"ONCE AGAIN RYAN MILLER HAS TAKEN THE CHAMPIONSHIP, PROVING THAT HE CAN'T BE TAKEN DOWN!" the commentator announced as the boxing match came to an end.

A smile flashed on Ryan's face as the referee raised his hand high, showing that he had yet again claimed the world champion title.

——————————

In the locker room:

As Ryan walked into his locker room, bottles of champagne were popped by his teammates.

"WHOO-HOO, 3 WINS IN A ROW!" they all cheered.

Ryan smiled, feeling a sense of joy. He went down the row, hugging and thanking his support team and teammates.

"This calls for a celebration!" his manager announced, and everyone erupted in cheers.

The locker room buzzed with excitement as the celebration continued. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and champagne, the walls reverberating with the laughter and cheers of Ryan's team.

Ryan, still basking in the glory of his victory, found himself a quiet corner to catch his breath. He leaned against the lockers, taking a moment to let it all sink in. Three wins in a row. It was a feat he had dreamed of since he first put on a pair of boxing gloves.

His manager, Tom, approached him with a wide grin. "You've done it again, champ," he said, clapping Ryan on the back. "This is just the beginning. The world is at your feet."

Ryan nodded, his smile never fading. "Thanks, Tom. I couldn't have done it without all of you."

Tom raised a bottle of champagne and handed it to Ryan. "Here's to many more victories. Now, let's get out of here and really celebrate."

As they prepared to leave the locker room, Ryan's thoughts drifted to his family. He knew they were watching from home, cheering him on with every punch. The support of his parents, siblings, and maybe... Ella.

Stepping out of the locker room, the noise of the arena gradually faded away, replaced by the bustling sounds of the city. A limousine waited outside, ready to whisk them away to the afterparty. The streets were lined with fans, their cheers and applause echoing in Ryan's ears as he climbed into the car.

——————————

The next morning:

Ryan woke up to notifications from friends, family, and even articles about last night.

As he reached for his phone, he felt a very sharp pain in his right arm. "Ah, fuck!" he groaned as he held onto it.

Ryan winced as he held his right arm, the sharp pain reminding him of the brutal match from the previous night. He gingerly propped himself up in bed, careful not to aggravate the injury further. The glow from his phone screen illuminated the room, casting soft shadows on the walls.

He grabbed his phone and dialed Tom's number.

"What is it, Ryan? Thought you would be knocked out from last night," Tom asked as he answered the call.

"I need you to take me to the doctor today. The pain is getting worse," Ryan replied, his voice tight with discomfort.

"Okay, I'll be there at noon," Tom said.

Ryan ended the call and carefully got out of bed, cradling his injured arm. He made his way to the kitchen, wincing with every step. He managed to pour himself a glass of water and took a couple of painkillers, hoping they would take the edge off.

The hours seemed to drag by as Ryan tried to distract himself with TV and browsing through the flood of congratulatory messages on his phone. Despite the pain, he couldn't help but smile at the overwhelming support from his fans and loved ones.

By noon, Tom arrived and helped Ryan into the car. The drive to the clinic was quiet, both men lost in their thoughts. When they arrived, the doctor wasted no time in examining Ryan's arm.

"Looks like you've got a hairline fracture, Ryan," the doctor said after reviewing the X-rays. "You'll need to rest and avoid any strenuous activity for at least six weeks."

Ryan sighed. "Six weeks is a lot. I need to train for my next match. I can't just lay back."

"This is for your own good. If you put any pressure on your arm, you might never box again," the doctor stated firmly.

"Look, Ryan, this is for your career," Tom added. "I'll cancel any matches you have coming up and announce your break. You're now a worldwide champion; we can't afford you getting hurt."

"There has to be another way. How about surgery? That can fix it, right?!" Ryan protested.

The doctor sighed and shook his head. "That would be more dangerous for you. Resting your arm for six weeks is the best option."

Ryan sighed, running his fingers through his hair. He looked over at the doctor, who was writing something down, and groaned. He got up and walked out of the room.

"Thank you, doc," Tom said as he followed behind Ryan.

"Look, Ryan, this is for your own good. If you continue putting pressure on your arm, that will cause us no good," he told him.

"I don't care. I can handle it," Ryan replied.

"No, you're not. Sorry, but you have to follow the doctor's orders," Tom insisted. "I'm booking your flight back to Honolulu for the first flight tomorrow."

Ryan paused and looked at Tom, shocked. "Are you serious?!"

"Yes, this is for your own good," Tom nodded and patted his shoulder. "You need to take this time to heal properly. Trust me, it's the best thing for you right now."

Ryan knew Tom was right, but it didn't make the situation any easier to accept. He reluctantly nodded, feeling the weight of the decision settle over him. The thought of being away from the ring for six weeks was almost unbearable, but he had to trust that this was the best path forward for his career and his health.

Back at his apartment, Ryan packed his bags with a heavy heart. The next morning, Tom drove him to the airport, offering words of encouragement along the way. As Ryan boarded the plane to Honolulu, he took a deep breath, determined to use this forced break to come back stronger than ever.

The flight was long, giving Ryan plenty of time to think. He scrolled through the messages of support from his fans and friends, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This wasn't the end; it was just a new beginning.

When he arrived in Honolulu, the familiar sights and sounds of home brought a sense of comfort. He headed straight to his family's house, where his mother greeted him with open arms.

"You didn't tell us you were coming back!" she said as she grabbed his suitcase and walked him inside.

"I wasn't expecting to be back so soon either, but I was sent off on a six-week break," he replied.

"Is the injury serious?" she asked, looking at the shoulder brace. Ryan slightly smiled and shook his head. "It's no big deal."

"Well, you just go take a shower and rest. I'll make your favorites," she said as she led him up the stairs to his childhood room.

Before entering the room, he suddenly gave his mom a very tight hug. "I've missed you so much!" he said, sensing a relief wash over him.

His mother held him tightly, whispering, "I've missed you too, sweetheart." She gently patted his back before releasing him, her eyes brimming with affection and concern.

Ryan entered his old room, the nostalgia hitting him instantly. The walls were still adorned with posters of his favorite bands and sports teams, and his old trophies lined the shelves. It felt like stepping back in time, and he took a moment to soak it all in.

After a long, hot shower, Ryan felt more relaxed. He changed into comfortable clothes and headed downstairs, drawn by the enticing aromas wafting from the kitchen. His mother was busy cooking, the clatter of pots and pans mingling with the sizzling sounds of his favorite dishes being prepared.

He sat at the kitchen table, watching her with a smile. "I can't wait to dig in. It smells amazing."

She turned and beamed at him. "You just wait. I've made all your favorites—kalua pork, lomi-lomi salmon, and haupia for dessert."

As Ryan sat there watching his mother cook and taking in the fresh aroma of the food, he was transported back to his younger days.

While he was away from home, he knew he missed it here, but not as much as this.

...

Soon after, the door swung open and his father and sister walked in. "We're home!" his sister announced.

Ryan turned in his chair, revealing himself with a big smile. "Welcome back home," he said, opening his arms.

His sister dropped the bags in her arms and ran into her brother's arms, then started sobbing. Ryan smiled as he gently patted her back and rubbed her head. "I've missed you too, peanut."

"What happened to your arm? Is everything okay?" his father asked.

"Just a little fracture," Ryan replied.

"Hope it's nothing serious. I can't have

anything happening to my only son," his dad chuckled, patting his back.

"Nothing will happen," he smiled.

"Come on, Lily, stop crying and have a proper conversation with your older brother," his father told her.

"Can't you see I'm trying to have a moment here, Dad?" she sniffled as she wiped her tears.

"You know she's a crybaby, Dad. Let her cry," Ryan teased.

Lily playfully punched Ryan's arm, careful to avoid his injured shoulder. "You're such a jerk, but I've missed you so much."

Ryan laughed and ruffled her hair. "I've missed you too, Lil."

Their father smiled warmly at the sight of his children reunited. "Alright, let's get those bags inside. "Dinner's almost ready, and your mom's been working hard on it."

...

After dinner, they sat in the living room watching TV and catching up on lost times. Ryan felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in a long time.

As the night grew late, his father stood up and stretched. "It's good to have you home, son. Get some rest," he said, patting Ryan's back and heading upstairs.

His mom kissed his forehead and followed behind. "Good night, sweetheart."

"Guess I'll head to sleep too," Lily said as she got up and stretched her arms. She hugged him again before heading to bed. "Good night, big brother. Don't stay up too late."

Ryan smiled and kissed her forehead. "Good night, peanut."

Ryan sat in the dimly lit living room and let out a sigh. He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and opened his contacts.

As he scrolled through his contacts, he came across Ella's contact, his childhood best friend. His finger hovered over the call button for a while until he got a call from Eric, his other childhood friend.

Ryan answered the call. "Eric, hey! Long time no talk."

"Ryan! Man, it's been ages. How are you holding up? I've seen the news." Eric's voice was filled with genuine concern.

Ryan leaned back on the couch, a small smile forming on his lips. "Guess news gets around fast."

"What did you expect, man? You're a celebrity now."

"Ha, I'm not a celebrity," Ryan said. "What have you been up to?" he asked.

"Nothing much. I'm excited to see you back, though. Let's meet up tomorrow if you're free," Eric stated.

"Sure, I'm free anytime," Ryan remarked.

"Great, it's a date then," he chuckled.

"You're funny," Ryan laughed.

Eric paused for a moment before asking, "Hey, have you talked to Ella yet? I know she'd love to see you."

Ryan sighed. "I was just thinking about her before you called. I haven't reached out yet. It's been so long, I'm not sure what to say."

"Just be honest, man. She'll be thrilled to hear from you. Trust me," Eric encouraged.

"I'll think about it," Ryan replied.

"Alright, man. Just don't wait too long," Eric said. "Ella's always asking about you. Anyway, I'll text you the details for tomorrow. It's gonna be great to catch up."

TBC