of 
her submission attempts! But she was also getting just as 
exhausted trying to catch me in one too. 

We wrapped arms and legs around one another and started to 
roll across the grass in what felt like a final effort on both our 
parts. I was ready to pass out from exhaustion, I don't know 
how Nikki was still going. I also don't know how the rolling 
stopped with me on top, but here I was, and Nikki was too 
weak to roll me off, or so I thought. My legs wouldn't obey my 
commands at first due to fatigue, but slowly with the aid of 
slippery, sweat soaked skin I somehow snaked my legs into a 
grapevine around Nikki's. As if I didn't think our bodies could 
become anymore erotically mated, I was proven wrong, our 
shirts were almost off, our shorts twisted and pulled down, bare 
stomachs legs and arms crushed against each other and the best 
for last! Our pubic mounds pressed hard against one another. 
Nikki would press up and I would push my crotch right back 
into hers. It was a turn on for damn sure, but I was so very tired 
now. 

Our struggle became this slow grind of attrition, hands and legs 
slowly twisted and turned. It was a feeble effort but I was able 
to grip Nikki's wrists with both of my hands and slowly 
powered her arms down onto the grassy field. It was not an 
easy thing to do, Nikki is damn strong evident by my own 
efforts and gasping for every bit of oxygen in the state of North 
Carolina!

I thought I had her solidly pinned to the ground "Do you 
give?" but it sounded more like a plea out of my mouth.

"Never!" Nikki snapped, spit and sweat flying from her 
trembling lips, her hips then heaved, twisted and turned but I 
pressed more of my own torso down, my eyes watched with 
excitement as the cords of muscle starting along Nik's shoulders 
and biceps constricted with this unending amount of energy, 
'How does she keep going!' I thought in amazements as she 
kept fighting me. I was getting off on this, excited! Nikki even 
winced when I clenched my fists tighter around her trapped 
wrist. This proud, stubborn, Portuguese girl under me was 
fighting back, still twisting and turning. Now I started to 
wonder how long I could hold out!

We looked at one another, eye to eye, Nikki had this resilient 
expression, defiant and determined that she would not submit! 
She wasn't going to give up, no way, never! 

"Are you going to give up?" Nikki suddenly asked.

"Never." I said and was stunned when the tears began to flow 
from my eyes in a flush of saline and her face before me went 
blurry. That's when I felt Nikki's lips all over mine, my whole 
body went slack, that's when Nikki leg go with a burst of 
energy as she hooked my right leg and arm allowing her to 
bridge and roll me over onto my back. I felt her breasts press 
against mine, our nipples erect and excited. This kiss, if you 
could call it a kiss, more like a wild rubbing of lips and tongues, 
but had begun to slow to a tender touching.

"I love you." Nik whispered into my mouth and kissed me 
again. I opened my mouth and kissed her back. 

"I love you too." I sighed back. 

Nikki let out a small sob before pushing off, her weary body 
landing with a flop on the ground next to me, her left arm still 
trapped under the crook of my neck, our sweat soaked uniforms 
clinging to our bodies like never before. It had been the most 
exhilarating thing we had ever experienced. As Nikki would 
later confess 'It was like making love, but not quite the same.' 

Slowly Nikki struggled to prop herself onto her elbows and I 
think we were both surprised to see our uniforms in such total 
disarray. The waistbands of our soccer shorts had become 
twisted and pulled down from the ferocity of the wrestling, 
which in turn revealed the upper portions of our panties, bare 
stomachs fluttered with heavy breathing and glistened with a 
heavy coating of sweat. I couldn't help but admire the way 
Nik's dark tan torso was covered in sweat, her strong toned abs 
moving as she gasped for air. I looked up and caught Nikki 
doing the same thing, eyeing my bare stomach, her staring was 
flattering as my abs were the epitome of that 'six-pack'.

Slowly we got to our feet brushing the grass from each other as 
we headed back to the locker rooms, but I sensed something 
wrong in my friends silence. "What?" my head suddenly leaned 
back, my expression going semi-blank simply looking over at 
Nikki thru my tangled, grass filled blonde hair.
 
"Mora, that's what." Nikki looked with this knowing stare and 
then looked away catching sight of some guys suddenly 
appearing at the far end of the field kicking around a soccer 
ball, they gave us a wave, Nikki waved back to them.
 
"Gheesh...will you and everyone drop it already, I just have to 
learn to take it, it's no big deal." I shrugged waving my right 
hand as if casually swatting a fly and then proceeded to pick 
some grass of my uniform and out of my hair.
 
"Corbin, she just tried to cream you a few minutes ago! Where 
the hell where you?" Nikki snapped startling me enough that I 
jumped back a couple of inches.
 
"It was an accident," I protested meekly.
 
"That's bullshit and you know it!" Nikki yelled, "She ran right 
for you and ended getting knocked on her ass in front of 
everyone, and if you think she is going to stop now you better 
think again! But you're not thinking, are you? You just want to 
bury you're head in the sand!" Nikki had totally lost her 
composure and quickly turned away swiping the grass and dirt 
from her palms.
 
"What do you want me to do? Go start a fight with her?" I 
snapped practically choking on my words as I walked around to 
Nikki's right, trying to look her in the face. 
 
"Yes! I mean....no." Nikki glared at me and quickly looked 
away, pacing around in circles with her hand on her hips, "No, 
I'm just upset that's all." Nikki sighed as her head hung low 
trying to take slow deep breaths.
 
We took a detour around some bleachers to avoid going past 
some guys approaching the field, we both wanted to keep 
talking this thru. 
 
"Look," Nikki took a deep breath "I'm sorry for yelling." Nikki 
reached over and wrapped her arm around my shoulder, "I'm 
just protective of you that's all."

"Thank you." I said and rested my head on her shoulder.


**********


I checked my messages on my cell phone; One from Nikki, two 
from Sharon, two from Dale and one from Carla one of the 
Soccer Coaches asking me to stop by early before practice. I felt 
a lump in my throat upon hearing Carla's voice...I listened to 
the message over and over trying to discern any tone that might 
reveal something bad. I chose not to return any of the messages 
that night but simply lay down on the bed as my eyes and body 
welcomed sleep.

Things always look better in the morning, right? Well maybe, 
we will see.


*********


I didn't change into my uniform before practice but went 
straight to Carla's Office. I was greeted with a smile as I entered 
which alleviated some of my anxieties; Anxieties that were 
soon replaced with another set of concerns when I found out it 
was Mora's position I would be expected to step into.  'There 
was no hiding in the shadows now.' I considered my 
performance on the field would be out there for everyone to 
judge, especially Mora, who stared hateful daggers at me while 
we changed.

"Hi girl." Came Nikki's sweet voice as she stepped up to her 
locker.

"Hi yourself." I looked over and smiled, we both blushed. 
Aren't we just silly? Suddenly I felt inspired to give Nik a big 
hug and reached over and pulled her into me, she hugged me 
back with equal force, it was so comforting.

"Break it up you two!" Katie, the team Captain, snapped as she 
walked by "You're running late!" she then paused to lean in 
whispering, "Love birds." And then kept on walking with a big 
smirk on her face. OMG! THE HORROR! Nikki and I looked 
at each other totally mortified, I could feel my blood rushing to 
my face and my mouth was just open wide with shock. Nikki's 
cheeks were just as red as mine, and that is saying something 
given her dark complexion!

Nikki reached over and gave my shoulder a firm squeeze, 
"Maybe she's just teasing, how could she know?" Nikki 
whispered. I just shook my head, we both were treading in 
uncharted territory and it was shaking us both up. No matter 
how much we professed our love and commitment to one 
another in private actually stepping out into the open for the 
world to see is a whole new emotional challenge, one that 
would hopefully be of our choosing.


*********


'That wasn't so bad,' I thought as I stood hands on hips as I 
watched several team members disperse and head back to the 
locker room. My eyes gazed across the field towards the row of 
trees in the distance sort of daydreaming. 

I was having another moment of peace and tranquility, and 
then *POW* Like an explosion inside my brain, my entire head 
rocked forward as my strong neck muscles felt like they might 
rip from their very base. Involuntarily my arms flew out as I 
was falling forward, "What the fuck?" I gasped as my head spun 
and an incredible ache began to fill my skull. I felt woozy and 
nauseous as I swayed back and forth on all fours trying to get 
my bearings and to figure out what the hell just happened.
 
"Oh shit Corbin, I'm so sorry!" I heard the voice say.
 
"You okay?!" Nikki's voice came from across the field, several 
other girls were beside me now, but what really stood out in my 
mind were a few sounds of laughter. Some of them were 
laughing at me as I was helped to my feet. 
 
'No I am not okay' I thought to myself, I was far from okay and 
seeing Mora's smile of satisfaction made me almost loose 
it....loose it in the sense I wanted to just blubber like some 
baby. Damn near close to it already as I felt the tears run down 
my cheeks....I was sick and tired of being humiliated by this 
little bitch and her kicking a soccer ball upside my head was all 
I could take!
 
"Oh poor baby, you going to squirt a few tears because of a 
small knock upside the head?" Mora laughed and placed her 
hands on her hips, "It was just an accident, maybe you better go 
lay down." and a few of the girls chuckled. That was it, I 
snapped, it was the first time in my life that I could remember I 
was seeing red, blood red....death incarnate rising up from the 
recesses of my brain as I looked across the space separating me 
and that laughing idiot Mora.
 
"Corbin STOP!" Bev yelled and came at me from my left, but 
my brain had checked out, my right hand shot out to block 
Bev's advance. But it was more than a block and I regretted 
that, Bev didn't deserve it, but I wasn't allowing anyone to stop 
me as I simply twisted my entire body and slammed the palm 
of my right hand into Bev's chest. Bev let out an awful grunt 
and was literally knocked back off her feet; it looked like she 
had been hit by a truck, her back slamming into the ground 
leaving her breathless and gasping for air. "Jesus Corbin!" She 
whimpered and rolled on the ground clutching the area right 
below her collarbone.
 
I would not have to wait long as Mora saw me moving in and 
her eyes lit up with excitement....she charged me, her fists 
clenched, "I'm going to kill you!" Mora growled and this time 
no one else got in the way, the rest of the team simply must 
have figured it was time to let this play out. Enough was 
enough!
 
I saw Mora charge, amazing how the smaller girl was fearless, 
she so wanted this showdown to happen and now it was at 
hand. Mora practically leapt at me her right fist cocking back to 
strike while she simply kept coming at me. I had no plan of 
attack I just wanted to grab the girl and break her into a million 
pieces so I decided that if Mora wanted to charge in, so be it! 
All I could think about first was deflecting the attack, 
fortunately all Mora could think about was slugging it out. It 
wasn't immediately clear who would benefit; I latched onto the 
front of Mora's shirt, we had closed the distance so quickly that 
Mora misjudged her swing and her right forearm, not fist, hit 
me on the left side of my head. My triceps flexed and I was 
now twisting my body to the right allowing Mora's momentum 
to continue, her entire body continued moving thru the air 
beyond her own control now, but she still managed to throw a 
wild left hook even as she was being tossed aside. I felt totally 
possessed and some amount of rejoicing as I flung Mora thru 
the air. Unfortunately Mora's flailing left hook found contact 
on my right cheek, it was only a glancing blow, but still it 
would definitely leave a bruise. A bruise? Is that what I am 
worried about now? I'll be lucky to escape with only a bruise!
 
Upon impact it appeared that Mora's injured shoulder took the 
brunt of fall, she literally screamed in agony. My own right 
hand was touching my cheek as I watched Mora quickly 
stagger to her feet, her left arm hanging down to her side 
looking painful but still useful as her fist was tightly clenched. 
We started to circle one another, sweat dripping off our shaking 
bodies, Mora didn't wait for me to get my fists up and swung 
first, her target was my 'kisser'. I jerked my head back, blonde 
hair flying in all directions as the punch sailed past my face, my 
eye's focused and found that the entire right side of Mora's 
body lay open, 'Jesus' I thought to myself as if I pictured the 
end result of what was going to happen next, 'The punch', 'The 
effect'...and even 'The after-effect' all played out in my mind. 
(Sharon's dad was a boxer and had held a few impromptu 
sessions to teach us a few tricks of the trade; but the only thing I 
could think of right now was 'Punch thru your target'.) I bent 
my knees a little and brought back my right elbow ('stay loose' I 
remembered) and in what could only be described as one-fluid-
motion my entire body shot forward and up as my right fist 
exploded towards Mora's midsection (tighten up at the last 
second and use your hips!). Every muscle in my body seemed 
to work in unison, driving forward with one goal in mind. I felt 
her body connect with my knuckles, Mora was fit and toned, 
but it didn't seem to make any difference. I initially wondered if 
I had hit the girl at all, that's when I realized that not only had I 
plowed deep into Mora's gut, I had actually lifted the girl off 
her feet!

Her body seemed to collapse around my fist and then she 
slumped backward, the sound of her breathing was dangerously 
short, coming in sharp wheezes that soon turned into agonizing 
dry heaves as Mora curled up into a fetal position. I was 
amazed to notice that my left fist was back and ready to go yet 
again as a precautionary follow up.

Nikki charged in and grabbed my shoulders pushing me back a 
couple of steps "Stop now!"
 
"Out of my fucking way!" I screamed and grabbed Nikki under 
her armpits and pushed her aside. Nikki's left leg skidded across 
the grass as she fought to keep her balance, but ended up 
dropping to her knees.
 
Out of the corner of my right eye Crissy was advancing to also 
block me from heading towards the downed Mora, but I spun 
around unleashed my venom on the advancing girl, "You can 
join your fucking buddy bitch!" I snapped and my left hand 
latched onto the girl's forearm, while my right hand found and 
clamped around Crissy's throat for leverage, "Corbin no!" She 
screamed but I was already using all my strength and weight to 
sling the poor girl in a semi circle before letting go like a shot-
put. Her body crashed to the ground flopping over repeatedly in 
a roll that had arms and legs flailing, kicking up a billow of dirt. 

I now wasted no more time and leapt towards Mora, grabbing 
her by the back of my head and shirt, "Get up....you want to 
fight, well get your sorry ass up cause today is your lucky day." 
I seethed and pulled her up, ignoring her screams and gasps for 
air as she clutched her gut. "You thought that shit was funny, 
didn't you? Well let me tell you, you're fucking dead!" I spewed 
my venom at Mora and propped the girl up by her throat, 
cocking my left fist back, she was doomed!

Thankfully for Mora, everyone was there; Nikki....Katie....the 
remaining members of the team, maybe nine or ten had all 
jumped in to restrain me. But my right leg managed to kick free 
and I stomped my foot into the side of Mora's hip with 
tremendous force, I knocked that bitch back down to the 
ground and hard! Good!
 
"You even look at me wrong and I am going to make this 
beating seem like a friendly chit-chat!"
 
"Get the fuck off me!" I yelled and yanked my left arm free, 
with all of the twisting and struggling going on my left fist flew 
around accidentally plowing into one girl's face knocking the 
poor unsuspecting down and wailing in agony from the punch. 

"You fucking bitches aren't laughing now! Why not now! 
Maybe because your about to get the life beaten out of you!" I 
yelled. 

God have mercy on me, I have totally lost my mind, my feet 
were kicking and body twisted and I actually seemed to be 
fighting my way free from everyone!

Amongst the chaos, confusion, and rage I actually heard 
Nikki's voice in my left ear, it was soothing, soft....how strange 
and strangest of all she wasn't fighting to restrain me. No she 
was merely holding me more like hugging in a friendly 
embrace, it's effects were immediate. "Corbin please stop." 
Nikki kept repeating so softly pleading with me to calm down 
and it was working, her voice and touch was so caressing. I 
then spotted a couple of the Assistant Coaches running across 
the field and with it a healthy dose of reality came with it.
 
"Corbin, come with me now!" The coach said and pulled me 
free of the throng of girls. I suddenly slumped and rested my 
head against the Coach's left shoulder and began to sob, I didn't 
know why, but one instant I was filled with total, 
uncontrollable rage and the next....sadness. I looked back over 
my shoulder for Nik, she was there, trailing behind me with 
tears streaming down her dirt covered cheeks, she had this look 
of terrible worry. I know she wanted to follow, I understood 
now, as the distance between us grew that she only cared about 
me, no one but me, she wanted to make sure I was okay. 
Reluctantly she began to turn back to see if anyone else needed 
help.
 
Sitting I held the ice pack against my right cheek as I leaned 
forward, wiping the tears from my eyes, the Head coach and 
two assistants were now with me in his office. Once again my 
stellar grades, good attitude and athletic abilities kept the brow 
beating and punishment to a minimum.

Back in the locker room I tried to make amends, "Crissy," I 
walked up behind the girl as she was getting dressed.
 
"Forget about it." Crissy mumbled.
 
"Look, I'm...."
 
"I said drop it!" Crissy snapped and glared at me, but quickly 
looked away. I felt my heart pound with regret and took a step 
back, I just wanted to get the hell out and get back to my dorm 
room to rest. Only a few girls, of course Nikki, hung around 
and tried to reassure me that I had no other choice but to stand 
up for myself. But the worst feeling of all was how so many of 
my team members were looking and acting different around 
me, 'Maybe they just want to give me some space? Or they 
never liked me to begin with.'
 
And then the oddest feeling started to come over me, I felt 
liberated, dangerous, and oddly satisfying to look back on what 
happened. 

Like me....love me....or hate me, people were starting to know 
exactly how far they could push, before I pushed back, and 
hard. 


**********
 

'If I miss one day of studying I panic...one day of exercise, 
more panic!' hence the frantic way I was brushing my teeth and 
even worse it was six o'clock in the morning. 'What the hell am 
I doing up so early?' 

My hair, my lord, I can't remember the last time I had it cut, it 
was getting long (down the middle of my back) and out of 
control'. Sloppily I had pulled it back into a ponytail as my eyes 
now focused on the white foam bubbling over my bottom lip. 
All the while my right hand was zipping up and down, back 
and forth in a blur. 'Ahhhh I love that feeling, that just brushed 
feeling in the morning!' as I smacked my lips together, a smile 
forming as I continued my stare into the mirror. 'Damn I 
should do toothbrush commercials I love brushing so much. 
But am I doing commercials? No I'm just standing here smiling 
like an idiot in the mirror.' 

Several adjustments to my sports bra, 'fucking boobs' and 
presto, bingo I'm ready to go!' 

Hey when you're a fashion wreck dressing is easy: 
1 pair of plain cotton panties
1 pair of running shoes. 
1 pair of knee length shorts, something light. 
1 pair of socks (anything available). 
1 sports bra. 
1 tee-shirt. 
1 cap or bandana to keep the hair in place.
(Maybe a pad or two just in case it's around that time, you 
know, of the month! HAHAHA you didn't need to know that 
did you? But I told you anyway so deal with it! By the way if 
anything is color matching it's pure luck.)
 
Dale suddenly sat up still groggy with a sheet over his lower 
half as he looked around the room (yes he had boxers on), it 
was early morning and the radio was still playing. Suddenly he 
flopped back down on the bed when he saw the clock, "6:00am, 
Holy Shit! Do you know what time it is?" He called out.
 
"Yeah sorry, but I need to get a move on with practice and 
studying."

'Mmmm' I thought as I stepped into my room and looked him 
over, my eyes repeatedly swept up and down his exposed upper 
half. He has some body, those shoulders and biceps...OKAY 
ENOUGH! I need to focus.
 
'Even with Dale and his good looks, I still maintain my 
willpower. Some areas are off limits to him till I am married: 
End of discussion!' I quickly idled my sex drive into neutral. 
Time to get serious and I planted my feet about shoulder width 
apart, fists planted firmly on my hips as if trying to do my best 
stance of authority, yet a smile slips past my lips while 
watching him struggle to awaken.
 
"When do you want to get together next? There's a big, fancy 
social next weekend you know, all of the Fraternity's and 
Sororities are going...." He enthusiastically smiled.

....but I interrupted that little party.
 
"What the hell was that? Are you asking me out?" I snapped. 
'Really now, has he lost it? He knows I'm picky about good 
manners.'
 
Dale finished rubbing his eyes and looked back up at me and 
right away he could see I was not happy, "What I meant to 
say...." He smiled.
 
"Yes, you better rephrase that earlier question." I glared, still 
rooted to my original spot, analyzing every word coming out of 
his mouth.
 
"Would you please go to the party with me, as my date?" 
Trying to give the most humble expression he could.
 
"We will see." came the casual sigh and a shrug as I turned 
away to shut off my radio.
 
"What? Corbin this is a really big deal!" He sat up, speaking a 
little louder.
 
"I have to check my schedule." Oh I was going with him to the 
party all right, but he has to learn patience and better manners. 
And I like it when he grovels.
  
Unfortunately this Social Event was very important and formal, 
so that meant I needed a great deal of help, and I knew exactly 
whom I needed to ask help from, but things were on-again-off-
again with Sharon because she was not at all pleased with the 
time I was spending with Nikki. Yes, I could always ask Nikki, 
but like I have always said we don't like to talk about boys 
when together.
 
"Sorry gotta go." I smiled with a shrug and walked out the door 
as Dale was getting his pants on briskly.


**********


I didn't see Mora till a couple of days later and instantly there 
were many regrets; She was limping and her left arm was in a 
sling, her face had a couple of bad bruises although I don't 
remember hitting her in the face....then again. So many things 
happened in such a short period of time it's hard to recount 
every annoying little detail.
 
I had a small bruise on my cheek, but it was barely noticeable, 
once again I somehow managed to come thru practically 
unscathed. It seemed to only pile on the resentment, more girls, 
their boyfriends even, seemed anxious for me to take a major 
spill. As if I was the one with a chip on my shoulder! Are they 
kidding? What fucking chip! If there was a chip on my shoulder 
I didn't put it there THEY DID! There I go 'blaming again' as 
Sharon would say, yeah Sharon your one to talk, Queen 
'blamer'!
 
Anyway I don't know if that little fight on the soccer field set 
Mora straight, but I was never going to let her blind side me 
again and took the initiative, regardless of how bad she 
appeared to be feeling. I could have confronted her in front of 
her friend's right in the student commons, or at some party, but 
chose a more private moment to lay it on the line. I knew she 
could have run back and ratted on me that I threatened her, but 
I was thinking less and less clearly during that year of my life. 
Basically I cornered her between two parked cars and asked if 
we had any more problems between us, 'cause if we did we 
were going to "get-it-on" right there in the parking lot. Shit I can 
remember that moment like it just happened yesterday, it was 
so fucking hot and humid that day, and the heat coming up off 
the blacktop was almost unbearable. Okay, as I was saying, 
when I saw her I quickly crossed the parking lot, but I already 
knew the answer, it was in her eyes, it wasn't even the same 
Mora looking at me (and why should that bother me, even 
sadden me now? It was like I beat the spirit out of her or 
something, but she started it you know?) So anyway she had 
this fear in her eyes I had never noticed before and she seemed 
to almost start crying when I dropped my backpack and 
suggested we slug it out in the parking lot if there were any 
more issues to resolve.

"No, I'm sorry!" She about choked on her words as her eyes 
got that glassy look.

I felt a little satisfied by the fear I had put in her, I picked up my 
backpack and strutted off back to class like some big shot.
 
What the fuck was wrong with me? Telling some girl in the 
middle of a campus parking lot that I was going to start 
reigning down punches if she crossed me again. I need to get a 
grip!

Not to mention all the crap I was getting from Dale and Sharon 
now;
'What a terrible girlfriend I was, always late for dates now, 
spending way too much time with Nikki, and forgetting to 
return phone calls.'

Can't I just go to class and study in peace!? Guess not.


**********


