A Lost Fight

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 8th, 2025)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:04 PM)~~~

~~~(Location: Holden Basketball Court, behind the home players benches)~~~

I didn't expect a fight to break out right behind me, but it really wasn't a fight. Hannah slapped Payton... But it turns out Payton really knows how to fight. She retaliated with a clean, sharp elbow to the cheek. Knocking Hannah out cold.

She's awake now, and the game had to be stopped for the incident. Hannah is sitting on the ground as I have my hand on her shoulder. She's trying her hardest not to cry, but the tears are quickly welling and beginning to fall. Ellie quickly comes from the bleachers and comes over.

She takes a knee right next to me. "I'll take care of her. You want to go home, sweety?" Hannah slowly nods her head as the tears fall harder. Ellie helps Hannah up, and so do I. She walks with Hannah towards the exit. I watch them leave, and I don't know what to think.

There are going to be problems regarding Peyton and Hannah. I know it. I'll be standing by my girlfriend's side, but I won't be getting in between the two. Only when another fight breaks out will I'll literally get between them. Hannah's a big girl, and she doesn't need me protecting her in that way.

She'll stand her ground and stand as my girlfriend. "Take a seat so we can get the game started back up." I shake my head annoyingly at the referee. Those are the only things I can't completely control on a basketball court, referees, and fights that break out right behind me.

They have happened in the past, but those have been between fans of schools going at each other. Never has someone I personally knew and cared about fought like this. I take a seat on the bench, and the game resumes. I know Ellie can help Hannah.

~~~(POV: Hannah Fiona)~~~

~~~(Date: October 8th, 2025)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:06 PM)~~~

~~~(Location: Parking lot inside Ellie's car)~~~

I can't help balling my eyes out. The retaliation isn't what hurts right now. It's the fact that I lost in front of Ulysses... That he saw me lose to another girl in a fight regarding him...

It makes me feel so sick and undeserving. "I can tell by those sobs and tears that it's a much deeper pain than an elbow to the face." Ellie starts calmy talking to me as she pulls the car out of the parking spot and making her way towards the exit.

She's right on the nose when she says that. While the elbow to the face does hurt, not nearly in the same range as what I'm feeling right now.

She places her hand on my shoulder in comfort, and I can't even look at her. I can't look at myself in a mirror right now. "It's okay, sweetie. Ulysses won't think any less of you." I don't know why, but I just cry harder and heavier. I can't stop the feelings in me.

I love Ulysses, and I don't want him to see me fail, ever. Be it a test, a competition, or a fight. Especially ones about him with some slut trying to get to him. Trying to take him from me. "I know what'll cheer you up." I doubt there is anything that'll cheer me up right now.

She continues driving as I try and control the tears and crying. What's worse is I'm probably going to get in trouble at school for this, since the fight happened on school grounds and I took the first swing. I might even end up getting suspended.

That'll go poorly. It'll affect my chances of getting into college. Regardless of my talents, they don't like student-athletes who fight. After a little bit, I notice we aren't heading in my house's direction instead of heading into another parking lot. One that has a single building. An ice cream parlor.

She parks the car and looks at me. She smiles and nods for me to come on. We walk to the shop, and we enter. The delicious smell of ice cream brings me some comfort.

We head for a table, and someone behind the counter comes to us with a couple of menus. "Get whatever you want. I'm buying." Ellie is one of the kindest people I've ever met.

I've never had someone other than Ulysses go out of their way to cheer me up. I can see where Ulysses gets it now. With my parents it's different. They try to live vicariously through my success.