My Two Halves

By Raghad Nashef

Maia is a high schooler, who took a career in wrestling. She likes her career a lot, and has been successful almost all the time she’s been at it. The only thing about it that she doesn’t like, is that she hides her identity from the world with a mask covering her face.

She later on meets a cute guy she’s interested in at school, and is faced with the problem of her career, and having to hide it for personal reasons. What will she do? Will she tell him? Or will she keep the secret for herself and risk a chance of a great relationship?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Oct 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543753363

Raghad Nashef

Raghad Nashef is an Arab writer who likes to write for fun. She wants her voice to spread around the world as a free-spirited writer who believes in the power of the pen over strength. She finds serenity in writing and wants to spread many messages to the world with her pen.

Book preview

Chapter 1

"M AIA!" I hear a voice scream from afar. I squirm under my very comfortable blanket and try to cover my ears, until I feel my bed being invaded by a huge body.

Maia. A voice whisper next to my ear. I recognize it as my twin brother, Mason.

Go away! A say with my words being muffled by my very-loved pillow.

I heard him sigh and ask, are you sure you want to be late for your first battle after you won your belt back? He asked. I don’t think I would let you. And as the words came, water came flooding all over my face.

You see, one of the reasons why I hate my twin brother is this: the water was freezing, and had some ice cubes in there. How I would love to grab the closest weapon and finish his life once and for all.

I’m going out with Alicia today! And it’s still the morning, and it’s Sunday! Why do you hate me, twin brother! I said in one breath and fumes coming out of me that could boil the freezing water I was drenched by.

Oh no, no, no! He said as he got closer. There’s a big game tonight! There’s no going out. You and I are going to train in an hour, so you better call Alicia and apologize. He said sternly in a voice I knew there was no discussion. I hated that too.

Hey, Maia? A voice called from my door, I looked to see Jace standing there, with an apron around his waist, what is Alicia doing here? he asked.

I looked at them both slightly freaked out as I answered, Alicia and I are going shopping.

No, you are not. Said Shawn, my third brother, as he peeked over Jace’s shoulder, then left. So much for being my favorite brother.

Please! I looked at both Justin and Mason with pleading eyes, hoping they would fall for my pout. I know they will, even my dad falls for it, and he’s the hardest to convince in this household. I just want to have some girl-time. After I won my belt, I want a break, and actually have fun like a teenager on a Sunday. Please!

Ugh fine, whatever. She’s all yours Mason. Said Jace as he left the room and went back to making breakfast.

I looked back at Mason, who easily cracked by the look, I just want a day out with Alicia. I said in a baby voice.

Fine! He grumbled, but you have to be at the arena three hours before the show starts, I’ll bring your costume with me.

I jumped out of bed, making sure he gets some water on him as I hugged him saying, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Get away from me, he said shaking away and leaving the room, you better win today’s battle as payback. And he left.

Immediately, I started changing out of my clothes, and into the shower. After a quick one, I got dressed, and left the room with money in a pocket, and cellphone in the other.

As I got down, the heavenly smell of Jace’s cooking reached my nose, making my stomach grumble for his food. I sat on one side of the table, to find my best friend sitting on the other, finishing half her food already.

Amazing, isn’t it! She gushed at whatever, which I knew she would tell eventually. I gave her a pointed look, and she spilled the beans out, how your brother is an amazing cook, but you can’t boil eggs. She said flushed.

Yeah, whatever. I said and stuffed my mouth with one of Jace’s muffins. You coming or what? I asked as I headed to the door.

Yeah, she ran after me.

Don’t be late! Screamed Mason from behind us before I closed the door, and I didn’t bother answering.

This is going to be so much fun! Gushed Alicia as we entered her red vehicle. I loved riding it, mostly because of the air conditioner she never thinks of turning it off.

It didn’t take a lot of time until we reached the mall. The day being Sunday, it was full of people because of the weekend. When inside, as soon as we were engulfed by the cool air, I let out a sigh of content. It was the beginning of the school year, which meant that it was still hot.

I’m hungry. Was the first thing I ever said.

Alicia gave me a blank look and muttered you’re such a pig under her breath.

Fine! A few shops and then food. I said pouting.

Good girl. She grinned patting my head.

Hey! I screamed. Not the hair baby, not the hair!.

And that’s how we spent the rest of the day. Goofing off, window shopping, eating, and we went bowling for an hour too. But sooner than expected, time hit three forty five, and panic hit me. I had to be in the arena in fifteen minutes, or Mason will get mad. So I apologized to Alicia, and took off on the bus to the arena.

In there, I saw Mason standing in the middle of the training ring, hitting a boxing bag that stood helplessly in the very middle of the gym. You’re on time. Good girl. He said teasingly as he finally gave the bag a break.

Did you bring in my costume? Was the first thing I asked.

Of course. I’ll never risk giving you a chance to kill me. He said grinning sheepishly.

Yeah, because you and I both know that I’m the better twin. I said mockingly acknowledging the fact that I actually beat him two years ago before we both started our wrestling careers.

Okay, stop chatting girly. Time to train. He said taking big gulps of his water bottle.

We spent the three hours training, the first two we took turns on helping the other and giving instructions and notes. But when the third hour hit, I went to the changing rooms for ladies, and put my costume on, which was made especially to hide my face. I really don’t want students to know that I’m a wrestler.

After changing into my black and red silky costume, I returned to the gym, where my trainer was already. With her help, I prepped for the match. Last week I won the Ladies Champion belt, and now, all women in this company are going to do their best to get my belt. And I’ll do my best to keep it mine.

The matches began. I could hear the thrilling and loud voice of cheers coming from outside. It was what always pushed me forward, being loved and supported by my fans. They don’t know who I really am, but they know what I did achieve and are very proud and supportive of me and my career. Being an inspiration to young girls and teenagers to do what they want and not be an object that follows society’s rules and expectations. Yes, I’m a wrestler. Yes, I’m a fighter. And being a strong woman acting as a role model for young girls.

Today, I was assigned to face my rival from last week’s match. She can’t be more anxious about getting the belt back. I saw her with her trainer in their assigned room. She looked scared, and the black eye I gave her last time was still there. Her coach was trying to calm her down. It was hard.

As I was sitting in my own assigned room, I could hear the announcer’s voice calling for today’s first match. It was Jace’s.

I remember him telling me yesterday about how excited he was for today’s match, and how he looked forward to it, hoping it would get him faster to the top. He has won a few belts of his own, but wasn’t able to keep them, and lost some in short time period. But at times, he could knock his rivals unconscious with his fists.

Time went on, and all I could do was wait anxiously for my match to come. Eventually, I heard a knock, so I diverted my sight from the TV that showed who was playing to the door, where I saw my father leaning on the doorframe smirking at me in his business suit.

Daddy! I said enthusiastically as I jumped and went to hug him.

Hey, baby girl. He said hugging me back.

I thought you were busy. I said as I retreated a few steps and let him in. You know, managing the company and stuff.

He looked at me and let loose a small chuckle, well, even if I’m running this company, that doesn’t mean I can’t take a break to have a chat with my daughter. He said smiling. After all, you’re working for me. He said after a while.

Well, it’s not my fault you own a wrestling company. I didn’t encourage you in your younger age. I said pouting jokingly. Besides, I want to. I finished grinning.

I know, he said giving me a sided hug. And I’m proud of you. He said, then whispered in my ear, more than your brothers, but keep it a secret. And he winked at me with a grin causing me to burst out laughing.

A knock on the door caused our gazes to divert to it, and there, I saw my coach standing and she said, come on, it’s time. And I stood with my father, whose arm was still around my shoulders, and gave me a small peck before he left and said, good luck.

Before I left the room, my coach, Lois, handed me my belt. Wear it. She said winking, and started walking. Next thing I knew, I was in the middle of the ring, I could hear the sound of cheers mostly calling my name, and ignored the ‘boo’s that were faint. I walked around the arena with a huge grin on my face while holding my belt in one hand, and waving for my fans with the other. I didn’t like to give speeches, my words aren’t my strongest part, but my fist is, and it’s itching for action as I looked at Alyson who was standing at one of the corners of the ring. She was frowning and was watching every move I made. I looked at her with a smile to tick her off. This should be good. I thought while handing the referee my belt, not taking my eyes off Alyson.

The bell rang, and I just stood in my place waiting for Alyson to make the first move with my hands raised and ready for any action. Alyson looked straight at my grin which I never took off. I wanted to throw her off as much as possible. She was already afraid of me, and I defeated her twice, the second time earning my belt. I could tell that she wasn’t very happy about what happened, and irrationally, she ran head first in my direction. I got a hold of her left wrist with my right hand and knocked her to the side as I side stepped to her left. She almost fell, except that she composed herself and looked at me again. She looked more composed and calm now, which wasn’t good news. I saw her right hand twitch and her nose flare with a released breath, and I narrowly had the chance to duck before she swung her arm to punch me. That was my chance to get my first hit, her right side was open, and my left hand was more ready than ever.

With assistance of the adrenaline pumping through my veins, I let my entire arm loose and punched Alyson’s right side waist. Pain was evident on her face and I could tell that she froze from the pain. I took the chance and with a split second, I punched her stomach with my right hand with all my might. Her scream was more than enough to tell me that I’ve got the upper hand. I stood up straight with my right hand covering my face, her hands were on her stomach as she was stepping away. No way is she getting away from me. I took one wide step forward and with as much strength as I could muster, I swung my right hand right on her black eye. Lucky her, she noticed moments before I hit her, and she moved even more to the back.

That sudden move lost me my balance and had me stumbling in my steps. Alyson took that opportunity and swung her right arm at me. It wasn’t at full strength, I could tell that me hitting her stomach earlier had an effect because I felt her strongest punch, and this one wasn’t. I fell to the ground maintaining distance as I rolled away from Alyson. She started moving but stopped as she clutched her stomach again wincing. I took this opportunity to stand on my feet. I looked at Alyson as she started running across the square ring to my side. My jaw hurt, but I didn’t want to show that to her, so I smiled a small smile and launched for a counter attack. Her right arm was aiming for my jaw again,