CHAPTER 21 – THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS
Hwoarang woke up early…which was quite unusual for him…
He gave a big yawn, stretched and sat up. He remembered everything that happened the other night. Julia had told him the kiss meant something to her too…
He thought for a moment, and then looked straight over to Julia's bed…where she lay asleep facing on her stomach, her covers wrapped around her delicately, as her long flowing hair spilled over her back…
He smiled. She was so beautiful…and he could barely believe she agreed for him to stay in her room for the night, she must've trusted him lots…for knowing the old Hwoarang, he would have taking an advantage of the opportunity for certain!
He stood, and walked over to her bedside. He sat on her bed gently…
She was still asleep…not a stir could be heard. She looked very peaceful, so he decided not to disturb her. He sighed, and stumbled over to the bathroom…
Moments later, he returned. His red hair wet from his shower, trousers half on, towel round his shoulder and shirt in his hand. He opened the bathroom door, and then stopped in his tracks…
There was Julia, sat on her bed awake and looking right at him. Her silk bed nightie glistening over her curved body…
"Morning," She greeted. Hwoarang felt himself going red slightly…why was he embarrassed?
"Uhh, Morning." He said. Julia smiled and stood. "Had a shower, I guess?" She asked. He nodded. "Yeah…uhh, sorry, I would've asked if it was alright, but you were asleep…" She shook her head as she understood…
She walked over to a kitchen like part in her room, which consisted of a small fridge, two cupboards and two sides…
"Don't worry, I don't mind…" She said getting out two cups. "Tea?" She asked Hwoarang, who nodded in response. She smiled, and boiled her kettle patiently…there was a long silence, then a small click. She turned her attention back to the kettle and soon handed Hwoarang a cup of tea.
He thanked her and sipped it anxiously, then placed it down on her bedside table…
The two of them were clearly a little embarrassed. Especially with Julia admitting she felt something for Hwoarang as they kissed. He could tell, she avoided eye contact with him, and drank her tea slowly…
"Julia?" He said. She looked to him, and caught his stare…
"Yes, Hwoarang?" She replied. He sighed and scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Umm…about last night," He began, Julia froze, and she gulped and nodded. "Yes…what about last night?" She asked. Hwoarang sighed, how could he ask her? He then looked to the Indian girl, whose eyes were fixed on him, and looking at him almost pleadingly…
"You said…" He paused. "You said that…that kiss, it meant something." He said slowly and looked at Julia, who had turned away from him…
"…Julia?" He said.
She sighed and bowed her head. She didn't reply, and walked to her balcony, slid open the glass doors, and tip toed out onto the pretty stone balcony…he watched her lean on the wall and look over at the view…
He sighed again, and followed her out. Julia felt his presence.
"…Julia?" Hwoarang said hoping for an answer.
The girl slowly turned. She was extremely stunning in her measly bed dress…Hwoarang wanting to swoop her into his arms there and then. Tell her what he felt, tell her what he needed…her. But, Hwoarang, the cool headed and ego obsessed guy forced himself not to…
"Yes?" She answered. Hwoarang sighed yet again at her reply…
"Yes? I mean there's got to be more than that, Julia…" He stopped and pursed his lips together then spoke again. "Julia…please." He said softly – this surprised Julia as her caring brown eyes widened.
"Please?" She said. Hwoarang nodded and took a step closer…
"Yeah, please…im actually begging now. Why can't you tell me?" He asked. Julia thought and then looked away. Hwoarang sighed. "I…I can't win can I?" He said. Julia ignored him. Hwoarang frowned, and turned to leave. "Alright…I understand, then." He said leaving…
"Wait!"
He stopped and turned. Julia stood with an arm reached out for him.
"Please…stay," She began. Hwoarang gave a small smirk, and nodded. "…Alright." He agreed. Julia gave him a small smile in return. The both of them overlooked the view leaning on the wall of the balcony.
"The kiss," Julia said. "You want to know what the kiss meant to me?" She asked. Hwoarang nodded. "Tell me…" Hwoarang said. Julia nodded, and thought, she then sighed and then began to talk…
"W, when you," She touched her lips with her fingers softly. "When you kissed me…I," She smiled. "I was….happy." She said simply. Hwoarang looked at her, the look on his face was of a innocent little boy, pleading for something that mattered to him the most, it was so unlike him…maybe he had found something that he actually needed…Julia…
"Happy?" He said. She nodded. "Yes…happy." She smiled. "It, it was all I wanted," She admitted. "I knew from the moment you kissed me back in my hotel room after we had the argument, that…I had feelings for you." Julia gulped…
Hwoarang couldn't believe his ears!
"It was everything that I wanted. When you kissed me, I felt so complete and needed I wanted it to last forever, Hwoarang, but how could it? When I felt that you didn't return my feelings, how could it last forever?" She asked him in awe…
Hwoarang looked at the fair girl stood before him, admitting what he most certainly returned! He shook his head in disbelief.
"Me? H, how couldn't I NOT return those feelings? Julia!" He began, getting annoyed. "Julia…from day one I liked you, then it grew more and more, I," He stopped there. He wouldn't allow his feelings to come across too strong. This was him, this was Hwoarang…right?
Julia laughed lightly. "Sorry…hey, do you remember when we first met? Back then…the water fight and poachers we fought off." She smiled. Hwoarang nodded. "Oh yeah, and you saving my life!" He exclaimed. Julia blushed, and gave him a grin…
They looked at one another.
"Julia?"
She looked at Hwoarang. Who gave her a small smile. Julia returned his smile and allowed Hwoarang to envelop herself in his arms. She gently slid her arms and held onto him, her hands on his back, as he hugged her from her waist, tight…
After a brief moment they separated. Hwoarang leaned into kiss Julia, but she flinched slightly, and moved.
"Im going to get washed and dressed and collect my fight schedule, coming?" She asked, leaving the balcony…
Hwoarang let out a small moan in disappointment, but followed her in…
Julia returned quickly from her bathroom, refreshed and gorgeous as ever. Her hair still remained slightly curly from the other night. It was unreal at how amazing she looked…even now she was fascinating by her natural and anticipating looks…Hwoarang grinned at her…
She wore her normal denim skirt and tank top. She was just tying her hair up now, in high up plaits, which gently rested past her shoulders.
"Ready?" Hwoarang asked. She gave a sweet smile and nodded.
"Yeah…do we get them from the reception?" She asked, Hwoarang shrugged and fell silent. Julia sighed. "…Hwoarang?" She drew closer to him. "What is it?" She asked tilting her head tauntingly.
Hwoarang folded his arms. "Im still confused…we just told each other everything out there, and then you completely blank me when," He sighed. "When I went to kiss you, I mean, Jules, what's wrong?"
Julia sighed too and gave a small nod. "…I know, but, im just not used to rushing things." She shook her head. "Could we talk about something else?" She asked. Hwoarang nodded. "Yeah, sure…whatever." He replied rather coldly. Julia frowned at this, and headed for her door.
"You know, if you're going to be rude, leave now." She said sharply. Hwoarang was taken aback, and then shook his head. "Fine. I won't be rude, as you put it, I'll just won't speak at all!" Hwoarang scowled. Julia rolled her eyes. "Baby…" She remarked, as the two of them left her room.
As they did, they heard a sudden ringing…it got louder and louder…
RING, RING, RING! It was a bell!
Skipping down the corridors of each floor appeared to be cheerleaders!
"It's 10am! The Tournament has begun!" They cheered, swooping past Hwoarang and Julia, and winking at Hwoarang sexily too as they passed!
Hwoarang smirked, as Julia frowned.
"Come on…" Julia sighed as Hwoarang grew back a bit of his flirtatious attitude.
They hurried down the corridors, avoiding knocking into any other contestants…
"Julia?" Hwoarang said keeping up with her.
"What?" She said a little annoyed…
"S, sorry…back there, you know you're the girl for me, right?" Hwoarang grinned. Julia sighed, a little flattered secretly, but didn't show it. "Don't worry, I know you won't ever be the completely eyes for your girl only type…" She laughed at him. Hwoarang frowned, and rolled his eyes.
They soon made it to the reception. Just if Hwoarang's luck couldn't get any better, yet another girl was in front of them that fancied him! The receptionist from when they first came…
"Oh…good morning Hwoarang," She noticed Julia. "And friend." She smiled falsely. Hwoarang nodded silently to her.
Where as Julia scowled. "My name is Julia, thank you. We're here to collect our fight schedules." The receptionist frowned back at her, and then handed them two pieces if paper…
"Who've you got first?" Hwoarang asked Julia, who scanned her paper…
"Oh…Christie." She sighed. "Aw, crap…that's harsh having her first." He said. Julia nodded slowly…
"Yeah, I know…so who've you got?" Hwoarang sighed. "…Steve." He said. Julia nodded and looked at his expression, he clearly wasn't happy. "…Hwoarang?" She said softly. Hwoarang sighed and folded his paper into his pocket. "Ah well, just annoying I gotta kick my mate's ass first." He grinned confidently. Julia laughed, and the two of them headed to the training gym.
They collected their training things, and entered the gym…
There were lots of fighters already training; some faces were familiar too…
Nina Williams appeared to be fighting Paul Phoenix, the two of them were neck and neck being equally as good fighters…especially Nina – who was known as one of the best if not the best female fighter in the tournament, and one of the common fighters in tournament, since she joined ever since the 1st tournament…
Then there King and…and Steve! Pro wrestling verses Boxing, it was very interesting! Steve's speed and agility were amazing, but King's strength was unbelievable…
"Steve!" Called Hwoarang. Steve and King stopped and turned to see Hwoarang jogging over to them, Julia waited patiently at the gym doors. Steve smiled at his red headed friend.
"Alright, mate?" He greeted. Hwoarang nodded. "Yeah…so, your training pretty hard seeing your first match is this evening." Hwoarang commented. Steve sighed. "You saw the schedule too?" Hwoarang nodded…
Meanwhile, King appeared to be growing impatient…
"Look, sorry if I have to knock you out." Hwoarang grinned, Steve laughed. "Not a chance!" He smirked. Hwoarang nodded and slowly turned his head to the gorgeous Indian girl at the gym doors…
Steve noticed this. "Oh…so that's your girl, then?" He asked.
Hwoarang shot a look at Steve. "What?" He exclaimed. Steve sighed, and Hwoarang owned up. "Alright, yeah…it's Julia, and we've made up again." Steve laughed and nodded to king…
"One more minute mate!" He called running over to the brunette at the gym doors. Hwoarang, shocked, ran after him…what was Steve doing!?
Julia watched a rather good looking Blonde guy in boxing gloves bounce over to her, he jumped in front of her! She took a step back, the boxer grinned and gave a slight laugh at her nervous motion…
"Sorry about that, you're Julia, right?" This guy was obviously Steve, and had a thick British accent. They were joined by Hwoarang who shoved Steve out of the way.
"Sorry about Steve, Jules." He said glaring at Steve. Steve laughed…again.
"Yeah, the name's Steve Fox, I think we've already met…" He said. Julia nodded. "Yeah, I know who you are, Steve, I have spoken to you before you know." She smiled. Steve thought and then nodded…
"Well, im Hwoarang's mate, and I just wanted to say good luck in the tournament…and tell Hwoarang before he goes on that he's going to loose his first match!" Steve grinned. Hwoarang scowled, and Steve jogged back to King…
Julia laughed. "Well, he's sure confident." Hwoarang nodded bitterly. "Mmm…" He replied.
"Shall we get training, now?" Julia asked. Hwoarang nodded and the two of them found a few spare mats…
Julia slid on her punch gloves and took her position up. Hwoarang put on his own gloves loosened his legs with a few kicks.
"Alright! Let's go!" He demanded. Julia smiled and counted down. "3…2…1!" She exclaimed. They took and step forward and began to attack one another…
Julia came at Hwoarang with a razor edge to low kick, he blocked her and countered her with a fast stomach kick, she landed a few meters away, and he was upon her, he grabbed her arm and tried to click it…Julia struggled hard, and managed to elbow Hwoarang and jump up.
"Hey! You're not being very nice!" She protested. Hwoarang smirked. "Sorry…I get nasty when I fight." He raised a cocky eyebrow, and laughed.
Julia smirked and then flipped towards him and used her combo attack, smashing Hwoarang and bruising him, then attempted her Ultimate cannon, fortunately for Hwoarang he grabbed her and threw her over his back, and landed her gently.
"Ow…you," He stopped and smiled. "Alright then, come on Miss. Chang."
Julia smiled and jumped at Hwoarang who grabbed her legs that pointed at him in her leap, and twisted her right leg, she cried out in pain and fell. She stumbled back up and low kicked Hwoarang, who triple kicked her, which she blocked, but then used rude boy and a quick punch scheme…Julia fell back slightly…
She frowned and smashed a fist into Hwoarang's face. He threw his head back and then used a bone crunching kick combo, Julia fell on her back…Hwoarang sat on top of her. In a somewhat rude position…
Julia frowned, as she noticed as she lay beaten on her back, Hwoarang had particularly sat with his legs over her pelvis, and a smirk on his face, arms folded…
She huffed. "Get off me…and don't sit on me like that!" She said trying to move; Hwoarang laughed, and didn't move…
"I won, Julia, just so you know." He grinned. Julia sighed. "Alright! Fine…now get off." She said noticing Steve looking and laughing. She growled under breath and struggled again, when a sudden idea came to her mind!
She smiled. "Want to know what you get for winning?" Hwoarang grinned, loosening his grip on her arms, when crunch! She kneed Hwoarang in a very unpleasant place for guys…
A twisted look spread across his face as he fell beside her. Julia smiled and sat up…sitting on Hwoarang's stomach and poking her tongue out Julia grew a feeling of victory and happiness. Hwoarang frowned, how could he be so stupid? Now she'd beaten him in training! She was a good fighter though…
"I win?" She said. Hwoarang nodded. "Fine…" He mumbled. Julia smiled and got off him standing up straight and dusting off her denim skirt…
She held a hand out to Hwoarang who took it and pulled himself up.
"Well done, but I'll get you next time." He smiled. She smiled back and then looked away. Hwoarang grew confused…what was it?
"Julia?" He said. She shook her head. "N, nothing…" She replied softly with a small smile and closed her eyes. Hwoarang scratched his red hair and then sighed. "Want to get back? I have a fight this evening, so do you right?" He asked…
Julia nodded in response. Hwoarang and her left the gym, Julia remained silent half the way until they got to the elevators…
No-one was in there, they pressed for floor 25 and waited. Hwoarang felt a glowing feeling inside of him he hadn't felt before, it made him a little nervous actually…
Julia smiled to herself unknown to Hwoarang, and then nodded…
She reached out a hand…felt Hwoarang's hand and slid hers into his own…
Hwoarang felt a soft touch and then a warm hand in his own. He looked at Julia, who looked back at him…
He smiled at her.
"Well done…you're really good you know, and good luck with Christie." He said giving her hand a squeeze. "You too…" She replied.
Hwoarang sighed and enjoyed the sweet moment.
Just before they reached floor 25 and went separate ways. Julia stopped Hwoarang and tugged on his hand.
He turned, and looked at the beautiful girl, who placed her hands on his chest, and leaned up…slowly…and then kissed him softly…
Hwoarang closed his eyes, and didn't even realise when Julia drew away…
"Good luck Hwoarang…don't forget to come and see me, okay?"
She left the elevator. Hwoarang still stunned stepped out too. She had kissed him! He watched her enter her room. This was it…Julia Chang had kissed him; he wouldn't dare forget to visit her…
Julia Chang was going to be his girlfriend, if it was the last thing he did!