two months later

The smell of sweat and rubber clung to the air, mingling with the sharp scent of disinfectant as the sound of gloves hitting pads echoed through the gym. The heavy thud of feet against the mat, the sharp grunts, the shuffling of movement — it all seemed to blend together into a rhythm that I was too deep in to escape.

I stood across from my opponent, a bulky guy with dark tattoos lining his arms, his breathing slow but controlled. He was tall, a few inches over me, but I didn’t care about that. I had been in enough fights to know that height didn’t mean a damn thing if you could take the right shots, and I’d learned how to make my size work for me. The cage was a place where I felt alive, like I had control over something in my chaotic world.

Chiron’s voice came at me like a whip crack from the side of the ring. He was always loud, commanding, like a general barking orders from the front line.

“Stay light on your feet, Lachlan! Don’t stand flat-footed!” His voice was relentless, like a current pushing me forward. “Move, move!”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure he could see me. My hands were up, my posture low. I bounced on the balls of my feet, ready to react. I knew Chiron wanted me to be fluid, to work the angles, but the adrenaline coursing through my veins made everything feel tighter, more intense. I couldn’t focus on anything else, couldn’t even hear the thudding of my heartbeat in my chest over the noise around me.

I feinted a jab to the guy’s face, trying to get him to bite. He reacted, shifting his weight to block, and I quickly followed up with a body kick, the sound of my shin connecting with his ribs sharp and satisfying. He grunted, stepping back, clearly winded, but he wasn’t out.

“Nice!” Chiron shouted, though his voice was tinged with frustration. “But don’t give him time to recover! Go again!”

I knew what he meant. I couldn’t give my opponent a moment to regain control. I had to keep the pressure up, keep pushing. But as I shifted my weight, trying to cut him off, I felt something — a slight shift in the air, a sense of watching eyes. It pulled my attention momentarily toward the edge of the cage, where I knew someone was standing.

Ria.

She was leaning against the side of the ring, arms crossed, watching me with those piercing eyes of hers. Her face was set, unreadable, but I saw the way her gaze followed every movement, every swing. I hadn’t expected her to show up today — hell, I wasn’t sure I wanted her to — but there she was. And for a brief moment, it was like everything else fell away. Like I was fighting for something more.

She was watching me, and I couldn’t let that break me.

The guy in front of me took advantage of my hesitation, lunging forward with a jab that clipped me in the cheek. The impact rattled my teeth, and I saw stars for a split second before regaining my focus.

“Stay focused!” Chiron bellowed from the corner, snapping me out of my daze. “Don’t let him dictate the pace!”

I gritted my teeth and adjusted, letting my feet carry me around, staying light on my toes as I reset. I was faster than him — I had to be. I had more speed, more control. And I was determined to prove it.

I closed the distance quickly, circling to his right, and then I planted my left leg and threw a sharp right hook. He ducked under it, but I anticipated the move. I immediately dropped my level, twisting into a takedown attempt, wrapping around his waist with a tight grip.

"Good! Good!" Chiron’s voice rang in my ears, encouraging me as I forced him to the ground. My opponent struggled, but I had the dominant position now, trying to secure a side control to lock him in.

My breathing came harder now, sweat pouring from my brow, dripping down into my eyes, but I didn’t care. My mind was clear, focused, all except for the way Ria’s figure loomed in my periphery. I couldn’t help but glance at her again as she stood motionless, arms still crossed, her eyes unwavering.

For the briefest moment, I felt a spark of doubt — What did she think of me? Would did she see in me? But I pushed it down, focusing on the here and now.

I adjusted my position, securing the hold tighter. He struggled beneath me, but I kept him pinned, my forearm across his throat to keep the pressure on, not giving him an inch.

"Control him, Lachlan!" Chiron shouted, practically shaking the cage with his intensity. “Don’t just fight — dominate!"

With a growl, I tightened my grip, digging my knee into his side as I worked for the submission. He gurgled in frustration, but I wasn’t letting up. Not now.

I finally locked it in. The tap came quick — rapid, frantic. My opponent was done.

The buzzer went off, signaling the end of the round, and I released him, rolling off and rising to my feet, breathing heavily. My chest heaved, the exhaustion setting in, but a small smile crept onto my face as I looked toward the cage wall. Chiron was shouting, giving me his usual list of things I could’ve done better, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

Ria’s gaze was still locked on me, her expression unreadable, though there was a flicker of something behind her eyes. A recognition, maybe. Or was it just my imagination?

She gave a small nod, and flashed me a smile as she turned to walk toward her mom who had just arrived.

Chiron broke my gaze with his words, “Kid, pay attention.”

“I am, what’s with this kid shit I’m nineteen.” I argued back.

Chiron ignored me, “I’m going to enter you into some amateur fights.”

“Bout time,” I said  back.

“You’ve only been at a hundred percent for about half a month, but your condition is better that it was. You’re ready.” Chiron boldly said to me with a smile. “You’ll also be moving into the gym, I’ve renovated a room for you.”

“Oh, okay I guess. I need to tell my parents.” I looked at the ground dreading the conversation.

“I already talked to your mom, she is happy for you, she hopes you succeed and prays for your safety.” Chiron said while putting his hand on my shoulder.

I smiled, while it’s not full support from my parents, at least I have one.. I thought about Ria though, the look she had seemed to be more than just admiration or encouragement. I feel that it could be something more, but not today. Today I prepare myself for what's to come.