Fighting For Her- Imane Khelif

Dinner With Friends

Imane finished tying her shoes as she glanced over at Ellie, who was busy rummaging through her suitcase, trying to pick an outfit for dinner. They had been chatting casually since they unpacked, and Imane was genuinely curious about her new roommate. There was an ease to their conversation, a natural flow that Imane hadn't experienced in a long time.

"So, you're from New York?" Imane asked, folding her arms and leaning against the wall.

Ellie nodded, pulling out a sleek, emerald green dress and holding it up to her body. "Yeah, born and raised. But I've been coming to Miami more often these days. There's just something about this place, you know? The energy, the freedom."

Imane smiled. She understood that feeling perfectly. "I get it. Miami feels like a breath of fresh air after all the intensity."

Ellie hung the dress over her arm, her eyes sparkling. "Totally. I love it here. New York will always be home, but Miami has a kind of... vibe. And the boxing scene is growing, which is why I'm here. I want to go pro, like you."

Imane raised her eyebrows in surprise. She hadn't known Ellie was aiming for the same path. "You want to be a professional boxer?"

"Yeah," Ellie said, flashing her a grin. "I used to do fashion design, believe it or not. I was pretty good at it too. But there was something missing, you know? And then I started boxing, and it was like everything clicked. This is what I'm meant to do."

Imane nodded thoughtfully. She could see the determination in Ellie's eyes. It reminded her of her own drive when she first started boxing. "That's a big change. Fashion to boxing?"

Ellie laughed softly. "Yeah, tell me about it. But I've never looked back. I love boxing, and I want to make it my career. It's hard work, but the rush? It's worth it."

Imane admired Ellie's passion. "Well, I can introduce you to some friends who are also boxers. We're all going out for dinner tonight. You should come with us."

Ellie's face lit up. "Really? That sounds amazing."

"Yeah, they're good people. All boxers like us. We live in the same building, so we train together sometimes. I'm sure they'd love to meet you."

"Count me in," Ellie said, grabbing the dress. "Let me get ready."

Imane smiled and went to check her phone while Ellie changed. She couldn't help but notice that even though Ellie was new to the sport, she already had the heart of a fighter. She respected that. But there was something else too, something deeper that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Maybe it was Ellie's confidence, or maybe it was just how easy it was to talk to her.

Ellie stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later, and Imane froze. She looked stunning in the green dress, the color bringing out her green eyes even more. Her hair was styled loosely over her shoulders, and her makeup was just enough to highlight her natural beauty. Imane's throat went dry, but she quickly masked her reaction.

"How do I look?" Ellie asked, twirling playfully.

"You look... great," Imane managed, trying to sound casual.

Ellie smiled brightly. "Thanks! Let's go meet your friends."

The restaurant was a cozy, upscale spot just a few blocks from their apartment. Imane and Ellie arrived to find the rest of the group already seated at a large table in the corner. The four other women waved them over, and Imane quickly introduced Ellie.

"Ellie, this is Sarah, Jessica, Valentina, and Gianna. We all train in the same building," Imane said, gesturing to each of her friends.

"Nice to meet you all," Ellie said, smiling warmly as she took a seat.

Sarah, who was sitting across from Ellie, gave her an appraising look. "So, you're a boxer too?"

"Just starting out," Ellie said modestly. "I've been training for a couple of years, but I'm here in Miami to really focus on going pro."

Jessica, who was the most talkative of the group, leaned forward with a grin. "You picked the right place. We're all obsessed with boxing here."

They all laughed, and the conversation flowed naturally from there. They talked about their training routines, upcoming tournaments, and their lives outside the ring. Ellie fit in easily with the group, her lively personality drawing everyone in. As the evening went on, she grew more comfortable and opened up about her personal life.

"I actually moved to Miami to get away from New York for a bit," Ellie said between bites of her salad. "I needed a fresh start after breaking up with my girlfriend last year. We were together for a long time, but... things didn't work out."

Imane noticed how the table got a little quieter after Ellie mentioned her ex-girlfriend. Gianna, sitting beside her, looked intrigued. Gianna was openly lesbian, and Imane caught the way she leaned in, her gaze lingering on Ellie.

"You seem like you're handling it well," Gianna said, her tone soft and interested. "It must've been hard after a long relationship."

Ellie nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it was tough, but it was for the best. I'm in a better place now, you know?"

Gianna smiled, and there was something in her eyes that made Imane shift in her seat. She felt a strange tug in her chest, a feeling she hadn't dealt with in years. Jealousy.

She tried to shake it off, but as Gianna and Ellie continued their conversation, that nagging feeling only grew stronger. Imane had never been one to act on her emotions when it came to relationships, especially not after what had happened when she was younger.

She remembered the day her parents caught her kissing a girl. She had been so young, so naive. Her parents' reaction had been harsh. They had yelled, scolded her, reminded her that it was forbidden. Being Muslim, her family was strict about what was haram—what was sinful. Imane had learned to bury those feelings deep inside after that day. She threw herself into boxing, using it as a distraction from the confusion she felt.

Since then, she hadn't allowed herself to think too much about love or attraction, especially not towards women. It was easier that way. She followed the rules of her religion closely, never eating pork, never drinking alcohol, trying to stay on the right path. But tonight, watching Gianna and Ellie talk, those old thoughts bubbled to the surface.

Would it really be so bad if I let myself feel something again? Imane thought, her eyes flickering between Gianna and Ellie.

She did everything else according to the Quran, didn't she? She didn't wear a hijab—she didn't have to in Algeria, and she had always followed her own path when it came to that. But she respected the other rules. She tried to live a good life. But maybe this one thing—this one rule about who she could love—wasn't as black and white as she had always believed.

Could I ask Allah for forgiveness if I fall for a girl? Imane wondered, her heart racing as she watched Ellie laugh at something Gianna said.

She wasn't sure. But tonight, she couldn't stop thinking about it.