"I guess Demetri was serious about quitting. And not just him, it looks like," said Miguel, stepping up to Eli, eyeing the smaller class size that had showed up that day. "I tried telling him, Sensei can be a little in-your-face, but he's just trying to toughen the class up. He doesn't mean anything personal."
Eli nodded once.
Miguel grinned, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "I'm glad you came back."
Eli returned his smile, watching Miguel walk to take his spot next to Aisha.
"Okay everybody, fall in," said Sensei Lawrence, stepping into the dojo. "Where is everyone?"
