"You're the best. You've got this."

~•~

Willa ran as far as she could from the stadium, her mind swirling with emotions she couldn't control. Anger, sadness, helplessness—all of it was piling up inside her. Seeing Mondo talking with Miles had been like a punch in the gut. How could Mondo talk to him? Her best friend, the person she trusted more than anyone, stood there smiling while she suffocated under the weight of what Miles had done to her.

She didn't know where she was running. She just wanted to be alone, far away from everyone, far away from everything. Her legs led her into a quiet alley where she finally stopped, leaning against a wall and taking a deep breath. Tears streamed down her face, and she let them fall freely. It was all too much.

But even in that quiet corner, she wasn't alone for long. She heard footsteps approaching quickly. She was so distraught that she didn't notice until the last moment. She turned and saw Mondo running toward her, his face full of worry and confusion.

"Willa!" he called out as he finally caught up to her. "What's going on? Why did you leave?"

Willa shook her head, her body still tense, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "Just leave me alone, Mondo," she said softly but firmly. She couldn't face him right now. Not after he had been with Miles. How could she be honest when it was clear he trusted Miles?

"No, Willa, wait," Mondo insisted, stepping closer. His eyes were filled with concern. "What's going on? I saw you leave, and I didn't understand. Why?"

"Why?" Willa repeated, her voice broken, but anger was beginning to rise in it. "Because I saw you talking to Miles, Mondo! How can you talk to him after everything?"

Mondo froze, clearly shocked by her outburst. "What are you talking about? We were just having a normal conversation. What do you mean, Willa?"

Willa's anger exploded. "A normal conversation? Do you even know what happened between us? What Miles did to me?"

Mondo frowned and shook his head. "No, Willa. You never told me. You never told me what happened when you two broke up."

Willa's chest rose and fell rapidly. For months, she had kept it all inside, hiding the pain and confusion that had come from her breakup with Miles. And now, with Mondo looking at her, she couldn't stay silent any longer.

"We broke up because..." her voice cracked, but she pushed forward, "because Miles changed. At first, he was sweet and attentive, but over time he became possessive, controlling. He wanted to know where I was, who I was with, and why I wasn't with him. And when I told him I needed space, he..."

She paused, the words too painful to say aloud. "He became aggressive. In public, he acted like everything was fine, but at home, when we were alone... He was rough, he yelled at me, and once..." Willa shuddered at the memory of Miles shoving her against a wall, yelling that she was his and would never leave him.

Mondo stood in front of her, his expression both shocked and pained. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't want to," Willa replied, her voice quiet and helpless. "I didn't want anyone to know. I was ashamed I let it happen. I was ashamed I didn't see him for who he really was." She felt ashamed for enduring it for so long, especially since she had always tried to appear strong in front of others. Willa was known for her strength, for never breaking no matter what. That's what people thought, but Willa was more fragile than most. She just kept her emotions hidden and cried only in private—away from the public eye.

Mondo looked at her with eyes full of sorrow. "It's not your fault, Cupcake. You can't blame yourself for this."

"But I do blame myself," Willa sighed, lowering her eyes again. "I should've left earlier. But instead, I stayed until I couldn't anymore."

"What did he do to you?" Mondo asked quietly, his voice broken. It was a completely different tone from how he had ever spoken to her. Full of pain and concern for her.

Willa took a deep breath. "That last night we were together... we fought because I told him I couldn't do it anymore. He started yelling, throwing things, and then he grabbed my arm so hard I thought he'd break it." She showed Mondo her wrist, where a fresh bruise had reappeared, and her voice cracked. "I was terrified, Mondo. I didn't know what to do."

Mondo stood frozen, his eyes narrowing, filled with nothing but pure concern and anger. "And that was the last time you saw him?"

Willa nodded. "I ran. I called you, remember? You were the one I went to that night. But I never told you why I came."

Mondo looked at her, his expression a mix of anger at Miles and pity for Willa. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Willa looked around desperately, as if searching for some escape from the truth she had just confessed. "I don't know. I just wanted to forget it all. And you were always my rock, Mondo. I didn't want to worry you. I didn't want you to pity me."

"Pity? This isn't about pity, Cupcake," Mondo said firmly, stepping even closer to her. "I'm angry that he did this to you. Angry that you went through it alone. And even more angry that I stood there talking to him like he was some normal person."

Willa looked down as Mondo moved even closer. "I didn't know. If I had known..." he said, his voice breaking as if he couldn't find the words to express what he felt. "I wouldn't have spent a single second with him."

"Mondo..." Willa whispered, but he interrupted her.

"You have to believe me, if I had known, I would've never taken him seriously. You're more important to me than anyone else. If I had even the slightest clue what happened, believe me, Willa, I..."

He trailed off, his voice lost in his anger and pain.

Willa looked at him, her eyes still full of tears. "I know," she whispered. "I know you wouldn't have."

Mondo gently took her hand and pulled her closer. "I'll never leave you alone, Willa. This will never happen again. I promise you that."

Willa pressed herself against his chest, finally feeling safe.

Standing in Mondo's arms, Willa felt relieved that she had finally told him the truth. As she leaned on his chest, she could feel the steady rhythm of his heart, slowly calming her down. It was the first time in a long while that she felt secure. And yet, as her breathing steadied, she realized they didn't have much time.

"Mondo," she whispered, pulling away from him so she could see his face. His eyes were still full of concern, but she knew they couldn't stay here now. "We have to go. Your final."

Mondo looked at his watch and quickly realized they had only a few minutes before he needed to be back at the stadium. The pole vault final, the event in which he excelled, was about to start.

"Damn," he muttered quietly but didn't sound nervous. "I forgot about that. We need to go."

Willa tried to smile. She knew Mondo had a big day ahead of him. What she had just told him about herself and Miles was important, but she didn't want him to be distracted before such an important competition.

"Let's go," she said quickly, already starting to walk back toward the stadium. "I'll be there, I promise. Cheering you on. You've got a chance to break the world record today."

Mondo looked at her with slight surprise, but a small, confident smile appeared on his face immediately. "World record, huh?" he repeated as they ran along the sidewalk. "I'll have to give it my all, then."

"You've got it, Mondo," Willa said firmly as they ran. "I know it. Everyone knows it."

As they neared the stadium, Mondo slowed down for a moment to turn to Willa. "Promise me you'll be there," he said softly, his eyes full of hope.

"I promise," she answered firmly, squeezing his hand. "I'll be there, cheering as loud as I can. You're the best today, Mondo."

Mondo looked at her, his smile now a little wider. "Thanks, Willa," he whispered, before leaning down and gently kissing her forehead. "That's exactly what I needed to hear."

They quickly entered the stadium. The atmosphere was already changing—people were filling the stands, tense and ready to watch the final. Willa headed to the stands while Mondo rushed toward the locker rooms and preparation area, where he had a few last moments to warm up.

Willa found a spot close to the track, where she had a good view of the runway and where Mondo would jump. Her heart was still racing, not just from the run but from everything she had just gone through. She was exhausted, but her mind was determined. I'm here for you, Mondo.

She looked around the stadium, trying to spot familiar faces, but mainly looking for Miles. Anxiety grew in her chest at the thought of running into him again. But today couldn't be consumed by her thoughts of him. Today was about Mondo, she reminded herself again, pressing her lips tightly together.

Soon, Mondo appeared on the track. He was dressed in his team colors, his face focused and determined. Willa felt her heart race once again. The event was beginning.

Mondo warmed up, checked his pole, and stood at the start of his runway. The stadium quieted, and the tension was palpable. The air was filled with anticipation. It was clear that something big was about to happen.

Willa's heartbeat matched the rhythm of Mondo's steps as he began his run-up. He was fast, graceful, his movements precise. Every step he took was aimed at that one moment—the jump. His pole bent as he gripped it tightly, and his body lifted elegantly into the air.

In that instant, as Mondo flew over the bar, time seemed to stop for a moment. Willa held her breath. His movement was fluid, his body cleared the bar with incredible ease.

The bar stayed in place. The jump was perfect.

The stadium erupted in cheers. People chanted, clapped, and encouraged him. Willa felt a wave of joy surge through her body. It was an incredible performance. Mondo stood on his feet, his face lit up with joy as he looked up toward the stands.

Willa jumped to her feet and clapped as hard as she could. "That's it, Mondo!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, even though she knew her voice would blend into the crowd. But she knew Mondo would know she was there. He knew she would be there, cheering him on.

Just a little while ago, when they talked in the alley, he had been full of worry about her. But now he was on top of the world. He stood there, triumphant, his jump good enough to take him to the final round. The world record might be within reach.

As he returned to the track to prepare for his next attempt, Willa continued watching him with a mixture of pride and relief. This is his moment, she thought. And she would be there until the end to support him.

Mondo stood at the start line again, this time with even more determination. He knew that now he had a chance to do something truly special. His eyes briefly met Willa's, and in that glance, everything was there—gratitude, strength, and unwavering belief that today he could achieve something extraordinary.

Willa gave him an encouraging smile and a small nod, as if to tell him without words: "You're the best. You've got this."

Mondo took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and visualized every move he needed to make. Then he took off running again.

His body was like a machine—strong, focused, precise. Every step, every movement was calculated. And when his legs pushed off the ground, the pole bent and catapulted his body high into the air. He soared. His body lifted above the bar, and as he cleared it, he seemed to float effortlessly through the air.

Willa watched every moment of that flight. And when the bar stayed in place and Mondo landed on the other side, she felt her heart explode with joy.

~•~