King of Fighters and its characters are the property of SNK/Playmore. I don't own them, or any of the video games and animes.
Chapter Twenty: Back to Class
Friday, August 28th, 1998
The knife spun through the air, its razor-sharp blade humming… until its broad side smacked the wooden target, causing it to clatter into the dirt. Melanie growled with frustration, but waited until all the other girls in the advanced class had thrown their own weapons. Then Hartman gave the all-clear signal, and Mel stepped forward to reclaim her weapon.
She'd been practicing on the north end of the field for a few weeks now, with everyone else who'd earned their blade. And while she was glad to be in the same class as Kimberly and the other friends she'd made, some of what they did was even more monotonous than the unarmed combat training.
"Remember, girls, most of it is trial and error," she heard the voice of her teacher while she rooted through the tilled soil, her fingers closing around the handle a few seconds later. "When you release the blade in your downward swing determines how many times it will spin. So that moment will vary, depending on your distance from the target."
She thought about saying something in response, but chances were good Hartman would still overhear her and make her run some laps. Instead, she wiped her trusty weapon clean on the sleeve of her undershirt, then moved back into position to ready another throw.
Kimberly, who was using the target to her right, sensed her roommate's frustration, as she'd gotten good at doing. She herself had managed to hit her own target, the blade embedded in the wooden circle a few inches to the right of the bulls-eye. "Don't worry, Mel," she said, pulling the knife free and moving back to stand alongside the blonde girl. "Most of us have been doing this a lot longer than you, so we have more experience. Just keep trying."
"Yeah, keep trying," muttered Amanda, who was a short distance away to Melanie's left. "Because it's fun watching you miss."
"I overheard Regina say the same thing to you in the ladies room the other day," Mel retorted.
The redhead, who'd been lining up her next shot, paused to shoot Melanie a venomous look. "Watch it, runt, or I'll…"
"You'll do nothing unless horse-face tells you to," Melanie finished for her with a bored yawn. "Because you're smarter than her, and don't wanna get your hands dirty unless there's zero risk to you. And if you don't want me to tell her you think you're smarter the next time you cows gang up on me, I suggest you shut the fuck up."
"What makes you think she'd believe you?"
Those large amber eyes suddenly took on a look that nearly made the redhead flinch. "She wouldn't. Not at first. But she's paranoid. So if I put the idea in her head, there's no telling what might eventually happen. Go ahead and try me."
Amanda had been about to ready another comment, but after hearing that, grew a little red around the ears, and then turned her attention back to her target. Melanie did the same.
"That was impressive," Kimberly said out of the corner of her mouth. "I can't believe she backed off."
"Because she knows I'm right." Melanie let fly with the knife… and again miscalculated, her weapon bouncing off the target, though it landed point-down in the dirt this time, standing upright.
"Yeah, but how did you…"
"How many times has Regina and her bitch squad jumped me by now? Through all the beatings, I've been watching them. And taking mental notes. By now, I probably know Amanda better than she knows herself. Trust me, if she could find a way to take control of the gang without fighting Regina, she'd have done it by now."
All the girls had thrown, and so Hartman once more gave the signal for them to retrieve. "Well, that is pretty cool," Kimberly conceded. "But you are gonna get better at hitting the target. It's all in the wrist, Mel. Just like your yo-yo. If you can figure that thing out, you'll get this if you keep practicing."
"Just like a yo-yo," Melanie said absently, more to herself, for a split-second her thoughts going back to the composition book in her room. Then a blast from Hartman's whistle brought her back to the present.
"Wake up, Melanie!" He snapped. "Clear the field!"
Melanie quickly retrieved her knife and trotted back to the ready line, ignoring the laughter from Regina and her pack. "What's up?" Kimberly asked her.
"Nothing, just thinking about things. You remember what I said the first day of gym class? If you had lots of weapons to throw, then you wouldn't need to think about being accurate? I was just reminded of that now." She took position, cocked her arm back again, aiming through one eye at the target several yards ahead.
Kimberly managed not to laugh. "I told you before, you'd better not let the sarge hear you say that."
"I know, I know," Melanie said, lining up a shot and once more letting fly with the knife… only to miss again. But still, the wheels in her head were too busy turning for her to feel any disappointment. Lots of weapons… Back when she'd first made that remark, she'd been partially joking. But now, as much as she loved her new knife, perhaps the idea did have merit. She'd need to think about it some more.
September 8th
The passing of Labor Day signified the end of another summer, and the girls found themselves starting a new academic year. Math class was first, and they spent it learning about basic pre-algebra, which Melanie hated. "That was almost enough to make me regret staying here," she told Kim in the hallway after class was dismissed.
"And it's only the first class of the new term," Kim said with a laugh. "Up next we have English."
Melanie rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me. God only knows what pussy bullshit Kelly's gonna assign us to read."
When they arrived at the classroom, they found their new seventh-grade textbooks wrapped in clear plastic on their desks. When the bell rang a few minutes later and Ms. Kelly entered, they went right into the first chapter: identifying the four types of sentences. It was boring as usual, so Melanie was almost relieved when in the last five minutes, the teacher asked them to close their books.
"I'd like to use the rest of the time to pass out the first novel in your required reading for this term," Kelly said, which earned an audible groan from the small blonde sitting in the back row. The bespectacled woman ignored her and picked up a stack of paperbacks sitting on her desk, distributing them among the girls.
Melanie accepted the book that was handed to her and looked at its cover, expecting to see a picture of pussies doing pussy things… and was surprised to see a picture of a gruff, lantern-jawed man in gray body armor wielding a high-tech looking rifle. "Starship Troopers," she read the title quietly to herself, then turned it over and read the synopsis on the back. She raised an eyebrow when she was halfway through, astonished that Kelly would be assigning them a book like this.
"Please have the first six chapters read by next Tuesday, and be ready to discuss," Kelly told the class after all the books had been passed out. "In particular, I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts on the conversation between Rico and Dubois. Now then, class is dismissed."
When they were out in the hallway heading to their lockers to drop off their new textbooks, Melanie finally said something. "Well, that was a nice surprise."
"Why's that?" Kimberly asked her. "I mean, this isn't the first time she assigned a book you like."
"Yeah, but I thought 'Lord of the Flies' was just a fluke. Like, maybe her brain had blown a fuse or something."
They both laughed, and then opened their lockers, shoving their textbooks inside while keeping their copies of the required reading. "Think you might get another A?" Her roommate asked her.
"Not if this book is as fucking awesome as 'Lord of the Flies', because I will be saying that in the report," Melanie answered. They laughed again, and started towards their next class, which was with Mr. Santiago.
They arrived at the classroom and took their seats a few minutes before the bell rang. After it did, the History teacher started off with a small discussion of what they'd been learning in the last term. "So, we read and discussed several key battles in ancient Greece and Sparta," he said, writing a numbered list of three place names on the big white dry erase board: MARATHON, THERMOPYLAE, SALAMIS.
"Now, then," Santiago continued speaking. "These three battles were probably the most important ones we discussed. Does anyone remember what they all have in common?" He turned to face his students, and was met with silence. "Really, girls? It only took you two and a half months to forget everything we learned last term? … Yes, Jodie?"
The girl with her hand raised answered. "They… all involved the Persians?"
"They did, but I'm looking for something more specific. What was it about the Persians compared to whom they were facing?" This got no answer from Jodie, so Santiago looked for another with their hand raised. "Kimberly?"
Mel's roommate lowered her hand. "The defending army was always a lot smaller than who they were facing?"
The teacher nodded. "That's what I'm looking for. Both the Greeks at Marathon and Salamis, and the Spartans at Thermopylae, were outnumbered by the Persians. Sometimes ridiculously outnumbered. And still they repelled them, or in the case of Thermopylae, resisted long enough to slaughter at least twenty-thousand of the invading force before they themselves were overwhelmed. We learned that numbers don't always win battles. It's knowing the strengths and weaknesses of yourself, and those of your opponent. This includes weapons and armor, terrain, vehicles and other support… knowing what you have and what you don't have, and using the former to its most optimal effect."
He turned back to the board, then, began to write another name. "But there is an even older battle that puts the Greeks and Spartans to shame." He finished writing and stepped aside so they could see what was on the board: THE BATTLE OF MUYE. "We'll be spending the next few classes first learning about what caused the battle: the history of the Shang Dynasty in China, and a background on its rulers, as these played some part in why the attacking army achieved victory, although some historians think they may have been outnumbered ten to one. Now, let's open our books to page…"
By the time class was dismissed, Melanie had a big smile on her face. "It's pretty cool to see you in a good mood," Kimberly said once they were out in the hallway. "What's up?"
"Nothing, I just like learning about this stuff. It's pretty sweet. Like, these battles are teaching us that even if you're up against someone bigger and stronger, sometimes that means dick. The little guy can still win."
Her roommate couldn't help but smile back at the grinning blonde. "History is full of that. Remember David and Goliath?"
Melanie shrugged. "That's not history, it's a story. And it's nowhere near as cool as reading about huge armies getting their dicks handed to them."
This got a laugh from the dark-haired girl. "If only all our classes could be this cool."
"Well, that won't happen, unless Coleman teaches us how to stab people with algebra."
Both girls laughed, and Melanie found her mood did not falter, because the next class was Biology, which had always been her favorite. And like the last two classes, it did not disappoint.
"We're going to be taking a more hands-on approach to the study of living things in this term," Dr. Wong addressed them after the bell rang. "In particular, what's inside of them." He saw a hand come up. "Yes, Melanie?"
"Does this mean we... have to dissect another frog, sir?" The small blonde asked, her expression wary.
He laughed a little. "No, Melanie. You will have to dissect something by the end of term, but not a frog. We'll be exploring the insides of other animals, and how they relate to humans. Because we may look different on the outside, but inside we're all made of the same things: blood, bones, muscle, organs, connective tissue. We're going to learn how these systems work together, and also how they can be taken apart. Because a living body may be more intricate than any machine, but it can be easily disassembled… if you know how it works."
This remark earned some looks that passed between the class. Some were taken aback, others were excited. Melanie was one of the latter. Dr. Wong ignored those looks and went to the board, grabbing the rolled up screen above it. He pulled it down to reveal a diagram of a pig carcass. "Now, then, girls, this is what you'll be dissecting for your final exam. Not a full adult, of course, just a fetus, but still made up of the same things."
Halfway through the class, Jaclyn whispered: "This is gross."
"No, kissing Regina's butt is gross," Melanie responded in a low tone. "This is awesome."
Dr. Wong paused in his explanation to address the small blonde. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Melanie, but I have to remind you there is no talking."
She smiled at the teacher. "Of course, sir."
The Next Day…
Class had just gotten out, and the girls had free time until dinner. Today, they'd spent some time in Health Science, where Joan had gone over how to properly use a tampon, as well as common symptoms they might experience when they began to go through that time of the month. "But, just remember, girls," the matriarch had stressed to the class. "When you get your first period, it's not a magical rite of passage that makes you 'a woman.' It's just the biological process of your uterus shedding its lining because you've reached the stage in your life where you're capable of reproducing."
Melanie had mixed feelings when they left the class. She was eager to hopefully develop in her chest and hips as puberty continued, but that other stuff seemed a little unpleasant. She said as much to Kimberly and Layla when the three of them were hanging out on the Quad, killing time. "Well, it's nature," said the dark-haired girl, looking up from the book she was reading. "But it still sucks."
"Seriously," said Layla. "But I guess that's the price we pay for being better than boys."
Melanie was playing with her yo-yo, a thoughtful look on her face. "What would make it fair, is if boys had to go through something like that every month. Like, blood coming out of their ass or their pee-hole." The three of them laughed over that, but if anything, the petite blonde was secretly looking forward to her first one. Even the slower girls were starting to widen in their hips, but Melanie's waistline still looked like a boy's. Getting her period would mean that her hormones had kicked on, and then maybe other things would start developing.
Kimberly decided to change the subject. "So, what do you girls think of the classes this term?"
"It's… different from what we're used to, that's for sure," Layla answered.
"I think it's pretty bitchin'," Melanie chimed in. Today, they'd had a new class: Chemistry, which was also taught by Dr. Wong. He told the students they'd be starting with some basics, and then would start working their way to exploring various compounds and how to make them. "We're learning about chemicals, and warfare, and how the stuff inside humans and animals works! We're even reading a cool book. This is the best term yet!"
"Gym class has gotten better, too, I'm sure," Layla told her.
"It's not just because I have my knife. This whole term is awesome. I mean, Coleman and his pre-algeblah can go suck all the ass, but everything else… I feel like I'm finally learning shit I want to be learning. Like, this is why I followed Landy out of that prison cell."
Kimberly smiled and slipped a bookmark into her novel. "I thought your only other option was Juvenile Hall."
Melanie laughed, and started doing "Rock the Baby" with her yo-yo. "Well, yeah, but you know what I mean."
"I think this term is a little weird," her roommate went on. "Kind of fun… but weird."
"Same," said Layla. "But it is the interesting weird, though."
"Okay," Melanie conceded. "I mean, maybe it's a little weird. I gotta tell you, girls, I'm pretty sure there's something about this school that Landy isn't telling us. And if I'm gonna be staying, I'd like to find out what."
"You sure about that?" Kimberly asked her.
"Positive. I don't like it when grown-ups keep secrets from me. They think they can just because they're bigger, but not this time."
Both girls saw the resolve in those amber eyes, which Kimberly had not seen there since Mel's first day of gym class. "Where do you wanna start?" Layla spoke up.
Melanie looked upwards towards the overcast sky for a moment. "Dunno yet. But in the meantime, at least we're learning some really cool shit."
"Ix-nay, girls," Kimberly said, pointing to the sidewalk ringing the grassy patch they sat on. "Trouble's coming."
Melanie glanced up from her yo-yo to see Regina walking towards her. Kimberly and Layla gave the blonde questioning glances, to which Mel shook her head. So the other two went back to looking at their books.
"Ready for your Wednesday afternoon beating?" Regina asked when she was standing over Melanie, looking down at the smaller girl with a cold smirk.
Melanie gave a bored yawn, and started doing "Rock the Baby" again. "Now's not a good time," she answered. "I'm afraid you'll have to come back later."
The Alpha crouched down in the grass, her gaze level with that of her prey. "It wasn't a question, runt."
"Yeah, and neither is this." As she was doing the trick, she swung the yo-yo forward, striking her nemesis dead center in the face. Melanie gave a cold smile when she saw the small trickle of red flowing from Regina's right nostril.
The taller girl grabbed the yo-yo, and then hauled Melanie to her feet. A short time later, the small blonde lay battered on the grass, her own nose bleeding. "Ow," she muttered absently.
Regina laughed as she stomped the yo-yo to pieces. "Don't know why you bother with the knife, runt. You really oughta stick to toys. Because those are for babies." She spit in Melanie's direction and then stalked off.
After she was gone, both Kim and Layla put their books down. "God, I feel so shitty, having to just watch every time she does that," the other blonde said.
"Don't worry," Kim assured her. "I told you, Mel doesn't mind. It's her fight, and she wants to keep it that way. Trust me, I've known her longer than you. She still appreciates the fact that you care. Right, Mel?"
The question went unanswered. Melanie was sitting up now, wiping her nose and looking thoughtfully at the pieces of her yo-yo. She remembered what happened with the bear on the camping trip, and she also thought about the blood she'd drawn just now. "Maybe Regina is right. Stick to toys…"
"Come on, Mel," Kim said, sounding worried. "Don't let that cunt get to you. That isn't like you."
"I'm not," Melanie answered her friend. "I'm saying that for once in her life, Horse-Face might actually have a good idea." She rose to her feet, shouldered her backpack. "I'll catch you girls later."
"Where are you going?" Layla asked.
"The library."
Kimberly and Layla both glanced at each other. Melanie never went there by herself unless she had detention. Or signed up for a chore. "What for?" Her roommate inquired.
"To find some books, obviously," Mel said with a laugh.
"But what sorts of books?"
"Books about weapons. Not just knife techniques. But other weapons. Whatever I can find. I'll see you at dinner." With that, the blonde girl took her Discman from her backpack, slipped the headphones on, pressed PLAY, and started off across the Quad with Athena's cheerful voice echoing against her eardrums.
Kimberly and Layla watched her go, still with unspoken questions on the tips of their tongues. But Melanie didn't seem rattled by her latest beating. If anything, she seemed inspired. So they let her go, knowing their questions would be answered when Mel was ready.
Melanie walked with a purpose, in large strides through the grass, until she was on the sidewalk and moving in the direction of the library, her mind aglow with a thirst for knowledge, and also possibilities. Stick to toys. This is worth looking into…
ADDITIONAL NOTES
So, this one was shorter than most of my chapters, but I like to think a lot just happened. So I hope you still enjoyed.
Just in case you were wondering, the four types of sentences are: Declarative, Imperative, Interrogative, Exclamatory.
I'm hoping the next chapter won't take as long, but one of my New Year's Resolutions is to use the month of January to finish a lot of the one-shots and a few other side projects I've had going for a while now. But I promise you: even though the second anniversary of my starting this fic is approaching, the story of Malin's origin will be told.
Until next time, feel free to R and R.
