Post by Emily Dawson on Aug 30, 2024 12:13:50 GMT -5
TWO YEARS AGO
Emily Dawson sat on the cold concrete steps of Brady University, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. The late autumn air nipped at her skin, but she barely felt it. The tears she had tried to hold back were now streaming freely down her cheeks, hot and unrelenting. She wiped at them furiously with the back of her hand, but they kept coming, each one a testament to the bitter disappointment she felt deep in her chest. The showcase tournament had been everything to her. She’d trained harder than she ever thought possible, waking up before dawn to run drills, staying late after practice to perfect her moves. She had replayed every scenario in her mind a thousand times, always picturing herself as the victor, her hand raised high in the air, the roar of the crowd in her ears. She had been so sure. But reality had a way of shattering dreams, and now she sat there, feeling every bit of the loss. She stared at the ground, her vision blurred with tears, remembering every moment of the match. Vanessa Hartman had been fierce, and Emily had struggled to keep up. Every counter move Emily tried, Vanessa seemed to predict. Every hit, every hold, every slam felt like a painful reminder of how far she still had to go. When the match ended, Emily had barely registered the referee raising Vanessa's hand in victory; all she could hear was the rushing sound of blood in her ears and the dull thud of her heart pounding against her ribs.
The doors to the training facility swung open, and Emily didn’t need to look up to know who it was. She could hear the familiar, steady footsteps of Joe Brady approaching ,her coach, her mentor. She had expected him to follow her out here, but she wasn’t ready to face him yet. She wasn’t ready to hear whatever words he had to say. Joe sat down beside her on the steps, his tall frame lowering slowly, deliberately. He didn’t speak immediately, just sat there with her in silence, letting the quiet stretch between them. Emily's breath hitched as she fought to keep herself together, staring hard at the patch of ground in front of her feet.
Coach Joe Brady: You did good in there, Emily.
She sniffed and shook her head, her ponytail swishing behind her.
Emily Dawson: No, I didn’t. I lost.
Her voice breaking on the last word.
Emily Dawson: I wasn’t good enough.
Joe shifted, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.
Coach Joe Brady: Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it, You did lose. But that doesn’t mean you weren’t good enough.
Emily turned her head sharply to look at him, her eyes red and swollen.
Emily Dawson: That’s easy for you to say, You’re not the one who failed, I did!
Joe chuckled softly, a sound that was more reassuring than condescending.
Coach Joe Brady: You think I’ve never failed, kid? You think I just woke up one day and became a coach? Let me tell you, I’ve been in your shoes more times than I care to count. And every time, it stings like hell.
Emily's shoulders slumped, and she looked back at the ground.
Emily Dawson: I just , I wanted to win so badly, she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. I wanted to prove that I belonged here, that I could be something great.
Joe nodded, understanding.
Coach Joe Brady: I know you did. And you do belong here, Emily. But greatness doesn’t come from winning all the time. It comes from how you handle losing. How you pick yourself up after you’ve been knocked down. That’s what makes a real champion.
Emily felt a fresh wave of tears welling up, but this time she didn’t try to stop them.
Emily Dawson: It just hurts so much, she said I feel like I let everyone down. My family, you, myself…
Joe reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Coach Joe Brady: You didn’t let anyone down, Emily. Least of all me. You gave it your all, and that’s all I ever ask for. You’re young. You’re going to have so many more matches, so many more opportunities to show what you’re made of. But you’ve got to learn from this. Figure out what went wrong, and come back stronger.
She wiped her eyes, looking over at him.
Emily Dawson: But what if I’m just not good enough? What if I never get better? What if I never become what I dreamt I could be?
Joe smiled softly.
Coach Joe Brady: Then you’ll work harder. You’ll keep pushing, keep fighting. And you’ll remember that every single wrestler, no matter how great they are now, started right where you are feeling like they weren’t good enough. But they didn’t quit. And neither will you, because I know what you’re capable of. I see it in you every day. You have what it takes to be great Emily and you can reach that potential I know you can, but you gotta pick yourself up and get back to it.
Emily took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. She knew he was right, but it was hard to accept.
Emily Dawson: So what now?
Joe stood up, holding out a hand to her.
Coach Joe Brady: Now? Now we go back inside, and we start working on what needs to be improved. We figure out what went wrong in that ring today, and we make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Emily stared at his hand for a moment, then slowly reached out and took it. As he pulled her to her feet, she felt a small flicker of determination igniting inside her. It wasn’t much, just a spark, but it was enough to remind her why she was here, why she had fought so hard in the first place. She looked up at Joe, and for the first time since the match ended, she felt a tiny smile tug at the corners of her mouth.
Emily Dawson: Thanks, Coach.
Joe grinned.
Coach Joe Brady: Don’t thank me yet, kid. We’ve got a lot of work to do.
Emily nodded, feeling a bit of the weight lift off her shoulders. She wasn’t done yet not by a long shot. There would be other matches, other tournaments,other chances. And next time, she wouldn’t just be prepared. She’d be ready to prove to everyone, especially herself, that she belonged and that she could win! As they walked back into the training facility, Emily felt the cold air dissipate behind her, replaced by the warmth of determination. The loss still stung, but it didn’t feel like the end anymore. It felt like the beginning of something new, something stronger.
PRESENT DAY
Emily Dawson wiped the sweat from her brow as she walked out of the Brady University training facility. Her muscles ached from the hours she had spent sparring, running drills, and practicing her moves, but there was a quiet satisfaction in the pain. She had been pushing herself harder than ever in preparation for the Cannabis Cup, a chance to compete against some of the best wrestlers from around the world. As she stepped outside into the warm, late afternoon sun, she found herself drifting toward the familiar concrete steps. Two years had passed since she had sat there, broken and defeated after losing the showcase tournament. Two years since she had first truly learned what it meant to be a wrestler. Emily smiled to herself, feeling the weight of nostalgia settle over her as she lowered herself onto the steps, stretching out her tired legs.
Her mind wandered to the upcoming match against Travis Walker, “The Hunter.” She had heard about his rise in IIW. His reputation for seeking out the toughest opponents and emerging victorious was well-earned. He was undefeated in IIW, a dominant force who approached every match with a hunter’s focus and precision. And now, she would be facing him in the first round of the Cannabis Cup on Smash. A small knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach as she thought about it. As if sensing her thoughts, the door behind her creaked open. She heard the familiar footsteps of Joe Brady, her coach and mentor. He stopped beside her, his shadow falling over her as he looked down with a knowing smile.
Coach Joe Brady: You know, I’ve seen you train hard before, but there’s something different about you these past few weeks, even leading up to your match at Summer Madness you didn’t train like this and even after the big win you seem even more focused and determined. What’s on your mind, Emily?
Emily glanced up at him, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Emily Dawson: Just… thinking about the match, It’s a big one, Coach. Travis Walker isn’t just some guy. He’s a monster in that ring.
Joe nodded, his expression thoughtful.
Coach Joe Brady: Yeah, Travis Walker is a beast and his reputation is impressive, But so are you, in your own way. You’ve grown a lot since you first set foot on these steps.
Emily chuckled, shaking her head slightly.
Emily Dawson: You remember that?
Joe grinned.
Coach Joe Brady: Hard to forget. I think you spent half the night out here after that loss in the showcase tournament.
She laughed, the sound a bit lighter this time.
Emily Dawson: Yeah, I remember thinking it was the end of the world. But you wouldn’t let me quit. You sat here, talked me through it. Helped me see that it wasn’t just about that one match.”
Joe leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.
Coach Joe Brady: And look where you are now. You’re not just some kid dreaming of being great anymore. You’re making it happen. And now you’re going up against Travis Walker in one of the biggest matches of your career so far. But I have to ask, Emil, do you really know what you’re up against?”
Emily nodded slowly.
Emily Dawson: I do, Coach. Travis is strong, he’s fast, and he’s relentless. I’ve watched his matches, studied his moves. He doesn’t just fight to win; he fights to dominate, to prove that he’s the best. He’s like an apex predator out there, always looking for his next target. And right now, that’s me.
Joe studied her face, his eyes searching for something in her expression.
Coach Joe Brady: You sound like you’re worried.
Emily took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her chest tighten.
Emily Dawson: I guess I am, Not because I don’t think I can beat him, but because… I want it so badly. I’ve worked so hard to get here, and I don’t want to come up short again. Not now, not after everything. I'm feeling really good about everything after Summer Madness and I want to keep that feeling.
Joe nodded, understanding.
Coach Joe Brady: It’s good that you want it, Emily. That hunger, that drive, that’s what separates the good from the great. But you have to be smart. Travis Walker isn’t just going to let you take this win. He’s going to make you fight for every inch, every second in that ring.
Emily looked down at her hands, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her training shorts.
Emily Dawson: I know. I’ve been thinking about his style, the way he moves. He’s got this way of controlling the pace, forcing his opponents to play his game. If I let him do that, I’m done for.”
Joe smiled, impressed by her analysis.
Coach Joe Brady: Exactly. So what’s the plan? How do you counter that?
Emily’s eyes brightened with determination.
Emily Dawson: I need to use my speed. I need to keep him moving, keep him guessing. He’s strong, but he’s not as fast as me. If I can get him off balance, force him to make mistakes, I can capitalize on that. And I can't make any mistakes because once he gets someone down, it’s hard for them to get back up. He's very good at putting out punishment, this definitely won't be a friendly match, he's going to make this very physical for me.
Joe nodded.
Emily Dawson: Good. Very good. You’ve got the right idea. But remember, Emily, this isn’t just about strategy. It’s about the heart. Travis fights with a chip on his shoulder, with something to prove. You’ve got to match that intensity, or even surpass it. You've got to show him that your love for wrestling is greater than his love for the Hunt. He doesn't do this for the same reason as you. He didn't stay up late nights watching wrestling and being on the edge of your seat to see your favorite overcome and achieve, he didn't dream of this one day being what he does, he came into the business because he's a Hunter and once competition and once he's conquered and gotten his satisfaction from this sport, he’ll leave out and never think about it again. But you will always love this sport, you will always show respect and you will always have the heart and I don't think he's going to be ready for how much heart you truly got.
Emily’s jaw clenched, and she felt the fire in her chest burn hotter.
Emily Dawson: I want this win, Coach. I need it. Not just to prove to everyone else, but to myself. I’ve come a long way, but there’s still a part of me that remembers sitting on these steps, feeling like I wasn’t good enough. I want to put that behind me for good. I want to shock the world and show everyone I'm not just a cute face with a positive attitude, I'm not just here for fun, I'm here to show I'm a competitor, someone that has the potential to be a Champion!
Joe placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Coach Joe Brady: Then you go out there and you fight like hell. You show everyone, including Travis Walker, exactly who Emily Dawson is. You’ve got the talent, the skill, and the heart. Now you just need to put it all together.
Emily nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose wash over her. She had been here before, on these steps, doubting herself, wondering if she was cut out for this life. But now, she felt different. Stronger. More focused.
Emily Dawson: I’m going to win, Coach! I’m going to beat Travis Walker. Not because I’m better than him, but because I’m ready. Because I’ve put in the work, and I’m not afraid to go toe-to-toe with him. He may be ‘The Hunter, but he doesn’t know what it’s like to face a Dynamo.
Joe grinned widely, a flicker of pride in his eyes.
Coach Joe Brady: That’s the spirit, But remember, it’s not just about beating him. It’s about how you do it. Stay true to who you are in that ring. Don’t try to match his power with power. Be the fastest, smartest, and most unpredictable version of yourself. Make him fight your match, not the other way around.
She stood up, taking a deep breath as she looked out over the campus, her eyes focused and clear.
Emily Dawson: I will, Coach, I’ll make you proud.
Joe rose with her, giving her a reassuring nod.
Coach Joe Brady: You already have, Emily. Now go show the world, and make yourself proud.
As she walked away from the steps, the same steps where she had once felt so defeated, she knew that no matter what happened, she wouldn’t be that scared, unsure girl anymore. She was Emily Dawson, she was ready to take on the world. And this time, she wouldn’t come up short.