Fight for me

Chapter One.

I was having that dream again, I was 7 years old and my father and I were driving to get ice-cream. He was singing some county song at the top of his lungs trying to get me to join in "come on Rose" he sung out between lyrics. I was giggling so hard in the back seat holding my ears as tight as I could trying to block out my tone deaf father as much as possible. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I was so happy, I loved my dadda. Then all of a sudden everything went quiet, it was dark and I was alone in a strange room. Where am I ? Dadda? I was shaking with fear. I spotted a door not to far away, I stood slowly, hoping my shaky legs would get me there. I took a few steps and tripped on something, I landed on my wrist, oww. Dadda!! I turned to look at what I had stepped on. It was my friend Lily! I signed with relief. I was at Lily's house for my first ever sleep over. I was so excited to spend the night with my best friend, but I don't want to be here anymore, I just want my dadda to come and pick me up. I stand and open the door and there is my dadda standing in front of me, I smile, but he looks so sad. My smile turns into confusion "what's wrong dadda?" I ask, but he doesn't say anything. I noticed a small tear run down his cheek. "Dadda?" He gave me a tight reassuring smile before he turned and started to walk way, "DADDA" I called as I started to run after him but he was too quick. Tears stained my cheeks and my chest hurt from trying to run my fastest after him, I ran faster and faster as the pain in my chest grew stronger and stronger. Suddenly two bright lights shon directly into my eyes and i heard a loud bang! As usual the sound in my dream woke me up. I was sweating and panting trying to catch my breath. Not again, I had the same dream almost every week. I sat up in my bed and rubbed my eyes, i looked at my phone and noticed at was 3am. I need a glass of water. I quietly walked out to the kitchen and seen my alcoholic step father, Steve, passed out in front of the TV again. My mother was working the night shift at the diner. I sighed thinking about her, she used to be so kind and loving before my fathers death. She blames me for what happened to him, and I can't blame her, it was my fault he died. I shook my head trying not to remember. I filled up my glass with tap water and walked back to my room. I layed down under my blanket and tried not to think about my dream. I slowly drifted back off to sleep. 

I woke to yelling, it was Steve. Something had set him off, my brain was still foggy from sleep so I couldn't quite make out what he was saying. Today is my first day back at school after Christmas break and i couldn't wait to finally be able to get out of this house for 6 hours a day. The past weeks I've been living in my own personal hell. Steve and my mother have been dating for almost 5 months now and she is constantly pulling double shifts at the diner to support his drinking habit, so she is never around.My first day of break I was sitting out on our back patio sun tanning while talking to my best friend Lily on the phone, she was just about to leave for her family vacation and was telling me this hilarious story about her mum forgetting to book a seat for herself on the plane, I couldn't stop laughing. When we finally hung up I got up to walk back inside but was abruptly stopped by Steve standing in front of me. His eyes were lazy and he was wobbling slightly. He was drunk. He had a smirk on his face that sent shivers down my spine and made me feel queezy. I noticed his hand moving and froze when he ran his index finger up my arm."Who were you t-talking to" he hiccuped. The smell of alcohol hit my face and I felt like puking. "Umm, my friend Lily" I said back not making eye contact with him.I tried to walk around him but he stopped me. Fear ran through my entire body as he positioned himself in front of me again. He had a scowl on his face now, he lifted his hand and grabbed my cheeks in one hand causing my lips to stick out. He was rough and tears started to pool in my eyes "Your lying to me! Aren't you slut" he spat. "You were talking to one of your little boyfriend's weren't you?"My eyebrows knitted together in confusion"n-no" I tried to say but he still had a firm grip on my cheeks. He smiled and chuckled to himself. He let go of my face and slapped me. Hard! I fell to the ground, my head was spinning. I put my hand up to my cheek to try and ease the pain radiating from my face. I looked up at Steve, he stood there laughing. "That's what happens to little whores" he said, still laughing as he walked back inside. 

The following weeks I tried to avoid him as much as possible, but he would always find me. One day when he was out I was in the kitchen making some lunch with my headphones in, I turned to place my sandwich on the bench but i was slammed into it instead by something hard. Fear shot through me like razor blades when I realised it was Steve. He pressed into me and pinned me down. I tried to struggle free but he just laughed and bent down, pulling my earphone out he whispered in my ear "Hey Rosie"I could smell the alcohol on his breath. It made me sick the way he said my name and goosebumps formed on my skin. He slapped my ass and said "keep struggling Rosie, I like it when my little w***e puts up a fight" Tears started running down my face, covering my cheeks. I was frozen with fear when he started to run his hands up the back of my thigh. I could feel him wobbling behind me, trying to keep himself up. I had to get away, i willed myself to concentrate, to calm down. I took a deep breath waiting for my chance. I felt him stumble again and took my opportunity, with all my strength i pushed myself back into him, causing him to fall back into the kitchen cupboards and i ran like hell into my room slamming the door behind me. I sat in a ball against my door as it didn't have a lock on it. I heard him yelling names and cursing me, my eyes stinging from the tears that burned my cheeks. That was the worst day.I looked at my phone and realised i still had half an hour before i had to be up. There was no way i would be able to get back to sleep now, so I took the time to have an extra long hot shower, thankfully the bathroom door did have a lock on it. I decided to wear my high waisted light denim shorts with a thin black belt, my red spaghetti strapped tank with my black and white converse. I peaked my head out of the door and looked to see if Steve was around.I let out a sigh of relief when i didn't see him and quickly sprinted back to my bedroom. I brushed my hair out and looked in the mirror. My chestnut coloured hair almost reached the middle of my back and had natural waves through it. I didn't need to wear make up, i had lightly tanned olive skin that rarely broke out and my eyelashes were incredibly long without mascara, Lily always told me how much she envied them, i think her exact words were "Your an absolute b***h, Why couldn't i be born as blessed as you" i couldn't wait to see her today.I packed up everything i needed for the day and ran out the front door. School was only a short walk from my house and i really enjoyed being outside. Once there i spotted lily out the front talking to our friend Adrian, "Lily!" i called out, running up to her i almost knocked her over with the force of my hug. 

"c-cant b-breath" she managed to splutter out. I let her go and she giggled 

"Missed you too Rose" she said with a smile. 

Lily was beautiful, she had straight blond hair that hit the top of her butt and she always had it styled to perfection. She had the most beautiful blue eyes that were framed in mascara and a smile that could melt your heart. 

"Hey Rose" I heard Adrian say, i turned and gave him a big hug too. He hugged me back super tight.

"aww i knew you missed me" he said with a smile. 

Adrian was a flirt and really good at it, he could make any girl blush in 2 seconds flat. Well, except Lily and I, that's probably why we all became such close friends, although he has made it very clear how much he likes Lily. 

Once the bell rang it was time to choose an elective class. As seniors we get to choose a class that isn't offered to the rest of the school. Its usually things like swimming, or random sports like croquet. When we got to the library we checked the list, none of them really stood out to me. Lily decided to choose acting classes and she was super excited about it. I kept reading, i was almost at the bottom of the list when something caught my eye... Self Defence for beginners. Yes! 

I looked over at Lily with a smile from ear to ear. "Really? that's what your going to choose?" she said with a puzzled look on her face. 

"Yup" i said still smiling. It was fate! it must be. 

She shrugged and said "whatever, don't come complaining to me when your covered in bruisers or break a nail or something" 

I giggled. I wasn't one to worry about my precious nails or perfect hair, basically the complete opposite of Lily.

 I lifted up my arms and flexed, "Dont worry about me, i got these bad boys" 

She laughed and rolled her eyes, "All right tough guy lets go sign up" 

Lily was off the the hall to sign up for her acting while i had to walk all the way up the the back of the school to an old shed that they had converted to an extra PE room. When i walked in there weren't as many people signing up as i had thought. Good, the fewer people to see me make a total fool of myself the better. At the front, right near the door, was a little table with a sign up list on it. it already had three guys names on it. No one that i knew that well though. I quickly scribbled my name down and turned to walk in. 

"Hey Rose" i heard someone say from the door, i turned to see my good friend Tyler. He had a huge smile on his face while waving at me. 

"Tyler!" i squealed, probably a little to loudly. Tyler Cole was Adrian's best friend and way too handsome for his own good. If he wasn't so shy i'm sure he could get any girl he wanted. I ran up to him and gave him a big bear hug. 

"How are you? how was your break? did you meet a girl and fall in love already" i said with a smile. He averted his gaze from me while awkwardly scratching the back of his head 

"Ahh, i'm really good, my break was okay. Adrian i played video games most of the time, and.. ahh" He looked back up with a tight smile on his face and said "umm, nope didn't meet anyone new" he let out a small sigh and said "umm, ill meet you in there okay?" I nodded and walked past the half wall dividing the entry to the rest of the class room. 

As soon as i entered something in my body told me to look to my left, i couldn't explain it, it felt as though my head was being pulled in that direction and i couldn't stop it if i tried. I froze, the first thing i noticed were these dark, almost black eyes staring at me, piercing my soul. They were reading me, reading all my secrets. I seen danger, and pain and kindness. I couldn't look away, my eyes were stuck to his.

I felt that weird force again pulling me towards him. I took a step forward, but was knocked out of my day dream by Tyler who stopped to stand in front of me, blocking my view. I frowned and looked up at him.

"Woah" he said holding his hands up in surrender and taking a step back "Sorry Rose, just thought we could sit together" 

"Sorry Tyler, of course we can sit together" I said trying to look excited. We turned to take a seat on the floor. I tried to look over Tyler's shoulder to find my mystery eyes but they were gone. I cursed Tyler under my breath. He was such a sweet guy so i could really be mad at him. 

Who's eyes were they? We sat at the back of the room and I vaguely heard Tyler talking about some new video game he and Adrian brought, but my mind couldn't concentrate on that right now. I needed to find him, my eyes scanned the room as more and more kids signed up and walked in. There were about 15 boys sitting on the floor in the class room, great, i was the only girl. "so, what did you do Rose" i heard Tyler ask. 

"Huh?" i said "Oh uhh" My mind played flash backs of Steve. I shivered and unconsciously folded my arms in front of my self and held on. "Oh you know, not to much, nothing exciting" I whispered out. 

Just then i heard a deep voice boom over the class room "All right class" he said, it put goosebumps on my skin as he demanded my attention and i wanted nothing more then to submit it to him. As i looked up i was struck by my eyes, my mystery eyes. It was him! I found him. 

He begun speaking again, "Hi everyone, im James King and ill be teaching you intro to self defence. Firstly i want to say that whatever you learn in this class will not be used to harm anyone! It is purely for your protection and if i find out that you have used it in the wrong way you will be kicked out immediately! Right, now If everyone can stand up and tell me a little bit about yourself and why you all chose this class that would be great" 

Everyone around me started standing, i just wanted him to look at me. I stood up as the other kids started blocking my view. As the others started introducing themselves i took the time to really explore him. His hair almost matched his eyes in colour and it sat dishevelled atop his head , i couldn't stop the images popping into my head of running my hands through it and pulling tightly as i planted my lips onto his, uuh those lips, so firm and perfect on his beautifully tanned skin. My eyes drifted down to his black, skin tight tank that hugged his muscles perfectly, i wanted nothing more then to pull it off and hold my bare skin against his. I felt that all to familiar ache start to form low and i closed my legs tighter trying to ease it. 

His body suddenly turned towards me and i looked up, oh crap, he had an amused look on his face and i knew he had caught me looking. 

"Rose" Tyler said while nudging me. "its your turn to introduce yourself" 

My cheeks turned red with embarrassment and i looked away, i had been so focused on James that i had zoned out of everything around me. 

"Umm, hi, im Rose Steele and err, i decided to choose self defence to protect myself from my..." Crap i lost control of my thoughts, i cant tell anyone about my step father and the fact that i was petrified about how far he would go. "Umm, to protect myself from predators" i stuttered out. 

I looked up at James and he had a small frown on his face. Oh no, he caught me, he knew i was lying. Hes going to kick me out and ill never be able to protect myself. My face fell at that realisation, how could i be so careless. 

"Okay great, thanks everyone" He said, phew, i relaxed a bit after that. "Now i know that you aren't prepared for class today so I've planned a pretty low key session, if you all could pair up, and choose wisely because these will be your partners for the rest of the year" He walked off to the side of the room to get some equipment.

I quickly lent into Tyler and said "Your mine Cole" His cheeks started to go red as he chuckled.

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Steele" He said shyly.

We started off by doing some light stretches, which was incredibly difficult to do in my denim shorts. We then moved onto some punching and kicking techniques, which i surprisingly nailed, especially because i spent most of the time perving on my teacher instead of listening.

We had about 20 minuets left of class and Tyler had some punching mitts on and i was trying to hit them without accidentally hitting him in the face. His facial expressions told me he was just as scared of the same thing. From the corner of my eye i seen a figure walking up to us, my body ignited and i felt sparks tingle throughout, it was him. 

I froze again, damn body just move, keep punching. He now stood in front of us, mmph, those eyes. My thoughts couldn't help but shift to the dirty side, I felt the blood rush  to my cheeks as i clamped my legs tight together. A small smile formed at the corner of his lips but was gone as quick as it came. f**k, he caught me again. 

"Please, don't let me interrupt" He said, gesturing between Tyler and i to continue practising.

Come on Rose, you can do this, i told myself. I looked back at Tyler and tried to refocus. I punched, once, twice, three time. I went to punch a fourth time but before i could James placed his hand on my shoulder. I was on fire, my breathing shallow and my heat rate sped up to what felt like a lethal rate. 

He slowly slid his hand down my arm until it was extended out in front of me. I seen him take a deep breath and swallowed before he said, "make sure your arm is relaxed, but keep it controlled at the moment of impact" He bent my arm back up and through a pretend punch with it. 

"Does that make sense?" he added. 

"Umm, yeah sure" i shrugged. He laughed and gave me a look that said he new i was lying. 

"Its okay, you'll pick it up" he said while slowly letting go of my arm. 

I already missed his touch. He went to turn away but stopped and added "Oh, and don't worry about hitting your friend in the face, i'm sure he will be fine and your holding back" 

I smiled, how could he tell that's what i was thinking? I nodded and he turned and walked away. 

"His pretty good huh!" Tyler said, "You know he has his own gym? He teaches all kinds of mixed martial arts, my brother goes. That's the main reason i signed up today, so i can finally kick his ass" He said confidently. 

I felt my face light up, maybe i could take one of his classes outside of school? I need to learn as much as i can as fast as possible! 

"Really! do you know where? What days are his classes? Does he do night classes?" i stopped, i sounded way to excited right now. "I mean, i-it would be cool to be able to learn more of this stuff, yenno?

Tyler chuckled, "Ahh yeah, its pretty cool stuff. Um im not to sure about anything you just said" He rubbed the back of his neck, "But im pretty sure his gyms name is Kings Gym or something like that so maybe look it up?" 

Just then the bell rang letting us know time was up, before i left i had to ask him if i could join his after school classes. I had to try right? Which also meant that i had to put this silly attraction aside and go get what i wanted.

"ill see you outside Tyler, i'm just going to ask James about his other classes"

I walked off without waiting for a reply, i was too focused on staying confident and not turning into a blubbering school girl with a massive crush and embarrassing myself. He was packing up some of his equipment when i interrupted.

"Excuse me, sir, i was just wondering..." He looked up at me and i lost it, my confidence faulted. "Um, i was wondering if.." i was awkwardly stepping from foot to foot and fiddling with my finger total i***t. Come on Rose, pull it together! I took a deep breath to calm myself down. "i was wondering if i could join one of your classes out side of school hours" 

He stood up to look at me, but he didn't say anything. The look on his face was intense and giving me no hint as to what he was thinking. After what felt like an eternity later he finally spoke.

"Tell me, why did you choose self defence as your elective" he asked

"Um, to learn how to defend myself" i replied, not know if it was a statement or a question.

"Against who?" he asked. f**k! he caught my slip up earlier when introducing myself. 

"Um.. against predators.. and.." Oh my god Rose, cut out of it and grow some lady balls! i mentally scolded myself  "And self defence is such a necessary skill for woman to have nowadays and i really liked your class, so can i join? Please?" I mentally let out a massive breath. Nailed it. 

"No" was all he said. 

"What!" i said way to loudly "Why?"

"Because Rose, your not telling me the truth. I would love to help you and honestly you have really great potential, but i don't like liars, so when your ready to come clean ill be more then happy to let you join my gym" 

I felt defeated, all confidence went out the window and was replaced with pain and fear. My face must have given away my sudden change in mood which prompted James to speak.

"listen Rose, i'm not sure whats going on in your life right now and you don't have to tell me, but i do need some sort of honestly from you and whatever you say will stay between you and me" 

I already felt so defeated at this point that i didn't have the motivation to fight for myself anymore. 

+++++++++++++

The rest of the day went by pretty fast, it was so great catching up with all my friends again. It almost made me forget about my conversation with James, until the bell of the day rang and i was forced to think about going back home. 

I slowly made my way through the streets towards my house, i silently cursed living in a small town and it barely taking 20 minuets to walk anywhere. Once outside i let out a sigh, here we go. I walked through the front door and didn't see Steve in his usual spot in front of the TV. I silently made my way through the house and it was unusually quiet. I walked into my room and lay down on my bed, reflecting back on my day. I couldn't believe that stupid self defence teacher, how dare he not let me join his classes. So what i wasn't being totally honest, i still had a good reason for wanting to join. I grabbed my phone and decided to look up his gym, I found the page and noticed a tab for class schedules. I clicked on today's link and noticed he had a new class starting in 15 minuets. I don't know what came over me but i suddenly got the urge to go and give him a piece of my mind! or at least grovel until he let me join. 

I quickly got changed into a black pair of stretchy yoga shorts and a bright red sports bra, i threw on a black zip up hoodie as it was starting to cool off outside. I grabbed my phone and bag and ran back out the door. If i was quick enough i should make it right on time. 

I got to the front of the building i needed to be at, it was an older looking two story building with graffiti on the walls. I was a little puffed from running so far but i made it right on time. I walked into the lobby that had a massive concrete stair case, off to the side was a big red double wooden door that had a sign on it for Kings Gym and Martial Arts, i walked over a pushed the deceivingly heavy doors open, i was immediately greeted by James addressing the class and showing them the move they would be doing today. He had his shirt off and their was a light layer of sweat covering his body, probably from his previous classes that day. I noticed a large scar that was healed over on the right side of his torso, it started just under his arm and ran around down to his V line just above his shorts. Images of me licking it from start to finish popped into my mind. Completely distracted by my daydream i forgot to close the doors behind me and they shut with a loud BANG! Everyone in the room instantly turned and looked in my direction. Crap.

I looked back at James to see him walking towards me with, yet again, another unreadable expression on his face. 

"Rosa, What are you doing here?" 

Rosa, the pet name made my knees weak and i almost forgot why i was here. I looked down at his lips and wanted nothing more then to kiss him. He half smiled and licked his lips, I'm sure he knew what i was thinking and did it just to torture me. Reasons of why i came were slowly drifting back into my conscious and i had to remind myself to be strong. 

I snapped myself out of it and put a 'don't mess with me' look on my face. 

"I'm here to join your class, and i'm not going anywhere until you say yes" I crossed my arms in front of my chest so he knew i was serious. 

He chuckled "is that so? Have you decided to come clean? or are you planning on roughing me up a bit until i say yes?" He had a smile on his face, as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, mimicking me. 

I scowled at him "Neither, i'm here to reassure you that my intentions of joining are pure, i would never use what i learn here unless absolutely necessary. Now, are you going to let me join or am i going to have to sit here all night to prove to you how serious i am" 

His smile fell a little and i could tell he was thinking of my offer, he pointed to a spot on the floor over by the far wall "Sit" was all he said as he walked back over to the class. 

I stormed off over to my spot and sat, still with a scowl on my face. Preparing myself for a long night i decided to watch the rest of the class. They were learning some move of how to escape if a predator was on top of you, i paid especially close attention to that one. They then moved onto sparing, first opponent to the ground lost. They were in pairs, just like in our class and they were all wrestling, and moving around the place it was hard to keep up.

Suddenly i heard a high pitch scream and looked to see that one of the woman had hurt her shoulder. James quickly ran over to help, i couldn't help the pang of jealousy i felt at the fact he was touching another woman. He quickly summed up that the lady had pulled a muscle in her arm. He reassured the class that she was okay but couldn't continue on with the class. 

"Alright Sam, looks like your teaming up with me" James said to the ladies partner.

He laughed and said "No way man, you'll kick my ass" to which the rest of the class all broke out in laughter 

"Ill be his partner" I heard someone say, everyone in the room turned to look at me and i realised that those words had come out of my mouth. Oh dear lord, what was i doing. 

I stood up and walked over to guy who's names was Sam. "i can do it" i said with a confident smile on my face.

"Absolutely not" i heard James say through gritted teeth. 

"why?" i shot back. "I've been watching, i can totally take this guy" I joked. Everyone in the room laughed and Sam said "Id like to see you try princess" with a hint of amusement on his face. 

"No, its not happening, your not ready for this class" James said with a stern look on his face.

"Oh come on James, let the girl try. Ill take it easy on her" Sam said while wiggling his eyebrows at me.

I giggled and rolled my eyes at him. 

"Fine!" James huffed out. "Everyone off the floor.. Except you two"

Everyone cleared space for us as we positioned ourselves in the middle of the floor. I took of my hoodie and threw it to the side. I caught James staring and felt a little smug about that.

"You know the rules, first one down looses"

I mentally prepared myself, this was it, this was my chance to prove i belonged here. 

"You ready little girl" Sam taunted. 

"Bring it on" I spat back. 

Before i knew it he was charging at me and i quickly dodged him. He quickly turned a kicked the back of my knee causing my leg to collapse and give out. Son of a b***h. 

I hopped back up and he was jumping from side to side with a smug look on his face. With my hands i motioned for him to come at me again. He smiled and charged, i fake dodged and stuck my foot out instead causing him to trip and fall on his face. The whole room erupted with laughter. I must admit i had a pretty wide grin on my face as well. That was until i looked over and seen James glaring at me. My face fell, he wasn't impressed. I needed to up my game.

I heard loud quick foot steps coming for me and before i could comprehend what was happening Sam tackled me to the ground and planted himself on top of me. Panic ran through me as i was hit with flashes of my step dads face. I felt the blood rush from my face, and the all to familiar feeling of fear. I heard cheers and shouts in the back ground which brought me back to reality. The move James was teaching the class while i was watching came to my mind, i slipped my hips to the side, pulled my leg up and smashed my foot into Sams thigh as hard as i could. He fell to the side with a loud cry and i quickly pushed him over and pulled his forearm up the middle of his back and pinned him down until he tapped out. 

The whole room at this point was cheering and clapping me on. James even had a small smile on his lips. 

Sam Hopped up and come over to me, he offered his hand for me to shake "Your not to bad for a chick" he said with a smile on his face. I just smiled back and shook his hand. 

"All right class that's it for the night" James announced,"good job everyone" 

I walked to were my things were and took a huge drink from my water bottle.I felt his presence before i heard him speak. 

"You.." i turned with my bottle still in my mouth causing water to cascade down my chin and onto my breasts. 

"oh f**k" I spat out trying frantically to wipe up the water with my hands. I looked up at James who's mouth was pressed into a hard line while staring at my cleavage as i was trying to clean up my mess. 

The ache between my legs made an unwelcome appearance again and i shifted uncomfortably on my feet trying to dull it. 

James suddenly stepped back and looked up into my eyes. He walked off without saying a word and came back moments later with a white hand towel and handed it me. 

I felt myself blush "thank you" I almost whispered as i towelled myself dry. 

"Your welcome" he said with a smile. I looked up and smiled back. 

"Your a quick learner" he told me "I think with practice you could be really great"

My face lit up as i had never felt more proud of myself then at this moment. 

"Does this mean you'll let me join?"

"Are you ready to tell me why your hear"

I let out a sigh, is he really going to make spill? I opened my mouth to say something, but closed it almost immediately. What was there left to say? 

"Okay, ill let you sign up for intermediate classes, after tonight i think you'll be board in beginners.."

I didn't let him finish before i jumped into his arms and gave him the biggest hug i had ever given any one in my life. My arms were wrapped around his back and my legs around his waist.

"Oh my god! oh my god oh my god, thank you! thank you so much" 

i was too caught up in my excitement to realise what i was doing, but my body soon reminded me. The fire i felt when he first touched me reignited and i felt my n*****s harden. His shirtless body was pressed up against me and my hand instinctively cupped the back of his neck, slowly i released my legs from around him and started to slide my body down his until my feet touched the floor.

I looked up into his eyes and i knew, 

 I had to have him