Author's Note: I'm so proud of myself for posting another chapter of this story less than a month later. I'm not sure I can say the same to the one after this to be honest. Anyways enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kickin it

Now onto the story


Bayview Mall

Bobby Wasabi Dojo

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Jack is always in awe whenever he watches Kim spar. She was always so graceful, so swift, and fierce. Beautiful but deadly. Which is basically the definition of Kim Beulah Crawford.

He was currently watching the blonde beauty spar against Sloane. Everyone else in the dojo was sitting along the perimeter of the mat. Everyone but Brody and him. Jack stood a few feet behind Kim holding a flag while Brody stood a few feet behind Sloane holding a flag. The two of them were the judges of the spar and raised the flag whenever the person they were standing behind earned a point. So far Sloane was winning, which was honestly no surprise since Sloane was the best in the dojo.

That statement still causes an uncomfortable tightness in his stomach. He was still used to being the best in the dojo. To being the star student. It made him feel good and important. Like a star. It was an ego boost for sure. But when Sloane invaded his dojo this September that title was stripped from him. He wasn't even second best, he was third best because of Brody.

Even though Kim was holding out good against Sloane, it was clear the blonde was starting to get tired. With a finishing spinning kick to Kim's abdomen, Sloane won the match as Kim fell to the ground.

Brody sticks out his flag, "Point 3! Match to Sloane!" He calls out

Sloane helped Kim up and the two girls bowed to each other. Sensei Rudy called the practice to an end and the group dispersed to head off to the locker rooms to change. Kim walked over to the row of lockers next to Sensei's Rudy's office. She unlocked her locker then grabbed her bottle of water, uncapped it, then took a long sip.

Jack walks over to her. He didn't really get the chance to talk to Kim during practice. Before practice Kim chose to warm up with Sloane instead of him. He tried not to feel hurt by it but it stung. "You did great."

Kim turns around to face him and rolls her eyes. "Thanks but you don't have to try and comfort me. I don't mind losing."

Jack huffs in exasperation. He felt slightly offended by her assumption. "Give me some credit Kim. You think I don't know that after two years?"

Kim studied him for a moment at his reply. Eventually she turned back to her locker and shrugged. "You're right. Thanks Jack."

"No problem," Jack says, rubbing the back of his neck nervously before deciding to push through his nerves and ask his next question. "Um, so Audrey and I were gonna go to the Froyo Den. Do you wanna come?"

A regretful look crossed Kim's face. "I'm sorry I can't. I have play practice like right after this. As soon as Brody gets changed we're leaving."

Jack blinks, stunned into silence for a moment. His mind blanks at the mention of Brody and him and Kim leaving together. His mind burst with questions at her statement and horrible scenarios were popping into his mind. He forces them away and tries to keep his face calm as he responds to that.

"Brody? What does that have to do with him?" He tries to come off as easy going and not jealous or suspicious. He thinks he managed to pull it off

Kim averted eye contact as she focused her gaze on her bottle. "I'm carpooling with him. His aunt is dropping us off."

"Brody's aunt is going to drop you off?" That reveal just raised more questions in his head. Why was Brody doing that? Why did Kim agree to that? Just how close are they getting?

Jack wasn't blind. He did notice that Kim was starting to warm back up to him. They started stretching together and sparring together in the dojo. He sees her talking and laughing in English class. Brody was slowly but surely carving a place back into her life. Jack, as much as he doesn't want to, is feeling some type of way about that. But he knows better than to say anything so he's keeping his mouth shut. For now.

Kim raises her gaze to give him a slight withering look because of his parroting. She props a hand on her hip. "That's what I just said. He's doing the play too."

"Oh."

An awkward silence falls between them after that. Jack didn't know what to say after being shot down. A part of him can't help but feel that Brody was winning. He was stealing Kim from him and he didn't know how to stop it.

Kim was the one to break the silence. "Maybe next time?" She suggests but didn't wait for a reply before heading off to the girl's locker room


Seaford High

Library Media Center

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

Milton was yet again in the library. It was one of his favorite places in the school. He loves books, which is no shock to anyone who knows him. It was the perfect place to study or when you just want quiet. He was currently reviewing his geometry study guide. Once again he was starting to fall behind in his classes. Well not far behind but he was getting lower a's instead of his usual high ones. Even some b's.

Ever since New Year's Eve, Milton has been spending more time with the preps. Specifically Nigel and surprisingly Arthur. And specifically at the Seaford Country Club. That seemed to be the preps main hangout. Understandably, it was a big clubhouse with lots of different amenities; golfing, tennis, and swimming being the main ones. Milton spent more time at SCC in the last month than he had in the past few months.

On the Friday of the first week back from break Nigel invited him to play tennis with his friends during civics. Milton was hesitant to accept. Him and sports still didn't have a good relationship. His parents put him in tennis lessons when he was a kid but he never had a love for the sport. He honestly hated taking the lessons because he'd much rather be reading or watching another Bill Nye episode. But Nigel insisted and Arthur joined in so Milton caved to the peer pressure.

He was glad he did. He had a pretty good time. Milton was still feeling the group out but he was really warming up to them. Skylar and Marcus kicked his butt in tennis. Nigel was his partner and the one who gained most of their points. Milton was talked into playing two games but he refused to play a third one. He was too worn out and embarrassed. Especially to lose so spectacularly in front of Kandace. Said girl took his place as Nigel's partner for the next game of tennis.

Arthur didn't join in on the matches. He watched from the sidelines and only contributed good-natured teasing and acted as an exaggerated sports commentator. On their fourth and last match Claire entered the court next to them with her posse. Arthur instantly ditched them to go flirt with her.

"Hey Milton!"

Milton looked up to the voice and his eyes widened at who it was; Kandace Dalvi. The freshman noticed that his middle school crush on her seemed to be slowly coming back. Now that he's been spending time with her he's remembering all the reasons why he developed a crush on her. Her intelligence was her biggest attraction, her soft spoken nature, she seems more mature than the other girls, and her appearance of course.

Speaking of her appearance another thing Milton liked about her was her wardrobe. She wore a lot of sweater vests, collared shirts, khakis, and skirts, specifically plaid. Today she was wearing yet another sweater vest and white collared shirt combination. The sweater vest was black and white print and paired with black jeans and a white headband.

"Kandace, hey!" He exclaimed louder than he meant too, "how are you?"

"I'm good thanks," the sophomore answered then noticed the papers on the table, "am I interrupting you?"

"Oh no! No I was just reviewing for my quiz for Geometry but I know most of it so." Milton finishes with a nervous shrug

It was weird to have this nervousness back. He hasn't felt this type of nervousness since he first tried to talk to Julie with Kim's help. He still can't shake the ridiculous feeling that he was betraying Julie. That he shouldn't be looking at any girl with interest. He knows he shouldn't be feeling this. Especially when Julie has no qualms chasing after Ethan Love.

"Oh, okay good. Do you mind if I sit down?"

Milton shakes his head. "No, not at all, sit." He gestures to a chair across from him

Kandace took another peek at the papers in front of him. "I thought freshmen take Algebra 1?"

"They do-we do but I'm taking Geometry because I took Algebra 1 last year. I'm advanced."

"Ah, right." Kandace pushes some hair off her shoulders. "Can I see?"

"Yeah, sure."

With his permission Kandace picked up his study guide packet. She skimmed the first page with a slight wrinkle in her eyebrows as she read. Milton couldn't stop himself from thinking that was cute. "Oh I remember this. Geometry was a favorite subject of mine. It's easier than AP Calc."

The freshman barely heard her because of his swooning. When he processed her words he blinked in shock. "You're taking AP Calculus?"

Kandace nods. "Yes."

"You like math?" It was kind of a silly question since he already knew she was on the academic decathlon and quiz bowl team.

Kandace shrugs, "It's ok. It's not my favorite subject."

"What is?"

The sophomore brightened at the question. "English for sure. I love writing." She gushes

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. I'm only taking AP Calc because my parents want me to." She looks back down at the table again at the admission

Sensing that that was a touchy subject for Kandace, Milton opted to change the subject. "So what type of writing do you like?"

"Creative writing. That's one of my electives. I love poetry and fiction the best."

"I'm more of a science guy. To be honest English is one of my least favorite subjects. I don't have a way with words at all."

Kandace smiled at Milton's response, amusement sparkling in her brown eyes. Milton's heart skipped a beat from it. "To each of their own. Though I wouldn't really say I have a way with words. Not when speaking. It's easier to express myself in writing."

Kandace looks down at the table causing her hair to fall in her face again so she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm kind of shy."

Unbeknownst to the ginger haired boy Julie entered the library. She was in search of a book she has been looking forward to reading. She didn't really want Erica or Cathy to know about the book she was looking for, which is why she made sure to do it before school starts.

She knows the book is shelved towards the left side of the library near the seating area. She checked it in the library catalog yesterday during lunch but didn't get the chance to get it. Stassie found her and started babbling on about her relationship troubles with Brett Parker.

Honestly Julie doesn't like her that much. She finds her kind of annoying but she's friends with Erica. Or friendly. Erica has complained to her numerous times of how she thinks Stassie is stuck up and annoying and thinks too highly of herself. Which is even more confusing because after her trash talking Erica still hangs out with her. That's the type of girl dynamics that Julie hates. Or used to hate. Now she just swallows back her protest and attentively listens.

When Julie reaches the left side of the library she walks towards the row in front of the row of tables. She scans for the author's name when she hears a familiar laugh. She freezes, she knows that laugh all too well. She's been the one that caused that laugh more times than she could count. She used to love hearing it. It would light something up inside her.

Unwanted memories flashed through her mind. She tries to forcefully push them out. Now was not the time or place. She closed that chapter of her life exactly three months and one week ago. She tries not to pretend it's not weird that she knows that fact to a t. A part of her is screaming to run away but her feet won't move. Against her better judgment she slowly peeks around the corner and sure enough there at one of the tables was her ex-boyfriend.

Only he wasn't alone.

He was with a pretty, preppy, girl she recognizes as Kandace Dalvi. A mix of emotions stirred within her at the sight. She knows that Milton used to have a crush on her. Thought so very highly of the tenth grade prep. And now there he is. Smiling warmly at his former crush who was smiling right back at him. She couldn't help but wonder if they're a couple now or if they're on their way to becoming one. The thought of the answer to those questions being affirmative brought a sinking feeling to the pit of her stomach.

Watching them became too much for her so she swiftly turned away from the pair to stalk out of the library. The book she wanted, long forgotten.


Seaford High

4th Period PE

Locker Room

No one would be surprised to know that PE was Jack's favorite class. He's an athletic person, he's all about pushing himself to lengths he didn't know he could reach and loves the feels of sore muscles. Plus not to mention the rush of adrenaline he gets afterwards. There's nothing like it.

While a lot of his classmates complain about the games coach Funderburk makes them do and the mile runs, Jack loves it. He eagerly rushed out of his third period class to head over to the school gym. In order to get to the locker room you have to enter through the gym.

After he was changed into his PE clothes while stuffing his regular clothes in, he didn't notice another boy entering the room.

"Well if it isn't the snitch."

Jack freezes at the voice. Not this. Not again. He closes his eyes and sighs. He refused to turn around and instead continued with closing his locker then snapping the lock back on. "I really don't have the energy for this today." He tells the boy

"Well that's too bad. I don't care."

Finally Jack turns around to face the boy. He stares at him in exasperation. "What do you want Victor?" He asks in a bored tone

"What I want is for you to stop acting like you're some poor, innocent victim. For you to admit your mistakes, an apology."

Jack blinks in shock. A startled laugh escapes his throat. Maybe he heard wrong. He had to. "Excuse me?" He asks incredulously

"Frank is in jail. Not juvie but jail. He's rotting away in jail because of you." Victor jabs an accusing finger in his direction

Of course. Of course Victor the loyal lapdog is out here defending his master. Frank was just a sweet little boy that didn't deserve to be in jail. He should've known that even when Frank almost stabs someone, he'll still defend him to the death. It was pathetic really.

"He's rotting away in jail because he's a psychopath. He wanted to stab me." Jack countered

"You brought that on yourself." Victor growled, pointing at him again. "We were leaving you and your loser friends alone but you just had to push. You wouldn't leave him alone."

Jack scoffs. He rolls his eyes. He tries to ignore the truth in those words. Push away any slithering feelings of guilt and shame that were trying to creep in. "So the answer is to stab someone?"

Victor groaned and this time he rolled his eyes. "He wasn't really gonna stab you. He was just gonna scare you."

The Wasabi Warrior stares at the Black Dragon with wide eyes. He really can't believe what he's hearing right now. That those words came out of VIctor's mouth. "That's insane! He's insane!" He exclaims

"Oh and giving a guy a fake id with a wanted criminal on it isn't insane?"

Jack's jaw instantly snaps shut with a click. He had no reply for that. In fact he'd really like to forget that he did that. For the first time the black belt broke eye contact.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Victor sneered. "You may have everyone else fooled, thinking you're some saint but I know the truth. You're not."

Jack stared back at Victor with forced composure. He didn't want Victor to think that what he was saying was getting to him. He needed to remain looking blank. Though his chest started to hurt.

"You deserved what happened to you," Victor snarls before taking another threateningly step forward. " And in my opinion," the black dragon leaned in closer so he was inches from Jack's face as he whispered the last five words, "the knife should've caught you."

Jack tried his hardest not to reel back at that in shock. He couldn't control the look of shock that crossed his face. The words were a punch to the gut. It felt like a physical punch. His chest pain increased.

Victor starts to slowly back up. "This isn't over." He vows before turning around and walking out into the gym

Victor's threat sounded far away and echo-y. Like the words came through a tunnel. Along with his chest pain his heart thumped fast. He could hear it pounding in his ears and it felt as if it was trying to thump out of his chest. His legs started to suddenly feel weak and a wave of dizziness hit him. He stumbled back into the locker and breathing suddenly became hard for him.

No. Not again. He had this feeling before. At the shelter. He thought this was a one time thing. His legs gave out and crumpled as he clumsily fell to the floor hard. His back painfully slid against a few latches on the lockers on the way down.

"Hey Jack are you-" Milton trails off when he sees the state his friend was in. Jack was sitting miserably on the floor and didn't even acknowledge him. His gaze was unfocused as he stared into nothingness. His skin was pale and clammy and he was panting, borderline hyperventilating.

Milton rushed over to him. "Jack? Are you okay? What's going on?"

Jack doesn't notice his friend at first. He doesn't notice his surroundings at all. All his focus was on the fact that he can't breathe. Air was seemingly being sucked away by the second. The loss of air and the burn in chest makes him feel as if he was dying. He was going to die in the locker room. And doesn't he deserve it? After everything he's done? The people he's hurt? He should-

Hands on his shoulders brought Jack out of his spiral. He flinched at the touch but heard a voice. It was a distant voice but he heard it all the same. The voice continued talking and bringing him back into reality.

It was Milton. Milton was talking to him. When did he get here?

The black belt stared helplessly at him. "I can't-I can't breathe. I can't breathe." He panted

Milton's eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Jack just shook his head. He couldn't explain it. That required too many words that he couldn't force past his lips. "I can't breathe, I can't breathe, I can't breathe."

"Yes you can. There's air." Milton assures him but it was in vain.

He can't. Why can't Milton see that. Jack draws his knees up to his chest. "I'm gonna die."

"No you're not."

The long haired boy could no longer speak. His lungs were starting to burn along with the pain in his chest. He feels like he's submerged under water, getting pulled down farther and farther to the bottom.

Hands were touching him again but this time he didn't flinch. They were grounding him. Keeping him from floating away to the chaos in his mind. "Jack, listen to me. Jack."

In a firmer voice Milton continues. "You're not going to die. You're fine. You're okay. You can breathe."

The hands slightly tighten on his shoulders. "Copy me? Okay Jack? Look at me. Can you do that? Copy me."

Through blurry eyes Jack stares at Milton. His ginger-haired friend deeply inhales then exhales and repeats that. Jack opens his mouth and attempts to mimic his friend but his attempt comes out choked. It felt like he was trying to swallow a whole apple.

"You can do it. Come on just try again."

Jack obeys and opens his mouth again, this time breathing in a bit more air. It was hard and hurt for a while, and there are times where he doesn't know if he's managing or he's deluding himself.

Milton continues to encourage and coach him. "Great. You're doing great. Now count with me. One…two…three-"

"Four." Jack rasps out, "f-five."

Together they finished counting. "Six…seven…eight…nine…ten." By the end of the countdown Jack's breathing has fully returned to normal. His chest stopped hurting.

A rush of air finally flooded his lungs. He can breathe. There was air. He's not dying. He greedily gulps a couple lungs full of oxygen. Jack raises his hand to his chest and rubs it.

Jack leaned his head against the lockers then closed his eyes. There was no getting around it. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, to play it off, and to pretend there was no escaping the truth any longer.

Something was seriously wrong with him.


Corridor

"But it'll be so much fun!" Kim encouraged

Ever since Field Day was announced earlier this month Kim has been pestering him to participate. Even though Milton already said no multiple times she still hasn't given up yet. All throughout lunch Kim kept making pointed remarks that Milton tried to mind was still stuck on Jack having a panic attack before PE. A part of him was wondering if he should tell Kim but Jack made him promise he wouldn't. He promised him he was fine and claimed it wasn't that big a deal. Milton didn't believe him but he ultimately decided to honor Jack's wish.

The ginger haired boy rotates between sitting with Sidney and Albert and with Kim, Kelsey, and Donna during lunch. Today he chose to sit with Kim. He likes sitting with the girls. It was still weird having female friends. He spent most of his elementary school days afraid to talk to girls. He thought of them as an entirely different species. Then when seventh grade came around and Jack came crashing into their lives and Kim wasn't far behind.

He of course knew of Kim before. Everybody was talking about it when she punched Randy back in fifth grade. By the end of that week everyone in the fifth and sixth grade knew who the new girl was. Milton was impressed and secretly happy to see Randy finally be put in his place. He was also terrified of the girl. A girl like her would never talk to a guy like him anyway. Or so he thought up until seventh grade.

Milton shook his head in denial. "No, not for me."

Kim groaned and rolled her eyes. "Oh c'mon you're overthinking it. If you can do football then you can do field day. It's actually easier and more fun."

Milton blinks at the reminder of his short-lived football career. It already felt like such a long time ago. He wanted to prove a point and he wanted to make Julie happy. He's happy he took a chance. He met some really nice guys (and some not so ones) and he proved himself. But now that he finished his experiment he'd never do it again. The locker room still makes him uncomfortable along with some of the vulgar jokes said in it. Mainly by Kevin and his friends.

"Kim I'm not a runner, my hand eye coordination isn't up to par, and I can admit I'm not the strongest. I won't bring anything to the team."

In typical Kim fashion she quickly dismissed his excuses. "So? Join because you'll have fun and make memories."

The freshman class president couldn't help but snort. "Like me getting my butt kicked and embarrassing myself? No thanks. I'll pass."

The blonde huffs. Finally recognizing defeat as they both climbed up the stairs to their next class. "Fine whatever. Be a lame loser."

Milton smiles cheekily. "I will, and happily." Kim playfully shoves him for the remark and they both laugh

The two fell into silence as they continued their trek up the stairs. With Field Day coming up, the halls of Seaford high were covered in decorations and class colors. Each class was required to make a poster for a poster contest that will be judged on Field Day. That's one of the great things about Seaford High, the killer whales take their school pride seriously. They always go all out for Seaford on Parade week. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing the colors blue and gold.

It's looking the same for Field Day. It was kind of like a second homecoming week. Another event where school spirit was drummed up and decorating was at an all time high in the halls. The hall they were currently walking down was claimed by the sophomore class. The hall was covered in light green, that being the chosen class color.

After they reached the end of the hall they turned left to enter a new hall. "Have you finished conjugating verbs homework for French?" Kim asked

Milton cringed at the reminder. He knew he forgot something yesterday but couldn't remember what. This is what happens when he doesn't write things down in his planner. He forgets. "No."

"Me neither. Do you wanna study at my house later?"

Milton opened his mouth to immediately agree before closing it again. Remembering what Nigel asked him Saturday when they were at SCC. "Unfortunately I can't. I'm going to be at SCC later."

Kim stopped in her tracks and turned to fully face him. Her nose scrunched in confusion. "SCC?" she repeats in slight disbelief, "why?"

"There's a movie night tonight and Nigel invited me."

Kim makes a face at that. She crosses her arms. "Nigel? You mean your new best friend?"

Milton exasperatedly rolls his eyes at the jibe. "I could say the same thing about you and Brody."

It hasn't escaped Milton's notice that Kim is being nice to Brody again. She no longer switches between ignoring him and trying to rile him up in the dojo. She actually spars with him and doesn't snap at him when he gives her pointers. Then at school Milton has seen her talking to him in the halls and actually smiling and laughing.

Kim sputtered, her face coloring at the remark. "I-that's- we're talking about you not me."

Milton laughs. Delighted to see the unflappable Kim Crawford sputtering in embarrassment. It was a rare thing to see. "Nigel's a cool guy. And so are his friends, even Arthur to an extent."

The blonde freshman snorts, quickly recovering from her slip up. "That's hilarious." She all but sneers and begins walking again

"I didn't really believe it either but he can be nice when he wants to. And he's kinda funny." Milton doesn't really know why he's defending Arthur. He was raised to see the best in people and to forgive. And maybe that's what he's doing right now.

Kim doesn't seem convinced. "Does he make jokes about us poor middle class people?"

Milton rolls his eyes again but he couldn't deny that. "All I'm saying is there's more to him than meets the eye. More to all the preps."

"Yeah whatever. Just don't forget you were us poor folk friends first when your off riding on jet skis."

"Deal." Milton promised then they both entered their shared French class


Brewer Residence

"Someone's got to shut you up." Frank growled

Jack was back in the park with Frank. He waited for the older boy to show up so they could hash things out. Maybe finally bury the hatchet once and for all so there would be no more fights. That maybe finally the Black Dragons and Wasabi Warriors could coexist in peace.

Oh how wrong he was.

Frank showed up ranting and spitting and clearly still pissed off. Jack tried his hardest to calm him down but then Frank pulled out a knife in his jacket. Everything just froze. Everything narrowed down to the knife.

"No Frank wait-"

But it was too late. Frank lunged and this time the knife made impact. A hot, searing pain suddenly exploded in his left side. Jack's eyes widened then he slowly looked down to see a knife in his side. A knife was inside of his body.

Frank pulled the knife out and his side was instantly flooded with warmth as blood pooled. Jack backed into the tree behind him then slowly slid down until he was sitting on the ground. Jack held his injured side then looked back up to Frank.

Jack looked up again only Frank was gone. Now in front of him stood his dad.

Christopher Brewer stared down at his son with sympathy. "I told you to stop. I told you this path leads to nothing good."

Jack was speechless. Between feeling shock and pain he wasn't able to speak. He stared at his father, willing him to help him.

Christopher walked towards his bleeding son on the ground and knelt down next to him. Jack just stared helplessly at him. "But you wouldn't listen. You and your mother never listen."

Christopher shook his head and clucked his tongue in sympathy. "This is your punishment son." His dad ran a soothing hand through his hair then placed a kiss on his forehead. After that he stood back up and turned around then began to walk away

At his dad's retreating form, words were finally able to bubble past his lips. "Dad, where are you going," He shouted at his back but his dad didn't turn around, " dad?!"

He can't believe his dad left him. Here like this, bleeding out. That he didn't care. Like always, his dad just leaves. It;s what he's good at; leaving him.

"Even your dad agrees with me."

Jack turns his head to the left to see none other than Victor Straffman walking up to him. His fellow ninth grader was wearing his signature black and red Black Dragons jacket. Jack never felt as small as he did now with the bully staring down at him with a devilish smirk.

"This is your fault. You caused this."

It was his fault wasn't it? If he would have just left Frank alone he wouldn't be where he is now. He wouldn't be bleeding out. Dying. Why didn't he leave Frank alone? He doesn't even really know the answer. He just couldn't help himself.

Jack stared bleary eyed at the boy. He inhaled a raggedly breath, "Victor."

"Jack Brewer. Golden boy, black belt, look at you now." Victor taunted. He knelt down next to Jack and leaned in inches from his face. "Weak."

"Not even your girl wants you anymore."

Victor stood up then stepped aside to the left. Behind him were Kim and Brody. The pair wore matching flirty smiles towards each other as they held hands. Watching them almost overrode the pain he felt from getting stabbed. Brody glanced over to him and his sweet smile turned devilish as he stared. Kim didn't glance over, she remained oblivious as she continued staring at Brody.

While still staring at Jack, Brody leaned down and kissed Kim. Jack stared helplessly in shock. There was nothing he could do but watch. Watch as his heart was torn out of his chest and stomped on the ground.

Victor suddenly came back into his view. "I'm a do you a favor and take you out of your misery."

Jack suddenly noticed that Victor was holding something in his right hand. Something sharp and shiny. A knife. When did Victor get a knife? "N-!"

"-ck! Jack wake up! Jack-"

Jack startled awake with a shout. He wildly swung his arm out and accidentally made contact with flesh. A high pitched shout snapped him back into reality as Victor's face dissipated from his mind. He heaved a few ragged deep breaths, willing his pounding heart to slow down. He was okay. He was okay. Jack muttered the mantra as he ran a hand through his sweaty hair.

A pained groan from the ground reminded him that he wasn't the only one in his room. He hit something when he woke up. Or someone. Jack crawled to the right side of his bed and peered over it. His eyes widened when he saw who the intruder was.

Audrey. He hit his little sister in the face. A wave of horror washed over him and his heart sunk to the pit of his stomach. He jumped out of the bed and scrambled to help her stand.

"Audrey?! I am so so sorry."

"My fault for trying to wake a black belt." Her reply came out slightly muffled since she was holding the side of her mouth

"Are you okay? Let me see."

Audrey obliged and lowered her hand. The left side of her lip was bleeding. Seeing the injury just made him feel like dirt. Even lower than dirt. He hurt his baby sister. Bad enough to be bleeding.

With Jack fretting over his Audrey, he didn't hear the footsteps of his mother as she walked up to his room. She was awoken by Jack's shout and Audrey's shriek after getting hit. "What is going on in here?"

Both siblings startled at their mom's voice. Neither heard her walking in. Jack couldn't get his mouth to move to answer the question. Guilt bubbled inside of him almost enough to overwhelm him. He didn't want to admit what he did. So Audrey was the one to answer the question. "I tried to wake Jack up and that was a huge mistake."

Jack was quick to defend himself before Quinn even had time to process her daughter's answer. "I didn't mean to hit her, it was an accident."

Quinn blinks at her son in shock before walking further into his room and towards Audrey. Jack sits back down on his bed and scoots away from his mom in shame.

"Oh honey," Quinn cooed as she walked over to her daughter to inspect her injury, "why were you trying to wake Jack up?"

"It sounded like he was having a nightmare." She explains and that just made Jack want his bed to swallow him up

Quinn looked back over at her son. "Were you Jack?" She asks in concerns

Panic builds in his chest at the question. "Uh yeah but it was-it was nothing. I'm fine." He quickly lies

"That makes one of us." Audrey says, quickly stopping him from spiraling

"C'mon sweetie let's get you some ice." His mom says, guiding Audrey out of the room with a hand on her back

"I'm really sorry Bambi." He apologies again,

Audrey half heartedly waved his apology away. "It's fine Jack. I know you didn't mean to." She assures him

That didn't stop Jack's stomach from churning in guilt. He opened his mouth to say something else but he didn't know what. He just watched as his mom ushered her out of his room before closing the door behind them with a click.

Jack stared at the door for a few lingering seconds after they left. Eventually he broke his staring contest with the door to look down at his lap. That wasn't the first time he dreamed about what happened at Shore Park. Right after it happened any time he slept he couldn't escape Frank and his knife. How close that knife was to his side.

This dream was worse. It didn't just repeat the incident but this time he was stabbed. He was stabbed and Victor and his dad showed up in it. What happened was his fault. He tried his hardest to not believe it. To believe what his family and friends say. That Frank was just a ticking time bomb and it was only a matter of time before he exploded. But the truth of the matter is it was his fault.

And he should've done something when Frank showed him the knife. His twelve years of training should've kicked in. He. Should've. Done. Something.

He hasn't been giving karate his full attention these past few months. He's been distracted with messing with Frank and before that seeing Kim. It would've stayed focused on karate then he probably wouldn't have froze. He needs to put karate back to being his first priority. Especially with Victor looking like he wants to cause trouble. He needs to eat, sleep, and breathe karate so if Victor wants to do something, he'll be ready. He won't freeze again.


Author's Note: I'm really putting Jack through it huh? What can I say it's fun in a sadistic way lol