He changed direction.
She changed with him.
Leo attempted a guard pull.
Maya stepped back.
He tried again.
She didn't let him establish the position.
"Stop running," Leo snapped.
Maya looked confused.
"I'm standing."
Several students laughed.
Leo's face reddened.
He rushed forward.
Maya shifted her weight.
Leo's own momentum carried him past her.
He landed on his hands.
The laughter stopped.
Coach Adrian raised his eyebrows.
Maya offered him a hand.
Leo ignored it.
He stood.
"Again."
Adrian stepped forward.
"No."
Leo looked at him.
"What?"
"Switch partners."
"But—"
"Switch."
Leo walked away.
Adrian approached Maya.
"Where did you learn?"
She looked down.
"Different places."
"Judo?"
A pause.
"Some."
"Wrestling?"
"Some."
"Jiu-jitsu?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
Maya hesitated.
"Long enough."
Adrian almost smiled.
He had trained fighters for twenty years.
He knew when someone was lying.
But Maya wasn't lying.
She was hiding.
There was a difference.
"Why are you here?"
She looked toward the photographs on the wall.
"I want to train."
"That's not what I asked."
She remained silent.
Adrian lowered his voice.
"Are you running from something?"
Maya looked at him.
"No."
"Looking for something?"
Another pause.
"Maybe."
Before Adrian could ask more, Jake approached.
"Coach."
Adrian turned.
"Yes?"
"Can I roll with her?"
Adrian studied him.
Jake wasn't technically advanced.
But he was strong.
And angry.
"Light roll."
Jake nodded.
"Of course."
Adrian pointed at him.
"I mean it."
Jake stepped onto the mat.
Maya followed.
The timer started.
Jake exploded forward.
Unlike Marcus and Leo, Jake didn't care about technique.
He wanted to overwhelm her.
His shoulder hit her chest.
Maya stumbled backward.