Meeting Aubrey

We arrived a day before the tournament to rest and complete the required weigh-in and medical tests.

I weighed in at 65 kg (143.3 lb), a kilo above my ideal weight but still comfortably under the limit. My only real concern was running into Aubrey before the competition, but the staff had scheduled us for separate appointments. The tests came back normal, and I went to bed with Aubrey on my mind and a faint, persistent tingling in my lower abdomen.

The next morning, the national mixed tournament began. The Under-11, Under-15, and Under-18 finals took place early, while my first match was scheduled for around lunchtime. I knew I'd be surviving on protein bars and energy drinks until then.

As I wandered among the dozens of mats inside the oval arena, three women approached me. One of them broke into a run.

Aubrey.

I barely had time to react before she threw herself into my arms. I caught her and spun her around as we hugged.

She wore the same tight-fitting wrestling leotard I'd seen in her selfie a week earlier, and she looked even more gorgeous in person. Her smile was dazzling, and as we embraced, I felt her body pressed against mine.

She leaned close and whispered, “Ready to get your ass kicked?”

For a moment, I forgot how to speak. Then I managed a grin. “In your dreams.”

We pulled apart and shook hands, both struggling not to laugh. I'd never felt so comfortable with someone so quickly. Aubrey's spontaneity seemed to erase all my usual awkwardness.

She introduced me to her friend Jessica, whose foot was bandaged, and her coach, Laura. Soon, the three of us were chatting as if we'd known each other for ages.

I spent the rest of the morning with Aubrey and Jessica, joking around and geeking out with Aubrey. I was having such a good time that I almost forgot we might soon have to face each other on the mats, in front of hundreds of spectators and a national television audience.

Usually, I had to work myself into the right mindset before a competition, reminding myself that I was strong enough to beat anyone. This time, I didn't need to. Being around Aubrey made me feel relaxed, confident, and more energized than ever.

Then Mike showed up to bring me back to reality — My first match was in less then an hour.