LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 50: Huh, This Isn’t So Bad…
Zoey’s life quickly took a turn after the fight that day. She was no longer the awkward nobody that no one really knew about anymore. When she went to school on Tuesday, more than a few boys from the popular sports teams at school recognized her. She was rushed to her locker and briefly thought she was dreaming about another fantasy of hers because of how unbelievable the situation was. A bunch of hot guys coming up to her and talking to her like she’s a human being? It was really too much for a Tuesday morning, especially since they all treated her nicely and seemed genuinely interested in her.
“Ever since your debut fight, I've been a big fan of yours, Zoey! I can’t believe you go to my school!”
“Bro, she’s been here this entire time, and no one’s recognized her until now! We have a celebrity at our school!”
“Holy shit, I can’t believe one of my favorite fighters is actually at my own school. I love the way you box! Can you teach me sometime?!”
“Yeah, me too! It doesn’t have to be anything serious, just like a few pointers here and there. Like your killer jab! Oh my god, please teach me that jab.”
Zoey’s barely developed social brain couldn’t keep up with everything going on. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone that could save her but herself. She soon realized that situations like this were only going to continue and increase the more she fights. It’s a situation that she’ll have to get used to.
She couldn’t freeze up like this every time and had to adapt. So, Zoey’s lips quivered as the guys chatted with friendly intentions despite her not saying a single word so far.
“If... it’s just a jab... I can teach that much...” She quietly spoke.
“Really!?”
“You’ll really teach us!?”
“Holy shit! You’re the best, Zoey!”
“We should do it at lunch! That’s the best time!”
“We could go behind the school and learn from a badass fighter!”
The school’s bell rang, and the excitement on the guys’ faces didn’t change whatsoever, as if the ringing of the school’s bell meant nothing to them at all. It looked like they planned on sticking to Zoey no matter what and asking more questions. Zoey truly didn’t know how to process all of this. Joy, excitement, nervousness, and anxiety filled her up all at once. She loved the positive attention, but it was way too much all at once. If she wasn’t careful, these guys could definitely peer pressure her into doing some stuff she shouldn’t.
Zoey’s face heated up as she was escorted to class by a group of jocks. Everyone’s eyes were on her once again. First, it was before the match at the YFTL, during the match, and then online. Now it has even reached her school! Before she knows it, people will definitely recognize her on the street! Oh god... It was just so much... It’s only been a day since she basically turned from a nobody to a superstar! Have they found her social media account yet?
“You know, I thought you’d be taller in person.”
“Yeah, I did, too, because she always fights against guys.”
“It looks like size really doesn’t matter for certain people. Lucky for you, Tommy!”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean!?” Tommy blushed.
“Hahahahaha! You know what the fuck I'm talking about!”
“You say any more stupid shit like that in front of Zoey, I'll kill you!”
“Do you think you’ll stand a chance against me after I learn the Rip and Tear Jab? You’ll become a bloody corpse by the time I'm finished with you.” He got in a poor boxing stance and started throwing his fists forward, his eyes expectantly looking at Zoey for some sort of validation or recognition.
“Rip and Tear Jab? I’ll pummel you to death with my Human-Tearing Jab. Your own parents won’t recognize you when I'm done with you.”
“What the hell are those names? Super Jab is a better name for the punch.”
“Super Jab?! Bwahahahaaha! What are you, a middle schooler?!”
Zoey couldn’t stop herself from giggling along with the boys as it was a pretty funny exchange between friends. Her eyes quickly saw the joy that the boys felt after hearing her laugh, and another surge of dopamine entered her brain. Soon, she was safely escorted to her first-hour class, and the boys were forced into leaving the class by the teacher. Many of her classmates looked at her with confusion, including the teacher. The teacher knew this was the first time Zoey was late to class, while the others looked at her as if it was the first time they’d ever noticed her existence. The fame that the school jocks held wasn’t small. Their school was known for their sports teams more than their students' grades on tests and exams. Meaning most of the funding was allocated to the sports teams. Luckily for the principal and funders supporting the school, their students were quite good. The football, basketball, soccer, and baseball teams won more than they lost and always had a good turnout for their games by students, parents, and locals alike.
Before lunch came, Zoey was ambushed once more. Her two closest friends, Katlyn and Callie, came at her when she was at her locker getting her biology book for her next class. Callie came from the side and lunged at her when she wasn’t aware. If Zoey didn’t train her legs, she would’ve definitely been taken off her feet by Callie here.
“Zoey!!! What the hell am I hearing about you being a boxer?!” Callie screamed as she shook her waist.
“You definitely have some explaining to do,” Katlyn smirked, showing a video of one of her fights on her phone.
“The secrets out...?” Zoey knew it was coming eventually. But just like everything else, the time came before she was ready to explain anything without looking like a retard.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were a freaking unstoppable boxing queen!? Do you think this is something that friends would hide from each other?! Because it isn’t!” Callie continued to shake Zoey’s waist as she tightly wrapped herself around her. Zoey’s body mimicked a vibrating phone with the way that Callie was shaking her.
“You’re right. I’m sorry for not telling you two about this. I just didn’t know how’d you react if I told you.” Zoey decided to be honest.
She didn’t know how a normal person like Callie and Katlyn would react if they heard their friend was a fighter. Especially when that friend of theirs was a girl. Girls aren’t typically known for being fighters or getting in fights. In Zoey’s head, some people might be ashamed to be friends with an aggressive, violent girl or scared to get to know them.
Ah! But there is something that Zoey learned today. Terrifying Aura did not work like Zoey previously thought it did. No one at her school seemed scared of her at all. Or they hid it very well. So, maybe it only worked in a fight or before a fight. She’ll have to find out later. Zoey quickly pulled out the notebook she bought online and made a section for Terrifying Aura.
“No more secrets?” Callie’s eyes turned up and shined at her, targeting her weak points.
“Just a few...” Zoey couldn’t lie to her first close friends.
“We’ll still be friends with you, Zoey, even if you beat the shit out of guys for a hobby.” Katlyn smiled.
“Wait! Why does a boxer need to learn how to run?” Callie suddenly released her death grip on Zoey and stared into her eyes.
“Friends.” Zoey reminded her of her reason for joining the track team.
“Oh, right! We still haven’t introduced you to Jamie, Lily, Grace, Samantha, Aubrey, Brooklyn-” Callie would’ve gone on longer if Katlyn didn’t cover her mouth.
“Yes, she still has plenty more friends to make. We get it.”
“I was just saying!” Callie pushed Katlyn’s hand away.
“Anyway, you don’t have to worry about us not being friends with you, Zoey, unless you do something horrible like stealing a boyfriend or girlfriend. There aren’t many things that can break friendships as long as you communicate properly.” Katlyn reassured her.
“Thanks, Katlyn. And I'm sorry again for hiding stuff from you two. I’m not really used to having friends or people to really care about me besides my family.” Zoey wanted to smack herself in the mouth for letting out too much information. People don’t share shit like that openly!
Tears pooled around Callie’s eyes as Zoey was suddenly engulfed by Callie. Her friend with breasts large enough to swallow her head. This situation would’ve been enjoyable if Zoey was bi or something, but she was strictly dickly. All this was doing was suffocating her. And while she could easily get out of this if she wanted to, she knew that Callie was feeling sad that she never really had friends that cared about her before.
Surprisingly enough, Katlyn also joined in on the hug too. Well... Zoey didn’t like the fact that she was being surrounded by breasts, but she did like the fact that she had friends that cared about her now. But this hug was lasting a rather long ass time, and Zoey wasn’t good at holding her breath. She really didn’t want to faint before class and have to go to the infirmary. Thankfully, the bell rang in time, and the two track stars had to make their way to class. Being late was not good for their school record, and if a student is late too many times, they can be taken off the team. Not that Katlyn or Callie missed class frequently or anything. It was just a threat the teachers made to scare some of the students doing sports.