I wake up the morning of the fight struggling to breathe. My nightmares last night had featured me in the ring, getting annihilated by Katarina, so I'm not just cranky when my alarm goes off; I'm downright terrified.

I sit up in bed, resting my hand over my fast-beating heart while trying to catch my breath. It's just a dream, I repeat like a mantra. It's just a dream, it's just a dream, it's just a dream. But a voice whispers back: what if it's not?

Until now, I've done an excellent job of pretending I can do this, but now that it's here, so are all those long-suppressed doubts, like why did I agree to this? Why didn't I try harder to convince Maddie to fight? Why did I think I could win?

As if she hears my self-doubt, my phone buzzes with a message from Maddie. Not just Maddie but a whole group chat filled with everyone from the gym. All at once, I'm bombarded with emojis and good luck messages, which makes me tear up. Part of the reason I've been so terrified is that this fight isn't just for me. It's for Coach and Hayden and everyone else, so their support means more than they know.

Win or lose, you're a champion to us, Wiley writes.

Yup, rooting for you, dollface, Auden comments.

And feeling nervous is normal, Maddie writes. The night I fought, I threw up. You've got this.

It's true, Hayden replies. I had to hold her hair back.

I laugh and feel my heart rate settle, if only for a moment. As grateful as I am for their unwavering support, it only adds to the pressure. If I lose this fight tonight, I'm not just letting myself down, but them too.

My nerves return with unparalleled vengeance. I click off our chat and check social media, surprised by the influx of followers. Tons of people have commented on my picture, and while I'm not sure of the exact number of those showing up, I'm certain, based on this, that it's going to be a lot.

Shit.

I grab Coach's keyring and hold it in my palm to calm down. More than ever, I find myself wishing he could be the one to stand in my corner. I wish I could look over at him, mid-fight when I'm tired and ready to quit, and have his familiar face urge me on. But I can't, and that's what scares me the most.

When I can't delay the inevitable any longer, I put the keyring down and move to the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Despite my doubts, my gaze appears determined, and my muscles tense with anticipation. I splash cold water on my face, hoping against hell to hold onto this confidence in time for the fight, or else I'll quit before I've started.

By the time I've dressed and reached the kitchen, Mom has cooked enough breakfast to feed a whole army. Cody is already in his seat for once, and even Dad is busy tucking into pancakes.

"Morning, sweetie," Mom says when she sees me. "I didn't know what would give you fuel before your fight, so I made a bit of everything."

I raise my eyebrows, scanning the fruit basket before taking in the toast, but I can't eat a bite. I'm too nervous. "Looks delicious."

Cody grins through his bacon. "It is delicious. Dad says it'll make you strong for your fight."

I smile and sit between them before reaching for a fork. It's been forever since we've done this whole family breakfast thing, but strangely, it's the perfect start to my morning; we feel like the old us again.

"I'll have some eggs," I say as Mom piles them on my plate, "but I'll probably throw them back up."

Dad reaches over, ruffling my hair like I'm a little kid again. "You'll be fine, Cassie bear. As long as you give it your all, that's all that matters. And we'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, right, Cody?"

Cody nods, and when he looks at me, I swear, he's never looked more proud. "I told everyone at school. They were so jealous. I can't wait to tell them when you win."

I try to smile, but all I can think is: if, not when.

Despite my nerves, I manage to force some food down before grabbing my bag. I'm halfway to the car, listening to Cody talk right hooks and combos when I get a message with Maybe Nico as the possible sender. 

My heart jumps in excitement. I have no idea how he got my number – we've never exchanged them – which means he'd have to have asked Maddie for it, and knowing he went through all of that effort makes me smile. I open the message, my heart palpitating.

Good luck, Cassandra.

I smile and type back: Meet me at the staircase at five.

His message comes through a second later: I'll be there.

The rest of the day is an anxiety-inducing blur. Daisy does her best to distract me, but all I can think about is the fight. What if Katarina is faster? Stronger? What if she's quick on her feet? I think about each strength, determining how to counteract them in time, but the harder I think, the more stressed I get until I'm left with a headache.

Around four, I tell Mom I'll see her later and head to the gym for a light practice session to loosen my muscles. This session will be my final chance to fine-tune my skills before stepping into the ring, which means it's truly now or never.

Hayden starts me with light sparring, just enough to get my blood pumping and my muscles warmed up. He challenges me with quick jabs and hooks, testing my reflexes and ability to evade his punches.

Maddie stands on the sidelines, resting on the ropes as she watches us spar. I move fluidly around Hayden, ducking and weaving as I try to get inside his guard. He lands a few blows, but I don't let them discourage me. Instead, I focus on breathing and stay in the moment.

Don't overthink it.

We move on to shadow boxing, where I practice my footwork and punching technique without a partner. I focus on my feet on the canvas, throwing punches at an imaginary opponent while Hayden reminds me of my form. Elbows in, feet moving. Don't stop.

I don't intend to. The longer I spend in the ring, the quicker my nerves settle, replaced with a rush of adrenaline. I focus on channeling it, trying to keep it alive and burning in case it fizzles out.

"Hey," Hayden says when we finish, "you'll be fine, okay? Don't overthink it."

"He's right," Maddie says, helping me with my helmet, "you're better than I was when I had my first fight. Just don't let your nerves get the best of you."

With their words of encouragement ringing in my ears, I take off my gear and slip away to the staircase, desperate to meet Nico. Out of everyone, he's the one who calms me the most, and that's what I'm counting on right now.

At five on the dot, Nico covertly crosses the street and joins me in the hallway. For a moment, we just look at one another, something electric passing between us before he pulls me into a hug.

God, it feels good. Better than good. It feels like I can finally breathe. "I'm so scared," I say, my voice shaking. "I can't do this. I'm just going to disappoint everyone tonight. I'll embarrass myself, this gym, Coach–"

I don't get another word out before he kisses me. It's light and fleeting, the kind that settles deep in my stomach and makes me crave more, which is why I'm disappointed when it ends.

"You won't," he says, tucking my hair back. "You'll be incredible, Cassandra."

His words send shivers down my arms. I pull him even closer, squeezing him so hard that I'm certain I'm cutting off circulation by this point, but if he notices, he doesn't show it. He holds me just as hard, and we stay like this for what can only be a moment but feels like forever.

"You know, if Box Inc found out you came over here, you'd be in big trouble," I remind him.

He laughs and tenderly kisses my cheek, warming my skin. "I know, but it was worth it." He pulls back slowly as he takes in my face, tracing my features with his gaze. "Remember what I told you. Use that fire to drive you, but don't lose control. Understand?"

I nod and glance at my watch before panicking. It's five-fifteen, which means it's time to put my gloves on and head toward Box Inc, ready to fight Katarina.

I turn back to Nico, my stomach so knotted that I want to be sick, but there's nothing I can do about it now. My family will already be on their way, along with Daisy and everyone else.

Why does the very thought terrify me?

"I'll be in the crowd the whole time," Nico says, his voice low and soothing. "As soon as the fight's over, I'll be there, alright?"

I suck in a breath, then slowly let it out again, hoping it'll keep me from vomiting. "Okay," I manage and kiss him one last time before heading upstairs.

My legs feel faint as I move toward my things. I'm vaguely aware of Hayden walking over to offer some last-minute words of encouragement, but my head spins so fast that I hardly hear a thing.

"–and don't leave yourself too open," he says.

I nod along, forcing myself to remember that I'm doing this for Coach. If the people at the fight tonight see how hard I've trained to get here, then maybe they'll join too, which means I have to win; there's no other choice.

God, I'm going to be sick.

"All right," Hayden says, grabbing my gear, "Let's go."

Outside, the air feels cool against my hot, clammy skin. We cross the street, where people are beginning to gather near Box Inc, bursting with anticipation for the fight. This is it, I realize. No if or but or maybe. Tonight is the night I fight Katarina, and there's no backing out.

It's now or never.