This will be a short chapter, because it kinda starts the story...
One year ago Jack left, without telling anybody but Rudy, whom told the dojo. Actually, he didn't even tell Rudy, his grandfather did.
Jerry got sad, and Milton and Eddie shared Jerry's feelings. They would miss Jack, and badly. Who could defend the...unusual trio?
Rudy also felt sad, but he found comfort with Thoutsee (not sure how to spell it, but it's Phil's goat...) and therefor managed to move on from his best student.
Kim however, she was crushed. That was the first bad news in a line of many, because her whole life was about to take an unexpected and unpleasant turn.
The minute she heard about this she stormed home, not caring about what her mother thought when she ran upstairs. She sobbed into her pillow all night, not caring about eating.
Kimberly Crawford never cryes, now she did.
She didn't go to school that week, and faked being sick, even though her mother would have let her stayed home anyway.
Her heart broke, especially because the news came from Rudy, and not Jack himself.
The reason Jack didn't tell his friend was simple, and understandable. Still he regretted what he had done, he wished he had told them himself.
It just hurt to much.
Three of them would just hurt, but one of them...
...it would have killed him.
A year later Jack returns, and now he is standing in front of the dojo. The students - his friends - stood inside, sparring.
Jerry looked taller, and more muscular. He fighted better, too. He even had a new belt!
Milton hadn't grown much, and was still the skinny boy in the dojo.
Eddie looked like himself to, only he had gained a little height.
Jack POV
My whole body was exited, because I was about to reunite with my beloved friends. I couldn't wait to walk through those doors, telling them I'm here to stay.
My mother had promised that we would stay in San Jose and never move again. I remembered how I had hugged her tightly, thanking her over and over again.
Through the windows I saw a familiar skinny boy, a dark skinned boy eating falafels, and a black haired one. I also saw my sensei, polishing one of the trophies I once won.
But the blonde missed, she wasn't there.
Usually, she would be sparring with Jerry - since he was the strongest of the three boys - and beating the crap out of him.
Milton was there instead of her, taking her place, something that made me feel uneasy.
I finally walked through the doors, and was sent to the ground when four people tackled me into a hug.
Usually these guys - ecpetially Jerry - never hugs other guys, but I guess til was a special occasion. I mean, we haven't seem each other for a whole year!
"Guys! Let me breathe!" I laughed. Finally I got up to my feet, grinning at my friends. I had missed them so much, it was almost unbearable.
"Jack!" Jerry almost screamed, but realizing how girlish it sounded, he cleared his voice and used a deeper 'manly' tone. "Whazzup Jack?"
I just laughed along with the rest of the guys.
How good it was to be here again, it just felt...right!
I had kept in contact with the four in front of me, I just couldn't manage to shut them completely out of my life. Still, phonecalls and videochats just wasn't enough.
You can't possibly imagine my joy right now.
We all smiled, and started talking.
"So Milton, how is things with Julie?" I asked.
The redhead grinned at me, apperantly proud. He started talking nonstop about every second I had missed. I smiled, glad that he was happy.
Eddie told me a lot about how school was, about a couple new teachers and stuff. He also had an eye to this new girl, Stefanie.
Rudy had won some new trophies, and showed me them, a proud look in his eyes. He told me in exact detail how he had won them, making my grin grow bigger.
Jerry showed my some new amazing dancemoves, and talked abut how well stuff was going with him and Grace.
When I heard the name 'Grace' it reminded me of someone.
"Where is Kim?" I asked casually, trying to hide my longing.
I had probably missed her the most, something about her was special. She wasn't like everybody else, she was different. Only the thought of her made me smile, and I felt blood rush in my cheeks.
I usually don't blush, but I can't blame my suddenly red cheeks on the cold, because it was pretty hot in the dojo.
Suddenly, the happy faces were replaced with sad ones. They all seemed in pain, or loss. I grew worried, and feared my answer.
What had happened to her? Was she in the hospital?
I felt a sudden wave of worry hit my body, and my expression grew concerned. If something had happened to her, I would rip the one with the blame into pieces.
Rudy was the first to answer. "Not here."
I got a bit annoyed. That wasn't the answer I was going for, not at all.
"Jack," Milton begun, but hesitated a few second. "She has...changed."
Changed? How? New hair color? Glasses? New style?
Apparently Jerry read my expression. "She doesn't speak to us anymore."
"Or train here," Eddie added.
What? Why didn't she train here? She loved this place, even with its useless equipment, and moldy mats...
"Jack, she has joined the Black Dragons..."
Oh no! Review please, it will make my day a good one :) More up soon!
Love, Riverflower.