Chapter 5

  Fon raises her glove.

  “Lek! That was a great strike!”

  She jumps with joy.

  I freeze, stiff as a board.

  I don’t want to get beat up again.

  Fear makes me such an idiot.

  I retract into my guard, like a scared turtle.

  “I’m sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!” I yell.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Fon’s excitement droops into a glare.

  “You think that hurt?”

  Fon presses forward.

  Every step she takes toward me, I take three backwards.

  Instantly, I’m stuck in the corner of the ring.

  Back to the ropes.

  I’m trapped. Nowhere to go.

  She throws a punch to my gut. My lungs empty instantly.

  Then she gets close. I mean, really close.

  Her hands locked behind my head, pressing her temple against mine.

  It’s like a violent hug. I wish… I wish it was a real hug… Soft, safe, and without all this pain.

  She pauses. I can’t move.

  She exhales.

  Then whispers, “Do you want to be a fighter?”

  Her knee drives into my ribs.

  I collapse.

  She didn’t throw full power, but it still hurt.

  Sometimes, I wish I never talked at all.

  Uncle watches from the side of the ring, exhaling smoke.

  “Lek. I’ve got news. Whether it’s good or bad… that’s up to you.”

  I look up from the canvas. Fon pulls her gloves off on the opposite side of the ring.

  “What is it Uncle?”

  “You have a fight in one week.” Uncle takes a long drag, as if he won’t stop inhaling until I respond.

  “Al-Already!?” I choke on the words. I notice Fon glances back at me.

  I look at her.

  “Fon, I’m so sorry for making you upset. Please, I need your help!”

  Her eyebrows tighten.

  I know this look.

  Disappointed.

  The same look my folks had… the day they sold me to the gym.

  “Then stop apologizing.”

  She steps between the ropes.