Fighting For Her- Imane Khelif

Unspoken Rivalry

Imane's heart raced as she rushed to the bathroom. She flung the door open, eyes wide with concern. There, on the wet tile floor, was Ellie, naked and glistening under the soft bathroom light. Imane froze for a split second, her eyes instinctively taking in Ellie's bare body—her curves, the way the water clung to her smooth skin, the delicate lines of her breasts and the soft swell between her thighs. She quickly forced her gaze away, trying to focus.

Ellie looked up at her, clearly in pain but managing a weak smile. "I—I trained too much. I'm still not used to it. Got a bad cramp in my leg and slipped. I can't get back up."

Imane grabbed a towel from the nearby rack, draping it over Ellie's body to cover her. She crouched down and, without hesitation, slid her arms beneath Ellie, lifting her with ease. Ellie blinked in surprise, clearly impressed by Imane's strength. Imane carried her like she weighed nothing, her body pressed against her own as she moved carefully to the bedroom.

Ellie's heart skipped a beat. There was something comforting about being held like this, and for a brief moment, she felt a flutter of feelings she hadn't expected. Imane laid her gently on the bed, the towel slipping slightly as Ellie adjusted herself, exposing more of her upper thighs. Imane quickly averted her gaze, focusing on her task.

"Let me help," Imane said, her voice calm and steady, though inside she was fighting to control her emotions.

She fetched a small bottle of oil and a cloth from her bag, something her family always used for cramps. Kneeling by the bed, Imane began massaging Ellie's leg, applying the traditional Algerian remedy to soothe her muscles. Her fingers worked expertly, and though she tried to keep her eyes on her hands, the sight of Ellie's upper thighs beneath the towel made it difficult. Imane's pulse quickened, but she forced herself to stay professional.

"You should rest," Imane said softly, finishing the massage. "I'll make you some soup. It'll help you feel better."

Ellie gave her a grateful smile, pulling the towel closer around her body. "Thank you, Imane. You're really sweet."

Imane left the room, taking a deep breath to calm herself. This was becoming harder than she had expected. She busied herself in the kitchen, making a simple but hearty soup. Once it was ready, she brought it back to Ellie, who had settled in bed.

Ellie took the bowl, sipping slowly. "This is amazing," she murmured, her body relaxing as the warmth of the soup soothed her.

Imane watched her for a moment, feeling a sense of pride at being able to help. There was something intimate about this, something that went beyond friendship. But Imane wasn't ready to explore those feelings yet. Not with all the other emotions she was struggling to suppress.

After Ellie finished the soup, she sighed contentedly. "I need to get into my nightgown," she said, looking at Imane with a hint of vulnerability. "Do you mind helping me? I don't think I can bend my leg properly right now."

Imane hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding, but nodded. "Of course."

She retrieved Ellie's nightgown and helped her into it, her hands brushing against Ellie's bare skin as she slipped the fabric over her head. The tension in the room was palpable, but neither of them said anything. Imane tried to keep her movements steady and professional, but her mind was racing.

Just as Ellie was settling back into bed, Ellie's phone buzzed. Gianna was calling Ellie.

Ellie answered, and after a brief conversation, she told Gianna about her fall and the cramp. Gianna, always eager to help, said she'd come by to check on her. Imane's chest tightened in annoyance. Of course, she would.

Within minutes, Gianna was at the door, her usual confident grin in place. She strolled in, her eyes immediately landing on Ellie's leg.

"How are you feeling?" Gianna asked, making her way over to the bed. Without waiting for a response, she knelt down and gently touched Ellie's leg, her fingers lingering as she examined the area where the cramp had been.

Ellie shifted slightly under Gianna's touch. "Imane already took care of it. She applied a remedy from Algeria that really helped."

Gianna's smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered. "That's great, but I have this Italian cream that works wonders on cramps. You should try it. I swear by it."

Imane clenched her jaw, silently watching the exchange. She could feel the tension between them, a subtle shift in the air. Gianna's insistence wasn't lost on her, and she didn't like the way Gianna was hovering over Ellie, acting as though Imane's efforts weren't enough.

Ellie, to her credit, smiled politely but shook her head. "I'm good, really. Imane's remedy worked. I feel a lot better."

Gianna's eyes flicked to Imane, a challenge in them, but she didn't push further. "Alright," she said with a tight smile, standing up. "But if you need anything, I'm just down the hall."

Imane watched as Gianna left, the tension still hanging in the air. She didn't say anything, but the rivalry between them had just been ignited. Gianna had always been confident, bold, unafraid to show her interest in women, and now that Ellie was in the picture, it was clear that they were headed for a silent competition.

Ellie lay back on the bed, oblivious to the silent war that had begun between the two boxers. "Thanks for everything, Imane," she said softly, closing her eyes.

Imane nodded, forcing a smile, but her mind was already racing with thoughts of Gianna and the growing tension between them.

She had been holding back for so long, keeping her emotions in check. But now, with Ellie in her life and Gianna showing interest, Imane wasn't sure how much longer she could keep everything buried.