Chapter 5: The leaflet

After school, I make my way to the gym for the self-defense classes. Ready to learn and join the rest of the class.

It looks like there are about a dozen students in the class. The teacher splits us into pairs I end up with a freshmen called Gabriel Moore. Following the teacher's instructions, I start off with basic moves. We both take turns punching and kicking while the other one holds up mitts.

Over the next few weeks, you keep working with Gabriel, and you gain some confidence. Even though Gabriel has been in the class longer than you, somehow you manage to start catching up to him. Your teacher even comments you might be a natural. As you continue the classes you start to focus on what you believe is more important.

I'm focusing on hitting hard, I want to be able to end a fight quickly. There's only one more session, where we will be taking turns with your partner in a fake attack situation. You've both been looking forward to this; it's finally time for people to see what I can do.

As soon as we start, I aim a heavy jab at his head, but he steps back and making me hit thin air. Gabriel tries to mount an attack of his own but cannot find a break in my constant flurry of punches. He staggers back under the onslaught and eventually one of my punches breaks his defense and send Gabriel sprawling to the floor.

"Great!" your teacher calls out, bringing a halt to the exercise. "That was exactly right, Kale. Good job."

I help Gabriel back to his feet. For someone who has just been beaten, he still has a big smile on his face. "Nice fight, man!"

"Thanks!" I say, already thinking about how I'm going to deal with with that bastard Sarah next.

I find Sarah where she always was, skulking around the school gates. I walk right up to Sarah. I hit hard and fast. darting forward, catching her by surprise lashing out with my fist. Sarah tries to protect her face as my other fist connects solidly with her gut. Sarah hits the ground hard, the surprise clear on her. She struggles to get up as I fall on top of her and drive my other fist into Sarah's stomach followed by a punch to the head knocking her out.

"take that you son of a bitch" I exclaim

When I returned to school the next day. Beating Sarah seems to have given me a reputation at school, as I find the other kids seem to regard me with a mixture of fear and awe. Even more surprising, is that the teachers seem only vaguely disapproval.

After school I'm surprised when Sarah stops me outside school. Even more surprisingly, she is alone.

I start to raise my fists, but Sarah stops me with a gesture. "I'm not here to fight," she says with a tired tone. "I'm sorry I beat you up so much, and hey - I won't bother you again."

Sarah was telling you the truth. I don't see her again outside of school and she ignores me in class. Over the next few weeks, Sarah leaves me alone. Maybe she has finally gotten tired of me? One Friday afternoon, I'm in the library and you hear someone cursing. Walking toward the sound, find Sarah sitting down with an open book. She is apparently trying to study.

I'll help her; after all, we used to be friends. I slide into the chair next to her.

"Need some help?" I say

Sarah glances up at me, she really is quite the beauty, she has orange hair and a slender smooth body which makes any man want to get a piece of her.

"Sure," she pauses thoughtfully, "not that I could blame you if you didn't want to."

"We used to be best friends Sarah, I want to help you."

Sarah flashes a genuine smile and she shows me the book she is reading. Together, we read the book, with my help Sarah starts to pick up the basics. I help her study for two hours before she finally gets up to leave.

"Hey, thanks, Kale." She pauses unsure of herself, a look I don't see her wear often. "You wanna meet up some time in the park? I could show you a few things. Fighting, I mean."

"Sure, why not," I say with a smile,

"Oh and I wanted to say sorry for kicking your ass", Sarah smiles, " oh shush you were only luck because you caught me by surprise, how about round two in the park tomorrow" she says with a wink. And with that before I could say anything she departs.