Marcus understood immediately.
“That explains a lot.”
Amara looked down at her hands.
“My father doesn't want me competing anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because he thinks fighting changed my brother.”
Marcus frowned.
“Brother?”
Amara nodded.
“He was a great athlete.”
“What happened?”
“He started winning.”
Her voice became quieter.
“Then winning became more important than everything else.”
Marcus didn't interrupt.
“He stopped listening to coaches. Started humiliating people. Started thinking losing meant someone had disrespected him.”
She looked toward the door.
“One night, he got into a fight outside a tournament.”
Marcus's expression hardened.
“He was suspended.”
“Worse.”
Amara swallowed.
“He hurt someone badly.”
Silence.
“That was when my father stopped believing competition was safe.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
“And you?”
“I told him I didn't want to become my brother.”
“So he let you train?”
“Eventually.”
Marcus smiled.
“Your father sounds protective.”
“He is.”
The front door opened.
Tyler walked in.
He stopped when he saw them.
Amara looked over.
“Morning.”
Tyler nodded.
“Morning.”
He seemed different.
Less loud.
Less certain.
He placed his bag down.
Then walked toward them.
“Can I ask something?”
Marcus nodded.
Tyler looked at Amara.
“Did you know you'd beat me?”
Amara thought about it.
“No.”
Tyler seemed surprised.
“Really?”
“I knew I had a chance.”
“That doesn't answer the question.”
Amara smiled slightly.
“You were stronger.”
Tyler looked away.
“But you were predictable.”
That stung.
Yet Tyler didn't argue.
Instead, he asked:
“Will you train with me?”
Marcus looked at Amara.
She looked at Tyler.
“Sure.”
Tyler nodded.
And that was the beginning of something neither of them expected.
Over the following weeks, they trained together.
Tyler learned patience.
Amara learned confidence.
He taught her combinations.
She taught him timing.
He showed her how to generate power.
She showed him how to conserve it.
Slowly, Tyler's personality began to change.
He stopped mocking beginners.
He started helping younger students.
He apologized to people he'd embarrassed.
Even Mia noticed.
“You're different.”
Tyler shrugged.
“Maybe.”
“What happened?”
He smiled.
“A little girl beat me.”
Mia laughed.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
But not everyone was happy.
A local tournament was approaching.
Tyler had been expected to win.
Now rumors spread about Amara.
People wanted to see her compete.
Sponsors became interested.
Videos of her training began circulating.
And Tyler realized something uncomfortable.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't the center of attention.
But instead of resenting her...
He was proud.
CHAPTER 5 — THE TOURNAMENT
The tournament arena was packed.
Thousands of spectators filled the seats.
Cameras lined the walls.
Athletes warmed up everywhere.
Tyler stood near the entrance, watching Amara prepare.
She was competing in a division above the one she normally trained in.
Her opponent was larger.
Older.
More experienced.
Tyler walked over.
“Nervous?”
Amara shook her head.
“A little.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
She looked at him.
“Good?”
“Means you care.”
Amara smiled.
Tyler held out his fist.
She bumped it.
“Stay calm.”
“I know.”
“And don't chase.”
“I know.”
“And—”
“Tyler.”
“What?”