“I want you to think of unusual and creative solutions. And I want you to see the world in your own unique way. If you learn to hit a certain way in boxing or to jump a certain way in wushu, your brain will immediately default to them as an answer. I don’t want you to rely on the same answers every other person does. I want you to make up your own. If you learn how to approach a fight from an unexpected angle, you will become the weapon your opponent can’t predict.”

Liu has stopped in front of me and offers me the hand chalk.

“I…,” I start, but I have no idea how to tell her that I don’t know how to fight properly.

“Afraid to join in?” she says, and everyone looks at me.

“No, I just…” I look at Layla for help, but her expression is unreadable. Reluctantly, I dip my hands in the chalk.

“Everyone stay where you are,” Liu says. “November, take three steps toward the ropes.”

Nyx shoots me a disgusted look.

Oh, this is just getting worse by the second. “I really don’t need an advantage,” I say.

“Take three steps forward, like I said.” The professor’s voice has a commanding edge and I scoot forward.

If I lose now, it’s going to be ten times more embarrassing. My whole body tenses as Liu drags out the next couple of seconds in silence.

“And go!” she says loudly, and everyone makes a dash for the ropes.

I don’t get two strides in when a boot strikes the back of my knee, sending me flailing onto the floor. Nyx snickers and all seven students pass me full-speed.

Near the ropes, Charles takes a fast swing at Layla. She dodges gracefully, though I’m not sure how she could have anticipated his punch. But just as Layla eludes Charles, Brendan lands a kick to her stomach. She doubles over, and from the way she’s gasping, I know he knocked the wind out of her.

I jump up from the floor and start to move toward her, but as I do Brendan turns to face me. I somehow see everything at once: Charles has reached the rope, and when he grabs for the guy who’s clinging to it, he gets a swift kick in the face. Layla is upright and her breathing seems easier, but then my view of her is temporarily blocked by Brendan, who is now running toward me. From the little I’ve witnessed of his fighting skills, there is every likelihood I’ll end up with broken bones if he attacks me. His eyes narrow as he closes in, and I don’t think anymore, I run, too—all the way back to the tables near the wall. I arrive a split second before he does.