Millie

"I have a fight tonight. Do you want to come watch?" We are sitting at a table around noon for an ice cream break. He had brought me to the park to feed the ducks nearby.

"As long as you beat the other guy and don't get too bloody then, yes." He boxes as a side sport, it is not part of the high school as it gets a bit too violent. But I love that he keeps his training up to be able to knock someone out. It's a bit scary at times but I know that he would never intentionally hurt me. My only problem with his fights is when he gets hit and goes down, my heart races and that is always the worst part of the game.

"I'll win for you bambina. It's tonight at 8, you can come earlier with me if you want. I'll just have to get changed and warm up, then I'll be in the ring. I think I'm boxing a guy in his 20s, he was the top boxer in this league a few years ago." A TOP BOXER! I'm not sure I even want Teo to fight. What if he gets hurt badly?

"Are you almost ready? I've got your keys." It's 7 and we needed to leave 30 minutes ago so he could have a full hour to get ready, now he'll only have about 45 minutes. "I hope your coach doesn't get mad at you.

"One minute!" comes from up the stairs, "if you want to start the car, that would be helpful!" Yes, I love starting his cars, they are so cool! I have the keys to one of the other cars that he drives to boxing or any other sports event. I think it's a 2024 Chevrolet Corvette, at least that's what it looks closest to. I've been looking up cars to try and relate more to Teo. It's been working so far. I start the car and not a few seconds later the door of the garage busts open with Teo carrying a duffle bag.

"I'm sorry for holding you up." He kicks me out of the driver's side and we reverse down the driveway.

"It's okay, I'm on your schedule, you're just kind enough to let me tag along." I can't wait for his match, I just hope he doesn't get too hurt this time. Because last time he got a nasty shiner and was wearing a hat and hoody around school. Everyone got so scared, all you see is a little purple under his eye, a cut on his chin, a nose, and a cut lip. Yeah, he was scary that week.

After a 20-minute drive, we pull up behind a building that has flashing lights strung from the roof. "Just stay by me okay? As long as you are with me no one will bother you. When I fight you will be in the VIP section so it isn't as crowded." so thoughtful.

"Really? Thank you so much! I can't wait to see you knock that guy to the ground."

"I just have two rules." Rules? "Don't let anyone buy you a drink and don't scream if I get hit. Okay?" The last time was a doozy, he got knocked to the ground, I screamed and I got the nastiest glares from people around me, it also distracted both Teo and the other guy in the ring. And then an older man bought me a drink, it was spiked, I had half, then Teo saved me from the man. By rocking his head back into his shoulder blades. SO fun and dandy we are.

"Sir, yes sir." that gets me a low chuckle, "I won't do those things, but I also have two rules, don't refuse my help when I want to bandage you back up unless you need stitches 'cause I'm not a doctor, and rule two, don't shut me out if you have a bad fight. I don't like when you do that."

"Yes, ma'am. I won't refuse help and I won't shut you out."

"Pinky?" We lock our pinkies and kiss our thumbs. Our faces get so close I can feel his breath on my face.

After my face turns pinkish he unlocks the car doors and opens my door, "Okay let's go."

I say hello to his coach while he is getting dressed. Then he goes off with coach Mike to warm up and go over strategies. His trainer came over to me, a nice tall balding man, "Matteo told me that instead of you sitting in the VIP section you could stay with me, right next to the ring, that way you can talk to him and get him ready to fight. It's going to be a hard one tonight so I need to make sure you also won't pass out."

"I won't pass out and I can help you if you need anything." I'M SO EXCITED! Once Teo comes over to grab his water bottle from me I tell him what the trainer just said to me, in case he was trying to trap me.

"Yep, I told him that. You can't scream, okay?" A skeptical look flashes across his face.

I beam at him, "I won't scream 'cause those are the rules, AND I get to help you between sections."

A funny smile creeps into his face, "Rounds not sections bambina."

"Oh, I'll help you between rounds then." Boxing terms are new and I don't fully understand how the fights go yet.

Matteo

I let Milie sit by the ring because I want to be able to see her and she likes to take care of me, not that I'm complaining though.

I hear the cheering as i walk out of the shoot and into the spotlights. It's amazing how far I've come, from a little skinny kid with no power, to a man with all of these people cheering for him.

"HERE WE GO FOLKS, GET LOUD FOR COUGAR!!!" Cougar is the nickname Millie picked out for me when I started to fight in leagues. Speaking of cats, I need to show her the new litter of kittens currently in the downstairs bathroom.

"GO TEO!" Millie is right next to my corner of the ring. "FOCUS ON YOUR OPPONENT!" I must have been staring at her for too long. The announcer had already introduced the other guy as Lil Big. I think my nickname is better, he must have been hit a few to many times to be named that.

I walk into the ring and take a seat on the chair in the corner, just a few feet away from millie. "This guy is slow so you have to be fast, think quickly and watch when he lowers his right arm to punch." his voice goes low and i have to lean in, "you got a girl here, don't lose or get hit too bad."

-SK