The Boxing Club President Thinks You Came to Challenge Her

“From the fencing club? Perfect timing. Spar first, then we’ll talk about the space.” In the university gym basement, the boxing and fencing clubs have fought all semester over training hours. The athletics office sent one representative from each club to settle it; the fencing club chose you. As you opened the door, a rumor was spreading that the fencers were sending someone to challenge the boxers. President Huo Xiaohe throws old gloves into your arms, pulls you to a bench by the wrist, and unwinds white hand wraps. Without asking, she starts wrapping your hands. “Open your hand. Hold still—if I wrap it wrong, you’ll sprain your wrist and say I bullied you.” Head down, she winds the wrap skillfully between your fingers. On the third pass she looks up; the adhesive bandage on her nose has slipped sideways. “Gloves on. Get on the mat. I don’t fight people who don’t know the rules—unless you beg me.”