My Pro Boxer System

Cassian was with his group of friends, the same ones he came to school with yesterday. They were all in my class, but I didn't bother to learn their names; to me, they all fell into two categories: meathead jocks and stuck-up high school girls.

"Sure, you can sit," I said, scooting over to make more space.

"Thanks, man."

Cassian took the seat right beside me while the others spread out among themselves.

"I didn't know you and Liam knew each other," one of the boys said, addressing Cassian.

I didn't know his name, but he was the tallest in the group, with red hair and a lean figure.

"Oh yeah, he was outside our club room yesterday."

"Hmm, really?" The red-haired boy's eyes turned to me. "Are you interested in joining the boxing club—"

"Nah, your brother was all for it, but Ivy didn't want the coach training any more newbies when we should be focusing on getting our licenses," Cassian said.

"Ivy?" I asked. "Is that the girl from yesterday? And did you just say his brother?"

A huge grin lit up Cassian's face as he put his arm around the red-haired boy's shoulder.

"Yep, Ivy, that girl from yesterday with the attitude, is our manager, and Ken here is Captain Lucain's younger brother. He's the reason we're allowed to slack off so much."

Ken frowned.

"You're the only one slacking off. I have to work twice as hard as all of you."

Apart from his height, Ken didn't share many similarities with his brother. Looking at his long, slender arms, I could see how he would make a great boxer.

"Honestly, I don't know why my brother puts up with your antics," Ken continued with an exhausted sigh.

"'Cause he knows I'll make a great boxer one day. I love everything about boxing. I failed at every other sport I tried but not this. Mark my words, I'll be one of the bests, trust me."

Cassian wore a confident smile, passion burned in his eyes. The look on his face seemed to draw everyone in. They looked at him in admiration, the kind of look you'd give a leader.

For a second, I understood why he was always surrounded by people; why everyone thought so highly of him. It's his charisma. It even made me review my own feelings towards boxing.

"You're a great infighter with a lot of power behind your punches." Ken said. "Coupled with your monstrous strength, you're a great asset to the club. I hate to say it but out of all us first years; you're the most promising. The only problem is that you won't take it seriously."

"Yeah, Cassian is a beast," the other boy seated at our table spoke. He was in my class, but again, I didn't know his name. The top half of his hair was dyed blonde while the lower half was left with its natural black color. 

He was short in stature and had a slim build. Looking at him, there was no way he could be a boxer. "The first time you hit a punching bag, your knuckles scraped off," he laughed.

"Eww." One of the girls who was having her own conversation made a disgusted face. "Why would you even put yourself through that? It's ridiculous."

I knew the girl that spoke—well, not her name, but she was the queen bee in our class. She was everything you'd expect from a title like that: a blonde hair beauty with the body of a model and skin so flawless she looked like she was made in a factory. She had a sort of effortless beauty and a smile that said 'I know I'm better than everyone'. 

[If you get a chance, can you ask blondie about her skincare routine?] Alexa's voice echoed in my mind.

I didn't know their relationship, but she and Cassian were always together, and wherever she went, her hive followed.

"I totally agree," the short boy quickly replied. From where I was sitting, it looked like he was sucking up to the blonde girl—a crush maybe. "Personally, that's why I play football; it's a much better sport. You should come watch me play sometime. I'll score a goal just for you."

"What are you even talking about, Adam?" Cassian glared at the short boy who's name is apparently Adam. "There's no way football is a better sport than boxing."

Adam returned his glare, but it was obvious that the two were only jesting. I was surprised by this; I'd always thought of Cassian's friends as mere grunts.

"Come on, Lonely-kun, back me up." Cassian grinned, bumping me with his elbow. "Boxing is the better sport, right?" 

"Who cares what he thinks—"

"Boxing is objectively the better sport," I said, cutting off Adam. 

I didn't know much about football but I was slowly developing a fondness for boxing.

"Again, who cares what you think? Who cares what any of you think? Football is the better sport, right, Kiki?" Adam said, addressing the blonde girl, who had now started a new conversation with the two girls seated next to her.

"Uh, oh, no, I still think boxing is the better sport."

"Uh, but you said—" Adam slumped his head dejectedly, while Cassian wasted no time laughing and jeering at him.

I ate my lunch in silence as I watched the group laugh and carry on. Kiki and the other girls were also talking about a sport but I couldn't fill in the pieces enough to figure out what it was. 

They all seemed like close-knit friends. Watching them all interact, I felt like a stray cat at a family dinner. My impression of them had improved, albeit slightly.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, we all went back to class. I didn't get to ask Cassian or Ken about joining the club, but that would have to wait until another time.

After school, I headed to Karisma Mall. It was only a fifteen-minute walk from school and a hot spot for students after classes ended. But unlike them, I wasn't going there to idle or lounge around; my objective was to buy a proper pair of running shoes.

I had come to Karisma Mall a few times before with my mom, but this was actually the first time I'd come by myself. Though I was usually alone at school and was fine with that, but being alone in public was a different kind of torture.

I could already hear everyone's laughter.

'Look there! He's here by himself; what a weirdo! Hahaha!'

Well, I knew people weren't really saying that; in fact, most people didn't care. But my paranoia told me otherwise.

[Do you even know where you're going? It looks like you're just bumbling around.]

I could already imagine her pouting as she said that.

"I'm looking for a store that sells sports stuff."

[Then look upstairs. Anyone with eyes can see that the stores on the bottom floor are mostly restaurants.]

"Yeah, yeah, that's what I was going—"

Just then, I saw my sister outside of a café, standing among a group of her friends. We both locked eyes for a split second but since I didn't want to embarrass her, I steered clear and went upstairs.

After taking a look around, I found a store that sold various sports items.

There was a rack inside with various types of sports shoes. To me, they all looked the same, so I grabbed the cheapest pair available. That's when someone spoke from behind me.

"That's a bad choice. A shoe like that is no better than a regular sneaker."

I glanced back to see a tall, lean figure staring at me. It was the captain of the boxing club, Lucian Valemont.