Fairy Tale

Prologue

"Millie! Keep moving forward, baby girl!"

"Dad!" Emily whinned, "Stop calling me that"

She was covered in sweat, and breathing hard. Dad always pushed her hard. She was only 10, but dad believed in her. Dad always had her back. It was always her and Dad against the world. Emily's mother died when Emily was only a year, dad and her godfather Jorge raised her. She pretty much lived her life in the Gym. School and the gym. Study and fight. That was her life. And she loved it.

Alby was panting hard, but had taken a few steps forward swinging his fists, making Emily back up. She knew enough to keep her fists raised, but Alby was two years older than her and he was tall. At twelve years old he had a lot of muscle.

Emily and Alby were training partners. Dad had started to pay for Alby's training when his parents didn't have the money anymore. Alby had a natural talent, and dad wanted to take him to the top. He made Emily train with him. She enjoyed the physical exertion, it was also a challenge. It was always like a math problem to her. There was always a solution. Emily just had to figure out the solution; Alby was bigger and stronger. Emily grinned. She was shorter and faster.

She ducked under his right hook, and took a few quick jabs to his torso. Making him stumble backwards, the breath knocked out of him. She jumped forward and with her quick fists she hit him again and again, until he was trapped in the corner, and all he could do was hold his arms up over his face.

With a omph she landed on her back, the wind knocked out of her.

"Too focused on your punches, Em." Alby's sweaty and grinning face loomed over her.

"I had you, though!" She panted.

"Almost, Millie!" Dad chuckled, as he climbed into the ring.

Emily grumbled. She hated that name, but it was the name dad used, so it wasn't too bad. She put up with.

"Ma Hija, that was the best match yet!" Jorge smiled.

Emily turned her head and looked at her Godfather. He was grinning at her, holding her water. Alby held out a hand and helped her up. Taking the water from Jorge she pulled her mouthguard out and grinned.

"You're getting quick little Rocky." Jorge encouraged. Emily took a long swig of her water. Looking over her shoulder she saw dad giving Alby a few pointers, and corrections.

"So, Em, you looking forwards to this big dinner tonight?" Jorge asked, pulling her attention back.

She shrugged. Sinking into the little stool he provided in the corner of the ring.

"I guess."

Jorge raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to explain.

"I mean Ava is nice enough, I guess. But...why does he keep hanging out with her? She seems kind of...I don't know, cold? Not dad's type. I don't know Papi...there's something about her."

Jorge just hummed.

"Vince!"

A woman's voice floated through the air. It was sickly sweet. Emily and Jorge made eye contact and they both shivered.

A woman in a crisp suit was striding towards the boxing ring, with a dark haired girl clasping her perfectly manicured hand tightly.

Emily got up, and walked over to her dad who had turned at the call if his name.

"Ava! This is a surprise! I thought we were meeting you there."

"Oh well... I just couldn't wait to see you!" Ava smiled wildly, and giggled, batting her eyelashes.