The Day I Fought Levi

In the sixth grade Levi shoved me down and insulted my mother by the code of those days a fight was assured We met after school to fight in the park each brought friends to stand in our corners and offer advice As this was my first I readily listened while they suggested where to punch Levi and when We circled one another Levi called me names and dared me to hit him chuckling that he felt guilty to be fighting with a girl I let my fists go wanting them to kill his blood felt warm almost scalding between my knuckles He punched so wildly with a wolf-like snarl I was shocked at the pain stinging nerves beneath layers of the will to endure Still shuffling in circles vying to take damage and return it something peculiar arrived moving in me As I struck at Levi teeth buckling in blows I began to feel sorry my hate for him slipped and was gone Along with every jab came silent apologies Levi did not look himself so bloodied and swollen he could have been my brother At that I stepped back admitting surrender asking for a truce but little Levi called me a coward and turned to limp home