Lunch came, and Ali found himself cornered by Zahra and Farid at their usual table.
"You've been acting weird all morning," Zahra said, narrowing her eyes. "Did Crystall say something to you?"
Ali hesitated, unsure whether to tell them. But before he could decide, Zahra gasped, her grin turning wicked. "Oh my gosh, she did, didn't she? What was it? Did she confess her undying love for you?"
Farid snorted. "Yeah, because that's totally realistic. What really happened?"
"She…offered to tutor me," Ali admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Zahra clapped her hands together. "Our boy's moving up in the world! First, boxing champ in the making, and now, Crystall's study buddy? You're unstoppable!"
Ali groaned. "It's not like that. She's just helping me with math."
"Uh-huh." Zahra leaned closer, her grin widening. "And you're totally not secretly in love with her?"
Farid smirked. "Maybe you should impress her by doing push-ups in the middle of class. Or better yet, show her your shadowboxing moves."
Ali buried his face in his hands. "You guys are the worst."
Later that afternoon, Ali met Crystall in the library. The quiet space was a stark contrast to the noisy classrooms, and Ali couldn't help but feel out of place as he sat across from her at a small table.
"Okay," Crystall said, pulling out her notebook. "Let's start with the basics. What's giving you the most trouble?"
"Uh…everything?" Ali admitted sheepishly.
She laughed softly, and Ali felt his heart skip a beat. "Don't worry. We'll take it one step at a time."
As they worked through equations and formulas, Ali found himself relaxing. Crystall was patient and encouraging, never making him feel dumb for his mistakes. But every time their hands accidentally brushed or she leaned in to explain something, his nerves would spike again.
"See? You're getting the hang of it," she said after he correctly solved a problem.
Ali scratched the back of his neck. "Only because you're a good teacher."
Crystall tilted her head, smiling. "You're better than you think, Ali. You just need to believe in yourself more."
Her words lingered in his mind long after they finished the session.
When Ali returned home that evening, he was greeted by the sight of his mother waiting in the living room, arms crossed.
"Ali, we need to talk."
He sighed, dropping his bag by the door. "I know, Mak. My grades—"
"It's not just your grades," she interrupted. "You're overworking yourself. School, boxing…it's too much. I'm worried about you."
Ali looked away, guilt twisting in his chest. "I can handle it."
"You're barely sleeping, you're falling behind in school, and you're putting so much pressure on yourself." She softened, her voice tinged with concern. "I know how much boxing means to you, but you need to find balance."
Ali clenched his fists. "I'm doing this for Ayah. I have to prove I can do it."
His mother's expression softened further, and she reached out to touch his shoulder. "Your father would be proud of you no matter what, Ali. Just don't lose yourself in the process."
That night, as Ali walked home from another exhausting training session, Crystall's words from the library replayed in his mind: "You're better than you think. You just need to believe in yourself."
He stopped in his tracks, looking up at the night sky. The stars twinkled faintly, as if they were cheering him on. Ali clenched his fists, a spark of determination igniting within him.
"I'll prove I can do both," he muttered. "For Ayah. For me. For everyone who believes in me."
And with that, he continued walking, his steps steadier and his reso
---
The next day ...
The school gym buzzed with excitement as students filed in, the chatter rising to a crescendo. A makeshift boxing ring had been set up in the center, and the stage was perfectly set for Jason's latest display of athletic prowess. Jason always knew how to grab attention, and today was no exception.
Ali slouched in the back row, arms crossed, doing his best to look disinterested. Zahra and Farid flanked him, but their contrasting expressions—Zahra's amused smirk and Farid's exaggerated awe—did nothing to improve his mood.
"Why do they always roll out the red carpet for this guy?" Ali muttered, glaring at the ring.
"Because he's the school's golden boy," Zahra said, popping a piece of gum into her mouth. "And unlike some people, he doesn't walk around looking like he hasn't slept in a week."
Ali shot her a look, but before he could respond, the microphone crackled, and the principal's voice boomed through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a warm welcome to our very own state champion, Jason King!"
The gym erupted into cheers as Jason stepped into the ring, dressed in sleek boxing gear that seemed tailor-made to highlight his every muscle. His fiery red hair caught the light, and he flashed his trademark cocky grin as he raised his gloves to the crowd.
"Ugh, could he be any more full of himself?" Ali grumbled under his breath.
"Probably," Zahra quipped. "But hey, at least he's consistent."
Jason began with a shadowboxing routine, his movements fluid and precise. The crowd ooh'd and ahh'd as he executed rapid combinations, weaving and ducking like a pro. Ali hated to admit it, but the guy was good—too good.
Then came the flashy tricks. Jason performed a perfectly timed spinning punch, sending the gym into a frenzy. He paused to bask in the applause, shooting a wink in Crystall's direction.
Ali's jaw tightened as he followed Jason's gaze. Crystall, sitting a few rows ahead, clapped politely, her face unreadable.
Farid leaned over, whispering loudly, "You should try that move, Ali. You know, after you figure out how to walk without tripping over your own feet."
Zahra stifled a laugh. "Careful, Farid. He might punch you instead of the air for once."
Ali ignored them, his eyes fixed on Jason as the demonstration continued. Jason wrapped up with a powerful right hook that made the crowd erupt again. He climbed onto the ropes, raising his gloves triumphantly.
"Thank you, everyone!" Jason said into the mic, his voice dripping with confidence. "And remember, hard work beats talent…unless you've got both. Then you're just me."