UNIVERSITY SMACKDOWN

First thing the next morning, Rachael headed to her university. She wasn't meant to be in today, yet she was standing just on the front steps for one reason. To break up with Livia. The thought pained her, but she knew it was the right thing to do. She was also accompanied by four others. Darcy, Mikayla, Sienna and Jacob. "Do you want us to wait nearby with you, or do you want us to wait here?" asked Darcy curiously, and Rachael took several quiet moments to respond. "You guys can watch from the corridor. I think she'll be at her locker because she stays at the dorms here. Sometimes I spend the night with her, so after I end things I'll just head to her room, grab my stuff and we can leave again." The others nodded once Rachael finished, and she led the way up the front steps and through the double glass doors into the university.

The corridors were lined with students hurriedly writing down last minute results, couples making out and many, many deep sea-green six-foot-tall lockers. Rachael scanned the small crowd of nearby students expectantly, the other four standing nearby, ready to leave when Rachael was ready. No one spoke for several moments. Then, "Rachael, hey!" They all turned their heads as Livia marched down the corridor, head held high and a backpack around one shoulder, her blonde hair slightly matted and dirty as she strode towards them. "Hey Livia," Rachael said as she spotted her girlfriend, a smile forming on her face. Livia's eyes darkened hatefully when she spied the other four standing closely behind, and Rachael noticed, her own eyes darkening in return. "What brings you here?" asked Livia as she went to embrace Rachael, and Rachael shied away from Livia's embrace. Now, Livia's entire expression darkened.

"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed, her words like venom and making even the others flinch. Rachael, however, lifted her chin higher in defiance. "I'm sorry…but you know I have to do this," she muttered, and Livia glanced over at the four, who waited nervously. "Them. They convinced you to do something you don't want to do!" she whispered accusingly, gently lifting a hand to stroke the side of Rachael's face, yet Rachael pulled away harder than the last time. "I'm sure they've convinced me to do something I've wanted to do for a long time. They've helped me understand you…. using me because of what? I have money. You can live off me like a rat, is that what you thought was going to happen?" Rachael shot back, and Livia flinched back, apparently shocked by Rachael's words. Then, she lowered her hands to her sides.

As the two glared at one another, Jacob noticed another group standing on the other side of the hallway, eyeing the two women. Jacob took note of them. One was nerdy looking with glasses against their eyes, yet somehow looking well-built and strong. Another was large, almost as large as Darcy with large, curled fists and what looked like a permanent scowl on his face. Another was a girl who had her eyes narrowed at Rachael, barring her teeth slightly as she shook her brown hair from her face. The last one stood closest, eyeing them not out of anger but thoughtfully, and then he murmured something to the others, who nodded as one. Jacob recognised the young man immediately. "Danny," Jacob breathed. He turned his attention back to Rachael and Livia. "Fine then. Go off and have your little Family. You won't last long without me," Livia said darkly.

Livia turned to the right, slowly taking a step towards her group. Rachael sighed with relief and looked at the others, eyes shining with happiness. Suddenly, Livia spun back, left fist raised, and backhanded Rachael across the face, hard. Rachael staggered back, shocked, and Livia advanced, raising a foot and quickly striking her in the stomach. Rachael staggered back again, winded but still standing. Livia grabbed Rachael firmly by the shoulders, preventing her from moving, and then jammed her knee into Rachael's right side. Rachael cried out in pain. Before the others had time to register what was happening, Jacob charged forward, wrestled Livia away from Rachael, turned and slammed her up against the metal lockers. Livia grunted in pain, and Jacob glared at her, their eyes locked. "Leave her alone!" someone shouted from behind. Suddenly, a large figure ran forth and tackled Jacob around the middle, sending both he and the newcomer crashing to the smooth floor.

Jacob struggled before rolling away and looking to the side to see who had attacked him. His heart sank. It was Danny, his eyes full of rage as he glared at Jacob. The two hurriedly got to their feet as Livia once again charged into Rachael behind them. "Danny, don't!" Jacob shouted warningly, but Danny seemed beyond the point of reason. He sprinted forward, and Jacob ran toward him, the two meeting in the middle of the hallway. Jacob ducked a quick punch, rose and moved aside again as Danny kicked forward, his eyes wild and burning. Danny spun and landed a kick against Jacob's chest, sending him stumbling aside as Livia shouted out, "Turk, Oscar, Olivia, getting in here or what?" The large man, Turk, ran towards Rachael, his eyes set as Livia smashed her once again into the lockers. A rough hand suddenly gripped onto Turk's shoulder, spun him around, and a fist flew into his gut.

Turk took several quick steps back, Darcy now in front of him, fists raised and a deadly look in his eyes. Turk snarled and ran to greet Darcy as the nerdy kid, Oscar, decided and made a beeline towards Jacob. He never got the chance to reach his target, because suddenly Mikayla pulled him back and shoved him away, raising her fists as she did. Finally, the girl, Olivia, looked towards Mikayla, a grin on her face as she stepped forward. Sienna jumped into her path, fists also nervously raised as Olivia, halted, cocking her head to the side. "I don't think so," Sienna mumbled, and Olivia ran forwards, a devilish twinkle in her eyes as the two girls began their fight. Nearby, Danny struck Jacob hard across the face and shoved him back down the corridor as university students gathered around, watching the hallway brawl keenly.

Danny advanced and his fist once against collided with the side of Jacob's head, sending him tripping back once more. Danny struck his right fist again, and this time Jacob blocked it with his arm. Danny swung with his left fist, and Jacob parried before seeing an opening and ducking beneath Danny's right arm. Jacob rose, spun and landed a foot against Danny's back. Danny stumbled forward, spun and Jacob ran again, quickly locking Danny's right arm to his side, punching him thrice in the side quickly and then slamming him against the metal lockers. Next to them, Rachael ducked a punch, slid away as Livia kicked out and then cause another foot to the face. She was dazed for several seconds, shaking her head to clear the pain as Livia landed an uppercut to her gut and shoved her against the lockers once again, snarling.

In there own corner of the hallway, Sienna moved back as Olivia swung wildly through the air, trying to land a hit as Sienna moved and ducked, keeping clear of the incoming attacks. "You think that by avoiding me you're winning, bitch?" whispered Olivia, as Sienna dodged yet again. "Come on and fight me!" Olivia roared as she beat her fists through the air. Sienna dodged again, stood in place and finally kicked, striking Olivia in the thigh and sending her several paces back. Sienna advanced, fists raised, and quickly moved aside as Mikayla and Oscar charged past, swinging their fists at one another. Mikayla blocked a hit and kicked high, her foot landing hard against Oscar's shoulder and sending him slamming against the lockers. Oscar groaned and kicked back, hitting Mikayla in the gut, and he tackled into her.

Right next to the shut doors that would lead out into the main cafeteria, Rachael parried another hit and struck back, although the attack missed. Livia grinned, grasped Rachael by the shoulders yet again, dragged her towards the heavy metal doors and threw her against it. The large weight bar across the double doors buckled, and the doors swung open, Rachael sprawling onto the floor of the busy cafeteria. She groaned in pain, and Livia picked her up again before throwing her forward, sending her skidding along the floor towards where a large circle of students blocked off the exit, watching excitedly as the fight progressed. "Enough," Rachael moaned in pain, shakily getting to her feet, yet Livia was in front of her yet again. "I've not even started," she breathed, her voice low and deadly as she jumped up and kicked Rachael straight across the face.

Rachael hit the smooth polished floor once again, her lip split and a bruise already on her forehead as Livia giggled manically. Livia suddenly turned as Danny now skidded on his back into the large area, Jacob slowly following him with clenched fists. Danny leapt to his feet, and Livia cleared her throat loudly, catching Danny's attention. "Babe, hold him off. I need to teach this slut here some manners,' Livia hissed, and Danny nodded before turning back to Jacob, a sneer upon his lips. "Can't you just stop! We didn't come here to fight!" screamed Rachael from behind, and Livia turned, quickly slapping Rachael across the face and watching her cover her head to protect herself. Livia laughed mercilessly as Rachael cowered, and Rachael shrank back, using the stairs behind her to hoist herself to her feet. "Get back here," Livia growled, and Rachael quickly ascended the stairs, Livia hot on her heels.

Livia reached out desperately and hooked her fingers firmly around Rachael's arm, and Rachael spun, blindly swinging her right fist through the air. It connected with Livia's face, and she staggered against the metal railing, blood bursting from her lip. She glared up at Rachael, and then darted forward to grab Rachael around the middle and toss her against the stairs. Below, Jacob grabbed Danny by the chest and shoved him back until he was smashed against a wall, the crowd around them cheering as the two locked eyes furiously. "Stop this. You don't belong with them," hissed Jacob desperately, yet Danny jammed his hand against the back of Jacob's neck and then used his left hand to punch him in the stomach. "Like that move? You taught me," snarled Danny as he gripped onto Jacob's shoulders, turned and flung him onto the floor, where he skidded away.

A shout of pain came from above, and Danny looked towards the large staircase where Livia was throwing Rachael down repeatedly against the stairs. Danny's eyes narrowed, and he sprinted forward, quickly arriving at the base of the steps and beginning the ascent. He made it five steps up before someone grasped the railing on his left, flipped over it and landed cleanly in front. Jacob. Danny growled and ran to meet him. Back in the hallway, Mikayla took another hit to the face by Oscar, who advanced with a deadly precision, each punch and kick calculated. Mikayla kicked high, and then immediately ducked back as Oscar made a desperate grab for her foot. Oscar let out a groan of fury as he missed, and Mikayla jumped up, switching to the other foot and striking it mightily through the air. Oscar never saw it coming.

It crashed into the side of Oscars head, and he immediately staggered, smashing into the lockers face-first and then sprawling to the floor. He was unconscious. Mikayla panted and held onto her side in pain as she turned to watch Sienna duck under a kick and then sweep her leg out behind her, catching Olivia in the back of the knee. Olivia flew back, almost gliding on the air for a second before plummeting against the hard floor, groaning in pain as Sienna got to her feet, nose bloody yet she was still standing. The two nodded at one another, panting and breathing hard before turning to observe Darcy. Darcy parried a swing, raised his foot and jammed it into Turk's gut, watching him stumble back in pain. Darcy advanced carefully, eyes analysing Turk's movements as Turk bounced a little on the balls of his feet, fists raised, and knuckles bloodied.

Turk charged, just as Darcy expected. Darcy made a dash forward just as Turk swung his massive right fist through the air. It sailed, and Darcy ducked beneath it, using his own right arm to grapple onto the side of Turk's neck, lean one way and then jump off his foot in the opposite direction. Turk was knocked off balance, and with Darcy's arm pressed against his neck, Turk smashed face-first against the lockers. Instantly, his legs buckled, and he hit the floor with a smack. Darcy staggered back and leaned against the lockers, looking worn-out yet strong. "Where the hell are the others?" he muttered. Meanwhile, Danny ducked a kick from Jacob, spun behind him and kicked out. It landed against the middle of Jacob's back. Jacob tripped forward, spun back around and raised his fists, ready for Danny's next attack. Suddenly, three pairs of hands grabbed Jacob from behind as three spectators held him back.

'We got him!" one shouted from behind, exhilarated, and Danny gave them a quick nod before slowly making his way to the top floor, where Livia and Rachael battled. Jacob struggled for several moments before finally freeing his right arm and jamming his elbow out behind. It caught one of them in the chin, and Jacob reached back, gripped them by the arm and doubled over as hard as he could. The person flipped over and landed at Jacob's feet, and Jacob spun around, quickly delivering his fist into one of their faces and then kicking the other in the stomach. The three were down in pain, and Jacob sprinted up the stairs. "Livia, babe, we need to stop this!" Danny yelled as he reached the top and ran to Livia's side. Livia was enraged as she once against tossed Rachael across the floor like a ragdoll. "Like that, bitch?" she screamed.

Danny gripped her firmly by the shoulder, and Livia spun and kicked him straight in the groin. Danny doubled over in confusion and pain. Livia looked shocked, but then a foot hit her in the chest, and she was thrown back to the floor. It was Jacob. Danny got to his feet, picked Jacob up around the middle and threw him back. Jacob stumbled in pain, and Danny backhanded him across the face before charging him aside. Rachael groaned in pain on the floor, and Livia reached down, firmly knotted her hand into Rachael's hair at her scalp and began dragging her toward the staircase. Rachael screamed in pain and struggled, clawing desperately at the hands in her hair. Livia stopped just at the top of the staircase, lifted Rachael to her feet, and spun so Rachael's back was facing the steep descent. "You know…I've always hated you," hissed Livia as Rachael's feel began slipping off the top step.

"Then hate me," Rachael mumbled, her voice fading slightly. "From a hospital bed!" Rachael suddenly shouted, a burst of energy rising inside her as she uppercut Livia in the chin, ducked behind her, spun and kicked as hard as she could. Livia spun to meet Rachael, and the foot smashed into her gut. The force of it sent Rachael slapping against the floor, but Livia lifted up into the air very slightly before tumbling backwards and down the staircase. She crashed and tumbled, each step somehow harder than the last as she finally came to a spilling stop at the base of the staircase, sprawled messily onto the floor. She was out cold. Rachael leant against the railing, her breathing feeling weak and painful. Behind her, Jacob managed to wrestle Danny to the ground, stand and quickly deliver a crushing kick to his side. The kick came again and again until Danny rolled aside, bloodied but unrelenting.

"You should come back with us!" Jacob insisted, and Danny shook his head hard, nostrils flaring with pure, bitter rage. He ducked a punch and slammed Jacob against the wall behind them, although Jacob managed to elbow Danny in the chest and move to the side. Danny looked weaker by the second, but still he charged and threw his right fist forward. Jacob easily caught it and twisted, making Danny flip onto his stomach. Jacob pinned him to the ground and held Danny's arm in an armlock. Danny groaned in pain, and his eyes widened, not in shock, but recognition. He's been in a situation like this before…maybe even recently, Jacob realised. Suddenly, he was aware on the eyes upon him, the bated breath as the surrounding people waited for his decision. Jacob felt sick and weak suddenly, and he released Danny's arm.

Danny immediately spun onto his back and kicked out as hard as he could, yet Jacob dodged the sudden ambush, pinned Danny down with his knee, and then struck down. His fist glanced off Danny's face, and that was it. Danny too fell limp, still breathing although incredibly injured. Jacob panted but slowly got to his feet, feeling a great weight on himself as he staggered away.