WHO SAYS A LADY CAN'T FIGHT
Two years had passed since the book store incident, and I found myself wandering around our expansive backyard, marveling at the beauty of nature. The flowers swayed gently in the breeze, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun began its descent. It was a tranquil scene that never failed to captivate me.
Eventually, I made my way back to my room, where I intended to delve into my studies, as was my custom. However, from outside, I could hear the unmistakable voice of my father, cheering someone on. "Go Ethan, you can do it! Just swing it to the side," he encouraged enthusiastically.
Curiosity piqued, I stepped outside to investigate and found Ethan, my twin brother, wielding a wooden sword with all the enthusiasm of a knight in training. Dad stood nearby, offering guidance and encouragement.
"What are you two doing?" I asked, genuinely curious about their sudden swordplay session.
"Just teaching Ethan how to wield a sword," Dad replied with a smile, clearly enjoying the father-son bonding moment.
The sight looked incredibly fun, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of interest. "It looks fun! Can I join?" I asked, hoping to be a part of their play.
To my surprise, Ethan turned to me with a serious expression. "No, it's not for little girls," he declared confidently, puffing out his chest with a sense of newfound authority. After all, he was now 6 years+ and clearly felt the need to assert his masculinity.
"What?!" I exclaimed, taken aback by his remark. "Why is that?" I demanded, my brows furrowing in disbelief.
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"Because Dad said not all girls can wield a sword," Ethan explained matter-of-factly, eyeing me up and down as if assessing my sword-wielding potential. "And you look like one of those girls who can't."
His words stung, momentarily leaving me at a loss for words. I placed a hand on my chin, contemplating his challenge. Then, a mischievous grin spread across my face as a retort formed in my mind.
"Hmm, so you think that, huh?" I began, my smirk growing wider. "How about a challenge? If I can beat you in anything you pick, you'll admit that I'm stronger than you," I proposed, leaning closer to Ethan with an air of confidence.
Ethan hesitated for a moment, conflicted by my challenge. In his mind, he debated the consequences. "If I say no, I'll look like a loser," he reasoned. "But if I say yes, the way she's looking at me with that smile, I know for sure I'll fail."
Shaking off his uncertainty, Ethan reaffirmed his resolve. "Who cares about all that," he thought, drawing strength from his training sessions with Dad. "I can't look like a loser in front of Dad. I know I can win. I've been practicing while she's just been reading books that don't matter."
"It's a deal," Ethan finally agreed, extending his hand to shake on our challenge. We turned to Dad simultaneously, both eager to secure his role as judge. "Dad, you'll be the judge," we declared in unison.
Dad paused, taken aback by our sudden request. "Um, okay, alright," he replied, a touch bewildered. "I'll be the judge. Now, you two go prepare."
As we walked away to prepare for the challenge, I couldn't help but stop Ethan. "Do you really think you'll win?" I asked, a hint of confusion in my voice. This newfound assertiveness wasn't like Ethan at all. "Aren't you going to back down?" I questioned, trying to understand his sudden confidence.
NAH I'D WIN [https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c9/72/WSDtk65z_t.png]
Ethan asserted confidently, flashing me a bright smile before continuing on his way to get ready.
Watching him go, I couldn't help but wonder if Ethan was growing up faster than I realized. "Is he really so sure?" I pondered silently, a mix of determination and curiosity building within me as I prepared for the challenge ahead.
END