Lena looked at Cassidy.

No anger.

That irritated Cassidy more.

“Did I say something funny?” Cassidy asked.

“No.”

“You were staring at my feet.”

Lena:
“You were standing where floor was wet.”

Cassidy looked down.

The mop had left a narrow damp stripe.

Her expression changed.

“Then put a sign.”

Lena pointed.

A yellow WET FLOOR sign stood two feet away.

Dylan coughed to hide another laugh.

This time at Cassidy.

Cassidy’s face tightened.

She stepped off.

“Whatever.”

Lena went back to work.

The moment should have ended.

It did not.

A minute later, Cassidy began shadowboxing near a mirror.

Again:
jab.
cross.
low kick.

Again the rear heel rose before hip turned.

Lena did not look.

That somehow made Cassidy more aware.

She threw harder.

Her shin still hurt.

The kick slapped heavy bag.

Bad angle.

Cassidy winced.

Lena heard.

She turned.

“Your leg okay?”

Cassidy laughed.

“Now you’re a doctor?”

“No.”

“Then mop.”

Silence.

Owen at front desk lowered eyes.

Dylan looked uncomfortable now.

Lena said:

“Okay.”

And mopped.

No comeback.

No challenge.

No reveal.

Nothing.

Cassidy hated that too.

At 9:47, Gavin returned.

He saw Cassidy icing shin.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s swollen.”

“Just checked kick.”

“With bag?”

She rolled eyes.

Gavin looked.

Then toward Lena, who was cleaning far corner.

“Go home.”

“I have film.”

“Tomorrow.”

“Fight in three weeks.”

“And leg in one body.”

Cassidy:
“Fine.”

She packed.

As she left, she passed Lena’s cart.

Without looking:

“Try not to rearrange my gear.”

Lena:
“I don’t touch personal bags.”

“Good.”

The word.

Lena looked.

Cassidy was already gone.

The next morning, Gavin watched sparring film.

He paused round six.

Cassidy shifted backward under pressure.
Crossed feet.
Recovered.
Threw right kick from narrow stance.

He rewound.

Again.

“Cass.”

“What?”

“Your base.”

“What about?”

“You’re lifting heel early.”

She stared.

“What?”

He pointed.

“It telegraphs. Also puts knee in bad line.”

Cassidy’s face changed.

Not because correction.

Because of mop woman.

Gavin:
“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Fix.”

She did.

For thirty minutes.

By end, shin pain less because angle cleaner.

Gavin:
“There.”

Cassidy:
“I know.”

“Then why doing wrong yesterday?”

“Tired.”

“That’s when habits show.”

She hated training wisdom.

After session, she saw Lena in hallway.

Daytime?

That was unusual.

Lena had come in early to speak with facilities manager about supply delivery.

Cassidy looked at her feet.

Lena wore same black shoes.

She carried no mop now.

Just clipboard.

Cassidy:
“You.”

Lena looked.

“Yes?”

“Did you tell Gavin my heel was wrong?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie.”

“I didn’t speak to Gavin.”

“You were watching.”

Lena:
“Yes.”

There.

“Why?”

“You were about to step on wet floor first.”

“No. After.”

Lena paused.

Then:
“Habit.”

“What habit?”

“Watching balance.”

Cassidy laughed.

“Of fighters?”