"I won't be at practice tomorrow, Sensei."

Sensei Kreese frowned. "I don't like teaching students who don't take their lessons seriously."

"I do take them seriously, Sensei," said Tory, taken aback by his response. "But it's the roller rink where I work. My boss wants to talk." She hesitated before confessing, "I'm worried. I think he's going to fire me. For what happened at school. I really need this job."

Sensei Kreese nodded. "Have Hawk catch you up on Monday then." Tory bowed, turning to leave, when he added, "And remember: expect no mercy from this world."

Tory bowed again.