Fighting For Her- Imane Khelif

The Edge of Collapse

The next morning was filled with silence and awkwardness. Imane and Ellie moved around the apartment like strangers, their once-easy camaraderie replaced with tension. Imane glanced at Ellie a few times during breakfast, wanting to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Ellie, on the other hand, focused entirely on her food, barely acknowledging Imane.

Imane finally broke the silence as she stood by the door, ready to leave for training. "Are you coming?" she asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant.

Ellie shrugged, still not looking at her. "Yeah, I'll be there."

Imane sighed, knowing they couldn't keep avoiding the elephant in the room, but this morning wasn't the time to discuss it.

At the gym, Imane's emotions boiled over during training. She kept glancing over at Ellie, who seemed to be avoiding her gaze. Sarah, who had been watching from the sidelines, noticed and approached her when they took a break.

"What happened with you too?" Sarah asked, concerned.

Imane exhaled, feeling the weight of her feelings. "Ellie kissed me two days ago, you know before she started dating Gianna."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "And...?"

"I kissed her back, but then I pulled away. I told her I couldn't do it, and now everything is just... a mess," Imane admitted, frustration lacing her words.

Sarah sighed. "Imane, I knew something was up. Look, we both know Gianna's no good. She's seeing someone else, and Ellie's falling into her trap. We've got to warn her, even if she doesn't want to hear it."

Imane nodded, her eyes clouded with worry. "But we don't have proof. She won't believe us."

Sarah crossed her arms, deep in thought. "We need to try again. She's too good to get hurt like this."

Later in the day, Sarah pulled Valentina and Jessica aside and filled them in on the situation. Valentina, who had known Gianna since their teens, wasn't surprised. "Gianna's always been like this. She's never serious about anyone. I saw her toy with girls back home, just like she's doing now."

Jessica frowned. "We need to talk to Ellie. She deserves to know what's going on, even if she doesn't want to hear it."

The four of them approached Ellie during a break from training. Ellie was stretching on a mat when Sarah spoke up. "Ellie, can we talk?"

Ellie looked up, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "About what?"

"About Gianna," Sarah said bluntly.

Ellie's expression hardened. "What about her?"

Valentina stepped in, her tone serious. "Ellie, Gianna isn't who you think she is. I've known her for years, and she's always played with girls' hearts. She's seeing someone else."

Ellie crossed her arms, clearly defensive. "You don't know that."

Sarah sighed, stepping closer. "We do. I saw her with another woman yesterday. She left the apartment with her early in the morning. Gianna is two-timing you, Ellie. We don't want you to get hurt."

Ellie stood up, her face flushed with anger. "You're all just trying to gang up on Gianna because of Imane. I'm not stupid—I know what this is about. Imane is the one who rejected me, now she's jealous and trying to ruin what I have." 

Imane felt as if a knife had pierced her heart.

Jessica shook her head. "It's not about that, Ellie. We just want to look out for you."

But Ellie wasn't listening. Her hurt and anger had blinded her. "You're all bad friends. I can't believe you're doing this. Gianna's been nothing but kind to me."

With that, she stormed out, leaving the group standing there in stunned silence.

Later that afternoon, Ellie sat in the back of a taxi with Gianna, frustration coursing through her. She didn't want to stay in the apartment with Imane, not after everything that had happened. The more she thought about it, the more she convinced herself that her friends were turning against her just to protect Imane.

When they arrived at Gianna's place, Ellie looked at her, the frustration still in her voice. "I need to get out of the apartment. Can I move in with you?"

Gianna hesitated for a split second. Ellie's request clearly wasn't part of her plan, but she quickly masked her reluctance with a warm smile. "Of course, Ellie. You can stay with me."

But inside, Gianna was scheming. She wasn't thrilled about Ellie moving in, especially with her other relationship going on, but she played along. Keeping Ellie close might be useful, at least for now.

That evening, when Imane returned to the apartment after training, she found Ellie packing her things. Imane froze in the doorway, her heart sinking as she watched Ellie stuffing clothes into her suitcase.

"Ellie, what are you doing?" Imane asked, her voice thick with desperation.

Ellie didn't look up. "I'm moving out. I'm going to stay with Gianna."

Imane stepped closer, panic rising in her chest. "You don't have to do this. Please, don't go. I know you're upset, but Gianna isn't—"

"I don't want to hear it!" Ellie snapped, finally looking at her, her eyes filled with anger. "You're just trying to control me. You and the others—you're all trying to push me away from Gianna, and I'm sick of it."

Imane felt like she'd been punched in the gut. "Ellie, that's not true. We're just worried about you."

Ellie zipped her suitcase shut with finality. "I've made my decision. You should get a new roommate."