"I CAN'T BELIEVE you didn't call all this while! How proud I am."

I frowned slightly, guilt running through my veins. "Mom, I'm sorry. I've just been so busy, college is hectic." Moreover I hated this guy who messed up my white top, punched his friends, smashed a guy's car, surprisingly became friends with the same guy I hated and now I hang out with a bunch of idiots.

She sighed. "I understand honey, even Allison is complaining of school being stressful. How're you, though?"

It warmed my heart to actually hear from her again after three weeks, and I shrugged my shoulders like she could see me. "Fine, just how I left."

Surprisingly, I'm a lot.. . happier.

The line went silent for a few seconds, and I knew she was worried about something. She sighed, and I could imagine her eyebrows furrowing. "I hope you're socializing really well."

I smiled. "Yes mom, I have six friends, surprisingly."

She chuckled. "I'm proud of you, and. . . Do you still get those nightmares?"

I frowned slightly. "It was just once, nothing serious." I didn't want the discussion to go further into that so, I changed the subject. "So how's Ali and Uncle?"

"They're both fine, your uncle has gone out for work though."

"Okay-"

"Carla are you ready yet?" Bella's voice resonated from the bathroom, and I suddenly realized I had been on the phone for too long.

"No."

"Who was that?" Mom asked, and I could picture her eyebrows lifting up.

"My roommate, Bella."

"She sounds like a sweet girl so, where are you guys going?"

She was a parent, so such questions were bound to be asked. I rolled my eyes. "There's a boxing match today so we are heading there now."

She chuckled- the kind when she remembered something. "I remember how your uncle wanted you to be a boxer, though it could've suited you."

I feigned hurt because her words came out comical. "Mom, you know I hate wasting my time, and as we both know, getting punched in the face as a profession is a waste of time for me."

I could picture the roll of her eyes and the tilt of her head like she always does when she thinks I'm being ridiculous. "Just forget that, and live your best. I want you to be happy."

I smiled, genuinely. "I'm very happy mom."

It was still confusing that I could be this happy but I knew for a fact, I wouldn't have had it any other way.

▬▬▬✰✯✰▬▬▬

The gym was laden with bright lights- audiences seated around the boxing ring- and the air smelled thick with such tense emotions. The guys, my two girl friends and I were seated in a row in front of the ring.

Whooping and cheering of all sorts came from everywhere around us. Every college student were present as well as some unknown faces in the crowd. I stared at the competitor waiting for Valen with a brooding look on his face. The arena, however, didn't come to life until white lights flickered through the building, and a beat resonated on the floor.

"Standing at 6'5", weighing in at two hundred and two, is our champion. We all know him he's a star who started training just when he was twelve. Ladies and gentlemen let's welcome our warrior." Everyone went silent, as they waited for his name.

"The undefeated underweight, Valen Monroe."

The white spot light focused on the westside entrance. A blanket of smoke covered the corridor where Valen stepped out gracefully. One that could make a girl fall on her knees. Unlike his opponent, he didn't step out with a flashy cover-up but a sleek red robe with his name on the back.

Valen's emotionless face morphed into a smirk outlining his lips as he took off his robe-leaving every inch of his sculpted muscle in display for the college girls in the crowd to crazily drool over.

Red shorts was the only thing covering his body, stretching down his long toned legs. His electrifying gaze met mine, and he shot me a wink before gripping the top rope and hurling himself over.

His opponent stepped back-obviously intimidated by him-and Valen seemed to enjoy it as a dangerous grin outlined his lips. Something about him remained a mystery to me-it was one of a kind actually, and infact too good to be true- it was the way he smiled and the way his dusky eyes could enchant me.

Girls cried out his name and I wasn't oblivious to the one who shouted,"I love you Valen Monroe!" And let's just say, everything about me hated that statement- for some reason.

As he stepped forward, each steps emitted powerful confidence throughout the arena. His tattoos we're on display, and a scar on his arm.

The fighters touched gloves, and then- the bell rang. I witnessed the brooding look in Valen eyes, and it made believe that it was the reason paramedics were waiting on the other side of the ring.

I was tensed up, more than I should actually- Valen was fighting but, he sure was doing a great job dodging all the punches his opponents sent his way. His reflexes caused his biceps to move every now and then, and my eyes were glued to his movements-swift and accurate, perfect aim, calm poise.

My increasing heartbeats now resonated in my ears, mouth dry and fingers crossed by my sides.

From the ring, his eyes found mine, and at that point I wanted to shout, "Focus!" but I couldn't drop the gaze like it was solidifying into mine. Suddenly, everything seemed to shift, and his gaze left mine- and when reality struck, I realized his opponent had landed an upper-cut on his jaw.

His head snapped back, and the crowd fell silent.

Time stopped, and so did my breathing.

"Valen!"

I had the urge to shout, and to run towards him, but I couldn't do it- my steps stopped halfway. So, with my gaze trained on him, I watched how a wicked grin played on his lips, when the referee stalked towards him.

His eyes didn't meet mine, instead, they stayed locked on his opponent who looked more terrified than before, because he was no where near Valen's size in height and body structure.

His opponent stepped forward, and before he could even throw a punch at Valen, Valen sent his fist straight to his opponent's jaw, a cracking sound echoing- and that was how Valen won, loud cheers had erupted from everyone in the building.

Bella and Jess were shrieking on either sides of me, and as always- I rolled my eyes. I ended up joining them since their smiles were contagious, we jumped and screamed in excitement.

From the crowd surrounding Valen, his eyes found mine, a smile displaying. It was contagious, to say the least; boyish and beyond attractive. And when he walked over after dumping his towel on his seat- don't forget he was still shirtless- my breath hitched in my throat, just a little bit actually.

He was now standing in front of me. He still had the same high collarbones, enchanting smile, and ocean eyes- now added to it was the light speck of beige oh his skin. Even with how sweaty he was, he still wasn't meant for the sore eyes.

And so, I continued to stare at him-no it- I stared at his torso like it was an addiction. How could someone's torso be this perfect?

"Carla?" Valen called me back to reality, a smirk displaying on his face- obviously I was gawking openly. Curse me.

"Yeah?"

"We won!" he breathed, pulling me in a crushing hug, and- ugh! I was wrapped in his sweaty body.

I pushed him away, my face twisting in a scowl. "Ugh, you're all sweaty."

"So?"

"Don't hug me when you're sweaty."

Just as he rolled his eyes playfully, the guys jogged over, pulling him in a hug and then doing their weird bro handshakes.

"Are you guys coming for the party tonight?" Austin suggested.

I groaned. "Another party? No way."

He just smiled, hands running through his hair but- it wasn't as hot as it was when Valen- Jeez! "Can't stand alcohol sweetheart?"

I grimaced at the name, it sounded a lot more comforting when Valen said it. But before I could respond, Valen did. "Don't force her." his voice was edged like a sword, and I wondered what crawled up his ass.

"I don't feel like attending," I responded to Austin's earlier asked question. Valen continued almost immediately, hands folded "Yeah, I'm not even in the mood to party tonight."

With Walter's eyes bright and starry, and mouth twitched up, he spoke, "dude you're the guest of honor how would the party be like without it's guest?"

"People do come to parties to drink and hookup," Valen pointed out. "So, they might forget I'm supposed to be there,"

"Okay," Bella nodded, hands crossed over her chest. "What are we going to be doing in the meantime?"

"You guys can come over to our apartment later to watch a movie, it'll just be the seven of us," he suggested.

Everyone seemed to ponder over the idea, silence overwhelming our little conversation. The rest had already agreed to it, and when Valen shifted his gaze back to me from the rest of them, he noticed me still pondering over it. "Come on Carla."

I sighed dramatically, and because of those reckless smiles, I agreed.

▬▬▬✰✯✰▬▬▬

Really?

We had gotten to Valen and Walter's apartment, and I couldn't help but gawk because- the house was not at all messy for two college guys to be living in. With clean white colored walls, and photos of boxers and band hung on them, not to forget the beautiful flowers on the balcony- their place was very much put together.

Valen had shifted his eyes to me from Walter, he saw my eyes searching for an explanation. "I despise dirt and messiness so I clean up."

I scoffed. "You clean?"

"Obviously, since Walter here is not as half as organized as I am," he sent a straight glare Walter's way.

"I'm impressed," I grinned, and he gave me one of his ever enthralling smiles.

We settled ourselves down on the couch, our backs seeking comfort. The room was dimly lit. Valen and I sat next to each other on the couch, with Jess on my right side. Bella and Walter were sitting together, and Walter had his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

The way the two of them acted around each other sometimes made me question why they weren't couples yet.

We had opted for an action movie, and with the way she screamed once in a while, she sure wasn't used to seeing guns- whilst we laughed. An intense scene came, the bad guy had a gun pointed at our main character, and when he pulled the trigger,- Bella shrieked once again, burying her face in Walter's chest.

"You're being dramatic Bel," Walter chuckled, and she smacked his chest.

When the credits had began rolling, Bella jumped up immediately. "I'm starving guys. Let's have a snack and then- I'll pick the next movie."

"Some cheesy romance crap," Walter muttered under his breath, even loud enough for all of us to hear.

"Yup."

Valen got up from his position right next to me, a grin outlined on his lips. "Lucky for you, I already made dinner."

I almost spat out the water I was drinking. "You actually made dinner?"

"Yes," he shrugged. "I'll be back."

"I'll come with," I said in a rush, bouncing out of my seat.

Bella rose a smug eyebrow, a smirk outlining her lips. "If I may ask, why?"

I managed to pass her a glare, which was equivalent to the words, Don't. And whilst she kept her eyebrows up, I only sighed, my logical response being: "I need to see for myself."

Then I walked away.

Their kitchen seemed pristine with white walls and spotless floor-all was rather daunting.

I looked over, eyelids brimming with confusion whilst Valen retreated back with a big plate of steaming, spicy chicken wings.

Korean fried chicken wings.

He looked up, stared at me with a visible smile on his face, and rose an eyebrow, smug as ever. Placing the plate on the counter in front of me, he leaned on the counter. I raised an eyebrow, agreeing to something, that-Valen Monroe must've been joking-because right before me was the most appetizing dish I had ever laid eyes on.

There was no way he prepared this alone.

"So what do you think?"

My only logical response was to stare hungrily at the dish, and then stare at him and then think; Unbelievable.

"Did you actually make this?"

"Quite frankly I would say so since I often do the cooking here," he grinned, running a finger across his jaw.

I was astonished to say the least, and I couldn't deny the admirations that took over my features. "Amazing!"

He rose a smug brow. "Go on, taste it."

I averted my gaze to the food before me, it's smell wafting around, like I could enjoy it as a great recipe of the air. Whilst I took a wing, I only hoped for it to be as appetizing as it's look and aroma. And just when the wing embraced my tongue, the flavor was amazing and comforting- the sort one could eat everyday as if they were the most divine food ever conjured.

Hot, spicy and aromatic- dipped in hot sauce.

"Oh my gosh, this tastes so fuckin' good!"

I wasn't joking at all, however, since I hadn't tasted something as amazing as that. He just chuckled lightly, the fruity sound dissociating in the air. I couldn't help but stare because if there was a list of the most gorgeous people in the world- Valen Monroe would be number one.

"I'm glad you didn't criticize it this time," he sighed dramatically, eyes brightening. When I furrowed my eyebrows and rolled my eyes, he had the stupid grin on his face, and I had nothing to use to smack him. With electrifying current flowing through my veins because-goddamit, I managed to complement him-I shot him a glare.

"Can't you take a compliment nicely?"

My arms were crossed across my chest whilst his face twisted in humour, eyes narrowed. He ran a finger across his jaw before he allowed a laugh to slip past his lips. "Can't you take a joke calmly?"

He had this twinkle in his blue eyes and I had to suppress a groan. There was something about his playfulness that made me question a lot of things- like the way my stomach dropped everytime he stared at me intently. Like he was doing now.

To save myself from any further embarrassment, I had to purse my lips and fold my arms over my chest-so everything could make sense. "Where did you learn to cook like this?"

His eyes softened at my question, blue eyes trained on me. Twinkling delight. "My mom loves cooking a lot and I pretty much took after her, aside from boxing, cooking is another passion of mine."

The usual smell of a kitchen was so distinct that it took me back to a special moment in my past: the carefree, amazing and sweet female in the house who had taken cooking as her passion. Thinking about it was bitter sweet, and too harsh for me to bear that I almost forgot about the blue eyed boy still staring at me with his enthralling smile.

I didn't say anything related to what I had thought about- instead, I placed my hands on my waist, and spoke, "I think you cooking is much of a greater passion than you boxing."

Valen who was already dishing out the food in different plates for our friends snapped his head in my direction. "Why did you say so?"

"Because you seem less distracted when cooking than when boxing," I spoke, eyes trained on him, and referring to when he was punched in the boxing ring.

I watched his eyebrows furrow, eyes narrowing at me. "Excuse me?"

I didn't let go. With taunting eyes and coyness slipping into my words, I shook my head. "I can't believe the champion got distracted during a boxing match."

He wrinkled his nose and rubbed his palm together before he let out a sigh. "You distracted me."

And just like that we were back to square one. Again. My eyes burned into his whilst I fumed in fury. "Excuse me? You distracted yourself."

"Now frosty, you've gotten that all wrong."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm not a distraction, besides I wasn't the one who asked you to avert your attention from your opponent to me."

"That's the damn problem Carla, it was hard to keep my attention on my opponent when you were there-"

Was he trying to say that-

"So, you practically begged me to be there at your match and now you're indirectly telling me that my presence had almost made you lost? Unbelievable."

With the anger that bubbled inside of me, I attempted to stomp out of the kitchen, only for his hand to tug at my wrist. And because of the sudden impact, I lost my balance, and my reflex was to land on my ass but again, his hand gently wrapped around my waist, bringing me closer to his chest.

Who was he to hold me like that?

Valen's eyes were fixated on mine, and even in the dimly lit room, his sculpted face was vividly evident, and so was his drowning eyes I was looking right back in.

I had waited for him to say something but, my patience dried up, and so, I began squirming in his arms but- suddenly stopped; because his hands slowly slid into my hair, eyes still paralyzed and solidified into mine.

My breath hitched.

It had never happened before in my life that a mere gaze could set my heart on fire, but the heat that sat on my neck was bound to envelop my entire body if I didn't get away from his gaze, and touch.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"I'm sorry Carla but that isn't what I meant," his voice came out soft, his minty fresh breath making my eyes flutter. "I never meant you were a bad distraction, and fuck, the blame should be on me because I shouldn't have lost concentration but. . . keeping my eyes away from you seemed to be one of the hardest things ever."

The air had gotten really awkward-or maybe I imagined it. I had forgotten about my stomach twisting painfully, because there was something else moving there. Maybe the cliche butterflies. And whilst I kept chanting, I'm so short-tempered in my head, Valen observed me, and I had to find my tongue.

"Um- sorry I overreacted, I thought-"

He gave me another enthralling smile, and he seemed-really different- but he was the same, it was just the lights that accented his amazing features. I hadn't forgotten where his hands still was; in my hair and around my waist, and it strangely sent a wave of tingles- as well as made me realize how close were, and it was my cue to get away.

But before I could move an inch, someone saw us in that awful position.

"What's taking you two. . . Oh my."

Bella!

▬▬▬▬▬▬

Oh no for my Carla.

But I think it's clear that not even a million fights could make Carla hate Valen.

I hope you're doing well!

Please let me know what you thought of this chapter! Love you all. Stay beautiful <3.

Jessie❤️