Free The Last Round by Emmy L. Montes

at me for a long time, and it makes me wonder if I did okay, if I did right by her, but from the looks of it, I can’t tell if I did or not, because she’s just staring at me, her features expressionless.
    The car in front of us pulls to the next window and it’s our turn to order. I shake my head. “I know, this is stupid, right? We can go somewhere else.”
    Her hand grabs mine as I reach for the gear shifter. “No, it’s not stupid. I want to do everything you have planned for tonight. Okay?”
    “Okay.” I pull up. “You want your usual?”
    Natalia smiles, she always has a way of brightening up a room with just her smirk and her laugh. Hell, no one can argue against me on this. No matter how angry or upset or a douche a person can be, if they heard Natalia’s laugh, they can’t help but laugh too—it’s that contagious.
    We pull up into the parking lot by Bensalem High School’s football field. We grab our two Taco Bell bags filled with food and our sodas, and exit the car.
    “It looks exactly the same! I haven’t been here in freaking years!” she says, excitement taking over as we walk toward the locked, gated fence. “Okay, Julian, I know twelve years ago we climbed this bad boy, but there is no way my ass is getting over this fence, with these shoes?” She lifts her boot in the air to show the length of her heel.
    “No worries. This time I came prepared,” I say, gripping the lock and pulling it open. “Wha-la, magic.”
    Natalia lets out an extended gasp, “Did you just pick that lock?” She looks around, making sure no one saw us. “What if we get caught?”
    I burst out in a laugh; she raises an agitated brow. “Relax!” I laugh again at her wary features. “I called Coach Carter, he still works here and I asked him for a favor. He left it unlocked for me; I promised him I’ll lock up once we’re finished.”
    “Coach Carter?” Her face relaxes. “Wow, I can’t believe he’s still here.” Natalia steps forward and onto the field. We head toward the bleachers and walk all the way to the top, taking a seat on the very last bench. I settle beside her, dig through our bags and we begin eating.
    “Oh God, I forgot how much I missed carbs.” Natalia hums as she takes a big bite of her soft taco. “Seriously, this is the Devil’s food.” Her eyes cross, moaning as she takes another bite.
    I chuckle. “I know what you mean. Today’s my last cheat day before I go on a strict diet for the Merit fight.”
    She wipes her lips with a napkin. “Are you nervous for the Merit fight?” I shake my head. “Of course you’re not. I admire you for that, how you’re never afraid or nervous to take anything on.”
    I’m nervous of losing you.
    “Are you stuffed yet?” I ask her. I dig into my pocket and pull out a king-size Skittles bag.
    Her face beams like a child. She reaches for the Skittles, rips it open and pours half the bag into her hand. As always, she takes out the cherry flavored for herself and hands me the rest. “You are very bad for my diet today,” she states, chewing on her favorite candy.
    Natalia leans back into the bleachers and admires the view. Her stare sweeps across the football field, a tiny grin tugs at her lips. “Remember how we used to make out under the bleachers during gym class? God, how about when Coach Carter caught us that one time!” She bursts out into a hoot, her laughter echoing throughout the field.
    “Yeah, you told him I was helping you inspect cavities.” I raise a brow.
    Her face turns beet red. “I was embarrassed, what else could I have said?”
    Shaking my head, I scoot closer to her. “Those were the good times. When we were young and free and no worries in the world, well some worries.” I rephrase, because I did have worries as a teen due to my mother’s sickness.
    “Yeah, I wish it can be like it was. Now we’re just so . . .” She looks at me trying to find the right word.
    “Lost?”
    “Mean.”
    Scrunching my brows, I