The day of the tournament had arrived.
Jason woke up early, his mind laser-focused on one thing — victory. He'd trained his entire life for moments like this, and now it was time to prove to everyone, including himself, that he was the real deal.
By the time his family was ready, the energy in the Carter household was electric. His father, David, looked like he was the one stepping into the ring with the way he paced around the living room, hyping Jason up.
"You've got this, son," David grinned, giving Jason's shoulder a solid squeeze. "Just do what you do best. No mercy."
His mother, Sophia, however, was far less casual. Her face showed clear anxiety as she tried to keep herself from fussing. "Just… please don't get hurt, okay? I mean it, Jason."
Jason smiled reassuringly. "I'll be fine, Mom. I promise."
Emily, his sister, hopped off the couch, bouncing with excitement. "Dude, you better win. I already told everyone at school you were gonna destroy everyone."
Jason laughed. "No pressure or anything."
They piled into the family SUV and headed toward the venue. As they drove, Jason couldn't shake the nervous energy in his chest. It wasn't fear — more like anticipation. He was ready to put on a show.
When they pulled up to the arena, it was already packed. Banners, food trucks, vendors — the place was alive with energy. The tournament was being held in a professional gym-turned-arena, complete with a massive boxing ring in the center, surrounded by stadium seating.
Jason was immediately escorted to a private room in the back reserved for fighters. His family was allowed to join him, but he could already hear the roaring crowd beyond the walls. His heart was hammering.
A few minutes later, a knock came at the door. Jason turned, expecting his coach — but instead, Alex walked in. And behind her… was her entire family.
Phil, Claire, Haley, Luke, and even Jay and Gloria were there.
Jason blinked. "Uh… hey?"
Alex rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Don't look so surprised. You invited me, remember?"
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, but I didn't expect you to bring everyone."
Phil stepped forward, beaming like a kid in a candy store. "Are you kidding? A real boxing tournament? We couldn't miss this!"
Jay grunted. "I've seen my fair share of fights. Let's see if you're worth the hype."
Jason smiled, his chest tightening slightly. Great. No pressure at all.
Gloria, however, walked straight up to him, clutching his hands. "You be careful, okay? No matter what, you're already a champion."
Jason nodded. "Thanks, Gloria."
Claire crossed her arms, giving Jason a once-over. "I still think you're insane for doing this. But… I guess good luck."
Jason smirked. "I'll take that."
Haley raised a brow. "Just try not to ruin your face. It's your best feature."
"Haley!" Claire snapped.
"What?" Haley shrugged. "I'm being supportive."
Luke, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement. "Dude! Are you gonna, like, knock people out cold? Like bam—" He mimicked a knockout punch, nearly smacking his dad in the face.
Jason laughed. "I'll do my best."
His coach, Morales, finally entered the room, cutting through the casual atmosphere with a professional tone. "Alright, Carter. First match is in thirty minutes. You ready?"
Jason's focus immediately shifted. His grin turned predatory. "Born ready."
Morales smiled approvingly. "Good. Warm-up, get your gear on. I'll come grab you when it's time."
As his coach left, the energy in the room shifted. Everyone fell quiet for a moment. Jason took a deep breath and turned to his father. "Dad, can you help me wrap my hands?"
David nodded. "Of course."
As his dad began expertly wrapping his hands with white tape, Jason could feel the tension creeping in. This was it. No more talking. No more friendly banter. In less than thirty minutes, he'd be stepping into the ring with another kid who wanted to rip his head off.
Sophia watched with a mixture of pride and worry. She stepped forward, brushing his hair back slightly. "Just… remember why you're doing this, okay?"
Jason nodded. "I know."
Alex, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke. "…Don't do anything stupid."
Jason looked at her and smirked. "Define stupid."
"Ugh," Alex rolled her eyes. "I'm serious, Jason."
He softened. "I know. I'll be fine."
After his hands were wrapped, Morales came back. "Time to go."
Jason stood up, towering over most of the people in the room. His muscles felt like they were burning with adrenaline already. Before he walked out, his dad stopped him, gripping his shoulder.
"Hey," David said, his voice low and serious. "You've got this. Don't hold back."
Jason grinned. "I won't."
As he walked out of the room, Alex called after him. "Hey, Carter!"
He turned. "Yeah?"
"…Don't get your face caved in, okay?"
Jason winked. "Can't make any promises."
The door closed behind him, and the sound of the roaring crowd filled his ears.