I took Ivy by the hand and led her into the ring. If I gave her the chance, I had a feeling she would turn me down.
"What are you doing?" she asked, pulling her hand away as we stepped inside the ring.
"I need a little help with my punches. The coach is tired, so I thought maybe you could help."
I knew how much she cared about helping us train, so this was the best excuse I could give her.
"If that's the case, wouldn't it make more sense for you to wear the gloves and for me to wear the mitts?"
"That's not what the coach said."
She studied me blankly without saying a word, as if she were deep in thought.
"Fine, I'll help, but only for a little while, okay?"
"That's fine."
Hesitantly, Ivy put on the gloves, and I put on the mitts.
"Let's start with a straight punch to see what you're working with," I suggested.
She raised an eyebrow.
"To see what I'm working with? We're here to train you, remember?"
"Relax; this is all part of MY training."
