Faith took a deep break and shook her head. A quick tap on her phone reminded her that she was studying at a completely unreasonable hour. But that's what all this medical school was all about, wasn't it? She picked up a page of notes, then set it back down again. Reclining against her headboard, Faith let her eyes drift shut. Surely 5 minutes of sleep wouldn't hurt, right?
Faith's phone dropped from her hand and onto the bed to rest silently next to her.
=====
Faith looked around. This was a new place, an unfamiliar place. Yes, she knew she was in a wrestling ring. The little girl who was drawn to the acrobatics and dramatics of those professional matches she had always watched on TV, then the more amateur matches on YouTube, had finally earned her chance to be in the ring. But being in the ring for her first actual match was new. It was exhilarating. A quick look around showed the traditional ropes around her, the traditional mats on the floor surrounding the structure. Faith had the strange thought that maybe the ring considered her unfamiliar and new. After all, this wasn't the ring's first match. A booming voice filled her mind, interrupting her contemplations.
"Already in the ring for her first match, at 5'3" and 110 pounds, the angelic Faith!"
Faith looked down, considering herself for the first time. Thin lace fingerless "gloves" covered her hands, and a thin lace "robe" rested on her shoulders, doing nothing to actually cover her but instead wrapping her in a heavenly aura. A white one-piece, cut high on the legs and complete with illustrated angel wings on the beck, covered her body. Every breath she took made her smallish chest press against that material, and the slight pressure on her skin made her shiver. A little toss of her head made brunette curls bounce and the shimmering body glitter... well, shimmered as she grabbed the ropes and stretched out. Faith almost couldn't believe she was here. There was only one thing missing. Almost as if on cue, the voice boomed again.
"And her opponent, also in her debut match, at 5'8" and 130 pounds, The One, the only, Nia!"
Faith's opponent appeared at the edge of the mats and, using the lower ropes, climbed up into the ring with an athletic ease. Once again, Faith shivered as she got her first look at her opponent. Small black sunglasses rested on a small nose. A black faux leather trench coat hung open, showing a black halter top that somehow both reflected and absorbed the ring lights as it managed a curvier chest. Nia's black leggings might as well have been painted on, and they also shone in the light falling on the ring. Black hair was pulled into a tight braid, and a sleeve of green 1s and 0s were tattooed on the woman's right arm. Two pairs of bare feet shifted as the two women considered each other, until a metallic clang rang out from the ether surrounding the ring.
DING DING
Faith shrugged her featherlight robe off while Nia tossed the heavy trench coat and sunglasses out of the ring, and the two women approached each other in the middle of the ring. Unsure of that the usual routine, Faith offered a small hand, although she watched the other woman cautiously.
"Good luck."
Nia considered the hand for a moment with a thoughtful smile before taking it.
"I think I'm going to need it."
Faith scowled a little as their hands separated... Was the taller woman making fun of her? With a little huff, Faith bent her knees and Nia did the same. Determined to put her opponent on the defensive quickly, Faith lunged at her opponent, trying to grab her shoulders and keep her from using her height advantage. But as soon as Faith had her grip, Nia rose up effortlessly and grabbed Faith's right wrist, spinning and whipping the angel across the ring. For her part, Faith leaned into whip, her feet padding quickly across the ring surface then turning her back to bounce off the ropes. As Faith ran at her, Nia attempted a clothesline that Faith ducked. Sprinting the opposite way, Faith felt the ring shake as she made it to the other ropes, turned, and bounced.
Faith ran right into Nia's waiting shoulder. Faith's legs tried to keep moving while her upper body ran into that wall of human, and Faith swung into the air before crashing on her back with a pained grunt. Nia looked at the fallen angel with a businesslike coldness before reaching down to pull the groaning woman up by a handful of brunette hair. Faith scrambled up and was forced to trot half-bent after Nia back to the middle of the ring. And before Faith could try any sort of escape, Nia pulled the other woman in front of her then dropped her forearm down on a pair of angel wings forcefully. Faith fell to the canvas hard, but still had the energy to push herself up and lunge, determined to get a hold of the black-clad woman. Instead, Faith's arms encircled empty air. The brunette had only a moment to be confused before a strong hand buried itself in the back of her hair, pulling up roughly. Once the angel was on her feet, one tattooed and one bare wrapped around her waist. Faith's urgent struggles were useless as Nia bent her knees and lifted her captor up and over her body, bending back to slam Faith against the canvas.
Faith hit the surface hard, then crumpled as the other woman released her hold. Faith tried to roll onto her hands and knees, shaking her head in confusion and to clear the pain. She should have grabbed Nia... She hadn't heard any footsteps after that shot to her shoulders. Her opponent should have been right there. Risking a glance up, she saw Nia keeping a comfortable distance. "She's toying with me," Faith grumbled to herself as she pushed herself to her feet. Nia wore an expectant smile and erased the distance with quick strides, reaching for Faith's shoulders. Glowering at her taller rival, Faith swing her arms out to bat Nia's hands away, earning a surprised look from the raven-haired woman. Mustering her strength, Faith landed a backhand slap on that glossy halter top, forcing a groan from the taller woman. Faith repeated the blow, taking pleasure in the way that Nia's breasts swelled against her top as they approached a corner. Faith turned her head, cocked back one last massive backhand that was sure to knock her opponent off her feet, and swung. But Faith's hand cut through thin air. Her momentum spun her around, where Nia was waiting to bury a knee in Faith's stomach.
"What the fu....UUMPH!" Faith groaned out as her legs buckled and she fell to her hands and knees. Faith's pride and body were both aching. They were both new, right? But Nia was effortlessly destroying her. Faith knew that she might not have another chance like this. This match was remarkably important. Before her introspective pep talk could continue, Nia pulled Faith up to her feet by her wrist and shoved the weary angel into the nearby turnbuckle. Faith draped her arms over the ropes in a desperate effort to keep her feet, looking up only to see Nia swinging her arm around to return a hard slap to Faith's chest. The smaller woman let out a pained cry as that thin arm cracked across her breasts and the turnbuckle pressed into her back. Nia pressed into Faith's prone body, and Faith heard The One whisper "I can feel your heart racing, Faith. I hope that it doesn't break when we're done." Then Faith felt strong hands grip her shoulders as Nia jumped onto the middle ropes, then used them to spring backwards. Faith was yanked forward, where Nia planted her feet on Faith's chest as she fell, monkey flipping the other woman over her as she landed. The ring spun around the angel until she landed with a crash and a loud, quivering moan.
Faith's curls were splayed across the canvas and her body glowed with exertion as she tried to ignore the pain that radiated from each of Nia's attacks, her eyes clenched shut as she tried to rub the pain from her lower back. She heard her opponent stalking her vulnerable body patiently, those soft footsteps getting closer. Taking a gamble, Faith focused on her lower back until the slightest vibration through the canvas told her to move. Faith rolled to the side quickly, and a loud THUMP followed by Nia shouting "Damnit!" told Faith that her patience had paid off. Opening her eyes, she saw the black-clad woman rubbing a pink-tinted elbow that was meant for her body. The two stared at each other as they found their feet again, the atmosphere icy and sharp as they circled each other without a word. Faith watched her opponent carefully, her once elegant curls a tangled mess and her outfit no longer pristine. But Nia was looking tired from her efforts as well, and Faith noted the deep breaths that made deep cleavage swell, that made a flat stomach rise and fall.
As the distance between them decreased, Faith saw a slight twitch across the taller woman's frame right before she lunged, clearly intent on overpowering her slighter opponent. But Faith kicked up with her right leg and felt her foot strike that flat stomach, felt Nia's body soften before staggering back and falling. Feeling in control for the first time during the match, Faith strode over to the prone woman. The small area of pink skin on Nia's stomach made for an easy target, and Faith made sure to press her heel in as she tried to grind some of the fight out of Nia's body. After taking Nia's breath away, Faith kneeled and grabbed the other woman's braid to pull Nia up to her feet, then to pull Nia's head between her legs. Faith felt a slight blush as her thighs pressed against Nia's cheeks, her heart pounding relentlessly as she hooked Nia's arms then jumped up then landed, driving The One's forehead into the canvas. A wail of pain rose up from her opponent, but Nia wasn't done yet. Swinging her legs around to sit on Nia's lower back, her knees bent to either side, the angel once again yanked up on her opponent's arms. "Please, no..." Nia gasped out weakly.
That prayer fell on deaf ears as Faith leaned back, and Nia let out a pained moan as she tried to endure the camel clutch. Faith pressed the captured wrists toward each other, not trying to hurt her opponent but absolutely trying to show her who was in charge. As Nia shook her head back and forth in desperate determination, Faith changed tactics and bent her knees a little more, hooking Nia's arms over her knees. Then, with her hands free, Faith leaned forward to grope at her opponent's restrained chest roughly, to attack Nia's pride as well as her endurance. Faith felt Nia's body tremble as her fingers molded to those larger breasts, probing them purposefully. "Just let me know when you're giving up," Faith purred softly, surprised at the hint of concern that unintentionally wove itself within the taunt. Reminding herself that they were competing, Faith pinched at the subtle peaks in the faux leather that showed where Nia's nipples strained against the garment. Again, a gasp of pain but again, a stubborn refusal to give up.
While holding the clutch was satisfying, it wasn't helping Faith end the match. The angel released her opponent, and Nia fell to the mat, whimpering softly. Faith found her feet and helped Nia find hers, then used Nia's wrist to whip the taller woman across the ring. Nia offered almost no resistance as she ran forward until a turnbuckle stopped her abruptly, forcing another wail out of her mouth. Nia strode across the ring after her opponent, turning Nia around so she was facing out into the ring before draping a tattooed arm and a bare arm over the top ropes. Faith left her exhausted opponent to cross the ring to the opposite corner, then she sprinted back towards her opponent and jumped at the last second, making a half turn to slam her backside into Nia's midsection.
Instead, Faith's spine hit the turnbuckle hard. Faith let out a surprised scream at the ring lights as she desperately grabbed at the ropes, so she didn't fall to the canvas. She felt rather than saw Nia close in on her, felt the taller body pressing into her shorter one. And then, a soft, almost sad voice filled Faith's ear. "When are you going to figure things out, you naive little girl?" Faith felt herself being turned around, then two arms wrapped around her ankles. Faith grabbed at the top ropes as her legs were lifted, but that just left her hanging in the air as Nia held her ankles under her arms. Giving the angel's legs a little shake that made Faith's trembling hands tighten their grip, Nia smiled as her eyes wandered over shining legs and curved cheeks. "The view isn't so bad back here, but fall for me and let's finish this," Nia taunted before giving a hard yank that pulled Faith's hands from the ropes. Faith tried to prepare herself for the inevitable collision as Nia let her ankles free, but a person can only be so ready to belly flop onto the canvas.
Faith hit the ring surface hard, burying her face in her hands as she fought to hold back cries of pain. Nia felt a little reluctant to push things farther, but the match had to be finished one way or another and she was determined to reach Faith, in one way or another. So, Nia pulled Faith to her feet and guided the hurting woman to sit on the top ropes. She climbed up to the third rope and hooked Faith's head under her right arm, while her left hand hooked Faith's knee. Then, gathering her opponent into her arms, Nia jumped backwards and sent both into the air. Nia was ready for the fall, but Faith took the impact hard, her body bouncing before laying nearly limp on her back in the middle of the ring.
Faith couldn't move. She wasn't even sure how she was still thinking. She wasn't even sure what was going on. Slow vibrations under her told her that Nia was closing in again. But she couldn't move. She couldn't roll away from the first stomp. Or the second. Or the third.
"Give up," Nia said softly.
=====
Nia stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. Sunlight was just starting to peek in through the blinds in her bedroom. Whoever thought 6 am was a good time for a programming class was batshit insane. But that's just how things were, so she would get through it. She grabbed for her toothbrush, and rows of 1s and 0s drifted through the air lazily as proper dental hygiene was performed. Then black hair was pulled into a quick ponytail, and the morning rituals continued.
=====
Faith's mind was starting to drift aimlessly. She heard the other woman's exhausted breaths. They had both put everything they could into their shared time in the ring, but only one of them was still standing. She felt the slight shifting of weight that meant one more foot was about to fall. Faith's heart felt like lead as it thudded away. Not only was Nia stronger than her, but she was impossibly fast. When Faith had been able to get a hold of her opponent, she had been able to compete, to match up with her opponent evenly. But the other woman had escaped from seemingly defenseless positions again and again.
"Give up," came the weary command again, and Faith wasn't sure who Nia was talking to. Her mind was too far away to understand.
She had to keep fighting. Like Nia had said, she had to figure things out. Because if she didn't, Nia would keep escaping.
=====
Nia stood over the frying pan as the eggs cooked, toast toasting nearby. A slice of cheddar cheese covered the eggs and molded to their shape as it started to melt. Nia gave the cheese a moment to do its thing, grabbing two small classes from the cabinet. One got orange juice and the other got almond milk. Nia took a thoughtful sip at the orange juice as she made sure she was packed for class. Then the eggs and cheese were sandwiched between the toast, and a practiced cut quickly split the sandwich into triangles.
=====
Because if she didn't... The One...
=====
A dim light shone from under the door to the other bedroom, and Nia gave her head a small shake. Faith probably stayed up too late *again*. Her roommate and best friend was remarkably tenacious in her pursuit of learning how to care for other people, although Nia thought that she suffered from a severe case of tunnel vision. But, all the same, she couldn't help but...
Another small shake banished that train of thought. Nia had followed that track far too often and gotten nowhere. Maybe this wasn't they right time. They were both so busy, after all. She didn't even know if...
Juggling the glass of almond milk and half of an egg sandwich, Nia opened the door.
=====
Was going to get away...
=====
Nia closed the bedroom door softly with a sigh, then gathered her stuff and walked to the door.
=====
Faith's hands grabbed Nia's ankle right before the last blow landed. Keeping a tight grip on that ankle, Faith rolled and swept a surprised Nia off her feet and onto her back. Her nerves and veins nearly crackling with urgent energy, Faith scrambled on top of Nia in a sloppy schoolgirl pin.
But then, the pin didn't matter. Time did.
"Wake up, you idiot," Nia said with a hopeful smile.
=====
Faith woke up. The egg sandwich was still steaming, and she remembered playful arguments with Nia about how it should be cut into triangles instead of rectangles. The almond milk was ice cold, and she remembered how many different brands the two had tried together to find one that they both liked. Her phone was playing soft music as it charged, and she remembered how many times Nia had scolded her for not plugging it in before falling asleep.
Faith heard the front door creak open, and she was out of bed in an instant. Because she knew with all of her being that she couldn't let it click shut.
