Luck Of The Draw

On Saturday, my school practiced with another school and we had a ceremony to honor some students. Next week everyone in my school is being matched against a fighter from that other school. During the practice I noticed one of their students was really fast with his hands and when he landed a punch he drove even the biggest guy backwards a few feet. He really impressed me and the others of my school and even though none of us spoke it, I could tell by the body language everyone had that they were hoping they would not be matched up against him next week. I happened to be getting a drink of water when the list was posted. I opened the bottle, took a sip of water and just as I was about to swallow, practically everyone in my class turned around and looked at me with a look of horror on their face. I knew in an instant who I was matched up against and it suddenly became very hard to swallow that sip of water.


After walking in a circle a few times, hitting myself against the side of my head and whispering "Oh my God" I found myself surrounded by my fellow students who were still talking to me as though I was about to die and they were offering condolences. Just then I saw Gareth walk in and stand with other family members who had arrived to pick someone up. I went to the lockeroom and grabbed my bag and without even wanting to shower I went to find Gareth. I thought he will be my rock and he will have something calming to say and make everything seem alright. So I walk up to him and before I could tell him who I was matched against, he tells me he already heard. As I turn to point out who my opponent will be, I notice he is now doing one fingered pushups. All I heard behind me from Gareth, my rock, my calming influence was the words, "You're so dead!" Resigned to my fate I replied "Yep, lets get out of here." As we stepped outside, the cold air felt refreshing after being in that hot gym and it let me know I was alive. At least for one more week.