Match in the Gas Tank || Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz

64 Romantic Interest

Kyler hit the mat and grunted, looking up at Phoenix with a small smirk. She stared blankly at him, telling herself to keep her emotions away from sparring despite it being Kyler she was pitted against. As Sensei put it, she was taking the students with less formal training and "whipping them into shape." She didn't have a problem with that.

She kept her stance as he got up and retook his position, still wearing that smirk. She wanted to wipe it off of his face. So, as the next round was started, she hopped back as he ran at her, planted her foot on the ground, and spun fast and kicked hard. She landed the hit to Kyler's jaw and he wiped out, hitting the mat on his front. He crawled away from her, muttering something to himself before getting up. He sprang back up like a punching bag and showed his persistence, which she guessed was admirable in some respect.

Phoenix just didn't respect Kyler.

The next round was started and she told herself she'd make it the last.

Kyler came at her by kicking, pushing her back to the edge. When he swung, she dodged and a few of the other Cobras had to move out of the way, too. Once at his side, Phoenix sent a hard kick to Kyler's ribs and sent him back to the floor. She stood up straight as the tournament-like sparring match was declared hers for the win.

Sensei Kreese applauded her from his position at the head of the room and the other Cobras stood dutifully as they knew any of them could be in the next match. Phoenix moved to her spot on the sideline and held her head up high. She stared ahead as Wes and Edwin were called forward to fight each other.

Kyler came over and took up the space beside her. His jaw was beginning to change color, but he seemed to give it no thought as he looked at Phoenix, smirking. She stared forward, ignoring his eyes on her.

Then he spoke in a low whisper, "That was really hot."

She turned her head to glare at him, hiding the confusion and disgust that bubbled up with the bile in her throat. What the fuck is he on about?

Under her gaze, he coughed and turned to the sparring match in front of them. She returned her eyes to Wes and Edwin, crossing her arms over her chest. For the duration of the fight, she analyzed their technique and skill. It was an even match and lasted longer than almost everyone else's fights, which Sensei Kreese allowed.

He stood opposite Phoenix in the circle around the mat, arms crossed as he observed his students. He wore a small smirk of pride. His eyes traveled from the fight to his star pupil, watching the way she watched her fellow Cobras with a critical eye. She didn't notice his gaze, too focused on her teammates.

After a while, the match came to a stalemate at the end of class. It became the talk of the dojo as some of the Cobras started placing bets on who would win if they continued the fight at their next lesson. Phoenix blocked out the noise as she refilled her water bottle for the trip home.

At the water cooler, she felt someone come up behind her, a little too close for comfort. Thinking it was Wes, she huffed and said, "Take a step back or I'll hit you where it counts."

He took a step away and chuckled somewhat nervously. Hearing that laugh, she knew it wasn't Wes.

She turned and looked at Kyler, giving him a hard glare that should tell him that he was a thorn in her side. "What do you want?"

He stood tall and proud, showing off the bruise on his face. "You doing anything on Valentine's?"

She shook her head. "No."

In all honestly, she'd been too preoccupied with training to notice the upcoming holiday. It wasn't as if she had anyone to spend it with anyway, romantically or otherwise. Usually, she'd watch terrible romcoms with her friends or aunt, but she didn't have any friends anymore and Ronnie had a date this year, so it was out of the question. She'd rather spend the day in the dojo anyway.