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chapter twenty-three


MADDIE


Staring across the mats, I watch the Iron Dragons enter the gym. Axel walks at the back, and when he turns his head, his eyes land on me. 
Last night I told him I loved him. And I meant every single word. I might have not been the right moment, but it all came out so quickly it happened. And I wouldn't take it back even if someone forced me. 
I've done every thing I've can to bring him back. I don't know what else I could to. How much more I could give. 
"You ready?" Johnny asks as he walks up to stand beside me. 
I nod after a moment, pulling my eyes away from Axel. "I think."
"Just focus on what you need to do out there," he tells me. "Just win your fight, and give it all you've got."
I clench my jaw up at him. "No. I'm not letting Silver or Wolf win. I'm closing the gap."
"I knew you were a badass the first moment you gave me attitude," sensei says, ruffling my hair with a grin. 
I turn away from him, locking eyes with Zara from across the mats. She smiles at me, but there is nothing genuine about it. It's mockery. I glare at her, wanting nothing more than to smack it off her face. She's fast and skilled, but whatever skills and speed she has, I do to . I've watched her fight, and our techniques are almost identical. 
As my name is called up, I do my handshake with Miguel, before walking onto the mats. Zara holds a smug look on her face as she struts onto the mats. She bows down to me before stepping forward and smirking up at me. 
"You know, I really wanted to fight Nichols, but you'll have to do, Abby." Zara eyes me up and down with a raised eyebrow. "She's certainly tougher than you."
"You're going to wish it was Nichols you were fighting," I tell her. 
"Play it cool all you want, but just remember that all these people are cheering for me. They love me. While nobody could love you. Not even your secret little boyfriend."
I snap my eyes down at her, my fists clenching at my sides. Immediately, anger riles up inside me. She knew he was being hurt, and she did nothing. She didn't even treat him as a friend. 
"Enjoy the last fifteen minutes of fame, because after this you'll just be another notch on my black belt."
"You mean like Robby was?" I ask her, narrowing my eyes. "The boy you took advantage of because he was drunk. The boy who didn't even get a chance to say no." I step forward, causing her to retreat back in the smallest bit. "Yeah, I heard about that. And it's disgusting."
"Fuck you, Maddie," she snaps. 
I step forward, cocking my head down at her. "Say that again."
"You're going to wish it was Nichols I was fighting."
"I'm so jealous," I snap down at her over my shoulder as I move into my stance. 
I bow to the ref, then Zara, and the whistle blows. The screams of my name slowly dissolve until the only thing I can hear is my slow breathing as I lunge forward towards Zara. I strike first, throwing my fists wherever I can find an opening. She darts back, using her forearms to block a kick to the temple.