Alyssa ♔
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I wake up feeling like it's both the start and end of something. Whether I win or lose my fight tonight, tomorrow is a new day, and whatever decisions are made from here on out are entirely mine; there's something beautiful in that.

That is if I make it through tonight. I toss the sheets aside and get out of bed, trying not to think about how sick I feel. A quick shower later, I slip into my workout clothes and start my morning stretches. They not only warm up my body but also help soothe my nerves. After finishing, I head to the kitchen to find Mom up early, with a plate of fruit and yogurt waiting for me.

"Good morning, honey," she says through sips of her coffee. "What are your plans for this morning?"

I give a nonchalant shrug while scooping fruit into my bowl. "I might hit the gym this morning, then hang out with Max later." I haven't mentioned tonight's fight to her and don't intend to. She's had a tough few weeks, and learning her only daughter is stepping into a ring would only worry her. Besides, tonight's fight isn't for her, my dad, or Justin. It's all about me.

Her jaw tightens slightly, showing she's still not entirely on board with the gym or my life choices. But what matters is that she doesn't voice these doubts. She's making an effort, and for now, that's enough.

We spend the next twenty minutes enjoying a surprisingly pleasant breakfast. Steering clear of topics like Dad, Max, or recent events, we discuss college and everything I'm looking forward to. I catch myself smiling, our conversation taking me back to the old days when popularity didn't matter to me and Mom was focused on being my mom.

After breakfast, I sit in my car outside the gym, mustering the courage to go in. Despite my attempts to think otherwise, nerves are starting to set in. It's not just the fight but everything around it – the venue, the lights, the crowd. Max explained that the fight would be in a fancy gym outside LA, packed with people from the Amateur boxing world. Not that I've ever been intimidated by an audience, but the idea of embarrassing myself in front of so many is enough to make me feel queasy.

When I can't sit around much longer, I reluctantly head inside, where Maddie and Hayden are already waiting. Carrying my gym bag, I walk across the gym floor, each step echoing my racing heartbeat. I greet them both with a broad, albeit nervous, smile.

"Big day," Maddie says, enveloping me in a hug. "Feeling nervous?"

"As if," I tease, but I can already feel knots forming in my stomach, growing tighter by the second. I wish Max were here, but he has a delivery shift this morning and will meet me just before the fight to take me to the gym instead. I'm trying not to think about it; overthinking might lead to second-guessing. So, for now, my attention is on Maddie and Hayden. "Are we sparring this morning?"

"Not exactly," Hayden says, leading us to the equipment box. "You don't want to risk hurting yourself before the fight, but Maddie will review some footwork and techniques with you. Just try not to wear yourself out."

"Sir, yes, sir."

He gives me the same kind of playful eye roll he gives Maddie, and I smile. While we're not exactly the closest of friends, I'm happy I have such a supportive group around me. The idea of leaving them all behind for college is terrifying.

Still, there isn't exactly time to think about that now. After gearing up, I join Maddie in the ring. We spend an hour on stretching and light footwork, with both Maddie and Hayden offering last-minute advice. I had worried that coming to the gym might heighten my nerves, turning me into a mess before tonight.

Instead, it does the opposite. Training with Maddie and watching her face light up when I master a move makes me feel capable of anything. Regardless of tonight's outcome, I'm not just excited – I'm ready.

"Good," she says when I sidestep one of her blows. "Your footwork is key to everything. Tire her out as much as you can before you hit back, and remember to control your breathing."

I nod, sidestepping again to hit her with a light one-two. The truth is, it's in this ring that I feel in control the most. The past and future can't reach me. All that exists is the feel of the canvas under my feet and the occasional sting of an unexpected hit.

We continue for a while longer, with Maddie making sure not to injure me, and I do the same. My focus is on practicing the techniques for tonight's fight. Hayden, assisting other gym members, occasionally glances over and nods in approval, boosting my confidence even more.

"How do you manage it?" I ask after one of his nods morphs into him smiling longingly at Maddie. "I mean, with you being away at college and him being here. Isn't it hard?"

Maddie takes a sip from her water bottle and then screws the cap back on. "I'm lucky UCLA isn't far, so I can come back whenever, but even distance wouldn't change anything. We work because neither of us ever stops trying to make it work, even when we're tired or don't feel like it. We don't quit on each other."

I realize it's the same approach she takes in the ring. She keeps going, never quitting until the fight's over, even if winning seems impossible. And that's what being strong means – not just believing you'll win, but fighting even when you think you might lose.

"Look, I know you're worried," she says, her eyes softening, "but you're ready, Alyssa. Just remember to trust your training, and you'll do great."

I feel some of those knots untwist as I think about tonight. It helps to know that Maddie has been in this exact situation, and even though we're completely different, part of me hopes that if she can be brave, I can too.

I take a deep breath, looking around the gym as if seeing it for the first time. The heavy bags in a row along the far wall, the weights section where Max first taught me to lift – I smile at the thought. It's like no matter where I am – in the Palisades, at college, or halfway across the world – this gym will always feel like home.

"You should head home and rest the next few hours," Maddie says, unstrapping her gloves. "Hayden and I will meet you at the gym later. Max is picking you up, right?"

I nod, barely able to think straight. The closer tonight gets, the more the nerves I've been fighting down are determined to appear. I say goodbye to the pair, tell them I'll see them later, and head home to nap for a few hours before getting ready.

My outfit tonight is as simple as possible: pink tank top, boxing shorts, and my hair in a single tight braid that keeps it away from my face. It's not exactly the cutest of outfits, but it's practical for the ring, and Max would be stressed if I wore anything else. I step into the bathroom to check the mirror – the only one left in our house. Gazing at the girl before me, I feel...not surprised exactly, given how often I admire my appearance, but a sense of contentment.

Pride.

My phone buzzes before I can let the feeling sink in. Max tells me he's on his way, and I spend the next twenty minutes shadowboxing in my room and trying not to think about tonight. You're doing this for you, Liss. Not Dad or Justin. Not as some lame attempt to prove to them you're not weak. You.

Another message vibrates on my phone. I take it out, expecting Max, but instead, it's Tiana wishing me luck and saying she'll see me later. I thank her and put my phone away, trying to keep my breathing steady.

The sound of an engine hums outside. Show time. I grab my gym bag, phone, and tiptoe down the stairs into the hallway, hoping to escape the house before my mom can see me dressed like this. "I'm heading out now!" I call and hurry out the door before she can respond.

Max's car is already parked outside the gates. I slide into the passenger seat, tossing my bag in the back before turning to face him. As soon as I do, he reaches over, cups my face, and kisses me.

My heart races as always. Toes curl. I return his kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck as all my worries vanish. Ignoring the fact we have somewhere to be, my fingers trail from his neck down his back, slipping under his t-shirt. He responds by kissing me harder, pulling me closer by the waist until there's hardly any space left between us. My heart pounds rapidly, adrenaline surging like I'm already in the ring.

"Forget everything," I half-joke, turning to the door, "let's go to my room."

His hand catches mine before I can move, spinning me back toward him. His dark eyes briefly scan my eyes and face with an intensity that thrills me. "As much as it kills me to say this, we can't. You have a fight to get to."

Pretending to be disappointed, I buckle my seatbelt while he starts the engine. As we hit the road, all I can focus on is the adrenaline surging through me in anticipation of the fight. I've made it this far, and win or lose tonight, nothing will stop me from making it tomorrow.

We don't talk much during the car ride – I'm too nervous. Instead, we listen to Tupac's greatest hits, and after nearly an hour of being stuck in traffic, we finally arrive at a small parking lot behind the venue. My eyebrows fly up. Unlike GymCon, which I'll reluctantly admit is a little rough around the edges, this one is modern with sleek gray walls, large blacked-out windows, and a neon sign that reads 'Cube Gym.'

I take in the long line outside, my anxiety spiking. These people are here to see me fight, and they don't even know who I am. Doubts creep in – what if I let them down? What if I'm not what they expect? What if they don't like me?

"Everyone likes you," Max replies, making me aware I voiced that last thought out loud. "Especially me." He turns off the car and faces me, gently holding my chin. His thumb brushes softly against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. "Those pre-fight nerves are a bitch, Alyssa. They'll eat away at you if you let them, which is why I need you to believe me when I tell you that you're the bravest, strongest person I know. You can do this."

My nerves ease as I realize how lucky I am to have someone in my corner. For so long, I thought I had to hide my weaknesses, afraid of being seen as not as strong as I appeared. But with Max, there's no one he expects me to be but myself.

Heart pounding, I turn to find him already looking at me. His hand drops to mine, squeezing it tight. "Ready when you are, Goldilocks," he says, and I take a deep breath before letting him guide me out of the car, ready to face my fears.

A/N

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