Surviving Valentine by Jessica Florence

ride home talking about his impressive rear. Once we got to my house I headed inside, and went to bed.  I really tried not to dream about Darien, but my mind just really wouldn’t listen.
    Roxy woke me up, thankfully not by licking me this time. I went through my morning routine on auto drive. I ended up at work, not remembering the ride over. I mean was I really this messed up over him? It hadn’t been that long, I knew I like him but come on. I needed to go out tonight and get my mind off Darien. I sent a quick text out to Candace before class started. A few people showed up early so I figured we would start with some stretching this morning. I loved stretching and doing yoga, I was starting to feel good already. Ross strolled in again today; he has been so helpful these past couple days of class. “Hey Scarlet, how’s it hanging?” I laughed; he had a way of doing that. “To the left today.” It was his turn to chuckle.  Everyone got geared up and was ready to go.
    Class went smoothly and an hour later everyone was heading out. I had another class in about an hour. I felt like I needed to go a few rounds with the punching bag, I had enough time.  I wrapped my hands with tape and started round one with the bag. I loved this. I wasn’t able to actually fight with many people around here so this was my next choice.  My fist were flying at full speed, my kicks were perfect! I was at it for about 30 minutes when the bell on the door rang. Darien walked in. Shit. I was going to try avoiding him. He sent me a few texts, of course which I said nothing back. I just didn’t quite know what to say. Once I thought about it even though we kissed, he wasn’t mine.  “Hello” I said, very professionally. “Hey Scarlet, you’re a really good fighter. I just saw the last piece of it, but very precise.” Starting off with flattery won’t win me over, punk. “Oh, Thanks, I love what I do.” I walked over and grabbed some water and a towel. He came closer. “So I came here because I wanted to talk to you.” I kind of wanted to talk to him, but kind of not. OH LIGHTBULB!!
    “Ok, I will talk with you, if you spar with me. You’re the only person I have met so far that is equal.” He grinned.  “Sure, I need some practice anyway.”  Perfect, I can get things off my chest and kick his ass a bit.  We face each other, both of us ready for an attack. “Why are you avoiding me Scarlet?” He starts, and then rushes over with a right, left, right jab. Which I deflected.  “I needed time to think about what to say.” I went with a low kick trying to throw off his center of gravity, he jumped and I missed. “So I am guessing you saw me last night. Shit I knew it; it wasn’t what it looked like.” Both of us were kicking and throwing punches but none of them landing. I was starting to feel better already. “So you kiss me then have some fake tits blonde giving you a lap dance and just happened to fall on her mouth?” I juked and faked a hit to the right but hit him with my left in the shoulder. HIT! Finally!
    He rubbed his shoulder then came at me again. “That isn’t what happened. Randy was one of the girls who normally I would play around with while on leave, but she sat on me and I told her it wasn’t going to happen and left for the bathroom. She assaulted me once I came out and I pulled her back immediately. You got to believe me. I really like you and I’m not a bed jumper.”
    We went back and forth for a few minutes without saying anything just trying to find a weak spot in our defenses.  Finally he got my legs while I was shifting positions and I went down to the mat. He pinned me real quick. “Scarlet, you got to believe me; I would never to do that to you.” Sigh I did believe him. Maybe it was a mistake. I don’t know, but I did. “I believe you.” I snaked my leg around his and flipped him under me, changing up who was pinning who. He looked impressed. “So all is forgiven?”  Not the