AN/ Hi everyone :) I'm really trying my best to write and update on a regular basis, but it's hard... especially since I'm trying to write two stories at once...

As always, thank you so much to all of you have reviewed. Your encouragement is what keeps me going:)

Here is finally the fourth chapter of this story. I hope you'll like it

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kickin' it.

Chapter 4

Confidence Gained and Confidence Lost

Kim and I had arrived a bit late to school this morning. Due to all the things happening last night we hadn't exactly gotten the sleep that we needed and we'd had to force ourselves out of bed. The good thing about that though was that we'd been in a great hurry to make it in time, leaving me an excuse to run parts of the way to get here. I hadn't liked the fact that we'd had to leave the safety of our house and expose ourselves to whoever might be out there. Kim hadn't been making much fuzz about me taking off down the street, pulling her along. It had been necessary if we weren't going to be late, although I think she'd figured out the real reason to why I wanted to run…

Things had gone so much easier today. There weren't nearly so many people staring at me and things started to feel like normal again, even though I occasionally jumped ridiculously high, startled by a sudden movement or noise. But for the most time I'd felt as if nothing had ever happened.

Of course my friends helped a lot, making sure I wouldn't fall into the dark hole of depression and anguish as long as they were around.

"Eeew…what are those things?" Kim wrinkled her nose in disgust, while inspecting the food on her plate.

"I believe they're meatballs." Eddie answered rather confidently and shoved his fork into one of the brown meatball looking things. The ball was apparently too hard for a normal fork to be able to penetrate it though and it was sent flying across the table, escaping the pressure from the fork and hitting Jerry in the forehead.

"Ouch!" Jerry exclaimed, looking a bit confused at first. He soon saw the brown object lying on his tray where it had landed though and he narrowed his eyes.

"That's not a meatball." He confirmed. "That's a rock." I cracked a smile at the scene in front of me. It was so good to be back. I'd really missed my friends.

"I can't believe we have to eat this..." Milton complained.

"You don't have to." Kim said. "This is high school. It's not like we're in kindergarten any longer. No one here really cares if you clear your plate or not. Just leave them…"

"Hellooo" Milton rolled his eyes at her and held up his rather skinny arm, tensing it while rolling his hand into a tight fist. "Muscles like these don't build themselves. I need protein." Kim raised her eyebrows and shook her head slightly at his comment.

"I gotta be in shape if Philip is coming to watch today." Milton explained.

"Philip?" I frowned in confusion, feeling a sting of worry. I would join practice today after school. It would be the first time since I got back. There was a possibility –probably a pretty big one- that I would be a bit rusty after being away from karate for weeks, not to mention what all the abuse and neglect I'd been put through had done to my physical health… It would be hard for me as it was already to attend practise today. I definitely didn't need someone there watching my most likely pathetic attempts to regain my abilities as a martial artist.

"That's Milton's new dork friend." Jerry answered.

"He's not a dork. He's a genius." Milton defended. "But of course someone with your IQ wouldn't be able to tell the difference…" Jerry just shrugged, not seeming to be offended by the insult. "I met him last week on the science fair. We started talking" Milton continued. "Turned out he was really into martial arts although he's never gotten the chance to try it. He got super excited when he found out I was taking karate lessons. So I told him that he was welcome to come and visit our dojo."

"That's cool" I said, unsure if I meant it or not. I didn't mind the dojo getting a new member. Actually that was a good thing. It was just that I wished that he could've picked another day.

"Yeah…You should've seen the look on Rudy's face when I told him that he might get a new student…" Milton said excited.

"Um guys…" Kim interrupted. "We should get going. Our next class starts in about seven minutes." Suddenly realizing how little time we had left we immediately quit chatting and rose from our seats, except for Jerry. He never really cares if he's in time for class or not. He actually never really cares if he's attending the class at all to be honest.

The rest of us picked up our trays and left the table. However, this made Jerry jump up from his chair, almost knocking it over in fear of being left behind.

"Hey wait up!" He exclaimed and hurried after us.

As soon as we were out of the cafeteria I turned to Kim.

"I'm gonna go use the bathroom…" I excused. She nodded, giving me a concerned look.

"You alright?"

"Yeah…" I answered. Kim stopped and searched my eyes to make sure that I wasn't lying.

"Okay…" She said after a slight hesitation, deciding to believe me "I'll be waiting for you by our lockers."

With that we separated and went our different ways. I didn't like the idea of leaving her but nature called and I couldn't do much to control that…

On my way over to the boy's bathroom I had to constantly remind myself that both Kim and I could take care of ourselves. We both knew karate and half the school would be too scared of what we might do to them if they even thought about trying something. Besides it would only take a few minutes before I would be back by her side. What could possibly go wrong?

Being slightly annoyed by myself not being able to relax and stop worrying about everything I entered the bathroom. Much to my relief it was as good as empty. I hurried into one of the stalls and locked the door behind me. At the same time the lock made the clicking sound that told me that no one on the other side would be able to open it I breathed out. I felt safe and I could stop worrying about anyone trying to jump me. Now all I needed to do was to get this over and done with quickly so that I could get back to Kim before anything could happen to her…

I brought my hands up to my face, rubbing it. What the heck was wrong with me? Why couldn't my body just listen to my brain? I knew nothing was going to happen, I was positive on that. So why couldn't that stupid feeling urging me to run back to Kim -my safe haven- just go away?

I inhaled deeply, pulling myself together and trying to convince myself that being apart from her would actually do me good. It would help me regain my confidence, right...?

When I was done taking care of my business and about to unlock the door I heard someone entering the bathroom. Suddenly worried again I stopped in my tracks, listening carefully. Whoever was on the other side walked over to the stall next to the one I was in. Hearing the door close behind him I mentally scolded myself for being so paranoid. This was a school bathroom. Of course there would be other people around using it the way I just did...

Telling myself again that nothing was going to happen to me, I took a deep breath and gathered enough courage to unlock the door, trying my best to ignore the feeling that kept telling me that something wasn't right. Stepping outside I scanned the room. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. I shook my head and headed over to one of the sinks to wash my hands. Taking a look at myself through the mirror I made sure that I looked decent enough to show myself in public. However something else caught my attention. The bathroom stall that had just been entered slowly opened. I immediately tensed so much that I think I forgot to breathe. Quickly I spun around not wanting them to sneak up behind me. The very next moment the person revealed themselves as I instinctively took a step back, pressing myself up against the sink.

"Hey guys, look who's back!" The teen exclaimed. Frank's familiar voice would've normally annoyed me and I would've probably rolled my eyes at his silly attempt to intimidate me. But today was different. Today for the first time ever he really scared me. I wasn't sure that I would be able to take him let alone the other four members of the Black Dragon dojo who just entered the room. It'd been weeks since I fought somebody, if you didn't count my attempts to fight Mark, which had disturbingly enough ended in me almost getting killed…

I swallowed, I wasn't ready for this. I hadn't even taken up my practise at the dojo yet.

Frank must have sensed me worrying, even though I tried my best to keep a straight face and it made him even more confident than he normally would be around me.

"If it isn't Jack Brewer… I thought you'd left for good." He grinned as he stepped closer. I leaned slightly back against the sink. Before I would've come up with a good comeback, but at the moment my mind was busy, trying to find a way to get myself out of this.

"Actually…" one of the dragons spoke up. "I believe he was just visiting some relatives." I shot the guy a glance. So no one knew what had really happened to me. As to answer my thought another one spoke up.

"I thought he went missing." Everyone eyed him for a brief moment as a knot formed in my stomach. "Don't you guys read the news?" He wondered, raising his eyebrows. Frank looked with interest between the guy and me. I cringed ever so slightly, wishing I could just disappear.

"It's true." A third one said. "I saw it too. He was gone for a week or something and when they found him he needed to go to the hospital…" I swallowed, not liking the way they talked about me as if I wasn't there. I wanted to say something but I just couldn't find my voice. So many things flew through my mind. I'd been on the news?

A part of me wanted them to stop talking, but the other part wanted them to continue. It would be painful to hear them retelling the story that I'd had to live through and it would most likely trigger flashbacks and such, but I wanted to know how much information had gotten out to the public, hoping that it'd be as little as possible. The less people knew about everything that had happened the better. Frank turned to me with a smirk on his face, causing the knot in my stomach to turn, which created a wave of nausea rushing through me.

"Is that true? You really went missing and ended up in the hospital?" He said sounding amused. "What happened, Jackie? Did you get lost and couldn't find your way home?" He mocked, talking with a baby kind of voice that made the rest of the dragons laugh. "Did you fall and accidentally hurt yourself? Or did you…did you…" He was unable to continue as he started to laugh at his own 'jokes'. I felt hurt by their laughter and the want to just disappear grew stronger. Trying my best to hold my head high I could feel my inside starting to fall apart. "Or did you lose a fight against an old man!" Frank exclaimed through his laughing fit. Their laughter increased in volume making me feel like I would drown in them.

"That's none of your business." I said trying to sound braver than I was. Frank instantly stopped laughing and looked at me.

"Maybe not..." He said. "…but I liked this school much better without you around…" The rest of the dragons nodded in agreement as they closed in on me. "What do you say guys we send him back to the hospital?"

Fear rushed through me and I couldn't help but tremble slightly. Never breaking the eye contact with Frank I prayed that someone would come to my rescue. I was completely paralyzed, Frank being so close I could've reached out and touched him. He pulled back his fist just before sending it forcefully towards my head. That was when years of martial arts training kicked in and my body reacted more on reflex than on me ordering it around. I ducked under his extended arm and quickly stood up straight again on the other side of it, sending a kick to his stomach. He stumbled backwards, falling to the floor. The other dragons had frozen; looking a bit surprised and…scared?

"What are you waiting for?" Frank growled from where he sat on the floor holding his stomach. "Go get him!" The four guys who were blocking my way out suddenly lashed out at me, all at once. I jumped up on the sink to get out of reach for their kicks which turned out to be a mistake as the first one to reach me grabbed my leg, almost managing to pull me down. With adrenalin running through me I twisted my leg out of his grip before swinging my other leg at his head. My kick hit him and sent him back into one of his friends. The brief confusion it caused gave me enough time to jump down to the floor again, flipping in the air as I did, so that I faced them when I landed. 'Never turn your back on your enemies' like my grandfather always used to say.

My feet had barely touched the ground before the guy standing closets to me kicked at me. I easily blocked it and with the speed of lightning returned his gesture with a sidekick to his stomach. He fell backwards, almost bringing his friends who were behind him down with him. I felt a strange feeling of satisfaction, bringing them down one by one. When the forth guy to try to attack me that day threw his fist out I even smirked, quickly stepping aside while grabbing his wrist. I turned so that my back was against his chest and flipped him over my right shoulder. Four down only one to go…

Turning around I looked cockily at the last one standing. The boy met my eyes for a brief moment and I could literally see the colours drain from his face. After a slight hesitation he decided to run for the door. By then Frank had made it to his feet and I prepared myself for another round. He looked too scared to jump me again though.

"You're gonna regret this, Jack!" He threatened, pointing his finger at me. But for some reason I didn't find that intimidating. I'd just proven to both him and myself that I was still the better fighter of the two of us. My confidence was starting to come back and I loved it. It felt wonderful not feeling so vulnerable for once and I just smirked at him as he ran out the door with the rest of the dragons close behind.

I followed the moment after. Throwing a glance at the clock on the wall once I'd reached the hallway I quickly sprung alert.

Although my confrontation with Frank had done me good and I was actually grateful it happened it had cost me some valuable time and I had to hurry to my next class. Sprinting down the hallway, only stopping by my locker to get my books I was so focused on making it in time that I wasn't paying any attention to the things going on around me. Just after turning a corner I came to an abrupt stop as I bumped into a woman, dropping my books, loose papers scattered all over the floor.

"Oh…!" She exclaimed in surprise.

"Sorry" I excused, quickly bending down to gather my things. Just great, I thought. Now Mr Parker is going to hand me a tardy slip…

"It's okay." I could hear the woman say as she reached down and picked up my note book. "You alright…Jack, is it?" She wondered. I frowned and looked at up at her. How did she know my name?

Noticing my slightly worried expression she gave me a smile and handed over the note book. "Here you go." I threw it a quick glance as I took it, realizing that my name was actually written on it, which explained how she knew it.

"Thanks…" I said, looking at her again. She seemed to be in her forties or something, her blond hair coming down in soft waves, just barely touching her shoulders. I was pretty sure I'd never seen her before, still that smile seemed familiar.

The bell suddenly rang telling me that I needed to get going.

"Gotta go…" I mumbled and took off running. To my relief I made it in time and was able to take a seat next to Kim just before Mr Parker started to speak.

"Where have you been?" Kim whispered.

"Long story…I'll tell you later." I mumbled back as I opened my book to page 314, following our teacher's instructions.

With a mixture of nervousness and excitement I grabbed my bag containing my GI. I had been to the dojo for a visit once, but I hadn't actually trained since my return. It's not that I hadn't wanted to. I loved karate and there was no doubt that I'd longed for taking it up again, I had just been afraid that it might trigger stuff inside of me that I wouldn't be able to control. Thankfully that fear had started to subdue after I'd taken down Frank and the gang of Black Dragons and I was now more eager than ever to get to the dojo.

Entering the living room I found my mother vacuuming after having to clean up some of the mess Kim and I had left from last night.

"I'll be leaving for the dojo now!" I almost shouted over the noise the vacuum cleaner made. Mum turned it off, smiling at me.

"Just give me a minute to get ready and…" She started, but I interrupted.

"It's okay mum. I'll walk." She looked at me and I could tell she didn't like the idea of having me walking out on the streets all alone after everything that'd happened. I would be lying if I'd say that I wasn't worried about that too and I would've gladly taken her offer any other day.

"You sure?" She wondered.

"Yes." I nodded. "Kim will be coming with me." A smile made it to my face by the mere thought of her. Kim; my favourite person in the entire world. I was looking forward to our walk together and I wanted to be alone with her for no greater purpose than the fact that it made me happy. When it was just the two of us, we could just focus on each other, something that I really enjoyed.

"…Okay…" Mum said after a slight hesitation. I gave her a reassuring smile and turned to leave. "Jack…" Stopping in my tracks I looked over my shoulder, waiting for her to go on. "Just call me if anything or anyone would…" She stopped in the middle of the sentence, giving me a worried look. I didn't need for her to continue, already knowing what she meant.

"Don't worry mum. I will."

With that said I left her to her cleaning. Behind me I could hear the vacuum cleaner starting again as I headed out the front door. Letting my eyes scan our neighbourhood, I slowly started to walk down the stairs leading down from our porch. Everything seemed to be like normal and there was no sign of the mysterious man from last night. Although leaving the safety of my house all by myself made me feel uneasy and the further away from it I went the worse the feeling got. Reaching the end of our yard I swung my bag over my shoulder and took off jogging down the street. I didn't want to take any chances by going too slow. The sooner I'd reach Kim's house the better.

Kim didn't live far from where I lived and in my pace it didn't take more than five minutes to get there.

Somewhere along the way to the dojo me and Kim lost track of time. Joking, laughing and just in general enjoying each others company we forgot to look at the clock which had resulted in us arriving a few minutes late.

"Sorry we're late." I excused as soon as we stepped inside and met our sensei's gaze.

"It's okay. Nice to finally have you back Jack." Rudy answered, smiling at me. "Now you two hurry to change into your GIs and we can get started." I nodded as we quickly walked over to the lockers next to Rudy's office, passing Jerry and Eddie who were already warming up on the mats.

Opening my locker I grabbed one of my green Bobby Wasabi tees'. The same strange feeling I'd experienced yesterday on my first day at school hit me again. It felt as if it had been an eternity since I was here and yet everything in my locker was exactly the way I'd left it, making it seem like it was only yesterday.

I closed the locker, looking over at Kim. My eyebrows immediately wrinkled in concern. Something wasn't right. I could tell by the way she stood completely still, barely even breathing. Her whole body was tense and all her attention was focused on something that she seemed to be holding in her hands. I couldn't really see what it was because the door to her locker was blocking my view.

"Kim?" She jerked startled, shoving whatever she was holding back into the locker before slamming it shut and turning to me with a forced smile. "You ok?" I wondered.

"Yeah" She said, her voice slightly high pitch. Obviously she was hiding something. I was just about to ask about it when Milton decided to walk in and interrupt.

"There you two are." He said when he spotted us, making us turn around and face him. He was accompanied by a rather small guy, with hair lying in neatly combed waves upon his head and clothes that were way too expensive for me to even look at. Not that I would ever care to wear chinos, shirts and sweater vests like that... Things like that were only worn by Milton and his kind of dorky friends and you would've thought that this kid would've been just like the rest of them; however there was something about him that was different. There was a lot more class to him than the others and to be honest I felt a little like I was the underdog here. Just by one look I made the assumption that he must come from a very wealthy family. I don't know why but I couldn't help but think that this guy would be able to offer a lot more to my friends and a sudden fear of them leaving me for him hit me.

"This is Jack and Kim." Milton gestured towards us. "They're the black belts I was telling you about." The guy nodded, looking at us with interest. Milton then turned to us. "Kim, Jack this is my new friend Philip."

I really hope I don't bore you guys out with this story...I wasn't completely satified with this chapter, but I think it was good enough... There's gonna be some more interesting things happening soon though, I promise:)

Since I got someone asking for the sneak peeks to come back, I've decided to make one for this chapter. So all who reviews gets a sneak peek of chapter five. For those of you who wants to review but doesn't want a sneak peek; just tell me in your review that you don't want one.

And as always the more reviews the faster I write;P

Ok I think that's all,

Thanks for reading:)
/MJ