The first round was uneventful, none of us even got in range to throw a decent shot, she was trying to establish the jab, but I was keen on frustrating her efforts with my movements. She had very fast hands; it wasn't hard to see how someone like this could be a champion. I couldn't make any comment on her power yet, she hadn't hit me with any substantial shot. We were both taking it much more seriously than we should have, it was only a sparring session after all.
I knew I had to find a way to settle into a nice slow rhythm, I couldn't keep up the pace much longer, I was already breathing very heavily, and I wouldn't be able to hide it much longer.
I was sure I could gain her respect if I caught her with a decent punch. Maybe she would slow down a bit then, I thought.
The Vaseline girl signaled it was time to go again, the second round. A crowd was now beginning to form in the gym with several other students joining. Just listening you wouldn't be able to tell there were onlookers, they were all so quiet, some were sitting, others were standing.
I stood up from the stool, the first round was about ten minutes long, but it had gone by very quickly. I was hoping the second round would be the same.
The bell went. Mikaela quickly took center ring, assuming a mantis-like stance. She wasn't moving her feet as much again, she remained planted with the high guard.
She threw a lazy jab, I withdrew briefly and then countered, all within a second, with a right hook which connected flush.
There was a collective gasp. It was the first real shot of the day, but she responded very well, better than I expected.
She switched to the orthodox stance and threw a three-jab combo all with her right hand. They weren't particularly difficult to predict. She had been throwing those punches from the first round with minimal success.
"You have to follow those up Mikaela" I thought, grunting as I shifted to my right evading the last punch and quickly planting my left foot in position to execute a right hook, left hook combo.
Her head moved to the right and then more violently to the left, she struggled to gather her feet. The right side of her face was beginning to present a reddish hue and her hair was loosening from the bun.
"Stay focused Mikaela!" someone had shouted out, their voice cutting through the gasps.
She was now circling to my left, keeping off my right hand.
That's good Mikaela, but it doesn't help with the left hook, does it? I thought as I quickly stepped to my right and then dragged my left hand to her temple. She withdrew her head just enough to collect the shot on her chin it sent her gum shield flying out of the ring.
Several students now had their hands on their mouths in complete shock.
I was myself very confused, I couldn't tell if the shots were hurting her or not, they were rocking her head violently for sure, but she seemed to be taking them well. She certainly didn't look hurt I thought as I stared at her face.
She was smiling appreciating the punch herself. She nodded and then walked to the corner to have her gum shield put back in.
She returned soon after, back in the southpaw stance.
"Alright!" I thought. I didn't expect her to be so eager to carry on. I half thought they would call it off at this point.
From where I was standing, she was certainly taking a lot of punishment.
She threw a nifty jab which connected, quickly following it up with a poorly disguised left hook, which I caught on my right forearm. Her speed came through with the combination ending with a second jab which came out of nowhere.
She stepped into the pocket, first leaning and then very quickly pushing me back with her forearms and letting off a vicious shot to the body. It was a good right hook; her hand sank deep into my abdomen stealing my breath. My right hand instinctively dropped from the side of my head to the front of my chest a position that allowed my elbow to protect the sore site but left my head exposed.
"Ooouuh" the crowd reacted.
A novice boxer might have easily succumbed, but I proved to be more skilled. Shifting to the right, I masked any signs of pain with my poker face. She needed to remain unaware of how much damage the shot had caused.
My body was beginning to fail me, I needed a breath desperately. I tried circling off to the right to gain some distance, but I wasn't as fast as I wanted to be, my feet were planted to the the ground, and it was as if I could no longer command my parts.
"Get him Mikaela!" someone yelled from the crowd. It was a male student, the voice was familiar, it had a characteristic rasp. It sounded like he was also laughing.
I looked up, she was advancing. I brought my right hand up again, expecting the onslaught. I threw out three lazy jabs just to keep her away. The first one landed flush, too weak to cause any damage, she ducked to evade the second, and rolled beneath the third, emerging just to the right of my outstretched arm, it all happened so quickly.
She threw a zipping right hook which landed in the space between my upper lip and nose. My legs gave out, they could no longer support the weight of my body. They hadn't worked this much for a long time.
I was on my way down when the left hook followed in succession. It was a heavy shot; I couldn't feel it, but I could tell from the blurry faces. Hands were on mouths and foreheads.
I looked back at her and just as our gaze met, she winked, turning around to walk away. "A right hook, left hook combo?" I thought to myself, smiling from the canvas, realizing what she had done as I sat on the floor like a toddler. I just need a moment, I thought.
I'll get up! I was certain of it. I just had to close my eyes for a little bit, this wasn't over, it couldn't be.
I lay down for a moment, my eyes closed shut, I didn't feel too much after, just the cold, it all became cold all of a sudden.
I opened my eyes again, making my way up. A few students started applauding. Mikaela was off by the corner having her gloves taken off. It was over.
She turned around offering a congratulatory nod. "Well done!" she said walking over to fist-bump my right hand with both of her hands, they were now ungloved.
"Good boxing champ," I responded reciprocating the respect.
I looked around somewhat embarrassed at how it had all gone. I was out of practice, nowhere where I once was.
I started to walk towards the ropes, making my way out of the ring. There were a few positives to take away, she was a champion after all I couldn't beat myself up too much.
"Edward!" a voice called out, prompting me to look back and spot Andrea. She held a book against her chest with her left hand while gesturing to two other students in the distance, her fingers rolling in a pattern that hinted at a future rendezvous. As she turned toward the ring, she skillfully caught a towel tossed from the ring with her free hand.
"Are you alright?" she asked, handing me the towel.
"I'm alright," I replied lifting the towel to acknowledge I had gotten it.
A few moments passed in silence. "I believe you should pay a visit to..."
"Eddie, mandatory health inspection after sparring!" Mikaela interrupted as she made her way towards the door, waving at Andrea.
I nodded, returning my gaze to Andrea. "So?" I asked, "What were you going to say."
"The Nurse's office, same thing she said." She replied.
"...Eddie," I said out of nowhere.
"What?"
"You can call me Eddie." I continued. "Edward sounds a bit too… formal."
"Oh, Andy then," she mentioned, trying to hold back a smile. Swiftly changing the subject, she walked ahead of me and asked, "So, what was that? Do you usually participate in boxing or something?"
"Participate?" I asked, chuckling at the notion as I followed behind.
She was now laughing as well. "You were...."
I turned around curious at what she was about to say.
"You were...." another student had walked up to her, whispering something into her ear.
"You'll have to excuse me Edwa.., Eddie!" she ended with a smile.
The examination at the Nurse's office didn't take too long. I got there first with Mikaela joining soon after.
The Nurse smiled reassuringly as she finished the routine check-up. "All good," she announced handing me a pill bottle with instructions on the dosage. "Just vitamins," she reassured.
"When are you going to show me your power?" Mikaela asked, punching me in the arm as she got off the Examination bed. The Nurse turned around surprised by the sound. "Thank you, Mrs. Olson" Mikaela said smiling.
I wasn't sure I understood what she was asking, Mikaela held my forearm as we exited the office leading the way. Confused, I pulled away from her grasp, "What are you talking about?"
She responded, punching me again, this time with increased force. "That, right there," she explained, "that was the hardest shot I've thrown all day. What? No dramatic fall, no wincing in pain?"
She took a deep breath, her suspicions growing more apparent. "Did you throw the fight?" The intensity in her eyes hinted at a mix of frustration and confusion. She demanded an explanation for what, at least from her perspective, appeared to be an unexpected outcome.
"The fight?" I scuffed. "That wasn't a fight, But don't sweat it champ, you won fair and square," I replied, starting to walk away.
She was smart, but I knew that already, I knew just enough now about Mikaela.
"Do you know where I can find the men's locker room" I remembered asking earlier.
"Down by the hall just by the left, I'm heading there now. It isn't time for practice though, are you new?" James responded.
"Yes, Edward Miller" I replied, extending my hand for a handshake, it was the wrong hand. I had almost forgotten I was still holding on to the package Mikaela had dropped, Quickly correcting myself, I transferred the package to my other hand before attempting the handshake again.
"James. I'm a Junior," he explained, accepting the handshake. His grip was firm, and he stood tall with a well-built physique, boasting broad shoulders and muscles. He was just a bit taller than I was. "Quarterback." I thought to myself, has to be.
"CPHS Boxing?" he asked. "There's a men's team now?" he continued, his voice deep and confident, with a slight rasp to it.
"Uhm, I'm not sure," I replied slowly.
"Huh! Have you by any chance encountered a girl around..."
"Mikaela?" I interjected.
"Ahh, yes, Stevenson, I should have known. Are you two friends or something?"
"No!" I exclaimed, a bit louder than intended. He turned, surprised, with his hands raised as if surrendering. "Uhm, no, we're not friends," I clarified.
"Well, just be on your toes" he said rubbing his nose. "She's good with the talk and even better with the mind if you know what I mean. We call her "the mentalist" that one." he explained.
I was now listening very inquisitively.
"Those won't even fit," he chuckled as we entered the locker room, taking the package from my hands. "Here, these should do the trick. They should have everything you need for whatever it is she needs you for," he said shaking his head.
"Stay safe kid, I hope you know what you're getting into."
"Catch you on the flip cuz, seems like I've got a show to go watch," he remarked, walking away and rubbing his palms together.
"Hey, I didn't get your last name." I inquired.
He turned around, "Stevenson, James Stevenson."