Chapter 3
After breakfast was done and over with, Xavier decided to burn off the calories with some light Bojitsu training while Clementine and the red-head who he discovered was named, Ruby, talked with a few other kids. Allyson and AJ seemed to have taken a liking to each other and were playing nearby. Xavier found an open space around the school that was somewhat quite. At least quieter than it was in the front. Here, he could the birds chirping and the wind blowing through the trees, creating a calming atmosphere for him to really relax for once and be at peace.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply in through his nostrils and out through his nose. This is how he prepared to train: focusing on what matters to him the most and using that as energy to help him get better at defending himself and others if needed. He spun his staff around once and held it in a front stance. He pictured his foe in front of him, and jabbed forward. He uppercutted and did a four-point combo. He finished with an overhead combo and a forward slash (You guys will have to look up these terms). He smiled to himself, shifting his weight onto his staff.
He thought back to the time when his dad first introduced him to Bojitsu. Back when he was younger and his sister was still an infant,
Xavier did his best to perfectly spin his wooden bamboo staff to impress his father, who watched him from the porch of the old cabin they were staying in, holding his baby sister in his arms. It was a lot more difficult than his dad made it looked. But as it seemed, no matter how hard Xavier tried he kept messing it up, by either missing the grab or accidentally flinging it in the air. He growled in anger, and threw the staff down in the dirt. He sighed and sat down in the dirt. It was then, that his dad came down from the porch and approached him carrying his baby sister; love and understanding glimmering in his eyes.
"What's the problem, boy?" He asked, stroking his short black beard.
"I can't do it, Dad." Xavier replied pulling his knees to his chest. "I keep trying but no matter how I hard I do, I always mess it up."
His dad knelt down, and picked up his sons chin. "Don't give up so easily."
He picked the staff off the ground, and handed it back to Xavier.
"You're thinking too much, is your problem." His dad mused. "I don't blame you. With all these walkers roaming around, you're gonna think about protecting your family and people close to you."
Xavier turned to his dad with wonder in his eyes. How did his dad know that was EXACTLY his problem? His mind was so overwhelmed at a young age, worrying about his family and about the walkers that pretty much owned the world right now. One slip up could cost him or his dad and sister their lives, and he didn't want to lose them like he lost his mother.
"I know you're scared about all this." His dad continued. "But remember, making mistakes are part of life. You can't get past them or avoid them. But the way I see it, you can either be afraid of them or learn from them. Making a mistake isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of you getting stronger; that's why they're there."
Xavier nodded in understanding, and stood up ready to try again. "But I still need to get this down." Xavier said. "How do you do it?"
"Try focusing on something or someone that matters to you most. Block out everything that makes you feel afraid." His dad replied, walking back to the cabin.
Xavier did as what was advised to him. He breathed deeply, and thought only about what matters to him, as he slowly spun the staff in a 360. He started going faster and faster and faster until all you could see was a blur. Xavier couldn't believe it. He was doing it! Just like his dad taught him.
Bringing himself back to reality, Xavier sheathed his staff and went back to the others. By now, the boy who Xavier had knocked out came to, and joined Clementine and Ruby outside. From Xaviers view, it didn't look like that guy was happy. He supposed he wouldn't either if he got knocked out. On the guy's forehead, he had a huge nob on his forehead, caused by Xavier flinging his staff at him this morning. As Xavier grew closer to the Clementine and the others, the guy caught eye of him and he didn't look happy. The guy started to walk up to Xavier, fists clenched when Clementine held him back.
"Louis," Clementine said. "Calm down, it was an accident."
"The hell it was! He threw a stick at me and ruined my beautiful complexion that is my face!"
"A'ight, man, just chill." Xavier said, slowly approaching Louis. "In my defense, you snuck up on me."
"In my defense," Louis mocked "You apparently slept with her! That's not gonna fly, MAN."
Xavier face palmed. "I'm never gonna live that down, am I?"
"Anyways," Clementine intervened. "You never told us your name."
"Oh," Xavier said "I'm Xavier. Over there's my little sister, Allyson."
Clementine looked over at Allyson, who was still playing with AJ. She smiled. It was nice to see AJ play with someone his own age. He hadn't got to do that since Tennessee died.
"How long have you two been on the road?" She asked.
"A couple days." Xavier replied. "We had some gas cans, they ran out pretty quickly."
Clementine nodded. But Louis wasn't done talking.
"Whoa, whoa, that doesn't mean they can STAY here." Louis spat, waving his arms about. "We got enough mouths to feed, Clem! And they don't look like they can handle themselves either."
"I never made a final decision yet, Louis." Clementine snarled back
"And, I literally knocked you out with one hit with a STICK, dude." Xavier added.
"My point still stands." Louis finished, folding his arms.
Clementine groaned and rubbed her temples. Does he always have to be so ignorant? She hadn't made a final decision yet, not to say she wasn't about to let Xavier leave with a 6 year old girl out into those walker infested forests. She knew she had already made her decision, but Louis did have a point. They only had so much food; barely enough for their group. But she saw how well Xavier handled himself. He could probably hunt for his own food and he could definitely defend himself. She sighed and turned back to them.
"I'm gonna let them stay." Clementine said.
"Of course you are." Louis said, throwing his hands up and walking away.
"Really? Awesome!" Xavier exclaimed, pumping his fists.
"But you have to follow our rules and hunt for your own food." Clementine added, poking Xavier with her crutch.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure we earn our stay."
