Monday — Evening
"BEGIN!" Benson's sharp voice echoed across the training mats.
Madison immediately stepped forward, launching a rapid combination of crisp jab-crosses. Ethan leaned back effortlessly, slipping past her knuckles with millimeters to spare.
Watching intently from the sidelines, Benson, his arms crossed.
I've had my suspicions over the past few weeks, but now I'm certain, Benson thought, his eyes tracking Ethan's footwork.
His reaction speed has increased exponentially, and his strength should also be increased, compared to a month ago.
Ethan flicked out a few light probing jabs. Madison ducked under the lead left, instantly circling away to maintain a wide perimeter.
Smart girl... Benson observed, a faint smile touching his lips.
She realized Ethan changed before I even picked up on it. That's why she's keeping her distance instead of engaging on the inside. In a fight, having intelligence on your opponent is your greatest weapon.
The spar escalated. Madison snapped a high roundhouse kick targeting the right side of Ethan's head. Ethan raised his guard, blocking the strike with his forearm and elbow.
Instead of retracting her leg normally, Madison used the momentum of the block to hook her foot down, pulling Ethan's lead guard out of position. In a flash, she drove a sharp straight right flush onto his open chin. Before Ethan could counter, she leaped backward, resetting her stance out of range.
Brilliant... Benson thought, nodding in admiration. You really are Murphy's daughter.
Ethan wiped a speck of sweat from his chin, offering a genuine smile. "Great strategy."
Without warning, Ethan closed the distance in a blur. After trading a flurry of lightning-fast exchanges and ducking under another high kick, Ethan caught a split-second opening. He drove his right fist forward, stopping it half an inch from the bridge of Madison's nose.
Madison froze, staring directly into his calm eyes without flinching.
"Alright, that's enough for today!" Benson called out, clapping his hands together.
Both teenagers relaxed their stances, bowing to their coach before walking over to the bench to grab their water bottles.
Ethan took a long drink before looking over at her. "You really know how to fight, Madison."
Madison shook her head, unscrewing her bottle cap. "It's not really planning. When I'm in the middle of a exchange, my instincts just tell me what move to make, and I execute it."
"That's a terrifying combat mind," Ethan chuckled. "Wanna trade brains with me?"
"Pass," Madison smiled. "Come on, let's head to our usual spot."
Ethan nodded.
"Their menu is the absolute best according to—" Madison paused, checking her gym bag. "Wait, give me a minute to change out of my wraps."
"I'll wait outside," Ethan said, pushing open the heavy glass doors of the gym.
Stepping onto the cool evening sidewalk, Ethan leaned back against the brick wall, watching the streetlights flick on. Spending time with her is easy... We've got a good thing going.
His mind gradually drifted, a quiet shadow creeping over his thoughts.
I still wonder sometimes... who was 'that guy' Mom mentioned back then? It couldn't have been a brother... but the way her tone shifted made it sound like 'he' was a threat to all of us and it sounded someone separate from my brother.
Madison stepped out in casual clothes, slinging her duffel bag over her shoulder.
"Hola!" she called out.
Ethan snapped back to reality, giving a small nod. "All set? Let me lead the way."
As they began walking down the sidewalk, Madison glanced sideways at him. "You were way deep in thought just now."
Ethan offered a faint, reassuring smile. "Nah... just thinking about how quiet things have been these past few weeks. Before long, we'll be heading into the storm against Loop's First Branch."
Madison nodded, her expression growing serious. "What about your team's situation?"
"Speaking of which... where's Allen been lately?" Ethan asked, turning to her. "I only see him passing by in the class and school hallways."
"He's been tied up with family affairs," Madison explained. "Grandpa handed over some of the district logistics to him recently." She paused, her voice softening slightly. "My father went overseas a few days ago, too. Who knows how long he'll be away this time."
Ethan looked at her from the corner of his eye, a quiet ache in his chest.
She still has no idea... that her father is evil. I feel bad for her. Ethan thought.
Before long, they arrived at their favorite local diner. The bell above the door chimed, and the waiter instantly recognized them, guiding them to their usual booth by the window.
"Good evening!" the waiter greeted warmly. "Shall I bring the usual for you two?"
Ethan nodded. "Yeah, the usual for me. And add a mango juice to that, please."
As the waiter stepped away, Madison leaned her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands. "You order the exact same thing every single time, Ethan."
"If it works, why change it?" Ethan replied with a faint smirk.
Madison chuckled gently, looking around the diner. "You know... Alice and Lucas at the gym have been hanging out a lot lately."
Ethan nodded, taking a sip of ice water.
"I think he actually likes her," Madison added, watching his reaction. "What do you think?"
Ethan paused, staring down at his glass before looking up at her. "Honestly? I don't really know what to say. I don't know what it feels like to 'like' someone in that way. All I've ever really understood is respect."
Madison quieted down, digesting his answer before giving a slow nod. "Respect is greater than love anyway."
Ethan nodded in agreement.
"Liking someone... it's a special type of feeling," Madison mused softly, her gaze drifting toward the window.
Ethan looked at her,
"I don't know myself. Though, my friends have... they tell me about their love life. For as long as I can remember, my mind has been entirely consumed by why my mother left."
"If my mother did that, I'd be obsessed with finding answers too," Ethan said gently. "But from everything... I can say... that your mother was a remarkably strong woman."
Madison nodded, a distant look in her eyes. "If I ever get the chance... I want to uncover her entire past. I want to know what happened right up until her final breath."
"Don't carry all that sadness alone, Madison," Ethan said softly. He gave her a reassuring look. "You still have Aunt Selena."
A genuine, warm smile touched Madison's lips. "Yeah. I do."
The waiter returned with their steaming plates, setting the food down between them. They ate comfortably, sharing quiet conversation as the evening settled, before parting ways at the corner near Madison's home.