I stare at the large, empty room. It feels too eerily quiet. Mom and Dad must have left again.
Lying on my bed, I contemplate whether I should even bother going to school today. I barely slept last night,
My mind on a constant loop, replaying the image of Dan and Sophie together on that bed. Her smug smile, taunting me, mocking me.
I've tried, really tried, to erase the scene from my mind, but it keeps resurfacing, playing out in different ways, each one worse than the last.
Sadly, I don't think it's leaving my memory anytime soon.
'She brought this on herself.'
Dan's words echoes in my head, over and over.
Maybe, just maybe, there's some truth to that. Maybe Dan is right.
Maybe I shouldn't have gone there.
I bury my face in my hands, shame washing over me.
Today at school, it's all about sports. I do combat sports, specifically boxing.
Dan was the one who convinced me to join. We weren't always close then,
but everything changed after that group tutorial.
It just like the one I'm now assigned to with Dom.
At the thought of Dom, my mind shifts.
I remember how I hugged him, how impulsive it was. My hands find my face again, this time out of pure embarrassment.
How am I supposed to face him today?
"Thank God he plays ball," I mutter to myself. "That means we probably won't run into each other much."
Shaking off the thought, I glance at my mirror, reaching for my hair oil. Today, I decide to straighten my hair, no curls. Methodically, I divide my hair into sections and run the straightener through each strand.
When I finish, I smile at my reflection, I am satisfied at the outcome.
I throw on a white T-shirt and shorts, lace up my boxing shoes, and pack up my geargloves, hand wraps, groin protector into my bag.
Downstairs, I find Mrs. May, our housekeeper, busy with the dishes and laundry like she does every morning.
This time, though, she notices me first.
"Helen, you look different today," She says, her tone laced with concern.
I nod.
"I'm off to school. It's boxing day."
As I speak, I pull out my phone, booking a ride.
Her face relaxes. "Ah, that must be it. Well, do have a good day at school."
I step outside to my ride,
Just as my ride pulls up in school, I realize Selena must have already left for her tennis class.
At school, I drop my bag into my locker and head straight to the boxing gym.
"Hey, Helen!"
Anna, my new boxing partner, waves at me with a bright smile.
Dan used to be my partner, but he chose to train with his boys instead. I understood, but deep down, I still felt the sting of it.
I smile back at Anna, scanning the room. Dan isn't here yet. I take in a deep breath leaves my lips. I don't know how to react when I see him.
Hopefully, he explains. Hopefully, he apologizes.
Turning to Anna, I force another smile. "I want to do the punching today."
She tilts her head, confused. I've never asked to hit the punching bag before, not with her, at least.
Still, she steps forward, holding the bag in place for me.
The moment my fists connect, it's like something inside me snaps.
Anna hesitates, then moves in front of the punching bag, steadying it for me.
I take my stance, wrapping my hands. Then, I let go.
Punch.
Harder.
Punch.
Again.
I don't realize how fast my fists are moving, how much force I'm putting in,
until Anna stumbles. Then, before I can register it, she falls.
Thud!
Anna crashes to the ground, clutching her head in pain.
I freeze. My breath catches in my throat.
Mr. Harold, our coach, rushes over, crouching beside her.
"Anna, are you okay?" he asks. She nods weakly, clearly in pain.
Then his sharp eyes turn on me.
"What's gotten into you, Helen? You of all people should know Anna is a newbie!"
Guilt crashes over me. I drop to my knees beside Anna.
"I'm so sorry," I stammer, my hands shaking. "Are you alright?"
She looks up at me, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I told you to stop," she whispers, her voice trembling. "You were punching so hard…"
I blink. I didn't hear her say anything.
Or maybe I just didn't want to hear.
"I'll get you whatever you need," I say quickly. "Do you want water? Painkillers?"
Anna winces, touching her arm. "Aspirin… and water."
"I'll go—". I offer sheepishly,
"No." Coach Harold stops me. "Stay with her. I'll get it."
I sit beside her, afraid to move, afraid that if I leave her side, something worse will happen, and it'll all be my fault.
Around the gym, students had gathered, but now, most have gone back to their training.
Then I see him.
Dan.
He's standing near the entrance, watching.
I quickly look away, embarrassment twisting in my stomach. But I know. I can feel it. His gaze is still on me.
He must know this is his fault.
Coach Harold returns with the aspirin and water.
Anna takes them slowly. "I feel dizzy," she mumbles.
"I want to lie down."
"I'll take her to the clinic," I volunteer.
Coach Harold nods but hesitates. "You can't take her alone".
I see him look around the class,
Both our eyes lands on Dan, he calls Dan to help me with Anna.
My heart stops.
Dan steps forward, wrapping Anna's arm over his shoulder. I do the same on the other side.
We walk in silence. He doesn't say a word. Neither do I.
But inside, I'm burning.
'i want to know what's going on'.
The clinic staff rushes out with a stretcher, lifting Anna onto it. The moment she's settled, Dan walks away.
'Just like that'.
I stare after him in disbelief.
"Miss, what happened?" a nurse asks, snapping me back to reality.
I explain the situation, then fill out a report.
Before leaving, I check on Anna one last time. She's fast asleep.
I sigh and turn back toward the gym.
I sigh, my breath visible in the cool evening air as I turn back toward the gym, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling settling in my chest.
"Hel."
The familiar voice stops me in my tracks.
I freeze for a moment before turning around, my heart lurching unexpectedly.
It's Dan.
He stands a few feet away, hands in his pockets, the usual confidence in his stance replaced by something hesitant, uncertain.
For a second, I consider walking away. But I don't. Instead, I find myself moving toward him, my footsteps slow and measured, as if bracing myself for whatever is coming next.
Dan shifts on his feet, raising a hand to scratch the back of his head. A nervous habit. One I know all too well.
"I don't know how to say this," he admits, his voice lower than usual.
A sinking feeling tugs at my stomach.
Is he breaking up with me?
For Sabrina?
I swallow hard, my fingers instinctively curling into fists at my sides.
Dan exhales, his gaze flickering away before finally meeting mine again.
"You know… about the other day with Sabrina…" His voice falters, his jaw tightening.
I remain silent, waiting. Watching.
"You know she forced herself on me," he continues, his hands moving restlessly at his sides. "She's been doing this ever since she came to this school."
I stare at him, my mind racing.
I already knew that.
Selena's words echo in my head, 'You know she isn't going to give Dan up.'
I had pretended those words didn't sting, but the truth is, they did. They still do.
Dan steps closer, his hands reaching for mine. His grip is warm, familiar.
"You know I'd never want to hurt you, Helen." His voice is soft, pleading. "You know I care about you."
Something inside me wavers.
I want to be angry. I should be angry.
But I can never stay mad at him for long.
If I have to fight Sabrina for him, if I have to fight anyone—
I'll do it.
I'll choose him.
I meet his gaze, searching his face for something, reassurance, honesty, love.
"Promise me you'll never hurt me like that again," I whisper.
Dan doesn't hesitate. A slow, sure smile tugs at his lips.
"You know I'd never do that." His voice is steady now, unwavering. "Ever again."
I want to believe him.
I do believe him.
Heat rises to my cheeks as he pulls me closer, his fingers threading gently through my hair. His touch is deliberate, lingering.
And then, he kisses me.
Deeply.
The kind of kiss that makes the world blur, that makes everything else, Sabrina, Anna, my parents, fade into the background.
His long fingers slide through my straightened hair, his touch reverent.
He noticed my hair.
A small, foolish smile plays on my lips as I melt into him, letting myself sink into this moment, this feeling—completely.
For now, nothing else matters.
When we finally pull apart, his forehead rests lightly against mine, his breath still mingling with mine.
Dan chuckles softly, his fingers still tangled in my hair.
"I don't want Sabrina coming between us."
His voice is firm, certain.
"Let's spend more time together, Hel."
My heart swells.
He's never said that before.
I nod, warmth spreading through my chest. "What's the plan?"
I look at him with all the love in my eyes, all the hope.
Dan smirks, that familiar mischievous glint returning. "It's a surprise."
A giggle escapes me before I can stop it.
He laughs too, squeezing my hand.
As we walk back into the gym, fingers intertwined, I feel the weight of Sabrina's presence somewhere behind me, lingering like a shadow.
But I don't look back.
A proud smile never leaves my face.
Sabrina could never.