Mutual Feelings | A Wenclair Love Story

Chapter 34: Play dirty/Think outside the box.

Just a small heads up that I forgot to mention in the last chapter, an epee is a kind of fencing sword, so I hope that clears up any confusion.

Monday, March 4th, 2023
11:58AM
Enid's POV

I've never been this nervous getting on the mat before, mostly because I'm always confident in my skills to win, and I normally do. The only person I've ever lost to in this school is Bianca, and that's because her mother practically raised her in fencing classes. However, I've never had to go against Wednesday, and I didn't think I would ever need to. My girlfriend is extremely good at fencing, so forgive me if my confidence is slowly decreasing. On the bright side, we are only playing first to three, not five. That can either work very well, or very poorly in my favor.

As I walk to the mat Wednesday looks at me, subtly winking before pulling her mask down her face. I smirk at her briefly, stepping onto the mat, and pulling down my mask. Now standing opposite each other, we wait for Mrs. Thatcher to prepare for the match.

"On guard." She says, standing off to the side of the mat as we both get into position. Legs slightly bent, swords up, dominant arms steady with our back arms held out, we stare at each other.

"Don't expect special treatment Sinclair, this is a competition after all," Wednesday says just loud enough for only me to hear. The mat is placed away from where people watch, so I don't worry about someone hearing our conversation. The most people will be able to make out is muffled words, but nothing specific. Even outcasts with heightened hearing won't be able to tell because of the loud music. Thank Mrs. Thatcher for blasting 2000s hip hop during our class.

"Funny, I was just gonna say the same to you." I respond, speaking the same volume she is. I can't see her face through the mask, but I know she's smirking by my comment.

"Is that so?" She asks, with a clear level of amusement in her tone.

"Ready." Mrs. Thatcher says, this time in a slightly louder voice. Me and Wednesday both steady our positions, and I nod my head in response to her question.

"And why might that be?" She inquires. I feel a rush of adrenaline pump through my body as I wait to begin the match, the same rush I feel whenever I'm playing against anybody else. I love my girlfriend, forever and always, but I am going to give it my all to win this game.

"Because I can beat you." I state, not even a second after I speak, Mrs. Thatcher starts the match.

"Go!" She announces.

Right off the bat Wednesday takes the offensive role, lunging at my torso as the first move. I back away quickly, deflecting as I avoid the epee. As her arm is extended, I swipe at her leg, and she backs away just in time. Me and her were taught two different ways to play the sport, she always strikes first, and I don't all the time. Both can be effective, yes, but which one will lead to victory?

She charges as me once again, stepping forward with each attack. I step back at her same pace, blocking each move she throws my way. As I block her last one, she lunges at me once again, this time lowering her level as she aims for my waist. I jolt my epee downward to hers, blocking the move as the circular handles to our weapons entangle. As the handles remain stuck together, I pull them both into the air twisting mine away from hers. With her sword still in the air, I step in and lunge at her chest. Last minute she blocks the attack by sliding her weapon down the end of mine, pushing it off to the side. In a split second she does a fast forward past me, and before I know it, I feel the tip of her epee aggressively poke me in the back.