“Coach!” Roxanne muttered, climbing the stairs rapidly, making clicking sounds as she climbed.
In no time at all, she had reached the first floor, entering the familiar room which she always trained in.
The room was empty, filled with nothing but leftover equipment and gym outfits.
As Roxanne took in the sight, her ears immediately picked up something approaching her. Her nose could smell it, it was familiar.
Roxanne turned behind her immediately, seeing Donald looking surprised by her instant movement.
Her eyes widened at the sight before her. It was her Coach, looking as lively as ever in his armless best and trainer joggers.
“Whoah! Here I thought I was being sneaky” He muttered, smiling.
“C-Coach…” Roxanne mumbled, lost for words at the sight of the man she most respected.
“Hey, we haven’t seen each other in so long… What? No hug?” He asked, opening his arms wide as he looked in anticipation.
Realizing his attempt to soften the atmosphere, Roxanne smiled and advanced, drawing close to him as she placed her hands slightly about him and hugged him tightly.
He returned the gesture and gave a warm, fatherly smile. He missed her too.
“Coach… I-I’m so sorry…” Roxanne muttered, still in his arms.
She didn’t know why she was feeling more emotional than usual. Was it due to the pent up feelings she had bottled up within her? Or was it the heightened emotions and senses which came with being a Werewolf.
“It’s fine Roxanne… I understand, ”he said soothingly.
After a brief moment together, the both of them slowly retracted themselves, still smiling affectionately at each other.
“What I don’t understand, though, is where the hell you’ve been!” The Coach exclaimed, gasping unbelievably.
“I mean… Everyone here missed you” Donald smiled.
“Ah, about that… Where’s everyone else by the way, ?”Roxanne said, quickly changing the topic Donald brought up.
“Where else? It’s the season. Of course they’ll be home with their families, or on dates with their girlfriends or whatever. No one’s crazy enough to come here during this period… Or so I thought” Donald mused.
Roxanne couldn’t help but laugh slightly due to his witty statement.
“But I guess here I am,” She said, still chuckling.
Donald walked a few steps from her, carrying a plastic chair and offered it to Roxanne. She smiled and gladly took the seat. Donald moved further ahead and picked a stool for himself.
“I suppose so. Still, Roxanne… You are avoiding my question. Really, there have you been all this time?” Donald asked, balancing himself where he sat on as he played at Roxanne with a straight face, hinting slight concern.
“W-Well… Didn’t my mom tell you anything? She grounded me indefinitely, and even forcefully made me spend time with my Grandmother in the sticks” Roxanne quickly explained, stuttering as she spoke.
“Ohhh, she did mention something like that. I thought she was making it up to how bizarre it seemed, but I guess it must be true.” Donald laughed heartily.
Roxanne couldn’t help but shake her head at the youthful old man. He was such an airhead at times.
“So, your Grandmother lives in the woods, huh? That’s strange. Doesn’t she get worried about her safety or something” He asked, still maintaining his curious, yet worried outlook.
“Oh, she can take care of herself! Besides… There aren’t any wild animals around that area… A-At least that’s what she told me” Roxanne quickly added, after observing her Coach’s narrow gaze as she mentioned the wild creatures of the woods.
“Ohh, is that so? That’s good then. You must have had a good time… To be here on such a day, a short moment before the new year.
“Weeeell…” Roxanne said, unsure of what to tell her coach.
She couldn’t tell him about the whole Werewolf saga that happened to her, or the fact that she ran away from everything and everyone she knew. She also didn’t want to lie to Donald, especially upon seeing him after such a long time.
“I just missed fighting! It got boring at home” Roxanne said, not entirely being honest, but not lying either.
Donald chuckled as he heard Roxanne’s words.
“You’re literally the only person in the world who would think like that. What a weird kid” He said in a tease.
“H-Hey” She pouted.
A brief moment of silence ensued between the both of them, then suddenly they both burst out in laughter. The two, all alone in the vast room filled everywhere with their cheerful sounds of giggles.
“I saw you at the finals, by the way… I didn’t think you were going to show, and to be honest… I didn’t want you to…” He said, returning to his partially serious tone.
“Oh, come on. Not this again. Didn’t you see what happened out there? I won, didn’t I? I have proved to you countless times that I can handle myself!” Roxanne spoke in her defense.
Donald realized he had lost the argument and raised his hands in defeat.
“So, are we going to get this done with… Or should I just go back?” Roxanne asked, giving Donald a sly smile.
“Sigh. Fine… Only God knows what you’ll do if I refuse anyway.” Donald groaned.
“Since the boys left for Christmas and the new year, I haven’t had time to pack the things up, so everything is still here” Donald said, moving toward the stage a short distance from the both of them.
Roxanne followed behind him, fondly looking at the boxing ring. It suddenly looked so small to her now.
“Are you really going to box in that?” Donald asked, pointing out her outfit which was in no way convenient for the sport they were both about to engage in.
“Oof, I forgot about that” She laughed sheepishly.
Donald dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a key. As soon as he threw it, Roxanne instantly felt the toss, watching as the object slowly fell from the air.
She smiled.
Donald was most likely trying to catch her off guard by throwing the key so suddenly, but he was going to be sorely disappointed.
As a Werewolf, she had heightened physical abilities. The sudden throw of the key was in slow motion to her, making it easy for her to line up at the key and grab it.
“Wow, impressive. Looks like you still have your reflexes. You’re not rusty at all. Are you sure you haven’t been practicing at your Grandmother’s?” Donald said, clapping his hands in a mock cheer.
“Who would I be sparing with? My grandmother? Sheesh, Coach, your jokes are too much” Roxanne laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.
She turned away from her coach and went to the door at the far right corner of the room.
“You remember your way to the changing room, right?” Donald called after her.
“Yeah, Yeah. I was only gone for like 3 weeks, you know?” Rihanna yelled back.
She opened the door and entered the room, shutting the door behind her as she did so.
Donald’s smile faded immediately she vanished into the room and he heaved a sigh.
“…. Roxanne… So you’re one too…” He mumbled softly, making sure his voice wasn’t audible enough for her to pick it up.
He wasn’t certain yet, but at the final fight, he paid close attention to Roxanne and saw her eyes glow for a moment. Immediately she left, he chased her through the audience side and witnessed her speed through the dark street in a hurry.
“That wasn’t human…” His thoughts trailed.
However, since he needed to be absolutely sure, he was going to treat his suspicion at the very moment.
The fight would give away her identity!