Jake smiled.
"See?"
Maya recovered.
He pushed again.
She dropped her hips.
Jake's balance shifted.
Maya caught his arm.
Then she turned.
Jake hit the mat.
Hard.
The room went silent.
Maya immediately released him.
Jake rolled onto his side.
"Again."
Adrian stepped forward.
"No."
Jake stood.
"I said again."
Adrian's voice hardened.
"I said no."
Jake stared at him.
Maya lowered her eyes.
Adrian noticed her expression.
Not fear.
Sadness.
It was a strange expression for someone who had just thrown a larger man onto the mat.
Adrian walked toward her.
"Why did you stop?"
She looked confused.
"When?"
"When you had his arm."
"I didn't want to hurt him."
Adrian nodded.
Now he understood.
She wasn't here to prove she was strong.
She was trying not to prove it.
And Adrian suddenly wondered why.
The following week, Maya returned.
The three men were waiting.
Marcus leaned against the wall.
Leo sat on the edge of the mat.
Jake stood beside the heavy bag.
Marcus smiled.
"Look who's back."
Maya placed her bag down.
"Hello."
Leo laughed.
"You actually came back."
"Yes."
"Most people quit after their first week."
Maya looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because people like us make them uncomfortable."
Maya nodded.
"That sounds like a personal problem."
Marcus laughed.
Leo didn't.
Jake stepped forward.
"Let's roll."
Maya looked at Coach Adrian.
He was watching.
"Five minutes," Adrian said.
"Technical."
Jake nodded.
They started.
This time Jake didn't charge.
He circled.
Maya circled with him.
He reached.
She withdrew.
He faked.
She didn't react.
Jake attacked.
Maya caught his wrist.
He tried to pull away.
She followed.
Within seconds, Jake was on the ground.
Maya established position.
She could have submitted him.
Instead, she released him.
Jake stared at her.
"Why did you let go?"