Free The Only Way by Jamie Sullivan

could completely overpower her.
    "Here we are," she said, dropping her eyes before she could see Ruby's reaction to their house. "Thanks again. I'll see you later?"
    Ruby just rolled her eyes again at Hart's stammering attempts at politeness and rapped loudly on the door.
    "What?" Hart gaped.
    Hart's mother pulled open the door, her eyes wide and worried.
    "Hart!" Vivien grabbed her roughly, pulling her in. "I thought—"
    No one knocked on their door. Except those bearing bad news.
    "I'm fine, mama," Hart assured her.
    "Sorry to worry you," Ruby said awkwardly.
    Vivien released Hart, turning curious eyes on Ruby.
    "This is Ruby," Hart said perfunctorily. "From the gym."
    "Oh!" Impossibly, Vivien's eyes grew wider, and she shot Hart an accusatory look, as if she had been mere seconds away from saying something like, how was your day pretending to be a man, daughter of mine?
    Hart grimaced.
    "I just wanted to let you know," Ruby said, clearly uncomfortable. "Hart took a bit of a hit—or, well, a kick really," at the sight of Vivien's face, Ruby rushed on, "anyway, it's not important. But he's probably got a concussion, and I just wanted to let you know that you should keep him awake for the next couple of hours."
    "What? But I'm exhausted!" Hart complained. Vivien and Ruby shot her twin looks of exasperation.
    "Too bad," Ruby said, pointing a finger at her. "Stay awake."
    "I'll make sure … he does," Vivien said. Hart could only hope Ruby didn't notice the hesitation.
    Ruby smiled. "Sorry again to bother you, ma'am. See you back at the gym, Hart."
    "Yeah. Um, thanks."
    "Um, you're welcome," Ruby grinned and then she darted off back into the darkness before Hart could say anything else.
    "Hart," her mother's voice trembled as she grasped her arm and drew her into the house.
    "I'm fine, really."
    "A concussion," Vivien snapped.
    "It's not a big deal," Hart argued, letting her mother push her down into a chair.
    "Hart," Vivien said, touching the side of her face delicately. It must have bruised, Hart thought dully. "I don't want you going back there."
    "What? Of course I'm going back! I have to!"
    "No, you don't," Vivien said it gently, like she was trying to let Hart down.
    "I do." Hart pushed her mother's hand away petulantly. "Who else is going to support this family?"
    "You're not supporting us," her mother snapped. "You haven't made a cent in the ring. You're getting hurt for no reason."
    Hart reeled back like she'd been slapped. "You think I can't win?"
    "Hart, I didn't say that."
    Hart stood, crossing her arms. "I'm going to win. You might not think so, but Leo does. You'll see."
    She stormed to the door.
    "Hart, your head!"
    "Don't worry," she snapped. "I won't fall asleep." She let the door swing shut behind her, enfolding her in the darkness of the Gutter night.
    *~*~*
    Hart squinted at her opponent through her one good eye. The other throbbed where it was swollen nearly shut, courtesy the previous fight's kick to the head. Her body ached and tonight's fight hadn't even begun. The boy across the ring was no older than she was, but he was taller and broader. Gareth had lean muscles that she knew not to underestimate.
    The bell rang and she drew her hands up, shifting her weight onto the balls of her feet. Gareth charged forward, and Hart moved quickly to the side. He pivoted in confusion. She moved again, making him spin uselessly to find her again. His eyes narrowed and he came at her again, bearing down. She ducked his swing and danced away, trying not to move too far. She shouldn't tire herself out this early.
    Out of the corner of Hart's eye, she could see Ruby, standing next to Leo and watching the fight with intense concentration. She rocked slightly on her toes as Hart and her opponent circled each other, moving with them from the sidelines.
    It was a movement Hart recognized from their time in the gym, and it buoyed her. She focused in on Gareth, determined to find an opening.
    He was good, light on his feet,