Around half past three I decided to start getting ready for the match, before Cody showed up and I wasn't set to go. So I showered.

Ethan let me know that he can't make it, because he had a last minute date for tonight. Of course I'm okey with him ditching me, if it means a chance at a decent relationship. Ethans never really had the best luck with relationships, which really sucks, because he's such an amazing person. He deserves so much.

He told me that his date was with Barry Templeton, who's a good guy. Barry is in my Bio class. I know that it was a good idea to reassure him that I wasn't mad about him not coming with me, because when he finds a good one it's always a good idea to encourage him.

When I got out of the shower, I started on my hair, brushing out all the knots. It is naturally straight, which I find dull and boring. My sister, who was blessed with the beautiful curls that hang down to her shoulders, says she'd rather have her hair naturally like mine. I don't get why.

Afterward, I applied a light layer of base, lip gloss and some mascara. Only because it was a 'going out night'.

I decided to wear my plain pair of black denim jeans, white sneakers and my cream woolley jersey.

I'm not sure what one would usually wear to a boxing match, because I've never been to a live one before.

At around five to four I heard the door bell ring.

Willow yelled from down stairs, "I'll get it!"

"Thanks!" I replied as it was my turn to yell.

I finish gathering my stuff before I head down stairs. As I defend, I can hear the light chattering of Cody and my sister. When I make it to the bottom, I see that Devin has also come along for the ride. I thought we'd meet him there, but apparently not.

"Yeh, I have a fun night planned with my best fiend. We're watching movies and piging out in my room." I can hear Willow saying.

"Sounds like a night well spent." Devin said chuckling.

"Okey boys let us be off." I said in an authoritative voice.

They both looked at me for a second, said hello, then turned their heads to say goodbye to my sister.

*~*

"Are you excited to see some violence?" Devin asked me.

"Oh definitely." I replied.

"You're a wierdo, Aurora." Cody stated through a chuckle.

The drive was short and filled with casual banter. When we arrived, at the place where the match was supposed to take place, I didn't know what to think.

I didn't have any expectations or anything, but when I saw that it was a remodeled warehouse, I shivered a little at its ominous appearance.

"Guys, is this place legit?" I asked nervously.

"Well, it's more of an underground kind of thing." Cody said casually.

"Illegal?" I asked.

"Well... The place is licensed as a boxing arena, but it isn't an officialy recognized match." Devin said.

Great.

I'm suddenly a little uneasy about the whole idea.

"Com'on, you scared?" Teased Devin.

"You'll have two big, strong boys with you the whole time." Cody encouraged.

"Why does Archer do this if he could get into trouble?" I asked confused as I began walking forward slowly.

"He gets paid good money, because he does so well," Cody said proudly, "His family needs the money right now and he enjoys the sport."

"Win. Win." Said Devin.

Archers family needs money? And he's the one trying to bring in the extra cash.

"You coming?" Cody asked.

I've been standing in the street thinking about what Cody had said about Archers family needing money.

That's a lot of pressure and responsibility for an eighteen year old boy to deal with.

"Yeh, sorry." i said hurrying beside them.

As we stepped up to the entrance I could already hear all the muffled loud voices and cheers from the spectators. Another match must be going on now, before it's Archers turn.

I stepped in a large room that must've been the entrance lobby. It wasn't anything fancy, but looked welcoming enough.

It had black tiled floors, tall white walls and furniture in the left mad side corner of the room. It had a front desk to the right of the entrance, where a man was sitting with a clipboard waiting patiently for our names.

"Archers guests. Cody, Devin and Aurora." Cody Informed the man.

Two huge guards stood in front of the next door, which lead to the main hall. This is where the matches were taking place.

When we stepped through, noticed that, to the right in the one corner, there was a table where people were making bets and in the other corner, there was a 'drinks' bar.

On the other side if the room, large bleachers and chairs lined the walls. It was already filled with spectators, people were even forced to stand due to lack of space.

In the center of the room, stood the ring. It was intimidating. It was large and had two fighters inside.

The fight, that I could hear from outside, was in play. The taller, bigger of the two, was badly beaten and had blood dripping down the side of his face. The other looked less broken, but still looked a complete mess.

All the sounds we overwhelming my senses and the large groups of people cheering caused people to bump and push into me.

All of a sudden I was very aware of how little space I had to breath, to even move. My breathing became shallow and rapid. I could feel my hands getting wet. My shoulders started to shake. Tears were begining to form at the back of my eyes and my nose started to tingle.

Then all of a sudden my arm was taken into a strong hold and I was pulled through the crowd swiftly. I looked up in horror, but only to find Archer Smith. I let out a sigh of relief, glad it wasn't a creepy kidnapper, but still overwhelmed by the anxiety building up inside of me.

Archer led me into a closed off room, which sign said: Athlete prep room (Archer).

"Aurora." Archer said as he directed me toward a couch. probably waiting for me to say something. I never did.

I was still shaking. Anxiety consuming me. Tears now spilling down my cheeks.

How embarrassing. I covered my face with my hands.

"Is she okey?" Asked Devin with concern lacing his words.

"I think she's having a panic attack." Archer said softly. still looking at me.

"I'll go get her some water."

Cody said hesitantly. Probably looking for a way out of this situation.

"I'll join you." Devin said as he jogged after him. And clearly so was Devin.

"I'm sorry to cause you such a mess right before you're going to fight." I said through a sob, moving my hands away from my face. Looking at my lap.

"No, it's okay. Don't worry about that." Archer said, as he sat beside me on the couch, watching me .

After five minutes of sitting there in silence, while I tried to pull myself together, Archer sat there watching me. When I eventually calmed down I looked up at him.

"You Okay?" He asked, concerned.

"Y-yeh..." I managed to stutter out.

Cody and Devin stormed back into the room, bottle of water and a chocolate bar in their hands.

"What's the chocolate bar for? And where did you even get that." Asked Archer, finally looking away from me.

"I brought it with me as a match snack, but I figured that Aurora would need it more," He said as he approached me slowly, "If a girl is upset..."

"...You give her chocolate." Devin finished Cody's sentence for him.

I let out a laugh at how sweet these boys were.

Devin handed me the watcher and Cody handed me the chocolate, both with smiles on their faces.

They looked proud of themselves.

"If you're sure you're okay, then I must go for my five minute, prematch psych up." Archer said, eyebrows laced with concern.

"No I'm good. Thank you. I have these two idiots." I said with a small smile as I glanced over at the two boys.

"Look after her guys. Really."

He said as he left through the door which was attached to the room we were in.

"Thanks guys." I said with a smile, to ease their worry.

"You scared us, Feisty." Cody said with a nervous laugh.

"Thank goodness Archer saw us in the crowd, I wouldn't have known what to do." Devin said with relive evident in his voice.

"I'm not sure how he does that." Cody said.

I smiled at the two idiots. Thankful to Archer for pulling me out of that mess of a crowd.

*~*

We were sitting in the less crowded area of the stands, where space was reserved for the fighters special guests. Us.

When I heard the announcer call Archers opponent's name, my excitement began to build.

The guys name was Luis, which didn't sound very intimidating, but when he stepped into the ring I almost brought up the chocolate I had just eaten. I swallowed deeply. Now concerned for Archer.

He was huge, bigger than Archer. He was built like a bull. Im now worried about Archer's future.

Then the announcer announced Archer's name and the crowd erupted into louder cheers.

"He's a crowd favorite." Cody said proudly. Well is sure does sound that way.

Maybe I should trust Archer with this, the crowd seems to.

When Archer walked out into the ring, I saw that he was now wearing nothing but a pair of boxing shorts, his hands were strapped up all the way up 'just above the wrist', with boxing gloves over his strapped hands.

His toned, tanned chest and abs were exposed for the world to see. Damn he was fine.

I've never see him with his shirt off, I've always thought he'd look good underneath and I'm not disappointed.

He has a serious and concentrated look on his face. He stared directly into the soul of his opponent, who stared back with almost the same intensity.

He looks scary to say the least.

When the bell went off for the first round, the crowd started shouting and moving around. I'm thankful to be in this 'special' area.

Luis took the first shot, but missed because of Archer's quick reflexes.

"Shit, that was close!" I screamed into my hands.

Devin chuckled at me, still watching Archer.

I guess it pays off being slightly smaller, you're more agile. That would explain the results of the match that took place before Archer's. The small guy took the victory, after three rounds of fighting.

Archer took his opponents surprise as an opportunity to land a punch on his cheek, which caused Luis to stumble backward into the ropes.

I jumped up and started screaming my head off.

"Yes Archer!" I screamed, shaking my fists I'm the air.

Which earned grinning looks from Cody and Devin. but I didn't care.

After a few punches to the face, and Archers return of the punches to Luis abdomen and face, Archer knocked Luis out. It only took him one round.

"Whoooooo! Yessssss! Go Archer!" I screamed along with the crowd.

When the ref held up his arm to indicate his victory, like it 'really needed to be' proven, he looked over at us and smiled smugly, locking eyes with me for a second and smirking.

I turned to Cody and Devin and said, "Archer is really good!"

"We told you." They said grinning.

"Com'on, we'll take you back to see his 'post-match' face." Cody said smugly.