After going through the remainder of my classes for the day, I return to my locker to put up my things so that I can head to the dojo.

When I shut my locker, I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see that I have a new text from my mom. Opening the text, it read:

"Last chance to join us. You know you want to be there to hear all of the very humorous stories that are sure to be told."

I laugh and text back:

"That's a very tempting offer, mom, but I don't think Rudy would appreciate me missing practice. Good Luck, though… And send dad my condolences."

I get a text back saying:

"Good Excuse. I wish I had one. Dad says thanks. I'll talk to you at home later… That is, if you're still awake whenever we get home."

I reply with a "see you later," and put my phone away.

During my conversation with my mom, I failed to notice that Jack had already put up his stuff and was leaning on his locker watching me. When I looked up and seen him there, I jumped.

"Jack!" I yelled, "You scared me!"

"Sorry," he chuckled," I thought that you knew I was here. What were you laughing about?"

After catching my breath, I replied, "My mom. She has a boring business dinner to go to and is not very happy about it. She was trying to rope me into going with her and dad, but I wouldn't budge."

"Oh, I feel sorry for them," Jack says while walking with me out of the school doors and towards my car, "that doesn't sound very fun."

Reaching my car, I unlock the door and put my bag inside before saying to Jack, "Yeah, mom isn't looking forward to it and she's making dad go with her."

Jack laughed before asking, "Think I could catch a ride with you to the dojo?"

"Yeah, of course. Hop in." I answer and get into the driver's side.

Once both Jack and I are inside and buckled in, we make our way to the dojo.

Jack suddenly turns to me and asks, "So Kim…"

"Yes?" I ask while looking over at him for a moment before turning my attention back to the road.

"We haven't really done much together lately, you know, with just the two of us." Jack says.

"Mhmmm," I agree while still watching the road.

"We should go and do something today after practice."

With a small smirk on my face, I turn towards him and ask, "Are you asking me on a date, Jack Brewer?"

"Whaaaat… uh. N-no. I…"

I watch him stutter for a few moments before laughing out loud, "I'm just kidding, Jack. Yeah, I'd love to do something later. My parents are going to be out for a while at that dinner anyways. So what exactly did you have in mind?"

Jack's face is slightly red as he smiles and replies, "Um. I'm not quite sure, really. What sounds like fun to you?"

I think for a moment. Movies are too typical, just going to a restaurant seems kind of lame too… Hmmm. Oh! I've got it!

"There's this new paintball place that I've been dying to check out. How does that sound?"

"Awesome! That sounds really fun. Let's do it."

"Okay, but just so you know, you're totally going down, Brewer."

"You wish, Crawford."

We then arrive at the mall and, after locking the doors and grabbing our things, head to the dojo for practice.

…..

"Okay guys! That's it for today!" Rudy yells as he retreats back into his office to do whatever it is that a Rudy does.

I go to my locker to get my bag before heading to my locker room. It's times like this that I really love being the only girl at our dojo. A whole room to myself. It's great.

After locking the door, I head over to take a shower. My stuff is already in the shower, so it takes me nearly no time at all to finish. I then proceed to get dressed and blow dry my hair. After I finish getting ready, I pick up my bag and return back into the main area just as Jack is closing his locker. He seems to be the only one left.

"Where are the guys?" I ask.

"They all went to Falafel Phil's," He answers while walking towards me, "You ready to go?"

"Yeah." I answer while walking with him toward the doors.

When we reach my car, we throw our things into the backseat and get in.

"So where is this paintball place at?" Jack asks.

"By the skate park." I answer while pulling out of the mall parking lot and onto the road.

"Oh yeah! I remember seeing that place," Jack says, "It's massive!"

I laugh, "I know. Some people from my art class were talking about it and said that it was one of the best paintballing places that they had ever been to."

"Sweet. This is going to be great." Jack says.

"Yeah." I agree while looking at our approaching location in the distance.

In just a few minutes, we're there. I pull up, park, and get out. After locking the doors, Jack and I make our way inside.

"Wow…" We both say.

"This place is awesome," Jack states while looking around.

"Yeah," I agree, "So Brewer, are you ready to lose?"

Jack smirks at me before replying, "You're on, Crawford."

…..

"Boom, goes the dynamite! Boom!" I yell as I hit Jack right in the spot that I was aiming for.

While I was doing my victory dance, I failed to notice Jack behind me until it was too late.

"Ha! Take that, Kimmy." Jack exclaims with a wide grin on his face.

"Oh, that's it, Jackson! You've had it, now!" I yell right before we're launched into another full out war.

…..

"Your face was priceless!" Jack laughs as we make our way out and back to my car.

"My face? What about this?" I laugh as I show him the picture that I conveniently snapped while I had ambushed Jack from his hiding spot.

"Oh my God! I didn't know you took that!" Jack yells while trying to take the phone from my hands.

"Don't bother," I say, "I already posted it on Instagram while we were changing."

Jack looks at me for a moment in disbelief before his face takes on his signature smirk.

"Well then I definitely don't feel bad for posting this little beauty," Jack states while pulling up his latest Instagram photo and showing me.

"Jack!" I yell while looking at the exact face that he was laughing about earlier.

We both then double over in laughter. After a few minutes, we both manage to regain enough air to breath.

"That was definitely as fun as I thought that it would be," I say as we reach my car.

Jack stops beside me before replying, "Yeah, that was some of the most fun I've had in a while… Well, since the last time that we hung out together. Remember laser tag?"

"Oh yeah," I laugh while recalling that day, "We took out everyone there in like 5 minutes tops. We were legends."

Jack and I grin while recalling the epic battle that took place that day.

Suddenly, the day catches up with me and I let out a long yawn.

"Tired, Kimmy?" Jack asks with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk playing on lips.

I punch his arm before saying, "Don't call me that, Jackson, but yeah, I am." I hand him the keys while saying, "Here, you drive."

He takes the keys and unlocks the car, while I go around to the passenger side. Getting in, Jack starts the car and we drive off.

While we're driving, my phone buzzes with a new text from Mom. I open it and read:

"Dinner is going to be longer than expected. Oh Joy. (NOT) We probably won't be home for at least a couple more hours. Wish us luck, and don't forget to lock up before going to bed. Love you."

I text back saying:

"Sorry about your evening. Good luck to you both. Hope nobody passes out from boredom… On a second thought, maybe that would be better. You wouldn't have to sit through the entire night that way. Don't worry. I'll make sure to lock the doors. Love you, too."

I laugh when I get a text back saying, "Good Idea."

I put my phone back in my pocket and look up to meet Jack's questioning stare.

"What are you laughing at?" He asks while smiling, "It better not be my picture again."

I grin before shaking my head, "Not this time, but that picture was hilarious."

Jack scowls, and I just shake my head at him before continuing on. "My mom is stuck at her dinner for a couple more hours and I was just telling her a possible escape plan."

Jack laughs before saying, "I don't think I even want to know."

I smile while replying, "Probably Not."