Against the Ropes [Imane Khelif]

7. round one

Weeks later, the air between Maya and Imane had grown more comfortable, their friendship settling back into a familiar rhythm despite the lingering awkwardness of the kiss. Then one evening, as they lounged in Maya's apartment, Imane brought up the subject of dating again. "I know this amazing girl," she began, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "She's smart, funny, and totally into sports. You guys would hit it off for sure."

Maya felt a jolt of anger, her cheeks flushing. "What are you doing?" she snapped. "Why are you setting me up with someone else?"

Imane's smile faltered, and she looked at Maya with confusion. "What do you mean? She's totally into, so why not give it a shot?"

Maya's heart twisted in her chest, her voice tight. "Because I don't want to be set up, Imane"

But Imane was undeterred. She took Maya's hand in hers, her grip firm yet gentle. "Look, just give her a chance. Maybe it's exactly what you need."

Maya's eyes searched Imane's, looking for any sign of regret or hidden feelings, but all she found was a sincere concern for her happiness. With a sigh, she nodded. "Okay," she conceded, her voice still tinged with hesitation. "I'll meet her."

Imane beamed, her eyes lighting up. "You won't regret it," she promised, already typing away on her phone to set up the blind date.

Maya couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and sadness. Despite Imane's kindness, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pushed aside, that her own desires didn't matter. But as she watched Imane's excitement, she knew she had to keep her feelings hidden, to protect their friendship at all costs. And maybe, just maybe, this new girl could help her forget and move on.

Maya adjusted her dress nervously as she stepped into the cozy café, its warm ambiance filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. She spotted Rachel at a corner table, her striking features framed by a tousled ponytail, her athletic build hinting at her life as a boxer. Rachel's confident smile instantly put Maya at ease.

"Hey! You must be Maya" Rachel said, her enthusiasm showing. Maya felt her heart flutter as she slid into the seat across from her.

"And you must be Rachel," Maya replied, returning the smile. They quickly fell into easy conversation, exchanging stories about their lives. Rachel animatedly recounted her latest training session, her eyes sparkling with passion. "It was brutal, but I love the thrill of the ring," she said, her excitement palpable.

As they moved on to ordering, Rachel playfully teased Maya about her coffee choices. "You need something strong to keep up with me," she joked, and Maya couldn't help but blush. "I like my coffee like I like my adventures—bold," Maya quipped, and Rachel's laughter echoed warmly.

The conversation flowed effortlessly, ranging from their favorite movies to their aspirations. Maya admired Rachel's dedication to boxing, her dream of winning a championship title. "Every punch is a step closer to my goal," Rachel said, her expression earnest.

"Beautifully said," Maya replied, feeling a connection deepening between them. They shared a dessert, their hands brushing over the plate, sending sparks of electricity up Maya's arm.

As the evening progressed, they decided to take a stroll through a nearby park. The moonlight bathed everything in a soft glow, and Rachel pointed out constellations, her enthusiasm evident. "There's Orion!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Maya admired how Rachel's passion shone through in everything she did.

"Okay, your turn," Rachel challenged, turning to Maya. "What's your favorite constellation?"

"Hmm," Maya pondered, "I'd say the Big Dipper. It feels like a guiding light."

Rachel grinned, and Maya felt warmth spread through her. They paused by a bench, and Rachel leaned in, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "So, what do you think about blind dates?"

Maya chuckled, feeling bold. "If they're all like this one, I'm all in."

Rachel's laughter mingled with the night air, and in that moment, Maya realized how effortlessly Rachel made her feel at home. As they continued walking, Maya caught glimpses of Rachel's playful side—her spontaneous dance moves and silly impressions. It felt as if they'd known each other for years.

Eventually, they found themselves back at the café, where they exchanged phone numbers, the promise of another meeting hanging sweetly in the air. "Let's not wait too long to do this again," Rachel said, her eyes locking onto Maya's.

"Agreed," Maya replied, her heart racing as they shared a lingering glance. As they parted ways, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that maybe there could be something there.