Chapter 13

Lose some, win some

Eddie

He slid his shoes on quickly. He had to get to the dojo to help Rudy with his plan. This 'scuffle' that they were going through was normal. It was apart of growing up. Everyone had 'scuffles' but, they always bounced back.

And Eddie believed that Wasabi Warriors would in the best way.

He smiled as he made his way past his father.

"Eddie."

He faced his father.

"Yeah?"

"Well... I, uh, heard you singing yesterday."

Eddie nodded. He hadn't told his parents that he had taken up singing again. He was sure they heard him though. Its been almost weeks. Either they knew and chose to say nothing about it or they just didn't know.

Why was he asking about it now?

"Yeah, been takin' up some old hobbies."

He nodded and smiled. His dad was always a fan of him pursuing a career in music. His great-grandfather had been a well-known jazz musician until hard times hit and he was forced to get a regular job to support his family. The generations after pursed a boring career of accounting.

"That's cool. I'm glad you're singing, again."

Eddie nodded and smiled at his father..

"I just want you to know that I will never stop being here for you. I also think its great that you're being healthy. Tryin' to get ripped like your old man, huh?"

Eddie's father flexed his biceps. Eddie chuckled.

"I'll see you later, Superman." He says as he makes his way down the hall to the stairs.

"See ya, Black Panther."

./.

He waited at the curb, on his phone. He had to let Rudy know that he would be there, just a little late. When he finished the text and looked up he spotted Lori running up to him.

All of a sudden, Eddie was self conscious. He didn't really get dressed up because he was just going to dojo then home. He was wearing his old Spiderman t-shirt with some khaki shorts and an ancient pair of Converses. He silently wished he put something else on.

"Hey, Eddie."

"Hey, Lori."

He was doing fine so far.

"Where you going?" She asked.

"The dojo."

"Huh?"

"My dojo, The Bobby Wasabi Dojo, it's in the mall."

"Oh, that's right. Jerry told me you all did karate."

Eddie almost said "used to" but, he was hopeful. The Wasabi Warriors were gonna make up.

"So you spend all your Saturdays at a dojo?"

"Well I used to. I been busy lately though."

"Oh, cool."

"What about you?"

Eddie was doing better than he thought.

"I have been bored as crap. I used to go out all the time in New York. Now I'm just in the house all the time. My life sucks."

"Your life doesn't suck. I mean, you're out now."

"Yeah, but you already have things to do and there's no one else I really want to hang out with."

Eddie sucked in a quick breath. She just basically said that she wanted to hang out with him. No girl had ever said that to him. He tried to act as casual as possible but, his stomach was doing front flips. He was so excited. So, excited he lost his train of thought.

All he could think of was ways to make Lori smile.

"Eddie?" She poked his cheek.

"Yeah?"

"You spaced out for a second there."

"Sorry, that happens to me a lot around beautiful girls."

He looked over and she looked down. Her cheeks were red. He made her blush.

Eddie Johnson made a girl blush.

It was was decided. Eddie's afternoon was dedicated to Lori Jones and her happiness.

"Come on, let's grab some frozen yogurt."

"What about karate?"

"It can wait."

./.

They walked in the Seaford park laughing and enjoying the great weather.

"So, you let him shoot you with paintballs?"

"I had to!"

She exploded with laughter then she snorted. She stopped abruptly and covered her mouth.

"Was that a snort?"

"Shut up!" She shouted as she hit his arm.

"No, I think it's cute."

She smiled and shook her head.

"I'm serious."

"Yeah, alright."

They sat down on a bench. They sat so close, their shoulders touched. Eddie fumbled with his fingers, nervously.

He was spending the afternoon with Lori. The more he thought about it the more unreal it seemed. Things like this only happened to Jack and Jerry. Milton and Eddie weren't the type to attract much attention. Sure, he had talked to girls and been friends with them but, that's all it was, a friendship.

With Lori though, it seemed to be more. He was more invested in how looked around her. He watched what he said, he was worried about her more than he would admit and not to mention how much they seemed to want to be near each other.

He wouldn't admit straight out but, Eddie was falling for her.

"Aw, that's so cute."

Eddie looked up to see that a guy had proposed to his girlfriend. Everyone nearby clapped and cheered. Eddie joined in, smiling.

The guy picked up his new fiancée and kissed her. Eddie glanced at Lori. He then ran over to his group of friends. They all congratulated him. Almost instantaneously, Eddie's mind reminded him of the Wasabi Warriors.

"Crap."

./.

"You sure you don't want me to walk you home?"

"No, I told you, I'll wait."

"Alright but, you can't say I didn't offer."

He smiled at her one more time before walking into the dojo. He immediately wished he was anywhere else as the screams interrupted his train of thought.

Eddie had always hated arguments.

Milton was against the lockers with his head down. Jack and Kim were in a screaming match on the mats. Jerry was sitting on one of the benches with both fists clenched. While, Rudy was nowhere to be found.

"Guys. GUYS!"

They both went quiet.

"How is this gonna solve anything? How is this gonna make things go back to the way they were?"

"Save it, Eddie. Things will never go back to the way they were, thanks to these two."

"Shut up, Jerry."

"Or what?" Jerry shot to his feet, shaking slightly with rage.

"Guys." Eddie tried to intervene.

"You gonna hit me? Beat me up like you do the Black Dragons?"

"Jerry!"

"Eddie, just stop." This was from Milton.

He kept his head down.

Eddie walked over to him, "I can't let them do this."

Milton seemed to shrink in his presence.

"Milton, what's wrong?"

He could have sworn that he heard him whimper.

"Did he... hit you again?"

"He kicked me out."

Before he could say anything, Jerry's dangerously quiet and calm voice caught his attention.

"I liked Kim. There I said it. I was in love with her for the longest and it hurt every time I saw her with idiot could see that see had a thing for you and not me. But, here's Jack, the biggest moron in history and... he's totally obvious..."

"That's not true-"

"Oh, come on. Don't do that, man." Jerry cut him off, tears in his eyes.

"Jerry?"

Kim appeared from behind Jack. She was shocked to say the least.

"How... What?"

"Yes, Kim. I liked you. Don't act so surprised. You're kinda awesome."

"I'm sorry, Jerry. I-"

"Don't. I'm outta here."

He tried to leave but, Eddie got in the way. He was going to tell him that he's making a mistake, that he should stay. But, the shame and embarrassment of that decision hung over him like a dark cloud. Eddie moved to the side and let his best friend walk away. The cloud didn't go away.

"Jerry's my ride."

Milton left after him.

"I'm sorry, Eddie."

Kim left, too.

"I was going to tell her. I was going to make it right. Then Jerry..."

"Don't blame it on, Jerry. We all have a stake in this."

"I'm sorry too, Eddie."

He turned to leave.

"You still coming to the dance to hear me sing?"

"Wouldn't miss it, bro." His heart wasn't in it.

"See ya."

Jack waved and walked out the door for what Eddie hoped wasn't the last time.

./.

"I'm sorry about your friends."

"Its cool."

"No, Eddie, its not. I mean this is the kind of stuff that tears the strongest friendships apart. Secrets. They come with a price."

He couldn't believe it.

He couldn't freaking believe.

All the feelings from before flood in. He didn't want to break down and he wouldn't. It wasn't his pride, it was his pain. It was forcing him into a quiet, submissive state that he hated. It made him weak, fearful. The years of rage began to bubbling up.

Only thing keeping him all together was Lori. Her serene presence calmed his unruly nerves. Not to mention the fact that he didn't want to look bad in front of her.

Eddie looked up to the sky. Purple and orange painted the scattered clouds around the disappearing sun. It looked like something that belonged on a canvas.

"Hey, Lori."

Eddie made a split second decision. Hormones, nerves, whatever.

"Yeah." She looked at him in his eyes.

"How about you go to the dance with me?"

She didn't say anything at first. She just looked at him. A smile on her face. She then reached up and placed both hands in his cheeks. She looked deep into his eyes.

Lori brought his head down and kissed his forehead tenderly.

"I would love to."

Eddie wrapped his arms around her midsection then lifted her and spun. Any past fears or doubt's were washed away by the warm sound of her laughter. He set her down carefully and grinned. He felt like a million dollars.

"So, you got a suit?"

Eddie thought. He had a suit but, he only brought it out of his closet for weddings and funerals. It was old and a bit too would have to shopping for another one. He also couldn't have thought of a better way to spend his time than with Lori. She was all he could focus on.

"Yeah, but it's time I got a new one."

"Great. Monday, after school, we're going shopping."

"Can't wait." Eddie chuckled at himself, he thought he'd be so happy about shopping ever.

They continued to walk down the sidewalk. Their pace was slow. They wanted to enjoy each other's company as much as they could.

"I, uh, thought I'd let you know that I haven't spoken to or seen Walter since... that night."

"Good."

"No. Not good. Walter doesn't give up. When you least expect it he shows up and..."

"Hey," Eddie grabbed her shoulders, "I will never let him hurt you, again."

Lori blushed when she heard this. He smiled, liking the affect he had on her. When they reached Lori's house, Eddie gave her a hug and they said their goodnights.

Eddie went home with a large smile. Cloud nine seemed to be a permanent residence of his.

Milton

His father would figure out where he was. He would be furious. He would drag him from the house by his neck. His boots would stomp on the ground so hard, his very core would shake. His voice would shatter Milton. His rough hands would grip his neck and squeeze until he would cease to be.

Milton would have to leave.

Seaford.

His school.

His friends.

His home.

Milton decided he would.

And it scared him half to death.

Hi!

Its been a minute but, I'm back with another installment of The Right Choice.

I want to thank you all for your patience and reviews. It brightens my day knowing that people from Turkey, China, and Canada read this story. Makes me feel like I can change the world. For the better.

Anyways, please review and all that good stuff. Even if you didn't like it. I would love to hear your opinions on what I could do better.

Also, please check out my newest story, The Shaker: Prophecy of the Mist.

Thanks for reading.

-Angel