The First Round

Jay's POV:

Today is a big deal for me my first match in the competition. I've been waiting for this moment, and now it's here. I need to focus, but my mind feels like a chaotic mess. I barely slept last night. Jacob's condition, Aidan's weird behavior lately, Sissel's face popping into my head all of it decided to haunt me right before my big day. But there's no time for overthinking now. I have to pull myself together.

Aidan woke up looking like a trainwreck. No sign of him getting ready either is he seriously not coming? "Yo, bro. It's match day. You're not coming?" I asked, raising a brow. He looked confused like I was speaking another language.

Aidan's POV:

I blinked at him like an idiot, trying to process what he just said. Match day? Today? How did I mess that up? We've been talking about this competition for a week. "I didn't know it was today... but don't worry. I'll be there. What time?"

Jay just chuckled. No anger, no blame he knew I was a mess. "2 PM. Don't be late."

I nodded, still wondering how my brain managed to forget. Why is he rushing me now if it's at 2? I thought, and before I could say it out loud, Jay's voice came from the kitchen like he read my mind. "Because you take forever to get ready, brat." Yeah... fair point.

As he went to finish getting ready, I sat down, trying to wake up properly, when a random idea popped into my head.

Sissel's POV:

I was in the middle of cleaning my room when Chase, my older brother, knocked on my door. "Come in," I said, and he stepped inside.

"You have a guest," he announced. A guest? That was... weird. My friends never visit because, well, I live with my parents not exactly a fun hangout spot.

I went out and surprise, surprise there stood Aidan. "Hey, Sissel. How are you?" he greeted, playing the polite card hard. Chase was standing there, eyeing Aidan like he was trouble.

"Hey, Aidan. I'm fine. You?" I smiled politely.

"Fine, fine... uh, I actually need your help with our project. Can you come over to my apartment now?" His tone was way too serious, and I caught on quickly. With Chase standing there like a watchdog, I agreed, and not long after, we were both at Aidan's place, bursting into laughter.

"Alright, spill. I know you didn't drag me here for some project," I said, arms crossed.

Aidan grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Jay's first match is today."

Aidan's POV:

The second I mentioned Jay, her expression shifted the death glare melted, replaced by a pink blush creeping up her cheeks. "Wait, weren't you supposed to take me to his practice first? What happened to that plan?" she asked.

Now that... was awkward. I spent ten minutes explaining how I zoned out the entire week, completely missing the part where Jay told me the match was today. Honestly, I'm still trying to figure out how that happened.

"So... long story short, you forgot," she deadpanned, sounding exactly like Jay. They're so alike it's scary. "Whatever," I sighed. I wasn't going to argue they were both right.

Luckily, it didn't take much convincing. She agreed to come, and soon we were both on our way. I could feel the tension radiating off Sissel. Was it because it was her first live match? Or... was it because it was Jay fighting? Hard to tell.

We made it just in time. I texted Jay that we were there and told him our exact seat. What I didn't tell him, of course, was that Sissel was with me where's the fun in ruining the surprise?

Jay's POV:

I checked my phone and smiled Aidan was here. It felt good knowing someone was there rooting for me. Meanwhile, Coach was a walking ball of nerves, pacing back and forth, repeating advice I already knew. But I let him be.

Finally, it was time. Walking toward the ring, the sound of the crowd fueled the adrenaline rushing through me. The referee did the final checks, and then the bell rang.

The fight was intense. My opponent was good really good. We exchanged powerful punches, each of us pushing the other harder. It felt endless until I caught my moment. With everything I had, I landed a solid punch right on his face. He staggered, dropped and the referee started counting.

1... 2... 3... and the bell rang again.

Winner me.

I raised my fist in the air, my chest burning with pride. I could see Coach jumping and cheering. Then my eyes searched for Aidan and there he was, screaming his lungs out. But... he wasn't alone.

Next to him was Sissel.

My heart skipped a beat. Is that really her?

4o