Luciano’s pov

I was hearing David calling me in the distance, but that didn't stop my tracks. Please Dave, be the good friend you are and don’t let the crazy people around you fallow me. I was all sore, bruised and with a bloody face but I didn't care. I uncovered it, tossing aside the soaking blood wet cloth I had, I must look pretty horrendous and swollen but, the last thing I’m thinking right now is getting cleaned up. I need to find him, I need to know who he is, and most importantly why did he let me win? It was not fair to him, he fought so well. Did he think I needed the money or something? No, that can’t be it, he doesn’t know me. How could he think that? His attitude and the ‘’mercy’’ he showed me back at the ring, both of those aspects, they just didn’t add up. And that smile he gave me when I was announced the winner, I couldn't stop thinking about it, the image was still replaying in my head….

''Where are you?''   I wonder. It seems the universe is on my side this time because it answered my question when I randomly looked to my right side and saw him.

He was picking up a sport bag from the floor and then made his way out of the building. Although all I saw was his back, I knew it was him. He still had the red jacket on, and his wavy jet-black hair was unmistakable. I tried to stop him by yelling but it didn’t work so I went after him…. again.

''Ow, shit! Come on!!! ''  I murmur. Every step I made hurt, I think even my bones hurt, but my head was the worst. It was killing me, it was one of those pains that gives you the impression someone is nailing a screw into your skull with Thor’s mighty hammer. I’ll have to remember to tell David to stop by the pharmacy for some pain killers before we go home, and perhaps I’ll buy some make up as well. I mean, my parents cannot see me like this, I’m pretty sure I’m looking like a Dalmatian with big red and purplish dots instead of black ones. For all they know, I’m in the tree house with the boys doing teenager stuff. That sounded so weird. Can’t they just call it hanging out instead? ….

The thought faded away when I finally catch up with the boy I was following.

 ''Hey! Hey you, wait up! ''  I called up to him, I was a few steps behind him because I needed to catch my breath. God! I’m dying, I definitely need to do more cardio and not only weights. We were outside the building, to be more exact, on the street.

''What do you want?''  he asked me when he stopped walking.

''You know? It’s very rude when you talk to someone without looking that person in the eye…''   You cocky asshole, you need to know that in case you don’t. Why are you not facing me? 

''I don’t care what you think.''

What! Why is he acting like this? ….

''But I am ….''

''I know who you are, you are the one I fought with…. I’m not interested in knowing anything else''  he said with a stern voice, I don’t know why but that comment hurt me a little.

''Oh, well …. I thought …. How do you know is me anyways? ''  I babble

'' I recognized your voice, and you can think whatever you want, I don’t….''

''Why did you let me win?''   I interrupted him

''What are you talking about? I didn’t.''

Why is he lying to me? I put out a good fight but he is still stronger than me. He only has a broken nose and maybe two or three bruises on his abdomen. That’s all the damage I did to him…. Well, that is without counting the heavy kick on his groins, I still feel bad about that.

''If you didn’t let me win then why did you stop hitting me at the end? You had me! You even told me to keep fighting! Who does that? Why…''

''I do '' __he interrupted me.

''But …. Why?''

''Because…. ''   still not facing me, he took a deep breath to later speak to me again   ''Listen, I just wanted to see your endurance, I be lying if I say I didn’t like our fight, you are pretty good for a newbie. Besides, when you kicked me and I fell down, you could have just punch me or kick me some more and knock me out…. But you didn’t, you just stood right there doing nothing, so…... we are even.''

Now that I think about it, what he’s saying is true. I did the same at the end, it’s also true I could had just knock him out…. But I didn’t. When I saw him on his knees, in pain, I couldn’t, I just couldn’t.

''Well, that’s true but…. even so I…. I''   I’m babbling again which is just great at this moment.

''Listen! It was a good fight. You won, and that’s final''  he interrupted me again and then started walking towards I’m guessing, his bike

''Oh wait! Would you….''

''No!''

What’s up with this guy and his necessity of interrupting? How can he say no when he doesn’t even know what I’m going to ask? Rude!

''But I just…...''

''Bye Montenegro''   he said while getting on his bike, I kept standing there watching him getting smaller as he gets out of my sight riding his bike.

''…… I just wanted to know your name''   I whispered to myself. I feel angry and kind of sad at the same time. In the end, I couldn’t get his name nor see his face and for some reason, my mind tells me I’m not going to see him ever again, that bothers me…. a lot

''There you are. What are you doing here man''  that’s David. I totally forgot he was still inside

''Hey Dave…. I just needed some air.''

''Are you OK? ''   he asked me with concern in his voice.

''Yeah yeah, I just… I was feeling dizzy with all those people around me.''

''Hmmm, are you sure that’s why you are here? Outside? After following him?''

''Yes…. We talked… you know, congratulating each other and stuff.''

''Sure''   he said frowning and with this different voice he uses to let me know that he doesn’t believe a word of what I just said.

''Ok. What?''   I said to him while touching my temples. My head was still killing me

''Oh, nothing Lu, nothing at all. Are you going to claim the money you just won or not?''

The money, ha! I completely forgot about that too.

''Yes, let’s do that and then go to the pharmacy. I need some pain killers; my head is going to explode.''

''Alright. Oh by the way, when you feel better…''

 ''Yes?''

''Make sure to tell me what you guys really talked about''   David said raising his eyebrows.

''You bastard! why do you have to know me so well!''  I said incredulous.

''That’s your best friend for you. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up so we can get out of here.''

I nodded at that and then, we went back inside, not without me looking back at the road where the mysterious boy banished like thin air.