SAGE

Sage Miller

I was buzzing with excitement as I walked inside Styles's SUV. This was finally the day I was going to the Arena as it was fight night.

Finally my summer was looking up. Everything was going as it should've been from the start.

The atmosphere, well, my atmosphere anyway, was buzzing with excitement.

I was literally jumping throughout the day. I felt lighter, bottom line is, I was fucking excited.

In just two hours I'd be fighting and I trained hard for this. Styles did set my match and all I had to do was show up to win. I know he picked an easy opponent for me but that's whatever, I don't care as long as I win.

"Don't react to fast, wait for him to make the first move. And most importantly don't let him rile you up, you'll make mistakes and he'll exploit them. Focus!" Styles gave me what sounded like a pet talk.

"I know." I said to him. He's been telling me all this for the past two days.

"Good. Just making sure you won't forget." He said.

I followed him into the long narrow dark tunnels. Even with all the lightbulbs every 6 feet, the tunnels was still dark and cold.

"Hey Styles!" He hummed. "I invited Sebastian."

"Of course you did." He sarcastically said and I rolled my eyes.

Styles doesn't mind Sebastian but I won't dare say he likes him. I don't know if he does.

"You don't mind?" I asked careful.

"Why would I?" He shrugged. "He's your problem not mine."

I don't know why I thought he'd mind.

But the news of an underground Legend coming to Miami after almost a year of not fighting had everyone excited.

I know a little about him and I've never seen him though. News has it he's the best trained by Booker, the best and most of all, I know he's from New York and they say he's the best.

I know I won't be fighting him. I wouldn't want that. Sure I wanna be the best but fighting him will be humiliating.

The Arena won't be open for another two hours but Styles wanted us to come early because he has some things to take care of or something like that. And as usual I am the tag along.

In some weird sort of way I wanted to impress Styles with a win tonight. I knew I shouldn't feel that way but fuck, he's someone that holds a significant status in this game. of course I want to impress him.

Let's not forget who he is.

I noticed someone coming towards us. I didn't know him though.

"Godfather." He greeted Styles bowing his head a bit.

My eyebrows shot up stunned a bit. The guy looked 30 and it was, I don't even know how to put it, unnerving, shocking seeing him how to a 18 year old.

Then again many people respect the heck out of him, me included, sometimes anyway.

Another weird fact was that he knew who Styles was. Only a few selected knew who the Godfather was but then again apparently The Arena is owned by the Casias Cartel.

"Welcome." The man added. "It's a pleasure to be in your presence."

He gushed in the most manly way possible. Styles nodded at turned to me.

It always catches me off gaurd how different this world views him and how different the rest of the world sees him.

He isn't just a bad boy because of his looks and stereotype. He was really bad. The rest of the world doesn't know it yet.

"This is a close acquaintance of mine. Treat him as you would treat him." His tone was threatening. I blinked a couple of time processing his whole demeanour.

Holy shit! He didn't just introduce me like that.

"Of course." He bowed his head to me and I frowned.

Holy motherfucking crap! That didn't just happen. For the past month, I've experienced the special treatment I got from just walking next to Styles but today topped all of the other times.

"Austin, this is Sin." He gave him my code name. It's a name I got when I joined the gang.

I've went to many places with Styles but he had never ever introduced me so this was mind blowing.

We followed the man, which I now knew as Austin, inside.

I noticed the security detail. Man posted almost everywhere. I've been here before whenever Sebastian was fighting and there was never this much security around this place.

Styles noticed me looking and before I could ask he gave me a vague answer.

"Big night ahead of us. Some people need protection more than others." He vaguely told me. I didn't pounder on it, I nodded and left.

This is an illegal underground fighting ring and with illegal shit, there's always a possibility of cops busting into the place.

So Styles and Austin were mapping escape routes incase of a raid. Styles was protecting his identity so he can never be caught by the cops.

I guess you could say Styles is that type of man. Always planning ahead and taking security measures.

Randomly, he came to me when no one was looking. He had an unreadable expression on his face but I could read him easily. I always have.

"In here you refer me as the Godfather, nothing else, okay?" He warned and I was taken aback.

I didn't know what to say I just nodded and he went back to his business.

I've always knew how to act or address him whenever we were not alone. I knew I had to be respectful towards him and think twice about everything I said to him.

Thirty minutes before the first fight was due to start people started arriving.  It was more people than anytime I've been here.

I got a text from Sebastian that he was here. I was so bored out of my mind since Styles was doing his business.

I stated holes in the back of Styles head hoping he'd feel them and turned around.

I didn't feel like going over there and telling him where I'm going and I didn't want to just leave.

I felt like I needed permission.

Just as I had hoped, he whipped his head and scowled at me.

I opened my mouth to mouth something at him but he nodded in understanding.

I smiled at exited the roomed.

That's what I liked about our relationship. We always understand each other in a wierd sort of way. I can't put it in words but we do.

I found Sebastian right where he said I'd find him but he wasn't waiting for me alone. He was flirting with some chicks.

I smirked at the sight. I missed this little shit. I missed hooking with girls with him by my side.

Styles isn't into the whole hooking up scene. Either he's not doing it on my presence because of Eve or he's just isn't the type. I can't confirm which is it.

"You don't waste time, do you?" I chuckled earning myself some eyes on me.

"Sage? Come over here." He called out. "So this is the guy I was telling you about."

me which made my smirk even wider. I wink at them causing

about Smurf but their beauty wasn't that mesmerizing to make me forget but I went

with them hoping, willing my mind to shut down

this morning. The morning started out great yet at the end she

zoning out these girls are going to get bored." Sebastian warned me breaking me out of my

zone out but my mind is doing it's own thing right

have a fight in less than and hour." I lied... it

you're nervous." He told me and turned to

We have to prepare for a fight. See you later." He

me their names at some point but honestly I wasn't

cheer for us?" He

front row seats." The same girl promised holding her

same girl was doing all the

burned. I winked at her and her cheeks turned more

at her but refrained. She was

my attention to Sebastian. Something he said caught

you were fighting tonight." I accused.

to tell you.." He trailed off

or anything. I was

hated explaining himself. Sometimes I think he

all and I wanted to save to get myself an

in a couple of months. I guess that's why he wants to

at right now was the only building willing to over

nodded at him. I didn't know what else to say. I thought it would take him a lot more to get him to talk

dressing room to change and warm up. My

our fights. Sebastian's was a lot earlier

than the other fighters. It was only

listened to Styles and was giving

the special attention." Sebastian gushed taking in the dressing room.

buddy and all this will be your life." I

special attention. Is it always like

I shrugged. I was used to this. Spending half my summer with

cool." He exclaimed and

ready. I didn't want to get a cramp in

on a big stage before. It was scary. I've never fought for an audience at

all. But him and

I thought. The fights began. They warmed up the crowd for a bigger fight that was

Legend,

the security

it that he's the best of the best. His strategy isn't known. I know he's the best because he was

they called Sebastian's name I knew than I would be next. Around The Arena, Sebastian goes by

out the tunnel and stayed on

I am. The crowd cheered for him louder than the previous fighters proving just how well known he is in The

opponent was also a popular one. He lost a few fights but won most. He was about Styles

MC was Austin which proved how big tonight

times

focused on watching

quickly but Sebastian dodged

his opponent was more careful too. He slowly got closer

was international but Sebastian didn't see that. He dropped his hands and was going in for a punch but the other guy landed a solid one on his

flinched as Sebastian stumbled

fight went on until Sebastian was over an unconscious

1 or 2. The fight was over when one fighter was

only a few minutes but he'll have a

to the dressing room and waited for my

found

saw me as if asking about my

he walked to me but someone approached me

up next."

blinked for a few seconds before it clicked that he meant

Sin. The name always flew over my head whenever it was used. you'd think after months in the gang I'll be used to the code

and bounced in my feet

with a serious expression. I looked back at

and I blinked realising this was the pep talk. it was as good as I was ever

my eyes

out of the tunnel again but  this time I wasn't going to watch anyone.

the cheers, my opponent was already in the ring. I recognise him immediately.

like me. Also my age. I've seen him fight. He was

eyes searched the front row seats until they

don't know why I searched for them but I'm glad I

I could hear their voice over the

the enter crowd for the first time.

crowd was big, twice if not thrice to what

could get the better off me. I my gaze met with one of the

gaze for a few seconds then went back

the favor here, the crowd. The crowd fuel any figher's adrenaline but he had the same advantage as me. My opponent was popular than me. So the the fight was in his favor but I had something to loose here too. I wasn't

Austin stepped out of

week but it was hard with the

punched I dodged and

stomach giving an advantage to kick

feet.  I smirked when I saw him

my feet and I was hitting my chins on the bloody canvas in

turned out it was

practically hear Styles cussing me in my head, your

tried covering my ribs because it left my left side

said I should do but came out blank. I couldn't

him by pushing

took all my will power to not clutch my

punching him but he blocked and punched me below my ribs and before I could think, he landed a punch on jaw and I immediately

from him. I shook my head a bit trying to

nerves. I needed to knock this guy out before

him and when he punched I dodged and went for

When I let go he stumbled back, I followed

announced me

eyes moved to one girl on the front row seats. She was jumping up and

winked at her but my mind had a mind

seat jumping up and down. I pictured going over the to kiss

of my and caught

cheered. I felt big as they boosted my

around busking in all the glory. I paused

crowd cheered differently when I

match it. It was magical. I couldn't even put it in

was warm and I was feeling... argh I can't

the ring with pride.

know why I expected to find styles in the dressing room but

and for dressed. The excitement of my own fight had

when I realised it was my

for his weird congratulations because I knew he wouldn't say

than I am now. You guys had chemistry that I'm even jealous now. I still have goosebumps thinking about that fight. It was awesome. I almost recorded it but you know how security will never let me record anything." He stopped when