If Lupa caught them watching this, she would reprimand them. That was probably why they were hiding in the women's locker room watching the video that had been trending on the internet for the last hour. It was from a daily news show that talked about stories from the fighting world.
For the last weekend, the only thing anyone could talk about was Reyna punching Clarisse in the face. It was plastered all over the news and social media. Annabeth had done her best to avoid anything about it, and she was glad that Piper managed her social media.
Hazel glanced at them and turned up the volume on the phone. Her gaze moved around like she expected Lupa to just appear next to them and demand to know what they are doing. Frank had the same nervous look, and his face was slightly red.
Annabeth looked back at the phone and studied the video. It was showing the replay of the face off between Clarisse and Reyna. Since the microphone had cut out after Reyna cursed, everyone was trying to guess what Clarisse had said. Her mouth had been hidden from view, so all the guesses were just that: guesses.
"Now, we know that most fighters generate drama for their fight. They say a few soundbites for reporters or even stage incidents," one of the hosts explained. A chuckle left him. "I think it's safe to say that is not the case for Clarisse and Reyna. Those two hate each other."
"When did it start exactly?" the second host questioned. "One would think it began when Clarisse broke Reyna's arm after their fight, but was it before that?"
"One could argue that all of the problems started before their fight. Clarisse knows how to get under people's skin, and we know that is exactly what she did to Reyna. Clarisse has brought up every topic that she could, including Reyna's parents. I think the hatred started there."
"Those comments eat away at people. Especially ones with a temper like Reyna's. Will it be her downfall?"
"It won't," Hazel muttered under her breath. Frank nodded his agreement. Annabeth didn't share their confidence. Reyna kept letting her temper slip, and nothing seemed to steady her. Annabeth's heart to heart didn't help. Would the suspension do anything? Or, would it just make it worse?
"Guys," Frank began as he held out his phone and turned up the volume. Annabeth frowned as she saw a video for one of the more sensationalized "news" websites. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the video was already playing. The so-called reporter was nearly blocking the view of the camera, but there was enough to see two dogs sitting at their owner's feet. Two familiar dogs.
The reporter stepped out of the camera's view and spoke, "Morning, Reyna. Not at the gym today?"
Reyna had her back to the reporter. She turned and looked at him. Reyna was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. There was a dark look in her eyes like she still wasn't getting enough sleep. Annabeth doubted she slept at all.
One thing Annabeth hated about being a fighter was all the attention it brought to her personal life. There had been people who asked for her autograph, and she was shocked the first few times but more than happy to oblige. It was just grating when so-called reporters would get in her face and ask her all kinds of questions. Or bother her when she was just trying to be with friends.
"No," Reyna answered after a few moments. She turned her head. "Aurum. Argentum. Heel."
The two dogs sat down, and Reyna looked at the reporter. She cleared her throat. "Not today. Lupa wants me to rest."
"Not a punishment for punching Clarisse? Especially after what she said?" the reporter prompted. Reyna shook her head, and a small smirk came to her face.
"No. Lupa cares about her pupils," Reyna said with confidence. "She wants me to rest and heal up before I begin putting my all in for the fight against Clarisse."
"And, what did she say about Thalia Grace?" the reporter pressed on. "Is there any truth to that?"
Reyna hesitated. Her eyes moved around like her mind was racing a mile a minute. A sigh finally left the woman, and she spoke, "No. There's not. Clarisse is just trying to get under my skin and distract me by smearing bullshit all over my personal life and those I care about."
"Truthfully, Thalia and I did break up. We were dating, but things just didn't work out in the end," Reyna clarified. Her eyes closed for a few moments. "I've been so focused on my career for the longest time. With the fight against Clarisse coming up and a possible fight for the championship after that, I haven't had time to properly nurture a relationship."
"And, Thalia is out of state for months at a time. She does good work helping victims of domestic abuse," Reyna praised as she looked at the reporter. "Thalia didn't cheat on me. We came to a mutual conclusion that we're not in a stage of our lives where we can focus on a relationship. And for Clarisse to lie about why we broke up and try to smear Thalia's name pisses me off."
"But not as much as what she said after the microphone cut out. What did she say?" the reporter asked. Reyna scowled and shook her head.
"That's not for me to share," Reyna shot down. A dark look came to her face for a few moments. Then, she looked at her dogs. "I don't think even Clarisse has enough gall to say it to anyone else. No, she's not that much of an idiot."
"If you'll excuse me, I have to walk my dogs before they get all cranky," Reyna said. She nodded to the reporter and turned away. Reyna walked away without another word. Her dogs followed right behind her. Frank paused the video and lowered his phone.
Hazel put her phone away, and they all looked around at each other. The other two seemed lost without Reyna. It had been evident when she was gone because she was resting from her injuries. It was different now, though. Mostly because Reyna had been suspended.
Annabeth wasn't sure what was going to happen when Reyna returned. Would there be tension between her and Lupa? Would things go back to normal? They all had their fights that they needed to focus on, and they had too many distractions already.
"How should we leave here?" Frank asked quietly. "One at a time."
"Just leave," Annabeth answered flatly. Frank stared at her and seemed terrified that she had used her normal tone of voice. Annabeth sighed and spoke her next words in a whisper. "Lupa isn't waiting outside the door. You'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Frank whispered.
"Go," Hazel said as she gently shooed him. Frank shuffled towards the door and then carefully opened it. He peeked his head left and right before hurrying out. A small smile came to Hazel's face. Annabeth quickly changed into her gear and left the locker room.
Hazel was only a step behind her. The two of them made it towards the ring. They weren't the only ones in the gym. Nico was showing Romy the different trash cans in the room. It looked like Nico was happy to pass trash duty onto someone else.
"Piper volunteered to help us spar today if you want her to," Annabeth began.
"We won't hurt her, will we?" Hazel questioned.
"No," Annabeth promised. "You should be careful too. If you want Piper to fight back, she likes to fight dirty. She stomped on my foot once or twice."
"Because you deserved it," Piper called from across the gym. She was standing next to Lupa, and as Annabeth turned, her best friend stuck her tongue out at her. Annabeth stuck her tongue out in return. Lupa herself did not look even slightly amused. The woman had the same cold fury in her eyes that she did when she suspended Reyna.
Piper glanced at Lupa and then lost her smile. She walked towards them, "Only if you want me to spar with you, Hazel. I promise not to step on your toes."
"I appreciate it," Hazel said with a small smile. "We're still tweaking the strategy, but it will be nice to have someone to practice on."
"Just don't hit her in her precious face," Annabeth teased. Piper shoved her. Frank joined their side a moment later. He would be working with Lupa for the day. There was a slightly nervous look on his face. "Frank, you'll do fine."
"I hope," Frank said softly. Hazel gently nudged him. Annabeth smiled at the two and turned her attention towards Lupa. Their mentor was studying them quietly. There was a look on her face that Annabeth couldn't identify.
Annabeth moved her gaze away and looked at her fellow fighters. She was torn on how to feel about Reyna being suspended. On one hand, Reyna did attack Clarisse. On the other hand, there had to be a good reason for it. Annabeth just wishes she knew what it was.
What mattered most was that Reyna was gone from the gym for another week. Annabeth had stepped up in her absence before, and she needed to do it again. This wasn't about trying to take Reyna's spot. It was about Annabeth proving that she could also be a leader. That Lupa could depend on her. Annabeth wanted to secure her future, but she also didn't want to do it at Reyna's expense.
After her career of fighting in the cage was over it, Annabeth would have plenty of options. She would have enough money saved that she probably wouldn't have to work another day. That didn't mean she wouldn't work, though. She could make use of her degree. Or, she might even be able to become a trainer at Lupa's gym.
The woman would retire one day. Whether she closed the gym or gave it to someone else, Annabeth wasn't sure. She could be part of it if she demonstrated her value. Annabeth sighed and tried to redirect her thoughts. There seemed to be a storm brewing in the air, but she didn't know what it entailed. When the storm hit, she was scared of what damage would be caused.