Page Bawlers [COD Writer & Boxing AU] Chapter 1

Page Bawlers [COD Writer & Boxing AU] Chapter 1

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The sound of clacking metal weights and equipment wasn’t something that he expect from his personal trainer and father-figure as an ideal place for him to train. Gyms aren’t really his strong suit especially when he have to charge into his workout clothes within the locker rooms. making sure that his black surgical face mask was intact to his face still fearing it might slip off from it’s resting place.

The mask server a purpose to hide and protective his identify to these who want to harm him and these closest to him. Along with hiding the scars on his face both old and new. Layers and layers of them spread all over their body long before their career as a boxer even. Simon better know as Ghost in the ring was no stranger to physical injuries and the instinct to fight for their life even if it meant stepping on death’s door step. He was extremely luckily that the locker room is empty at this hour, knowing that the gyms are quieter and less coward until 0700 hour mark.

He start to get himself ready, switching out his normal everyday clothes to his workout and training clothes. Placing them neatly in his duffel bag while taking out and setting his training gloves on the bench. After finishing getting dressed he places his bag in the locker locking the door with his own personal lock he bring from his flat. He doesn’t trust the gym’s handout locks due to their lack of strength. and wasn’t his idea to train in an public setting, but both Price and Gaz reassure him that there’s nothing to worry about since the gym is run by Alex, Hadir, and Farah who are old friends of his. That give them free range on their boxing area for exchange for some of his cash winnings to help keep the youth boxing program up and running for the children who come in distress from whatever life throw at them.

Ghost hold no objection or complains toward the deal, in fact he seen relieve that some of his earning go towards something positive. Giving a soft warm smile underneath his black-colored skull balaclava that hid it well. To prevent the others to see his facial expression, that give him a warm feeling that he can’t describe felt for very long time. It’s been almost a week since his last boxing match in the ring, and these past few days been nothing more than workouts and training to improvement and sharpened his skills. Thanks to Gaz who was insisted that he should be the one to handle his regimen inside and outside the gym with the help of Price of course.

Double checking he have everything he needed for this early morning training session, Ghost make his way out of the locker room and letting the door slam shut behind him. To make his way to the training area, seeing Price and Farah engaging in a deep conversation with each other like two high school students in the courtyard.

The coach was wearing his iconic hat and coaching clothes that were just his causal wear, that Simon thinks he have a stack of hats in his closet somewhere. Since the man was never seem without it during the time that Ghost known him. Then again the man treat him as a son when things are going down hill. He take a seat in nearby chair and waited patiently for them to finish. It wasn’t the first time he see them deep in conversion nor will it be their last. Farah the gym’s owner wearing her business entire.

“Look Farah, I know you and Hadir are having difficulties with the financial of the gym and the youth boxing program. Along with having Alex and your brother to keeping things under control when you aren’t around, but you need to have a bit more trust in them. You can’t keep worrying about the what ifs. I’m sure that these two boys will keep things running smoothly until you get back from your holiday.” Price say trying to reassure her.

Farah let out a sigh understanding her friend was looking out for her and their business. But she couldn’t help feeling a bit unease with what she’ll about to say next.

“I know Price, it’s just that the thought of having Alex and Hadir temporarily take care of the boxing youth program during my absence terrified me. The last time I was gone, Hadir think it was a good idea for the children to have a free for all brawl in the ring resulting in receiving anger phone calls from their parents. And a temporarily suspension on the program that I honestly wish he discussed this with me.”

Price give her a nod of understand. “I’m sure Alex will keep an eye on him this time around, beside the kid haven’t disappointed you yet. And proven himself multiple times that he can handle the responsibilities of the gym on his own. Along with the whole process of opening and closing shop, you’ll be in good hands.”

“I hope so, I honestly can’t handle another anger phone calls ambush. And thank you Price, I’ll see you in a few weeks. And please make sure the equipment don't get damages.” with that the conversation ended with Farah left the room leaving Price and Ghost alone.

Both of them didn’t say anything for an awhile now until Price break the silent.

“I’m sorry you have to listen to our conversation, while you wait Si. I hope you haven’t no problem with the locker room, since Alex and Hadir remodeled them before they reveal them to Farah as a surprise. Of course their wallets aren’t so luckily. anyway they’ll be in change while Farah is out for the day. Try not to give them a hard time alright? We want a repeat like last time.”

Ghost nodded in understatement not really impress with the temporarily change in management for the day. Plus he have a feeling that Hadir is still terrific of him about the whole Halloween skeleton event last year. That resulted in the poor man passing out in front of group of children when he saw Ghost fully dressed as the grim reaper with skull mask and all. Even scared some of the children as well, that Alex, Gaz, and Price have to comfort, calm them down, and reassured them all that it was just Ghost in a costume not the actual grim reaper himself. With Roach give the kiddos some candy and Farah take her brother to a spare room to get him to regain consciousness and not make the kids extremely worry.

Roach finishes giving out the treats towards the children signing a comment along the lines of them being brave. He walk up to Ghost and excuse themselves out of earshot and slight to have a private conversation. About him turning down the costume’s horror factor down for the kids sake’s for next year. Since some might have panic attacks or other medical condition that affect their breathing. Ghost take his friend’s concern to heart and promise him that he won’t accidentally scared the children and Hadir again.

Roach is a writer for a small publishing firm in UK that not many people know about along with being Ghost’s childhood friend and emotional supportive person. when things at home weren’t going “peaceful” to put it in simple terms. He visit Simon from time to time when the boxer was training at the gym, at home, or with Price and Gaz even doing causal civilian activities with the group. There are times that the writer even seen his friend’s boxing matches to show his support and write articles about them that his writing catch the readers’ attention on paper and online.

Simon wonder how’s his friend is holding up these days. They haven’t talk since the grand opening of the young program few months back. That given them an excuse to play a little catch up and share what they been doing in their life. It was honestly one of the ways they communicate with each other without having their profession in the way. He missed their conversations, jokes, and even tales of good childhood memories that they both share with each other. That he hold dear in his heart like a secret treasure that he doesn’t want to share with anyone. His bond with Roach is something that help him climb out of the darkness and the stepping stone to be the man he is now.

The deph of his thoughts isn’t always the safe places for him to wonder alone even though the memories of his youth are something that appearances and replay in his slumber when he lease expect it. Causing him to either wake up in terrific cold sweats and teary eyed, or somehow hurt himself in someway or form that result in him not remembering how it happened. or why he was even in unknown room with zero purpose at all. One day while Roach was staying over at his place him was having one of these night terrors that result of him obtained an knife from the kitchen. With the noises of him racking the cabinets and drawers that wake the tried man from his slumber, and look at him with immediate shock and realization that put him into high gear of alarm. Trying to do everything in his power to snap Simon out of his traces which in the end resulted in a close close that the outcome will result in attempted murdered on a legal stand point.

Simon drop the knife in between them shaking from the fear and realization what almost occur and had done right in front of him. Causing the 6’8 buff giant to knee on the floor and started to mentally breakdown with his face staring down on the floor too afraid to look up that his childhood friend. Roach feeling the effect of adrenaline rushing throughout his body still did the only thing he can do in that moment. He gently and carefully slide the knife out of the way and reached between them with the heel of his shoes. Gently and slowly around his arms around his friend’s neck bring his shaken body close to him and causing his face to be burying in his chest and sleep clothes. Along with giving his friend a safe temporarily place to hid his face. Roach holding Simon close against his small body tightly and protectively trying his best to comfort him, until the two of them fell asleep where they stay letting the night slip into day.

Now that event is just a memory that the boxer wants to forget about not from the embarrassment but for feeling self hatred towards himself. For letting it happened and making Roach seeing him at his worst and breaking point, which is something he doesn’t want either his close friends and acquaintance to see, even in public. And prefer to keep his personal issues to himself and don’t want to bother anyone with them especially Price and Roach.

Ghost dig himself out of his thoughts when both him and Price arrive at the training area of the gym. Both of them haven’t spoken to each other since earlier when Farah left to attend business elsewhere. Ghost spotted Gaz inspecting the equipment one final time before leaving it alone with Alex standing beside him bit annoyed.

“Gaz, for the last time the treadmill, drum-bells, stack weights, and the sandbag are fine without any signs of any damaged or worn from usages. You honestly need to chill.”

Gaz looked up at Alex abit annoy with the man’s behavior.

“Can’t Alex, you know that, plus Ghost need to be in tip-top shape with equipment that are in great or good condition to train for his matches, along with improve in areas that are lacking in strengths or skills. We can’t have him injuring himself and others on broken equipment that can result in anger phone calls by customers and parents. That will cause the gym to loss the community support and funding of the youth program. Plus we don’t want Farah to blow an kettle now do we?” responsive Gaz while getting off the ground and dust himself off with his hands.

Alex let out a loud sigh knowing full well that Farah put her heart and soul into this gym and the youth program. Even the community's help to remodel and expand the gym over the years is something he’s proud to be an part of even tho he’s an American, a foreigner in a foreign land with the same language but different dialect and tones. He sometime wishes he wasn’t American due to the stereotypes, history, and past relationships that the rest of the world had with the United States. And he isn’t proud with his own country’s actions and dark history either. Feeling Gaz’s glares staring at him still giving him a indicator that he spent bit too much time with his thoughts.

“Fine, fine, I’ll let you inspect the darn equipment as much as you Gaz. Fucking hell man, you made valid points, and honestly I don’t want Farah to feel overwhelmed with other angry mob of parents and customers on the phone lines and in person.” Alex say rising his hands in defeat. “We already had to deal with that type of chaos during Halloween when Ghost accidentally scared the kids. And I don’t want her to deal with an injured gym member and potential lawsuit.”

“Funny for you to say that, while you two muppets were deep in your yapping, you didn’t notices Ghost and I walk in and listening to both of you auguring about gym equipment like some schoolboys. Now what go you two so work up that you can’t take this matter outside in privately that you want the whole gym to know?” Prince interrupt them before their conversation become too heated that will let to a scene. And one way ticket to Farah’s office to face her wrath of punishment and discipline.

Both Alex and Gaz look toward the coach and the boxer direction feel embarrass that both of them have to see them having an agurement about something so minor.

“Sorry sir, it won’t happened again, it’s just an old habit of mine that’s hard to kick in the bucket.” Gaz said sheepishly

“Sorry, you guys have to witness that, Gaz and my behavior isn’t appropriate in a public space like this one. Hope you accept our apology, and you have my word that this won’t ever happen again.” Alex say a shame and embarrass with his behavior.

Price give an nod of understanding and acceptation, while Ghost give them one of his rare intimidating but forgiving stares. The duo release an sigh of relief and join the other two to begin their workday. And the sounds of training equipment begin to appear marking the start of Ghost’s training routine for the day. With both Alex and Gaz are on the sidelines as spotters to make sure everything run smoothly, while Price’s coaching Ghost throughout the routine with words of encouragement and jabs. That make Simon wanting to push himself harder and give it his all for the rest of the day.