Obsessed
The boxing ring smelled of sweat, leather, and disinfectant.
Gloves smacked against punching bags in uneven rhythms while old-school hip-hop crackled through the gym speakers. A few people sparred inside the ring while others wrapped their hands and talked between rounds.
Monet sat on the wooden bench near the lockers, tightening the laces on her gloves. She had come here for the same reason she always did—to clear her head.
“You’re dropping your left shoulder.”
Monet glanced up.
A woman leaned against one of the support beams with her arms folded across her chest.
She was dressed simply in a black tank top and gray sweats. Her dark hair was braided neatly back from her face, and there was an ease about her that didn’t match the sharpness in her eyes.
Monet raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve been watching me?”
The woman’s lips twitched.
“You’ve been making the same mistake for the last fifteen minutes.”
Monet stood.
“And you just couldn’t keep that information to yourself?”
“Nope.”
A brief silence settled between them before the woman extended her hand.
“Nyx.”
Monet looked at it before shaking it.
“Monet.”
Nyx nodded toward the ring.
“You box often?”
“Whenever life gets annoying.”
“And does it help?”
“Sometimes.”
Nyx gave a small shrug.
“I usually just hit harder.”
That pulled a laugh out of Monet before she could stop herself.
For the next twenty minutes, the conversation remained easy.
They spoke between combinations and water breaks.
Nyx had recently joined the gym.
Monet had been coming for years.
They debated whether defense mattered more than power. Nyx insisted patience won fights. Monet argued instinct kept people alive.
“You don’t talk much,” Monet observed.
“You notice a lot.”
“You avoiding the question?”
Nyx looked toward the ring.
“I answer what I want to.”
It should have irritated Monet.
Instead, it intrigued her.
The bell rang, signaling the end of another round.
People moved around them.
A trainer shouted instructions.
Someone laughed near the front desk.
Normal.
Completely normal.
Then Nyx’s expression changed.
It was subtle.
The softness disappeared from her face.
Her eyes fixed on something across the gym.
Monet followed her gaze.
A man stood near the entrance.
He wore a dark hoodie despite the summer heat.
He wasn’t working out.
He wasn’t talking to anyone.
He was staring.
At them.
Monet shifted uncomfortably.
“You know him?” she asked.
Nyx didn’t answer right away.
Instead, she grabbed her water bottle and screwed the cap back on.
“How long have you been coming here?” Nyx asked quietly.
“About three years.”
“Has he ever been here before?”
Monet glanced back.
“No.”
When she turned toward Nyx again, the other woman’s jaw had tightened.
“That’s not good.”
“What do you mean?”
Nyx lowered her voice.
“Because he’s been following me.”
Monet laughed nervously.
“That’s not exactly something you just casually mention.”
“I was hoping I was wrong.”
Nyx finally looked at her.
There wasn’t an ounce of humor left in her expression.
“He was outside my apartment two nights ago.”
Monet’s stomach dropped.
“What?”
“I saw him again yesterday near the grocery store.”
“Did you call the police?”
“They asked if he threatened me.”
“And?”
“He didn’t.”
Monet looked back toward the entrance.
The man hadn’t moved.
He simply stood there.
Watching.
The sounds of the gym suddenly felt distant.
The punches.
The music.
The conversations.
Muted beneath the pounding of Monet’s heartbeat.
“Maybe he’s waiting for someone,” Monet whispered.
Nyx’s eyes never left him.
“Maybe.”
The hooded man slowly lifted his hand.
Monet froze.
He pointed.
Not at Nyx.
At Monet.
Then he turned and walked out of the gym without a single word.
The two women stared after him.
Neither spoke for several seconds.
Finally, Monet forced herself to breathe.
“You said he was following you.”
Nyx’s expression darkened.
“I thought he was.”
Monet swallowed.
“What if he wasn’t?”
Nyx reached into the pocket of her sweatpants and pulled out a folded photograph.
Her fingers hesitated before handing it over.
Monet unfolded it.
The blood drained from her face.
It was a picture of her leaving the boxing gym.
Taken from across the street.
On the back, written in black ink, were four words.
YOU’RE NEXT, MONET.
#lesbianbooks #lesbianvisibility #apowellbooks #lesbianvisibility #lesbianbooks
As someone who has spent considerable time in boxing gyms, I find that the setting described in "Obsessed" is incredibly atmospheric and true to life. The mix of sweat, leather, and disinfectant is a familiar scent that evokes both the intensity and the camaraderie of such spaces. Boxing often serves not just as a sport but as a powerful outlet for stress relief and mental clarity, much like it does for Monet in the story. What really struck me in this narrative was the dynamic between Monet and Nyx. Their initial interaction, with Nyx pointing out a subtle technical mistake, felt authentic—boxing veterans often exchange tips in the heat of training, sometimes even with strangers. Their debate about defense versus power, and patience versus instinct, reflects real boxing philosophy and adds depth to their characters. The introduction of the mysterious, hooded man who appears to be stalking creates an unsettling tension that contrasts sharply with the gym's usual noise and life. Having experienced similar feelings of vulnerability in everyday life, I understand how such a presence can mount anxiety, transforming a once-safe space into one filled with dread. This story highlights the importance of vigilance, trust among peers, and self-protection, especially in vulnerable moments. It also touches on themes relevant to personal safety and stalking—a reminder of the challenges some people face and the courage required to confront them. For those interested in boxing or suspenseful storytelling, "Obsessed" offers a compelling blend. The details about boxing technique and gym culture enrich the narrative, making the story not only thrilling but also informative. Additionally, the representation of lesbian characters navigating real-world threats adds an important dimension to lesbian visibility in literature. In conclusion, "Obsessed" resonates on many levels; it celebrates the strength found in both sport and friendship while confronting the darker aspects of personal security. If you’ve ever felt the need to fight both inside and outside the ring, this story will likely feel personal and exciting.
