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Odessa spent all of her free time training for the evaluations happening that week. When she wasn't at the Miyagi-Do dojo, she was in her own backyard training with Eli and Oliver. Her dad tried to make his decision as unbiased as possible but after a while, he gave up on trying not to help them out. "I know you kids have been used to a certain amount of training, but, I'd like to teach you guys some new things," Christian told them when they gathered in the backyard. "Not to brag but I was pretty skilled when it came to kicking."
"Should we be learning new things without Daniel and Johnny?" Odessa asked, unsure.
"Whatever it takes to win, Dessi," Oliver said loudly before her dad could answer. He stood by her with his arm rested on the top of her head. "Y'know, it would be better if Grayson and Hailey were here to train with us."
The blonde scoffed and pushed his arm off her head. "Gray can come over if he wants," she stated and went to stand on the other side of Eli.
He raised his brows. "And Hailey?"
"Yeah, c'mon Dess, you two haven't talked to each other in two days," said Oliver.
"Yeah, it's called waiting for an apology."
Her dad gave her a look. "I thought we talked about this yesterday,"
She nodded. "We did. Doesn't mean I have to apologize for something I didn't do." She argued.
"You know Hailey doesn't apologize," Oliver told her.
Odessa shrugged. Deciding she didn't want to talk about it anymore, she looked forward at her father. "Can we start now, dad?"
Christian shared the same look with the boys before he nodded. "Yeah." He turned his back on the three of them. "Alright, let's start with some warm up punches."
Odessa hadn't felt the need to win something this much since her first All Valley. Nobody, not even herself, expected to hear her name be called as the winner and yet it changed her life forever. She went from being the West Valley High slut to the All Valley champion, a winner. Through everything that happened in those years after the tournament, Odessa carried that win with her as a reminder that she was stronger than what she believed. Even when she hit rock bottom.
Nine fighters were eligible to compete. Odessa wanted to be one of them and she damn well was find to work for it.
They spent all day at dojo the next day training. Odessa was with Grayson, the two of them having an awkward cloud hovering above their heads. It was a terrible feeling. They were best friends, always have been, no matter how many times all four of them have had arguments. But it was different this time. Grayson and Hailey were together. He had an unconscious bias and it showed in how light his movements were with her. Odessa dropped her fists and sighed. "Gray, you're not even trying."
