Luciano’s pov

''Dude, that was way better than I expected!!''   David exclaimed while handing me an ice pack and a bottle of water which I drank in two sips.

''Are you saying that to make fun of me or do you truly think I did better than expected? ''  I asked him raising an eyebrow…. I mean, I think I put out a good fight even though I lost, but aside from that, it wasn’t so bad. I actually kind of liked it, the funny part about that fact is that it’s not the match what I liked but the person I fought with. Even if I don’t know his identity, he is just a mystery waiting to be solved. For some reason I want to know more about him. Who is he? How old is he? Does he like this kind of events or is he here completing a dare just like me? Oh, come Luciano, that’s very unlikely, you are not making any sense right now…. I got out of my thoughts when David answered to my question that honestly, I already forgot what it was.

''Well, he beat you up pretty hard at the end and you fainted for a couple of minutes, but he struggled a little to get to that point. So yeah, you did better than expected''   He said patting me in the shoulder.

''Ow ow''   I groaned in pain

''Oh shit, sorry man, guess I didn’t see when he hit you on the shoulder.''

''He didn’t but when he pushed me against the floor, I think it got hurt then, it was a hard slam.''

''Oh, now that you mentioned it. What was with the two of you? You both seem off at the beginning, and by the end when he just suddenly stopped hitting you, just like that… I mean I’m glad he did because otherwise you would have been pretty fucked up but, I don’t know, it was weird. Did you say something to him in that moment or….?''

''No, I…. I don’t know why he stopped….''   That is a good question. Why did he? I remember those few seconds vividly. I have to admit that yes, I was distracted looking intensively to his hazel eyes and his lips. Oh… his lips. I think I’ll never forget those lips, he has this cute tiny little mole just above the right corner of his upper lip. That alone, makes them so much desirable…. so kissable, so …… OK Luciano just stop!! Are you even listening to yourself? Do you have a fetish for strangers now? You don’t even know the guy for fucks sake. I was so deep in my internal monologue that it took me a couple of seconds to realize that David was calling me.

''Lu, Lu, hey you ok man? I lost you there for a moment, are you dizzy do you want more water?''  My friend asked worriedly.

''I uhh, is fine, I’m fine, I was just thinking…. Nothing important.''

''You sure?''

''Yeah it's OK. When does the second-round stars again?''

''In about 10 minutes.''

''Ok. I’ll be right back, nature calls.''   I said to him signaling my package.

''Alright but be careful, there could be bad guys here''   he teased me.

''Yes mom!''  I teased him back

I covered my face again to start walking to the bathroom, I’m so lost in my thoughts that I ended up in the bar instead. There was a lot of people, some drunk, some gambling. I walked my way to seat on the bar, the moment I do so, all eyes are on me. Shit, I feel like an ant right now, but I kept walking until I reach one seat….

''One beer please''   I told the bartender. After that, the guys sitting by my side started laughing. Did I say something funny?

''Here you go kid, by the way, nice fight up there''   That was the bartender handing me the beer. That didn’t sound like a joke. Was he really being honest?

''Thanks…. I guess''

''You fucker, give yourself some credit……''   One man appeared from behind me patting me on my head, I turned to look at him and damn! he was King Kong himself…. I didn't mean that in a form of sneer, it's just that he was so big and bulky. It’s a compliment actually, I love King Kong! he’s a beast!

''Trust me kid, I had seen Mr. J fight several times, he was off today, you distracted him somehow, we all saw that''  He said while signaling to all of the other guys in the bar.

They were all nodding and I even heard a good job. I’m was hearing compliments from strangers, that was new, I liked it!

''You lost this battle, but you haven’t lost the war. You are a good fighter and we respect that around here.''

Wow, those were really nice words and somehow, they gave me the motivation I didn’t have. I initially came here to do a stupid dare, but now I want to win, just for me, just for myself.

''Thank you guys, I ….''

''Don’t thank us''  he interrupted me  '' Win for us, we have money on you.''

I looked at him frowning and tilting my head.

''Hahaha, don’t worry kid, it's a friendly bet, we just want to see Mr. J crushed. Don’t get me wrong, he’s strong and all, because of that he relies mostly on his strength and it's kind of boring by this point. You on the other hand, got your techniques and moves, it's different and we all want to see more.''

''Well, in that case may the best win!''   I said, to later rise my mug of beer. The men at the bar did the same after me. We all cheer and drank. When I uncovered my mouth to do so, I forgot how disgusting beer is but well, it doesn’t matter right now. It feels nice to see these people believing in me, if they were sincere about it or not, I don’t know but I sure know that they want me to win and now, I want to as well.

''Hahaha, I like you kid, I’m Robert by the way, but here people call me King''  he said while stretching his arm. We shook hands after that.

''Ha! Of course they do King.''   I said smiling under my again covered face.

''What’s that supposed to mean?''

''Nothing man. It’s a compliment really''

''Hmm, OK, now go and stop drinking or you will be drunk before you can finish the fight, which is about to start by the way.''

''Yeah you are right…. ''  I was already getting out of the bar when I heard King yell at me.

''Remember kid, give your all out there you can win….''

''Thank you man, I’ll do my best!''   I yelled back at him.

Before going to the ring again, I made my way to the bathroom to do what I initially wanted to do in my ten-minute break. That was to pee and wash my face. I’m now walking my way to where David is, I saw him looking to every direction.

''I’m here…''

''Dude! where were you?! I’ve been looking for you everywhere are you OK?''

''Yes mom I’m fine! Didn’t occur to you to go looking in the bar?''

''The bar? You don’t drink.''

''I know but today I needed to do it.''

''You are not drunk, are you?''

''No man I’m fine don’t worry''   I reassured him.

''Ok, are you ready for your second-round?''

''More than ready, I’m going to win this shit.''

''Alright! I like this confident you. Go get him tiger''  he said slapping me in the ass for the second time tonight.

''Seriously! I know you love me, but you have to stop doing that or I’ll punch you.''   I warned him dead serious.

''Sorry my bad''  he said with his arms up in surrender.

''Ok, I’m going back there now.''

''Oh wait! what were you doing in the bar?''

''I’ll tell you later. Right now, is time to fight.''