6
LOSER!

After math class, Tommy went to the library. He went to the computer station. Ben was right. Right there on the Bad Dudes website. Don Moore. He was big. He was ugly. He had a shaved head. He even had a tattoo.

Tommy wondered what mom or dad would let a sixth grader do that. Not many. His heart sank. He wondered if he could last twenty seconds with this guy.

That afternoon at fight school, Mr. Fay took him aside. “You saw this Don guy?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You need a plan.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What’s your plan?” Mr. Fay asked.

“I don’t have a clue.”

“Then sit down. Think of one.”

Tommy looked up at him. “Can you help me? Please.”

To his surprise, Mr. Fay shook his head. “No. I want you to do this on your own.”

Tommy started to get angry. “But you’re my coach!”

Mr. Fay shook his head. “Your coach is telling you to think of a fight plan. MMA is not just about a strong body. It’s about your mind. And your heart. Get to it.”

Mr. Fay went into the office. When he came back to the mat, he was with a teen guy. This kid was as big as Don. Maybe even bigger. “Tommy, meet Lou Dalton. He’s in high school. He’s going to get you ready. Take Lou down. Then you can take Don.”

The kids near Tommy laughed. Tommy did not think it was funny. Mac and Hugo came over to talk.

“You’re fighting Lou?” Hugo asked. “He can school you!”

Mac nodded. “No offense, Tommy. I wish Ben was our guy. You always choke.”

Someone shouted from near the door. “Shut your face, Mac!”

Tommy turned. It was Ben. He was on crutches. He couldn’t train. But he had come to fight school anyway. That was so like him. It was great to see him. But there was no time to chat. He had to spar with Lou.

The kids formed a ring. Tommy had a plan. He would try to keep Lou away with kicks. He would aim for Lou’s body. He would move in and out. Lou was bigger. But maybe Tommy could be faster. He would try a two-leg takedown. Then maybe an ankle lock to get Lou to tap out.

It was a good plan. But Mr. Fay made it hard for Tommy. He told the kids to root for Lou. In fact, they even yelled at Tommy.

“Yo! Tommy! You suck! Tommy! You’re lame!”

“Tommy! You’re gonna lose!”

Ben cheered. But it did not help. Tommy lost focus. His plan to beat Lou fell apart. He punched wildly. Then Lou came in low for a takedown. Tommy fell to the mat. Lou put Tommy in a leg slicer. Tommy’s right leg felt like it was going to fall off.

Tommy tapped out.

Again, he was the loser. Again, he had barely put up a fight.

“Loser!” someone yelled.