Can't Have Both

Wish

"Lee, you advanced." Johnny said. She nodded. She still couldn't believe no one mentioned Tory. Not even Robby. He had indicated not to talk so she kept quiet. 

Robby was still surprised she wished him good luck. In all honestly he had thought she would have left way before Devon woke up. He had seen her fight. She did good. She didn't get any hits on her. She won within 2 minutes. She was angry. He could tell. And she was using it to fight. Angry about what? He had no idea. He just knew. But he also knew she was sad and not doing ok. He could see it in her eyes.

He had a few other fights, only if he beat the others. He went to his next fight and Devon was preparing for hers. 

" Lee, what happened out there?" Johnny asked. " You've been fighting, but you seem... unfocused." He settled on. 

" Nothing." She said. She just knew she wouldn't be able to get past this level. She's seen the boy she'll fight. She didn't want to get her hopes up.

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Tory couldn't believe he kissed her. He was careless. He shouldn't have done that. She wanted to kill him, but at the same time kiss him. She groaned and leaned onto the wall. Looking up she wished she wasn't in this position. She wished her mom was still here. She wished she was with Robby. She wised things didn't turn out how it was. She wished she didn't have to pay medical bills with 2 jobs. She wished she still had her brother. 

Kwon had finished. He won of course. Tory got up. Kreese was looking at her so she walked over to him. 

" Nichols. You ready?" He asked. " You're next fight determines if you make it to the semifinals. " She nodded and looked away.

" No you're not. Tory pay attention." He only called her by her first name when he was serious or there was a problem. " It's Keene isn't it." She looked down. " You need to focus. This is the biggest fight of your life, and you care about a boy?" He asked. Sensei Kim walked over.

" Do you mind if I speak to Ms. Nichols alone?" She asked. He nodded, with a raised eye. He looked curious as to what would happen but he walked away to Kwon.

" Ms. Nichols. Look me in the eye." She looked up. " Get your head in the game. If you don't you'll be forced to deal with consequences." She said. Tory nodded. She have her a look.

" Yes Sensei." Tory said at that look. She nodded satisfied.

" Good. Now go win the tournament." She said. Tory nodded and went off. 

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Devon lost. Even when she got the hit, she had already known. And part of her was devastated. But the other part? She knew she would get hurt as it continued. She was still trying to comprehend what had happened. 

It was a boy. She knew he would have won. He was bigger, and stronger. She wished she had been like him. She wished she had the confidence.

She knew it should have been Kenny. Miyagi-Do's chances of winning would have been bigger. But she selfishly wanted to go.

She kept replaying what happened. They had been tied. A part of her actually believed she would win. But he was faster. He got to her quicker. 

She had gotten hit. She fell. She looked to Johnny. He was blank. She failed. She knew it. She watched Sam's fight, wishing she was as good as her.

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" Tory." Robby was chasing after her. He needed to talk to her. " Tor." He grabbed her arm. She spun around.