Krupnick Residence, Crystal Rock, Seaford, California
Saturday, 8th September 2012
Kim Crawford sighed happily from where she lay on the pool lunge chair next to her two girl best friends, licking her cookie dough ice cream cone. The fourteen-year old girl was over at her friend's Milton's house who was having an end of summer back-to-school pool party. Well not exactly a party more of a gathering of his close friends since Milton isn't the party throwing type, he didn't even want to throw the small gathering as it was. It was Jerry Martinez's idea since he was all for having a good time and Milton's place was the perfect venue since his family was pretty wealthy he practically lives in a mini mansion. Which makes sense since his father is a scientist in TechTronic labs one of the biggest companies in California while his mom is a pediatrician.
"We should really hang out at Milton's house more, remind me why we barely come over? This place is like a castle" Kelsey Vargas spilled happily once she caught her breath from singing along to the Katy Perry's, E.T that was blaring in the speakers Milton's dad set up
"Gee Kels you see one mini mansion and now you're hooked." Donna Tobin snorted from her lounge chair on Kim's left
Kelsey and Donna have been Kim's two girl best friends ever since Kim moved from Knoxville, Tennessee to Seaford, California in fifth grade. Kelsey was being picked on by some other students so Kim walked over to him and slapped him across the face, they've been close ever since. Donna was already best friends with Kelsey and since Kim stood up for Kelsey she quickly took a liking to the girl.
"Maybe the reason you guys are barely over here is because you're not best friends with him, or barely friends at all." Kim said, giving a pointed look at her brunette friend as she sat up on the lounge chair and stretched, then looked away to take in her surrounding
Jack Brewer and Jerry Martinez were in Milton's pool playing one on one volleyball while Eddie and Milton were at the barbecue grill grilling ribs while Mr. Martinez supervised next to them. Kim's eyes wandered back to the pool or more specifically Jack. The tall lanky teen looked totally hot in Kim's opinion soaked in water, shirtless and a huge grin on his face. She briefly thought of what it will be like to be wrapped around his arms and kiss him chlorine covered and all.
"To be fair we talk to him whenever we're around him which is not a lot because of his nerd things and we don't have a lot in common besides being friends with you." Kelsey defended herself with a pout as she licked her mint chocolate ice cream cone before crossing her arms across her polka dot bikini clad chest but the blonde wasn't paying attention
"Stare any harder Kim you'll burn two holes into Jack's head." Donna said and the blonde could hear the smirk in her voice
Kim blushed and tore her eyes away from Jack and to her exposed bare upper thigh instead,
"I'm not-I wasn't staring." Kim stammered causing the two girls to laugh and Kim to blush as she bit the cone
"Kimmy sweetie you're a terrible liar and oh so obvious." Donna said
Kim scowled then turned her head to scowl at Donna who pushed the sunglasses she was wearing to the top of her head to meet Kim's eyes challengingly
"You know I hate being called that." The blonde said while Donna shrugged her shoulders uncaringly
"Jack and Kim sitting in a tree.." Kelsey sang
"K-i-s-s-i-n-g." The freshly dyed raven-haired girl with red tips continued
"Would you guys knock it off." Kim exclaimed glaring at both of them before looking over at the pool to make sure Jack didn't hear anything
The blonde sat back on the lounge chair and ran a hand through her blonde locks,
"Okay fine maybe I have a huge crush on Jack-"
Kelsey snorted,
"Maybe?"
"But nothing ever happened between us and I'm starting to think nothing ever will. We had so many moments where I thought we will but…nothing." Kim rambled in frustration
"Maybe Jack is just too scared to make a move." Donna reasoned
"I thought the only thing Jack was scared of was clowns." Kelsey asked in confusion
"He conquered that fear back in middle school after the Black Dragons prank but that besides the point." The blonde dismissed with a wave of her hand
"Then what is the point?" Kelsey pressed
"The point is that Jack won't ask me out despite the fact that I made my interest in him very clear and I'm starting to lose it."
"I thought Jack asked you to go to Circus Burger after Ricky Weaver?" Donna questioned
"Yes he did and it was good but nothing came out of it, just like how nothing came out of the cotillion."
"I still can't believe he said no when you asked him." Donna voiced out loud and Kelsey nodded in agreement
"So was I it took Brody to make him jealous and to be covered in chocolate sauce just to get a slow dance." Kim grumbled, throwing a glare toward the pool where Jack was playfully pushing Jerry underwater, the volleyball game long forgotten
"Look sweetie I'm a give you some tough love right now okay?" Donna said
swinging her legs off the chair to sit up and grab her friend's hands in her own
Kim nodded hesitantly as her brown eyes bored into Donna's sapphire blues.
"You've had this crush on Jack for about a year and a half now and nothing ever came if it. We're about to start our freshman year which would make it two years and I don't want to see you spend this year fawning like an idiot like the past."
"Wow thanks Don." The blonde interjected with unmissable sarcasm
"All I'm saying is that this year you need to figure out if your relationship with Jack, you like him and we're all sure he likes you. You guys need to sit down and clear the air, If he's too pathetic to ask you out then ask him out. And if he rejects you again then move on, you're a pretty girl and can easily find another guy."
Kim bit her lip then looked away from Donna and to Jack again. The boy finally let go of Jerry so he can come up for air and scowled at the brunette boy who was laughing heartily. Jerry made an attempt to grab Jack but the skater quickly dodged out of line and made an attempt to get away.
"Yeah with your honey golden hair, sun kissed tan skin, big brown doe eyes, and petite frame you can get any boy to fall for you." Kelsey agreed with a grin but if they listened close enough they would've detected jealously in her tone
The only female Wasabi Warrior rolled her eyes at Kelsey's description of her
"You sound like a bad Nicholas Sparks wannabe." She sassed causing Kelsey to laugh and Donna to snort
"But back to what I was saying before Kim I'm serious, figure this shit out with Jack this year or move on. I'm saying this out of a place of caring okay?" Donna said, looking at Kim
The girl nodded while her eyes strayed over to Jack again. She knows realistically that Donna is being reasonable, and she's right about this thing with Jack. She can't keep pining for the next three years of high school hoping for something to change when so far it's clear that it might not. She likes Jack and is pretty sure he likes her but why doesn't he ever make a move? Why did he reject her offer to go to the cotillion with her? Why get jealous over Brody, Brad, and Ricky if he doesn't want to ask her out? She can't keep going over these questions again and again in her mind she has to figure this out this year or else like Donna suggest move on.
"When are Eddie and Milton going to finish the ribs I'm starving." Kim bemoaned, wanting to change the topic
"You didn't even finish your ice cream cone." Donna pointed out
"I'm halfway through just need two more bites and I'll be done." The blonde defended then started doing just that to prove a point
"Doesn't Eddie look so cute grilling?" Kelsey crooned after a lovesick sigh
The other two girls traded an eye roll at their friend's infatuation. Ever since last year Kelsey has been head over heels for Eddie for some odd reason. The thing is, is that Eddie doesn't like her at all and made it very clear to her and everyone. Privately Kim thinks Kelsey can get someone much better than Eddie because she was a very pretty girl. Creamy pale skin that her shoulder length brunette hair compliments, a small petite frame and pretty almond shaped brown eyes. Sure she may have an eccentric personality and penchant for cat ears but she's sweet. Eddie, as much as she likes him he just isn't right for her and doesn't deserve her. He's so obsessed with being popular that he doesn't appreciate her personality despite wanting a girlfriend, or be a playa he doesn't want one like her.
"Yeah just as cute as he looks shoving them in his mouth." Donna mumbled into her ice cream cone
Unfortunately for her Kelsey heard her and whipped her head around to glare at the black and red ombrè haired girl.
"I heard that Donna and Eddie is adorable." Kelsey defended fierce before looking back over at Eddie longingly
"I just wish he'll notice me."
The blonde didn't know what to say to that so she just continued to finish chewing her ice cream cone while Donna laughed out loud freely,
"This is the problem with you two, you guys are so boy obsessed and wanting a boyfriend that you don't realize how depressing it really is. That's why this year all I'm looking forward to is art club and the fact that it's hosting an arts festival." Donna said with excitement creeping in her voice as her eyes shone with it
While karate was one of Kim's passions, art was Donna's and have been ever since the blonde met the girl. Painting and sketching was an outlet for her troubled relationship with her mom and she was incredible at it. Donna was rarely seen without having a paint stain on her, fingers smudged with sketching charcoal, or holding a sketchbook. Art club was like a second home to her, where she felt like she could finally be free to express herself.
"When is the art festival planned again?" Kim asked once she finally finished her ice cream cone
"Sometime in March, we're not sure when exactly just that it's in that month. We have a lot to do before then." The ombre haired girl explained
"Speaking of festivals, do you think I should ask Eddie to the fall festival?" Kelsey inquired out loud, not paying attention to the conversation
"Oh dear God." Kim muttered while Donna stood up with a shake of her head
"And this is the part where I walk away because if I sit here any longer I might implode."
"Where you going?" Kim asked
"Inside to the guest bathroom to shower and change out of the swimsuit. I should be leaving to do my volunteer shift at the hospital soon and Mrs. Krupnick will be driving me there."
The blonde frowned,
"So you're not going to stay and eat the ribs Milton and Eddie spent two hours grilling?"
The girl in question shook her head,
"Sorry I don't think so, it'll take twenty minutes to take a shower and change, around fifteen minutes just to get there and by the time I'll get there it'll be time for my shift."
The girls nodded their understanding at the explanation, but both were still equally upset that she would be leaving so soon.
"Okay well have fun I guess say hi to all the sick kids for me." Kim said
"Of course." Donna said with a laugh before grabbing her beach towel, opening the sliding door, and walking into the house
"But you never did answer my question, should I ask Eddie to the fall festival?" Kelsey pressed
Kim sighed deeply, debating on how to answer that
"Well if you think it's a good idea then go for it Kels, but do you think Eddie will say yes?"
The brunette shrugged,
"I don't know, he doesn't really talk to me or whenever I'm around he's not but maybe that's just because he hasn't got to know me right?"
Or maybe that's because he doesn't like you, Kim thought but didn't voice it. She couldn't voice it to her friend because it'll crush her. She can't imagine Eddie ever falling for Kelsey because he goes for girls like Grace Overland, Lyndsey Pryce, and Ember Chung; the pretty and popular.
"Or better yet it can be a double date! Eddie and I and you and Jack! It'll be perfect! What do you think?" Kelsey babbled happily
Kim shrugged, "Maybe let's see if he doesn't ask me by the week before then I'll ask him, it's a deal." She promised
Kelsey clapped excitedly, "Excellent this Fall Festival is going to be amazing!"
"Okay the ribs are now fully grilled so come and get your plate if you want some, and please eat at the patio table." Mr. Krupnick called out to the teens
"Finally." Jerry said from the pool, quickly swimming to the left side of the pool and pushed himself up out of it. Jack on the other hand stayed in the water to do a few backstrokes
Kim looked to Kelsey who nodded and without saying anything they both stood up and walked over to the grill to get their food. Eddie was the first to get his plate which he filled with three ribs covered in barbecue sauce, then walked over to the table and grabbed a bag of chips that was sitting on it. Milton went after him, then Jerry, Kelsey, and Kim was last who only wanted one rib and a bag of chips since she wasn't that hungry to begin with.
"By the way thank you Mr. Krupnick for letting us have the end-of-summer party here that was really nice." Kim thanked the Krupnick patriarch as she sat down at the table
"Oh it was no problem Kim I always tell Milton to bring his friends over here more, it was a pleasure to host you all." Mr. Krupnick said warmly
"Are you going to get some Jack?" Kim called out over her shoulder
"You better get some now before Eddie eats them all." Jerry joked before shoving his mouth full of ribs that caused the two girls to wince in disgust
"I resent that remark." Eddie said around a mouth of ribs
"Eddie swallow your food before you talk." Milton ordered with a roll of his eyes
"Sorry." Eddie said still with a mouth full
"Okay, okay I'm coming." Jack said as he swam toward the edge of the pool
"So, are you guys excited to start school on Monday?" Mr. Krupnick questioned
"No school sucks and I'll probably run into Heather when I go back." Jerry complained when he took a break from eating, earning sympathetic murmurs from his friends and a pat on the shoulder from Milton
Toward the end of eighth grade Jerry finally got his first girlfriend, Heather Clarke and he was so stoked about it. They dated throughout most of the summer until she broke up with him a few weeks ago because according to her, he was too 'clingy' and made her feel suffocated. Jerry has been depressed over it ever since, since that was his first relationship and he enjoyed the almost three-month relationship with her.
"I'm so ready for this year, high school is going to be the best four years for me. I'm going to have A-list celebrity status, be at all the cool parties and Grace Overland will want me, no Ember Chung, or better yet Farrah Bhakta." Eddie spilled, excitement growing in his voice as he continued to talk
The group at the table, minus Eddie exchanged glances as Kelsey worked hard to suppress any discontentment on her face
"Keep dreaming buddy." Kim said, glancing at Kelsey to make sure she was okay
"Oh it will happen, by the end of this year everyone will know who Eddie Jones is, you can count on that." Eddie promised determinedly
"Well I am definitely looking forward to this year, I will have all AP core classes expect Civics, can't wait to LARP again, and I'm looking forward to trying out for football."
At the last part of Milton's sentence everyone stopped what they were doing to look at their ginger haired friend in shock,
"You can't wait for what now?" Jack asked for clarity from where he stood at the grill with Mr. Krupnick next to him filling his plate with ribs
"Football, I'm going to try-out for the JV kicker." Milton elaborated like it was no big deal as he started cutting his ribs with a knife. When the silence grew he looked up to his friend's shocked faces
"What?"
"Why on earth would you want to do that? You can't even shower in the stalls after PE, or do good at flag football." Jack pointed out, remembering in seventh grade when she shared the same PE class with the ginger haired boy
"Well during my time in Scotland over the summer I played a lot of family activities and realized that football is basic science. I gotten pretty good at it if I do say so myself since I was finally able to beat my cousin, Timothy at a game of soccer."
"I'll believe it when I see it." Jerry decided and Eddie nodded along his agreement
"Plus Julie was the one who persuaded me to join because she's trying out for JV cheer."
"Wait, the same Julie Fisher you've been dating for two years who wrote a whole article in the Blue and Gold ranting about how cheerleading is sexist and sets the feminist movement back twenty years?" Eddie sought to confirm in shock
"Yeah that Julie Fisher, my girlfriend and I will admit I was shocked as well but she had a change of heart and decided it would be fun to broaden her horizons now that she's in high school."
"Wow okay well I guess it's true about what they say about high school changing people despite us not even starting high school yet." Kim said at last once she got over the shock of Milton's news
"Is Julie still in Cancun? I haven't seen her around much over the break and she hasn't been answering my texts or calls." Kelsey asked after finishing chowing down a chip
Despite Julie dating Milton for around two years Kim isn't really that close to her with their opposite personalities and the blonde suspects she still isn't that happy with her being best friends with Milton after the whole kiss incident. Kelsey on the other hand got along so great with her that the brunette considered her to be one of her best friends.
"No, she came back from Cancun in the first week of August and has been at soccer champ and then a cheer camp." The ginger haired boy explained
"How come she didn't tell me she was back?" The brunette asked with hurt and confusion clear in her voice
"I don't know I haven't talked to her much since I was in Scotland for most of my summer and at science camp we couldn't use our phones. But I'm actually going to meet up with her today after karate practice at the museum so I could ask her then if you want?" The boy offered, Kelsey nodded
"Yeah thanks."
"Well this school year I'm going to go all out as well. I'm running for freshman class president, going to rejoin the TV station after quitting seventh grade, doing the pep squad still, gymnastics, and drama club as well." Kim listed
After karate and singing, the theatre was one of Kim's favorite past times. She loved every aspect of recreating something and putting it on stage for all the world to see. She wasn't into performing on stage but preferred to work behind-the-scenes like directing or being the stage manager.
"I still don't understand the difference between pep squad and the cheer squad." Jerry said
"Cheerleaders perform at competitions and do way more complicated stunts than we do. Pep squads are more of a spirit line and our duty is to promote school spirit, that's all we do while cheerleaders do more than that." The blonde explained
"That's quite a lot of things on your plate Kim, especially with karate." Mr. Krupnick commented, impressed
"Yeah well college isn't that far away and I want extra-curricular activities on my plate."
"Smart girl, looks like you'll have some competition for president Milton." Mr. Krupnick addressed the last part of his sentence to his son
Kim's eyes quickly caught Milton's across the table, 'You're running for president?" she demanded
The boy in question moved in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable
"Yeah like you said it'll look good on college applications and I think I can make a difference."
"I see." Kim said in an undetectable voice, her brown eyes still locked on Milton's
Jack detecting the sudden tense environment between his friends cleared his throat pointedly,
"Well this year I'm joining the swimming and basketball team as well as the Amplified club." The brunette boy said
"What's the Amplified club?" Jerry asked
"It's a Christian after school club, one that Audrey is excited to join since her school in Bakersfield didn't have one." Jack explained with a bright smile on his face as he talked about his younger sister
Jack's parents were divorced ever since he was ten and they shared joint custody of their two kids. Kim never got to see Audrey around that much since she went to Ojai Valley school which was an hour and a half away from Seaford so she didn't stay with either of her parents much. This year though she decided that she wanted to leave the school after staying there ever since she was in kindergarten because she didn't like it anymore and missed her family. Their father, moved to Bakersfield after the divorced and became married to his job but tried his best to be there for his two kids.
Jack turned to his Latino friend, "Hey on the topic of Audrey do you think you could have Paula and Leslie take her under her wing? They're the same age and she's really shy but I think they could make good friends once she warms up to her." He proposed hopefully
Paula was Jerry's twelve-year old sister and Leslie was her best friend.
"Yeah I can tell Paula to do that but you know my sister she can be…" Jerry trailed off, trying to find the right word
"Intimidating?" Milton supplied
"Scary?" Jack added
"Rude?" Was Eddie's description
"A troublemaker?" Kim offered, remembering the time the younger Martinez told her seventh-grade crush, Brad Wolfe that she liked him by showing him the song she wrote about him
Jerry glared at all his friends and their description of his little sister,
"None of the above, if you think she's scary then you really don't want to piss Izzy or my mom off because P is a kitten compared to them. What I was going to say is she can be demanding with her outgoing personality."
"Audrey can deal, she's used to that type of stuff and thanks man."
"Hey speaking of your sister you said that she's going to join the dojo right?" Eddie sought to confirm to his friend
The boy in question nodded happily, a bright smile spreading across his lips
"Yeah she's a green belt and is looking forward to joining the dojo after the way I talked it up."
"Yes we finally get another girl in the dojo." Kim enthused, after being in the dojo for almost two years she was happy that there will finally be another female after Marge quit
The only good thing about the Black Dragons was that there were lots of girls in the dojo as well as guys.
"Speaking of the dojo it's about the that time to go to practice?" Jerry asked, checking his phone seeing that it was close to four
"Oh yeah that's right I almost forgot." Eddie said, grabbing his own phone to check the time
"We should start preparing to leave soon." Jack stated
Kelsey frowned, sad that Kim was going to leave her so soon already which means that she needs to leave Milton's house too.
"You're right, thank you for the party Mr. Krupnick it was really great." Jack enthused to the patriarch and the others murmured their praise as well
"It was no problem it was a pleasure having you guys here." Mr. Krupnick said warmly
It was always nice to see his son hanging out with his friends. Him and his wife were both secretly worried that he wouldn't fit in with anyone with his drive to be the best at school. Only seeing him surrounded with people his own age and a lovely girlfriend no less, warms his heart dearly.
Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy, Bayview Strip Mall
Despite Kim not liking the Bobby Wasabi dojo at first and thinking that it was a joke of a martial arts academy, she's grown to love it over the past two years. It was completely different from her former dojo, The Black Dragons which was very competitive and only focused on winning and being the best, not caring about being a team but being the main star of the dojo. Kim can't even remember ever making any friends in her old dojo because she along with everyone else only cared about winning. In the Wasabi dojo though she could say with confidence that they were a family. They cared about one another and being a part of a team than about winning, and their small numbers probably helped with that. Unlike the Black Dragons who had over twenty members, the Wasabi dojo only had five members. It used to be six but Marge, who was a lunch lady at school quit sometime last year. Despite their small numbers they were able to win most of their competitions thanks to their star player, Jack who had the highest experience of training thanks to his grandfather who was an expert and trained Bobby Wasabi no less. Karate meant a lot to the Brewer family from what Jack informed her, mostly everyone in their family knows something about karate as a way to defend themselves. After Jack, Kim was the second best and then Jerry who was very skilled at the craft when he tries and isn't goofing off.
After finishing their meals the group of kids minus Milton took turns taking showers in Milton's guest bathroom. They all made sure to bring a change of clothes after they were done paying in the pool, knowing they had karate practice after. Kim was ecstatic to start practice again, over the summer she spent a good part of it in Tennessee to visit family before joining Kelsey and Donna for Kelsey's family in Florida for their family vacation. By the time she came back to Seaford she had only a few weeks left of summer and spent it relaxing with her friends while the dojo was closed while their sensei Rudy was on vacation himself. While she had an amazing time this summer reconnecting with her family and growing even closer to her best friends she did miss the familiar burn that karate gave her. She didn't want to become rusty over the summer so she tried to practice in between time on the trip, only practicing for a few minutes wasn't the same as a thirty- minute session at the dojo with Rudy. So when Mr. Krupnick dropped off the teens in his mini-van Kim speeded over to the dojo doors with a huge grin on her face as the boys trailed behind her.
"I am so ready for practice! Eddie, Milton be prepared to get your butt kicked if and when we spare." The blonde warned over shoulder before swinging open the doors to the dojo and entering
"You would think over the summer Rudy would have this place freshen up, it still smells like old sweat in here." Jack grumbled under his breath when the smell hit his nose as he entered
Kim muttered her agreement before pausing a few feet shy of the practice mat when she saw the boy sparring with a brunette girl on the mat as Rudy stood off to the sidelines watching.
"You have got to be kidding me." The girl whispered in shock
"Brody?" Eddie said in shock once he came up next to Kim's side
"Tell me I'm dreaming what the hell is he doing here?" Jack whispered from behind her with shock and anger clear in his voice
"He's sparing in Bobby Wasabi gi do you think he's joining the dojo?" Eddie asked nervously
"Damn who's the hot girl I'll like to get her number?" Jerry added, totally ignoring the other three's concern over the boy. Kim rolled her eyes in annoyance then slapped him upside his head causing the Latino to scowl
"What was that for woman?" He asked in annoyance while shooting her a glare
"For being a pig." The girl in question retaliated
Rudy, who finally noticed the group's presence tuned toward them and smiled,
"Ah guys welcome you're just in time for practice, I would like to introduce you to our two new members Brody Carlson and Sloane Jennings." Their sensei greeted them, gesturing toward the two teens on the mat who finally finished sparring, with the brunette girl winning
"Tell me you're joking." Kim demanded in anger, glaring at the boy getting up on the matt
Rudy sighed impatiently at the unfriendly welcome his student was giving, not knowing the full story of what went on between them.
"Don't think of this as a bad thing guys, these two students are junior black belts like Jack and Kim so you two don't have to do all the heavy lifting anymore. Also this makes up not as inferior to the Black Dragons, it's a win-win."
"But Rudy-" Jack began only to be interrupted by the sensei
"No buts, this is happening and that's the end of it. I would've thought you guys would have more enthusiasm over this but I can see I was wrong and I'm very disappointed."
"No Rudy we don't have a problem with the fine chica over there it's just the jerk Brody who was involved with the Black Dragon's scheme to humiliate Kim at the cotillion." Jerry tried to explain
The brunette girl Jerry was talking about scowled at his words before walking over to a punching dummy to practice on,
Rudy's eyes widened a little at that then looked at Brody with guarded eyes,
"You what?" He asked
The boy in question sighed a little heavily,
"Back in seventh grade when I first got here I wanted to become a Black Dragon very badly and Frank told me in order to do that I needed to be involved in a prank of theirs to get back at Kim for quitting. I agreed blindly and pretended to know nothing of karate and that I was interested in her and taking her to the cotillion. At the last second though I backed out because I knew it was wrong and I actually started liking Kim so I fought on their side against the Black Dragon's. I decided that I didn't want to be a Black Dragon if they want to do petty revenge and I really, really regret ever taking part in their scheme." Brody explained to Rudy before his attention to the blonde girl he hurt, "And I apologized thousands of times for it and will continue to until you believe me Kim, I really am sorry." Brody pleaded
Kim stared back at him with an impassive face while on the inside her mind was brewing at the words the boy was saying to her. What he said was true, before the cotillion was over he came over to her and begged for forgiveness as he tried to explain himself but Kim just slapped him hard across the face before storming off. Even when she got home her phone was flooded with texts and calls from the boy of apologies but she ignored every single one of them, she was hurt and mad at him for using her, and mad at herself for not seeing it. Yes, she liked Jack and was trying to make him jealous with Brody but she felt like she could possibly fall for Brody as well. He was sweet, uncomplicated, and made his interest whether how fake it was or not in her clear. There were no games, no hot and cold, he liked her and made a move on her and that was that, very different from Jack. She liked that and was debating whether to give him a shot before the other shoe fell and she was left to burn
"Well are you serious about not wanting to be a Black Dragon?" Rudy sought for confirmation of the boy
Brody nodded,
"Yes sir I don't want to be part of a team that does stuff like that."
"And you understand that if there is any funny business going on with you that I won't hesitate to ban you from this dojo?" Rudy continued sternly, the boy nodded again
"Then I don't see why he can't join this dojo. He's sorry, sounds sincere, and from what I understand it was two years ago. Kim can you let your issues with Brody go and co-exist with him in this dojo? You don't have to like him but can you at least stand to be in the same room with him for thirty to forty-five minutes?"
Kim worked her jaw as she processed her sensei's question. Her first immediate thought was no she can't, there's no way in hell she's allowing him to invade one of her safe havens. Only as she thought about it more, she knows that two years was a long time to hold a grudge, but Kim never said she was fair.
"Yeah Rudy sure, the more black belts the better." The blonde said through gritted teeth
The sensei brightened,
"Awesome now you guys change into your gi's so we can get started."
Kim practically sprinted over to the girl's locker room, wondering how such fun day quickly switched into horror.