Read the excerpt from "amigo brothers." the fear soon gave way to wave upon wave of cheering as the two amigos embraced. no matter what the decision, they knew they would always be champions to each other. bong! bong! bong! "ladies and gentlemen. señores and señoras. the winner and representative to the golden gloves tournament of champions is . ." the announcer turned to point to the winner and found himself alone. arm in arm the champions had already left the ring. what story message does this excerpt express to readers?

a. a friendship can’t survive without a challenge.
b. competition doesn’t break a true friendship.
c. close friends stand up for each other.
d. true friends make sacrifices for each other.