#Chapter 79: A Hard-Earned Victory

“You can do this, Asher!” I screamed as loud as I could. “I believe in you!” I wasn’t sure he’d be able to hear me over the jeers and shouts of the crowd. Yet his body seemed to perk at my support. He stood straighter and sturdier. Joseph’s face paled. His eyes widened in surprise. Then Asher pulled his arm back, and in a great show of strength, shot forward one strong punch. His fist connected perfectly with Joseph’s nose. Joseph flopped down onto the floor, unconscious. One solid punch was all it had taken. The referee checked on Joseph, then turned to Asher. He took Asher’s arm and lifted it high, declaring him the victory. The crowd shifted again, back onto Asher’s side, and roared its approval. “I knew he could do it the whole time,” said the same person near me, who had earlier been disparaging Asher. “He only wanted to put on a good show for us by pretending he didn’t have the whole thing under control.” Others agreed. Only I knew the truth. I rushed down the bleach