Fighting For Her- Imane Khelif

New Roommate

Imane stepped out of the taxi and took a deep breath, the humid Miami air filling her lungs. The city had a vibrant energy, buzzing with life, and it felt good to be back. After a whirlwind year of winning an Olympic medal, charity work, and a much-needed vacation, she was ready to settle back into training mode. Miami had always been her sanctuary, a place where she could just be herself away from the intense spotlight.

This time, though, things felt different. Her tournaments were still months away, which meant she had more freedom. For once, training wasn't about racing against the clock or fighting to stay in top shape every single day. She could relax and enjoy life here a little more while still keeping an eye on her goals.

She pulled her suitcase behind her and gazed up at the sleek, modern building where her new apartment was waiting. Well, her shared apartment. Despite her success, she couldn't afford a place on her own, especially after giving so much of her earnings to her family. They meant the world to her—her parents, her siblings. Coming from a poor background, she knew what it felt like to have nothing, and now that she had something, she made sure they were taken care of.

Imane smiled softly at the thought as she made her way inside the building. Her fellow boxer friends had apartments in the same building, but Imane had chosen to share hers to save some money. It wasn't a big deal. She didn't mind sharing, and the place was still far better than what she grew up with.

The elevator ride to the third floor was short, and when she stepped out, she quickly found her new place. Apartment 3B. She fumbled with the keys for a moment before finally unlocking the door and stepping inside.

The apartment was modern and cozy, with sleek furniture and large windows that let in plenty of Miami's golden sunlight. Imane immediately loved the vibe. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was hers for the next year, and she could already imagine coming home after a long day of training, maybe even sitting on the small balcony with a good book in hand.

She dragged her suitcase into the bedroom, noticing there were two beds. She picked the one closest to the window and began unpacking her things, folding her clothes and hanging up a few key pieces. Her side of the room quickly started to take on her personality—a framed photo of her family, her favorite boxing gloves, and the Olympic medal that had changed her life forever.

She was about to put away the last of her things when she heard a knock at the door. Her heart skipped a beat.

That must be her.

Her roommate.

Wiping her hands on her jeans, Imane made her way to the door, her nerves tingling with anticipation. She hadn't met this girl yet, but living with someone always came with a bit of uncertainty.

Opening the door, Imane was met with the sight of a stunning brunette. The girl on the other side had soft waves of chestnut hair that framed her face perfectly, her green eyes sparkling in the afternoon light. She smiled warmly, a playful glint in her gaze.

"Hey! Imane," the girl said with a cheerful tone. She extended her hand confidently. "I'm Ellie, your new roommate."

Imane blinked, momentarily caught off guard by just how beautiful Ellie was. She quickly pulled herself together, taking Ellie's hand and giving it a firm shake.

"Hi," Imane replied, her voice steady, though her mind was still processing. "Nice to meet you, Ellie."

"Same here! I've heard a lot about you. Olympic medalist, huh? That's impressive," Ellie said, her voice laced with genuine admiration.

Imane shrugged, a modest smile tugging at her lips. "It's been a wild ride, but I'm just here to train and take it easy for a while."

"Well, you've definitely picked the right place. Miami's got some of the best gyms, and the weather? You'll never want to leave."

Ellie stepped inside, glancing around the apartment before dropping her duffel bag by the couch. Her energy was infectious, and Imane couldn't help but feel a bit lighter. Maybe sharing this space wouldn't be so bad after all.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Ellie said, nodding toward the half-unpacked suitcase on the bed.

"No, no, I'm almost done," Imane said quickly, stepping aside so Ellie could get to the bedroom. "You can take the other bed. I've already claimed the one by the window."

"Perfect!" Ellie grinned as she wheeled her suitcase into the room, her steps light and full of confidence. "I love the light in here."

Imane found herself watching Ellie a little longer than she should've. There was something captivating about her presence, something that made it hard to look away. Shaking her head, Imane focused on folding the last of her clothes. She was here to train, not get distracted by how pretty her new roommate was.

"So," Ellie said, her voice cutting through Imane's thoughts, "what brings you to Miami? Besides being a badass boxer, of course."

"Training," Imane replied, trying to keep her answer simple. "I've got some time before my next big tournament, so I'm here to practice. But I'm also hoping to relax a bit."

Ellie smiled, flopping down onto her bed. "Well, I'm sure we'll find plenty of time to chill. Miami's a great city for that. I think we're going to have fun living here together."

Imane chuckled softly, feeling her tension ease. Maybe this wouldn't be just another year of boxing and nothing else. Ellie seemed easygoing and kind, someone who could be more than just a roommate.

As they unpacked and got settled in, Imane couldn't help but feel like this year in Miami was going to be different. Not just because of the training, but because of everything else that might come along the way.