The Boxer Series

Chapter 2

It wasn't long before I realized we were both leaning in. I didn't know why I was. I had a boyfriend and I didn't think of Harry as anything other than. . . well. . . a stranger, really.

"Cryssy." oh, f**k.

I spun around on my heels, seeing Max a few feet away, fuming. "What the hell are you doing?"

"What's it look like, mate? She's dancing," Harry replied over the thumping music.

"f**k off, Harry!" Max spat, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the back of the club. "I'm your f*****g boyfriend, Cryssy! What the f**k?" he growled, slamming me against the wall. I flinched as my body made contact with the concrete.

"I-I . . ." Suddenly, there was a loud smacking noise and I felt my cheek begin to sting. My jaw dropped as I brought my hand up to cup the burning flesh.

"You were practically eye-f*****g him," he hissed, pressing his body to mine.

"M-Max, stop." I stuttered. He laughed as I weakly attempted to push him off.

"Oh no, you're going to pay for that now. You hear me?" he inquired, slipping a hand up my thigh and leaning his head down to the crook of my neck. I looked away, squeezing my eyes shut as he roughly sucked the sensitive skin. I whimpered as he began to nip at it, feeling the blood trickle down my neck until his presence was removed completely.

I gasped and opened my eyes to find Harry holding him by his collar before bringing his fist up and ramming it into Max's face. His nose made a loud crunching noise that I could hear even from where I stood. Max hit the floor in a heap, and Harry stalked over to him. He hissed something at him before walking the other way. I watched as he left, trying to find the will to move, but I couldn't bring my legs to work. So, instead, I stayed leaning against the wall, shaking, until Louis came over to me. He walked me back to his car after offering to take me home, for which I was grateful. I asked him to also tell Harry I said thank you. He saved me from God knows what Max was about to do in the middle of that club.

Chapter 2

Harry walked into the gym the following morning feeling slightly off, but he blamed it on the fact that, unlike other nights he went to the club, he didn't head over to some random girl's house for the evening. Pulling open one of the large double doors he headed inside, spotting his coach in the ring with one of the newbies. Harry rolled his eyes and headed for the locker room, changing into some gym shorts and a grey tank top. He slung his boxing gloves over his shoulder, held his water bottle in one hand and sauntered out. Matt was immediately in his face.

"Look, Harry, I know sine Levy left, training is all you got but your anger is beginning to get to the best of you." The younger boy rolled his eyes, starting to pull on his boxing gloves while ignoring his coach's rant.

"Lets box," was all he said, brushing past Matt before climbing up the side of the ring and dipping under the chords. The newbie inside quickly exited at the sight of Harry. No way was he getting caught up with someone like Harry Styles.

Harry hopped on the balls of his feet, loosening himself up from the few blows he took last night. Matt followed him into the ring and stood in front of him. "You gonna fight me?" Harry asked impatiently.

"Nope, we are trying something different today," Harry glared at Matt. He knew Harry didn't do well with change. "Take off the boxing gloves."

"Excuse you?"

"Off," Matt said firmly. Although Harry was big and scary to most people, Matt knew Harry was better than hurting him for trying to help. So, Harry did as he was told and pulled off his gloves, dropping them to the floor and kicking them to the side of the ring.

"What now?"

"You're going to learn mixed martial arts." Harry rose an eyebrow.

"Are you serious? That's practically the same thi-"

"No, it's not," Matt cut him off. "You're a boxer, you box. You don't use things like karate in your fighting. I'm going to teach you how."

Harry rolled his eyes, thinking the whole thing ridiculous. He was one of the fastest and strongest boxers of his age and even stronger than most of the older boxers, as well. But unknown to Harry, Matt knew exactly what he was doing. By mixing karate into Harry's ability, it would also teach him to be calm and patient, which was exactly what he needed to tame his anger.

Matt was quicker than Harry expected, striking clean and fast. The hit's were sharp and precise, causing Harry to grunt in pain when he tried to strike back. Harry's punches seemed slower and more labored than Matt's more effortless ones.

"Focus, Harry," Matt tried to guide. Harry, of course being stubborn, ignored him and tried to hit him again. "Block me Harry! Don't try and fight back until you know my weakness! You know this!" Harry growled in response, trying to strike again. But this time, Matt dropped to the floor and swung his leg around hard, knocking the back of Harry's knees and making them give. Matt jumped on top of him, holding Harry down as the younger boy glared up at him.

"What the hell Matt!" Harry spat.

"I told you to focus," his coach sighed, moving off of him. Harry brushed himself off impatiently, glaring at his coach. Others around them only stared; they weren't used to seeing Harry, of all people, get knocked down so easily

Harry's glare switched to the spectators. "Piss off," They all quickly returned to whatever they were supposed to be doing, which was mostly training. Harry dragged himself off the floor and faced Matt. "Again."

"You sure about that?" Harry nodded and beckoned him forward. Matt rolled his eyes but sunk into a fighting stance. "As you wish," he muttered.

~

Cryssy slowly made her way into the large gym. Louis said he was positive Harry would be here, so she decided to drop by and thank Harry. People gave her strange looks as she made her way through the gym and to the boxing arena. She immediately spotted Harry's tall figure in the ring, he looked like he was getting pounded in there. Grunts filled the air as a dark haired man threw swing after swing at Harry. She could tell how frustrated he was getting with every blow to his body. It was weird seeing him getting beaten so badly when just last night he seemed so . . . invincible.

Harry looked over to her and scrunched his eyebrows together as he tried to block another one of Matt's strong blows. "Wait!" he called. Matt stopped, staring at him weirdly.

"What?" he asked, breathing heavily. Harry nodded over to Cryssy before telling Matt he'd be back. He slipped through the ropes surrounding the ring and jogged over to her.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, bluntly. Cryssy tried to smile, but felt slightly awkward under Harry's harsh gaze. It was much different from the friendly one he gave her last night.

"I, uh, just wanted to thank you for taking care of Max for me. He was a real jerk." Harry shrugged.

"Okay." Harry began walking back to the locker rooms without another word.

"Uhm, I was wondering if I could thank you in some way? Like dinner, or something. I mean, you really saved me back there," Cryssy spoke, trying to follow him. Harry waved her off.

"It's fine." Cryssy stopped in her tracks, frowning as he walked away.

"Whatever then", she huffed, turning on the balls of her feet. Harry stopped and turned to watch her with a small smirk on his lips. Feisty. Harry chuckled slightly to himself, maybe he'd take her out someday . . .maybe.

Harry rolled up to his flat after training for the rest of the day, Louis had called a few minutes ago to ask why Harry didn't accept Cryssy's thanks earlier and was beginning to annoy Harry.

"Louis, I told her it was no big deal, okay? Why are you so mad I didn't go out to dinner with her?"

"BECAUSE YOU NEED A GIRLFRIEND, YOU t**t!" Louis finally exploded. "You're such a f*****g stick in the mud, Harry. You need someone to love and to love you."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Harry spat. "Besides, she's NOT my type."

"She'd be really good for you, Harry."

"So? What do you want me to do?"

"Take her out to dinner."

"You're kidding."

"Nope."

"Fine."

"Good boy! I'll call her up and tell her you're picking her up at eight. Don't be late, Styles!" Harry rolled his eyes and hung up, threw his phone on his bed, and took a shower. It was six o'clock, so he had time.

8:30pm

Cryssy opened the door, just the slightest bit annoyed at how late Harry was. She was still trying to push how rude he was earlier out of her mind, but it was hard when he was being such an ass hole. "Hey," she greeted.

"You ready?" Harry asked, not bothering to apologize for being late. Cryssy rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, lets go," Harry opened the door for her before going around to his side of the black Range Rover. At least he's somewhat of a gentleman, Cryssy thought silently. "So, where to? Whatever it is, it's on me," she smiled politely.

"No, I'm buying," Harry stated firmly.

"But I-"

"I'm not letting a woman buy my dinner," Harry cut her off blandly. Cryssy scowled.

"Seriously, Harry?"

"Yes, seriously." She glared again. How could someone go from saving her to being a complete jerk in barely twenty-four hours?

"Prick," she muttered, turning her gaze to outside the window.

"Pardon?" Harry asked, snootily. "I'm only doing this so Louis will get off my back. You don't need to be rude about it. I did save your arse the other night."

"And for that, I thank you. But, if you have that much of an attitude, I'll take the hint and go," she huffed, placing a hand on the door handle since they had yet to get moving.

"I don't think so," Harry snapped, locking the door. Cryssy jiggled the handle furiously, finding it locked from the outside.

"You've got to be f*****g kidding me. What the hell?"

"We're going to dinner."

"I thought you didn't want to go to dinner" Cryssy inquired, giving Harry an annoyed look. He turned away, looking at the road before pulling out of the driveway.

"I said Louis was making me, not that I didn't want too." She rolled her eyes.

"Well, you implied you didn't want to," she grunted.

"Yeah, well, shut up and be civil, would ya?"

"You're one to talk."

"This is precisely why I don't have a girlfriend," Harry muttered more to himself, although Cryssy did hear, and responded with another eye roll.

The two arrived at a very well known restaurant. It had lovely reviews and was known to have many celebrity visitors. It would also mean Louis would definitely know Harry did take out Cryssy and would at least stay off his ass for a bit.

"Holy crap, this is fancy," Cryssy breathed as Harry opened her door. Various flashes went off as the well known boxer and his date traveled up the steps and to the front door, leaving the valet to take care of his car.

"Being a boxer has its perks," Harry shrugged, waltzing up to the front desk with Cryssy trailing behind.

"Obviously."

"Hello, how may I help you?" the man behind the desk smiled politely. He had light blond hair, slicked back with tons of gel and bright blue eyes similar to that of a young husky pup.