The crowd faded in front of me. The voices of each member became silent as I heard Riley speak. She once stood a chance to fight for the champion belt. Got her champion fight and everything. Only, she lost her shot as she got knocked out in the first round. Just like many other willing fighters. Six months ago, when I heard that they are signing us up to fight against each other, I didn’t take it personally. Back when I was still in primary school and I was competing in karate for my green belt. She was my opponent. I ended up getting my belt. She didn’t. It’s the first time in fourteen years I’m fighting her again. Unlike me who carried on working for my black belt, she quit karate and started MMA at an early age.
I felt the static air between us even if she was sitting a coup
