Fight Like a Girl

h e a d l o c k

❝Boxing is not about your feelings. It's about performance.❞

-Manny Pacquiao

We begin circling the ring, like predators around their prey. She makes the first jump- a hit to my ribs, which I use to my advantage by grabbing arm underneath mine and taking her to the ground. She takes little time to recover, and as I attempt to pin her down, she rams her fist into the side of my face.

Her next move is what I need to knock her out.

She drags me up by placing her arms under my armpits, lets go, and is about to get me in the face when I give a quick, unexpected jab to her ribs. She takes a step back, revving up for her next hit when I knock her in the face.

And it's one of my signature hard punches. She's not out yet, but she's close.

It takes just a few more seconds for me to get her out. These rounds are quick, unlike state tournaments, where the competitors are much harder.

I'm not paying attention to anything the ref is saying. But I do hear him when he yells-

"In an amazing minute and a half, knockout by Lane Davis!" The ref grabs my arm, raises it to the sky.

There's a toothy grin wiped across my face, one I'm usually too tough to pull, and I'm looking right at Dad. I can hear his voice in my head- 'You did it Laney. You fought like a girl- and I'm so proud of you.'

I walk back to Coach, who isn't smiling as wide.

"You better hope no one pulls a minute. Last year someone got 45 freakin' seconds."

"At state!" He rolls his eyes. I'm less than displeased with his negative attitude.

Now I've got to wait and see how everyone else does. And that's another hour or so of fighting. Every girl has one fight, and the top three knockout times get to go to sectionals. Hopefully, I'm one of those lucky three.

For the next three hours we're allowed to either watch the fights or practice. Coach leads me to the side benches so we can "educate ourselves on how other's fight." But I can't watch- I'm too nervous.

I can't believe I've gotten this far. Last year I was no where near a knockout.

But last year, I was also an idiot.

In 2014, there was no list. All I really wanted to be was just accepted, liked, etcetera- but this year, I promised myself. If it meant no friends, then no friends- I was going to pursue what I loved. And after countless nights getting myself worked up over the little shit, Dad told me I should make a list of what I love.

So I did. And it didn't take me too long.

1. My Dad

2. Boxing

3. Feminism

My mind did waver, however, on that fourth slot. Should she go in? I felt bad leaving her out, so I scribbled in her name.

4. Karen

I remembered first wanting to show the list to Dad, but then realizing what his response would be, after seeing that she made the list. I erased her name, but left the fourth slot open. Eventually, there would be another thing I loved.

Standing on my bed, I taped that thing to the ceiling.

And now, every morning when I wake up, I see all the things I love. And I remind myself that nothing can get in the way, nothing will let my love for each of those things falter.

"Davis." Coach points to the girls fighting. One's got the other in a headlock, bashing her glove into the girl's skull. "This girl's good. They're about thirty seconds in."

The girl looks about six foot five, she's got muscles as big as a small car's tires, and a snarl smeared across her face.

Probably someone I'd be friends with!

**************************

Coach allows me to sit with Dad during results. Partially because I wouldn't shut up about it, partially because he's convinced Dad's good luck.

But we'll get to that later.

Some sweaty guy in a suit takes over the mic and begins speaking about boxing.

"When I was in high school, I didn't box. In fact, I was a fisher. Some wouldn't even call that a sport!" Nervous laughter from the crowd, I give Dad the "did-he-really-just" look.

Dad and I have this joke about "sports." Not just sports- "sports." These "sports" include things like poker, dog shows, chess, darts, and, fishing. Not that I don't have mad respect for those who can figure out the perfect chess moves, or have perfect aim at a dart board. I just don't think they're sports.

"Now, I know I could stand here all day about my life, but I'm here to give you results. First, our team placements, followed by our top three competitors heading to state."

"You're gonna do fine, honey." Dad places his hand on my back.

There's why Dad made the list- he knows me so well.

We all choose to ignore the team placements.

Next come the big ones.

My hand's trembling, so I lock it with Dad's. I look behind me at the crowd, on the edge of their seat. Literally, and figuratively.

And then I see her.

The girl who I fought today, sitting with her coach. We make eye contact again, and I can't tell whether I should smile and give her some sort of nod, or just ignore her.

She smiles and mouths 'good job'. I mouth back a thank you, and turn my head back to the front. Earlier today, I didn't care where she was from. I didn't care who she was. And now, I just want to thank her. Not for letting me win, because she did put up a good fight, but for being such a good person.

And that's why feminism made the list. Because girls like this one deserve to be noticed.

"In third place, from Oak Village High School, Harriet Kole!" Harriet walks to the stage with an almost-grin. I tighten my grip on Dad's hand.

"In second place, from Cedarwood High School, Lane Davis!"

And to top it off, there's why boxing made the list.

I fly off the bleachers and practically float to the stage. Someone shakes my hand, gives me some cheap trophy.

Heading back to my seat, Dad gives me a hug.

It's awkward between Coach and I, because I don't want to hug him, yet I feel inclined to.

That is, until he blurts out his next sentence.

"That was a close one, Davis- you're gonna have to step it up if you want to make State."

*another brief AN* dedicated to @stereoactive for her wonderful cover design! Thank you for ALL the great feedback I got on chapter one! Holy irwoihoiwehtheiurth. The banner is of Britt Robertson, who's playing Lane :) thanks for reading!