When Abigail got home she was surprised to see her dad in the living room waiting on her. Most of the time he was stuck at work and didn't return home until late, usually after she was asleep. She had become used to it just being her and her mom in the evenings.“Dad?” She called seeing him sitting on the sofa watching the highlights on ESPN.
“Hey doll, how was school?” Her dad asked turning the TV down.
“It was fine, you're home early.”
“Yeah uh, your mom called and said she probably won't be home tonight so I figured I better get here and stay with you.”
“Is something wrong?”
His face was serious but with her father that was nothing new. He was never the emotional type. “Your grandad is in the hospital, he had a stroke.”
Blinking away tears Abigail frowned. “Well is he going to be ok? This isn't the first time he's had to go to the hospital.”
“They're not sure yet but your mom is staying with him and your aunt is going to be there with her. Now I don't want you to worry. You know your Grandad, he's a tough man.” He coughed. “So tonight its just gonna be you and me, what do you want me to cook us for supper?”
Chuckling Abigail walked past her father. “Chinese?”
“I was hoping you'd say that.” She heard him say following her into the kitchen.
The next day Harry groaned hearing his mom vacuuming the hallway right outside his bedroom door. “Jesus Christ mom, do you have to do that at nine in the morning?!” He yelled.
When he didn't get an answer he tried his best to go back to sleep with no avail. Mumbling a few curses under his breath he grabbed a pair of gym shorts off the floor. Pulling them on he walked into the kitchen to see his mom wiping down the counter. “Morning sweetie.” She smiled.
“Mhmm,” He muttered pushing his curly hair out of his eyes.
“What time did you go to bed last night?”
“I don't know, all I know is my mom likes to clean at the worst time. Seriously who cleans this early?”
“People who have to work all week and the only time to themselves is on Saturday morning.” Anne grinned as her son rolled his eyes. “So what are you and your friends doing tonight?”
“I don't know yet, we might just hang out at Zayn's house.” He lied.
“Oh ok, well tell his mom hi for me, I'm going to go check on your sister and see how the baby is doing.”
“I don't see why you go all the way to see her when she barely makes the effort to come here.” He mumbled going into the pantry to see what they had for breakfast.
“Well its just hard for her to travel with the baby. Its much easier for me to go to her.”
Harry shut his mouth, not wanting to have this argument again, at this point he had lost count how many times they had it. When his sister came home for Christmas during her freshman year of college and told everyone she was two months pregnant he couldn't believe it. Gemma was always the responsible one, she was always the one getting him out of trouble. Then he found out the father wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. Every time he thought about it his blood would boil. “Harry, your phone is ringing.” Anne announced from down the hall.
Hurrying into his room he saw Craig's name on the caller ID. “Craig, its about time.” He mumbled closing his bedroom door.
“Sorry, it took me a little longer this time, I couldn't find a good spot so we're just gonna have to hold it in the woods just outside of town.”
“Fuck, I was hoping you wouldn't say that.”
“I know man, but its all we can do on such short notice. Why is this fight such a big deal? You pissed a few people off demanding it.”
“Well once they see who its against they won't have any objections. Its Philip Rogers.”
“Holy shit, as in Michael Roger's son? Are you fucking crazy?! That's the mayor's son!”
“I know, that's why I'm sure no one's gonna be pissed for very long. Can you imagine the turn out for this fight?”
“Dude, I wish you told me ahead of time, before I got chewed out for putting this fight together in a day.”
“Sorry, I'll do that next time.” Harry chuckled. “Anyway I'll see you guys tonight.”
“Be there at ten, fight's at ten thirty.”
“I'll be there.” He confirmed before hanging up.
Later that night Abigail was content on spending her evening at home, with a book and a cup of tea when she heard banging on her front door. Groaning she trudged up from her spot on the couch to answer it. “Kristin what are you doing here?”
“Why are you in your pajamas? Its like eight o' clock.” Kristin laughed.
“Well I wasn't planning on going out tonight.”
“That's where you're wrong my friend. Where's your dad?”
“He's upstairs going over plans for a new subdivision, why?”
“Just tell him you're going to my house and get a shower. I'll pick out your outfit.” Her red haired friend grinned grabbing Abigail's arm and pulling her upstairs.
“Do I have a choice in this?”
“No, Ben is picking us up in an hour so hurry.”
Knowing it was best to just go along with whatever Kristin said Abigail poked her head in her parent's bedroom. She found her dad sitting on the king sized bed with papers surrounding him. “Dad, I'm going to Kristin's house, is that ok?”
“Huh? Oh yeah honey, be careful.” He mumbled, not looking up from his work.
Sighing Abigail walked to her room seeing Kristin at her closet. “Wow, that was easy.”
“He's working, the house could be on fire and he'd never know it.”
“Damn, ok now to the shower,” Kristin commanded pulling out various sweaters and jackets from her friend's closet.
Harry stepped out of the shower, it was one of his rituals before a fight. Take a hot shower, he liked to clear his head and be as relaxed as possible when he fought. Wiping the mirror off he reached up to take his lip ring out, he never liked to have it in when he had a fight. He made that mistake one time and he regretted it when his opponent got a decent shot at his mouth. He still won but he had to get his lip re-pierced afterward.
Walking into his bedroom he put on the first articles of clothing he found, a worn in pair of jeans and black T-shirt. Towel drying his hair he gathered his thoughts. A million things went through his head before a fight, he tried to remain focused but it was hard at times. Especially when just that previous week he found his mom crying in the kitchen. He always knew money was tight but he never to what extent. Since then his mom has been taking as many shifts as she could but it wasn't enough. He had a lot riding on this fight, a lot of money was at stake. If he won he could pay the majority of their bills, he couldn't afford to lose. Winning was his only option.
After applying her every day makeup Abigail left the bathroom seeing her outfit laying on her bed. “I have to say I'm impressed. I should be a stylist.” Kristin beamed.
“All right stylist, let me get changed.” Abigail sighed.
Kristin shrugged before turning around. “So where are we going anyway?” Abigail asked.
“To a fight.” Kristin announced glancing to her manicured nails.
Stepping into her skinny jeans Abigail laughed. “A fight? Very funny, where are we really going?”
“We're going to a fight, I'm serious.”
“Why are we going to a fight?”
“Because Ben knows some people, one of whom is fighting. He wouldn't give me specifics, I'm just as clueless as you are.”
“I don't get how you're so excited for this.” Abigail muttered pulling her sweater on.
“Oh come on, this is the most exciting thing that's gone on in this town since that car caught on fire during the Christmas parade in '97.”
“That's pretty sad.”
“I know, that's why we're going. Plus I doubt this is the first fight that's gone on, its just the first one we know about. It could be like that Brad Pitt movie.”
“Doubt it, its probably just two meat heads who are bored and just want to duke it out.” Abigail sighed running her towel through her hair. “Did you happen to pick out shoes too?”
Kristin put a finger to her chin. “Your boots, they make you look like a biker chick and you need to look tough when you're going to watch a fight.”
“Kris...you're wearing a dress.”
Looking down at her own attire Kristin shrugged. “Well I'm going for a different tough.” She smiled, doing a curtsey. “Now hurry up missy, you still have to do your hair.”
Fifteen minutes later Kristin was dragging Abigail out the door to a waiting Mustang. “Hey baby,” Kristin giggled as they climbed into the car.
“Hey you,” Ben smiled leaning over to kiss her lips. “Its about time, the fight starts in twenty minutes.”
“Plenty of time, Ben you know Abigail.”
“Yeah hey Abigail, how are you?” He asked putting the car into drive.
“I'm good, slightly confused, who's fighting and why is it such a big deal?”
“Harry Styles and Philip Rogers.”
Kristin and Abigail exchanged surprised glances. “Ok, so why is it a must see?”
“You guys never knew about the fights?” Ben sounded shocked. “They've been going on for the past year and Harry is still undefeated.”
“How do you know?”
“Mine and Harry's moms are best friends, we grew up together. We work in the same pizza place downtown.”
“All right, that explains things. So what about the fights?”
“Well from what I've heard this bookie from Vegas moved here and needed money so he put together this fight club.”
“See! I told you, its just like the Brad Pitt movie!” Kristin exclaimed.
Ben chuckled, taking Kristin's hand from across the console. “Anyway, it turns out a lot of people pay to watch two guys beat each other's asses. One night Harry stepped up, said he would take on the toughest guy there. He might have been a little buzzed at the time but he still fought.”
“And he won.”
“Hell yeah he did, the other guy didn't stand a chance. Ever since then Harry is like a champion fighter.”
“So its like that movie, its invite only. Which is why we've never heard of it.” Abigail reasoned.
“Exactly, so when we leave tonight you guys can't say anything. If cops got wind of this everything would be shut down, people would get arrested and it just won't be pretty. Got it?”
“Got it.” The girls agreed.
Ben parked the car at a Seven Eleven and waited. “What are we doing?” Kristin asked.
“My car can't get us to the spot so we're riding with a friend of mine.” He explained pulling out his phone. “And he's here.”
Stepping out of the car Kristin and Abigail saw a Jeep pull into the parking lot. “Oh hell no, I'm wearing a dress.” Kristin grumbled.
“But you're tough, remember?” Abigail smirked.
Pouting Kristin nodded. “Thank God I'm wearing leggings.” She mumbled. “Isn't that Harry's friend Liam?”
Looking past her Abigail nodded her head. “Yeah, Liam Payne, he was in my History class last year.” From what she remembered she knew he was a nice guy, at the time she didn't understand why he was friends with someone like Harry.
“Hey man, I didn't know you were bringing anyone else.” Liam said when he noticed the girls behind Ben.
“Well Kristin and I already had plans and I couldn't exactly cancel on her. She was the one that brought Abigail with her but don't worry I explained it to them.” Ben explained helping Kristin into the back of the Jeep. “You can ride up front, Abby.”
When everyone was in the car Liam put the car into drive. “All right, if anything happens just come straight to the car. If you can't make it here just try to find someone you know, chances are they'll be willing to give you a ride.”
“What do you mean 'if something happens?'” Abigail asked.
“Well just in case things get too crazy or the cops come. Its just a precaution. Nothing serious has happened before.”
Keeping her mouth shut Abigail looked forward as they went off the main road onto a trail. “All right, this might get a little bumpy.” Liam announced.
That was an understatement. The Jeep rocked from side to side, hitting small limbs that hung low, going over stumps without a problem. Abigail gripped her seat tighter, her knuckles turning white. She heard Ben laugh from the backseat and Kristin cuss at Liam's driving. In the distance she noticed lights and Liam kept heading towards them. Finally after what felt like the roughest amusement park ride she had ever been on they reached their destination. Cars were in a half circle, their lights on keeping the woods lit up. A thin man stood in the middle on his cell phone. People kept approaching him, money in their hands. “All right everyone place your bets! Last chance!” The man yelled.
“Who's that?” Abigail wondered out loud as they climbed out of the Jeep.
“That's Craig, he puts the fights together.” Liam answered pulling a sweatshirt over his head. “Follow me.”
Abigail walked behind Kristin and Ben, making their way through the crowd of people who were still trying to make their bets. Off to the side were two cars, one of which she recognized. “There you are, Liam.” 'That voice,' she thought, even with all the madness going on she could recognize that deep voice anywhere.
“Hey Harry, you ready for this?” Liam questioned.
“Always, I see you brought some stragglers.” He smirked noticing Abigail for the first time.
“Yeah, they're cool though, Ben explained it to them.”
He nodded once. “Hey Ben, glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn't miss it, so is Philip any good?”
“He's fast, but that's about it. I doubt the kid's ever been in a real fight. His big brother always bails him out.” Harry's voice was sharp at the mention of Edward Rogers.
“Hey, I got some money on you tonight, Harry. I'll be back.” Niall laughed hitting his friend on the back.
Zayn and Liam followed Niall as he headed over to Craig with fifty dollars in his hand. Standing off to the side Abigail saw Kristin cuddle up to Ben to keep warm, even though there were other people around she still felt like the biggest third wheel. This was the last place she expected to be on a Saturday night. How was all this even possible in their little small town? “You all right there Angel?”
“What?” She murmured noticing Harry standing in front of her. “Oh yeah, I'm fine. Um...you nervous?”
“Nah, I don't get nervous. You seem to be though. You scared for me, Angel?” He observed. “You're shaking.”
“If you haven't noticed, its kinda freezing out here. You can't have your insane bloodbath somewhere with central heating?”
Shaking his head Harry laughed. “Take your jacket off.”
“What?!” She snapped taking a step away from him.
“Just listen to me.”
Rolling her eyes Abigail unzipped her jacket. To her surprise she noticed Harry do the same. “This should help.” He told her placing it over her shoulders.
“What about you?” She mumbled, the jacket engulfing her.
“I won't be needed it here soon, you just keep it warm for me, deal?”
Before she had the chance to say anything they heard a voice yell. “All right, lets get it started!”
Harry smirked. “Kind of stand close to the front, that way you won't miss the show.” He whispered in her ear. Abigail watched him as he walked away. She could see something turn on in his head. He was no longer the joking guy she was just talking to. Suddenly he was someone darker, more sinister and for the first time she was actually afraid of him.
Once inside in the circle Harry balled his fists. It was these kind of moments before a fight he lived for. The cheers of the people faded away, he wasn't aware of how cold it was, he was only aware of him and his opponent. He was focused now and Philip didn't stand a chance.