I'm so sorry

(Javier's pov)

"So..." Chet says though a mouth full of food "What's going on with you and that freshman?"

He shoves another spoonful of hash browns in his mouth and looks at me with a smile, obnoxiously chewing his food like he didn't just ask the most taboo subject on the table. The others stop eating to look at me, most in curiously. Johnny in fear.

"who are you talking to?" Johnny sighs

"Javier of course! She came all the way here to see you and you didn't even sleep with her? I mean whats up with that?" Chet laughs

"Why does there need to be something? I saved her life, she thanked me, end of story." I state, hoping the most rambunctious ROR member would take the hint.

When Chet goes to speak Johnny hits his glass with his fork, spilling the cold liquid across the table cloth and down his legs. Chet screams, tipping the chair onto the floor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Chet, how clumsy of me," Johnny states in a false tone of sadness and like the fool, looking up at his king Chet smiles, believing his every word.

"It's alright Johnny, nothing I can't fix." He chuckles and begins whipping up the floor.

I wasn't sure where the others stood, each face looking at me and trying to look back at their food was different. Clearly each member of ROR was on a different level. By now Chip had finished, sliding down the stairs like something two steps from death. I catch Johnny's mirroring glance, how much had Chip drank?

"Okay, I'm going to take Chip to the nurse."

"I'll help." Johnny states before looking back at the group "Make sure the girls in each of the rooms gets back to their proper dorms or houses by 8 am, I don't want Dean Hardscrabble up my ass for missing students."

The guys nod once as I scoop up Chip, hosting the smaller monster close to my body for support. Johnny reaches down, swiping up a garbage can as we walk out the door. Holding the can out and ready should Chip need to use it.

(Sophia's POV)

I'd gotten some lunch into Randell after a few attempts. Well if sitting on his lap, pinning his legs to the bed and shoving the spoon in his mouth counted as an attempt but I still got him to eat. I usually didn't resort to violence, especially on an injured monster but after I'd learned the younger reptile had yet to eat anything, not eating the previous day either I took matters into my own hands. This time Mike actually had a bump, and the small green monster sat on his chair, icing said bump as I placed the last of the food in Randell's mouth. Both males were glaring at me and I couldn't help but smile as I placed the paper plate in the garbage can.

It was almost ten when I got back to the dorm and after glancing out at the quiet yard, no noise was coming from the quad or Frat Row, I assumed everyone was still recovering from ROR's party. Except for Carla, I saw very few monsters. Most of the people outside had their noses buried in a book or were munching on tasty food at one of the many restaurants. I was thankful for the silence but had no doubt that tomorrow night the air would be filled with music once more. At least this way Randell could be over the worst of his injury and Michael could study in peace, not fearing the wrath of my hand. I noted with a hidden smile that he twitched every time my hand moved.

Michael had left the reptile to his thoughts as he went back to the library to exchange his books, I guess I was the only one shocked about this. The large librarian looked at him with a look of confusion and suspicion as he slid the books across the table before turning and heading to the back of the building. I was on my way to the monster Cafe, the growl looked good but I wanted a place to sit down and I'd seen the members of HOWL walking in that direction. Not surprising as the burgers, while huge, were deemed an orgasmic meal and caught the attention of most. I assume after sleeping all night and day they were hungry for some real food. I had grabbed a book, sliding it up over my face as they walked by, most were to caught up in their conversations to notice me but I did see one, a blue monster turns in my direction. Keeping my face hidden I prayed that they kept moving and thankfully they did.

"Miss Jones?" A voice asks behind me, I turn, lowering my book to see an older monster in a suit looking at me "Sorry to startle you, I went to your dorm but no one was there and a young reptile, Mr. Boggs I believe, told me you were walking around out here."

I size him up. The monster was dressed in a black suit, the edges crisp. Well educated as he proudly stood before me. Like before my mind wondered what he wanted. Why was he here? Did I know him? Why the hell had Randell giving my location to a complete stranger? I made a mental note to maim said monster later and scan him once more. I suppose I could listen to his speech, a well-rehearsed and practiced speech no less but he didn't send off any bad vibes as he looked at me, a cellphone clipped to his hip and a folder in his hand.

"What can I do for you?" I ask, my hand sliding behind me encase this went sideways.

"My name is Mr. Kent, I'm the lawyer handling Mr. Cho's case." He opens the folder, reading the name like he wasn't sure he was saying it right "Your father told me you were informed of my arrival?"

"Oh yes," I smile and pull out my phone "Sorry, he said you'd be at least three days." I think back on the conversation, wondering if I'd messed something up.

"No, that's right. Sorry for arriving early but I was in town for other business and thought I'd see if you were free to see me now." He pulls out his phone "I can reschedule if you need."

"No, its alright." I state, and pick up my book "We can go now."

..
..

"As you can see Mr. Cho kept his affairs in pretty good order."

I stood still, basking in the room I'd spent all my life in. The wooden floors, the thin bamboo mats, the training sticks placed on the walls and the three antique swords that stood on the table, a picture of Mr. Lee's wife sat there as old inscents, half burnt down surrounded the photo.

"The building is well kept," Mr. Kent continued as I walked across the room, sliding my fingers down the picture frame with love, I'd be adding another soon. "the structure is strong and minus a few outstanding bills-"

"I'll pay for those," I state, interrupting him as I look around the dojo.

"There's no need, your father has already done so," he states "the dojo is yours, like Mr. lee stated in his will," he opens the sealed envelope and pulls out the will, I look down the paper and see, like he stated that the dojo was mine to have "While your father paid the bills making the house legally his Mr. Sullivan says the choice is yours." He pulls out a second paper, a dead to the house "we're you planning on selling the condo or would you like it?"

I look over at the second paper, my father's signature scribbled on the bottom. I noticed the hand-writing and a little note pinned to the top, my father said I was free to move into the condo if I was not happy in the dorms. I wasn't sure what I wanted, the school was a nice place and the dorm I was in was lovely but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. That and every time I thought about leaving a certain purple reptile popped into my head.

"Um, how long do I have to decide?" I ask, my hand now sliding down a training staff.

"When ever you want," he states "like I said before, the house is yours so do with it as you please but when you decide your father would like to know your decision."

I pick up a bow staff, sliding the smooth wood over my palms and even now I could picture him here with me, moving my hands over the stick as I swung it around the room, smacking my feet with his tail when I moved to far to the left or knocking me on my ass when I talked back.

..
..

All these thoughts were running through my head as I walked forwards, I had briefed Randell of my whereabouts before I left, really wanting to talk to Sulley but my wayward brother was long gone, doing something god known where that's bound to get him in more trouble and set off. I had cleared the building with little trouble, signing over some papers but the house would take me a little while to decide. I had been in that house so many times, each room held many memories and as painful as it might be to sell it just walking inside would be a thousand times worse. Before, with Master Cho it had felt like a home but now, it was like living in my home all over again. I'd be alone.

Maybe I deserved it, after all I'd left master Cho all alone. Just the simple thought of it had my clutching the flowers to my chest, hoping the sweet smell would help dull the ever present pain but it didn't and I was forced to loosen my grip to avoid crushing the expensive bouquet father had picked out. Father had met master Cho only a handful of times, mostly at championships and private lessons but I could tell he took a liking to the monster, well maybe that and he was the only monster that has ever put my mother in her place. That was an interesting night for sure. One both I, and mother would never forget. I'd flashed my I.D. to the receptionist and waited quietly as she got the order, I ignored the idle chit-chat she tried to engage in and left with a small nod after I had them.

The walk over was no better, in my pain I'd almost ran into four trees, tripped once but luckily stayed on my feet and took three wrong turns but finally after asking directions from a friendly elderly monster I was here, walking through the rows upon rows of fallen loved ones and wishing more than anything to run away. I kept my eyes cast to the ground, watching my feet as I stepped over graves with care and pausing once as I knelt down, picked up a small vase. Placed the flowers back inside and after opening my water bottle filled the container half way. I took out a single rose and placed it in the middle of the slightly wilting lilies and after sliding it into the middle of the stone, out of the harsh hands of the wind, bowed once in respect stood and continued walking.

Each step seemed heavier than the next and even before I found the grave I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. Finally after what felt like forever I came across the grave.

His grave.

Kueng Li Cho. Just reading his name had a deep sob ripping from my throat.

"Master..." I sob, my knees finally buckling under the pain as I collapse over his grave "Master I'm sorry." I sob once more, clawing the dirt as my sobs filled the air "I'm so sorry!"

I had wanted to do this right, to clasp my hands together in front of my heart and bow deep, paying my respects to my fallen master and truest friend like a student should, like master Cho would have wanted me too but I couldn't the pain of losing him had finally hit me and the guilt that followed had me broken. His death was my fault. I had known for a while that master Cho was sick, he was struggling to get through his day and we were going to move him to a care home so someone could watch him. I was supposed to be there, I was supposed to look after him but I wasn't. Mother needed me for a charity event and like an idiot I listened to him and went, promising to move him on Monday.

They say he fell. They said he tried to do it on his own. I'm not sure how long he laid there, I'm not sure if he suffered. He probably did...

If I'd been there I could have done something... But I wasn't.

I was his student. His friend. His adopted daughter. He was my hero and I let him down.

Through the pain I sat up, clenching my teeth together to stop the sobs and placed my hands together over my heart and bow deeply, trying to hold in the sobs as my tears fell to the dirt below.

"Forgive me, Master Cho..."

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Peace.