Emma

Bzzt Bzzt.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming video call.
“Oh! That must be them!”
she said excitedly, swiping to answer.
The screen lit up to show the familiar nervous face of her assigned tag partner—a wide-eyed rookie from the RISING Gym, barely a few weeks into their career. But today, they looked even more unsure... and wincing.
“Hey Emma… I uh… I’m really sorry, but I tweaked my ankle during warm-ups earlier. I can barely put weight on it. I don’t think I can make it out there tonight…”
Emma gasped softly, both hands covering her mouth.
“Oh noooo! That’s awful! Poor you!”
she exclaimed.
“You go get that checked out, alright? Ice, wrap, rest—got it?”
The rookie nodded sheepishly.
“Really sorry again…”
Emma smiled anyway, the kind that radiated comfort.
“It’s okay! You take care of that ankle, alright? I’ll hold the fort down. Just don’t watch the match with popcorn in your lap or I’ll be extra jealous.”
The call ended. Emma lowered the phone, exhaled through her nose, and gave herself a pep-clap on both cheeks.
“Okay, okay! Sooo… minor change of plans. I’m goin’ in solo!”
she said to herself with her usual chipper tone.
“No sweat! It’s just two gals... with a name like ‘Love and Lust’... how bad could they be?”
A playful bounce returned to her step as she marched down the hallway, peeking through locker room doors and calling out in that singsong voice.
“Jamie? Angel? You lovely lasses hiding somewhere?”
She peeked around a corner dramatically, placing a hand on her hip.
“C’mon now, don’t be shy! I don’t bite—I just grapple!”