"Let's maintain proper dojo etiquette." Maya blinked hard, refusing to let tears form. Her father's voice echoed in her memory. Never let them see you cry, baby girl.

That's what they want. Show them your strength instead.

The class moved on to basic kicks. Maya's technique was solid. Her father had drilled these movements countless times, but when she slightly lost balance during a round kick, the boys seized their opportunity. Timber.

Blake called out softly, setting off another round of snickering. Perhaps she needs her mommy to hold her hand, Austin added just loud enough for Maya to hear. Sensei Carter cleared his throat. That's not necessary, he said.

But his eyes skated away from direct confrontation. "Let's move on to partner work." The energy in the room shifted immediately. The boys straightened up, exchanging predatory grins.

"Sensei," Tyler called out, his voice dripping with false innocence. "Since we're showing the new student the ropes, maybe she should try sparring. You know, to see where she fits in." Maya's heart raced, but she kept her face carefully neutral.

Through the lobby windows, she could see her mother watching intently, ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble. "That's not usually how we introduce new students," Sensei Carter hedged. But Tyler pressed on.

"Come on, Sensei. How else will she learn? Unless she's scared." The challenge hung in the air. Other students along the walls shifted uncomfortably, but no one spoke up.

Maya could feel their eyes on her, waiting to see what she would do. "I'm not scared," Maya said quietly, her voice steady despite her pounding heart. Sensei Carter looked uncertain. "Maya, you don't have to."

"Please, Sensei," she insisted, remembering her father's words about facing challenges head-on. "I want to learn."

The rest of the class passed in a blur of basic drills and light conditioning. The boys continued their commentary, growing bolder with each tepid warning from Sensei Carter. Every time Maya executed a move correctly, they found something to mock. her size, her form, her presence itself. When Sensei Carter finally called for the class to line up and bow out, Maya's gi was damp with sweat, her muscles trembling from the effort of maintaining her composure.

The boys swaggered past her toward the changing rooms, bumping shoulders and trading triumphant looks. "Good first class," Sensei Carter told her, but his eyes didn't quite meet hers. See you next week. Maya nodded, not trusting her voice.

She changed quickly in the empty locker room, carefully folding her father's gi and placing it in her bag.

In the car, Trina watched her daughter buckle her seat belt, concern evident in her expression. How was it, baby? Did you like the class? Maya stared straight ahead, summoning a smile she didn't feel.

It was good, Mom. I want to come back next week. Are you sure? Those boys seemed Trina's voice trailed off heavy with unspoken worry.

"I'm sure," Maya said firmly, even as her hands clenched in her lap. Daddy would want me to stick with it. Trina reached over and squeezed her daughter's shoulder, recognizing the stubborn set of Maya's jaw, so like her father's. The car pulled out of the parking lot, leaving behind the dojo, where Maya's real test was only beginning.

Maya stood in the girls' locker room, her hands shaking slightly as she tied her gi belt. The cramped space felt even smaller today, especially when voices from the hallway drifted through the thin walls. "Did you see her last time?" Tyler's voice carried clearly.

"Acting like she knows something." We'll fix that today," Austin replied, followed by muffled laughter. "During sparring," Tyler continued, his voice dropping lower, but still audible. "We'll show her what real karate looks like.

"Teach her where she belongs." Maya's stomach tightened. But she forced herself to breathe deeply, just as her father had taught her. "Center yourself," he would say.

Fear is normal, but don't let it control you. She adjusted her gi one last time, checking that the worn white fabric was properly aligned. The uniform had belonged to her father. It was too big, but she'd carefully folded and pinned it to fit.

Every time she wore it, she felt closer to him. Through the lobby windows, Maya noticed several adults she hadn't seen before watching the dojo floor with interest. They were dressed expensively, wearing expressions of smug superiority that matched their sons. Tyler's father, in particular, stood front and center, his arms crossed and jaw set in a way that mirrored his son's stance.

Maya stepped onto the training floor, bowing formally at the threshold. The other students were already warming up, but the four boys stopped their stretching to stare at her. Tyler whispered something to Chad and they both smirked. "Line up," Sensei Carter called, and the class quickly formed rows.

Maya took her place at the back, trying to ignore the sideways glances from other students. The warm-up passed quickly, though Maya noticed Tyler making frequent trips to the front desk, where he seemed to be studying a clipboard intently. She recognized it as the sparring rotation list, usually posted before class. Today, we'll focus on kumite sparring, Sensei Carter announced.

Remember, this is about control and technique, not power. I expect clean matches. Tyler's hand shot up. Sensei, I updated the sparring list like you asked.

Should I read out the pairs? Maya's heart sank. She hadn't missed the look that passed between Tyler and his friends, or the way Sensei Carter hesitated before nodding. "First round," Tyler announced, clearly savoring the moment.

"Me versus the new girl." A murmur ran through the class. Several students shifted uncomfortably, but no one spoke up. Through the window, Tyler's father nodded approvingly.

"Sensei," Maya said quietly, raising her hand. I thought new students usually start with basics before sparring. Sensei Carter cleared his throat, not quite meeting her eyes. Well, yes, but perhaps this will be a good learning experience.

Sometimes we need to be. He paused, choosing his words carefully, humbled to grow stronger. The boys didn't even try to hide their grins now. Maya felt her cheeks burn as she heard Tyler's father chuckle from the lobby.

Everyone clear the floor. Sensei Carter instructed, "Make a circle for the match." The class moved quickly, forming a ring around the central training area. Maya walked to her starting position, very aware of the eyes following her every move.