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. 

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.

I watch her walk away. 

Then I glance back to Uncle. 

“Don’t worry, Lek. You got me!” Uncle smiles. 

I don’t smile back.