always you || eli moskowitz

08

The dojo is going great, Miguel and I have both been training constantly, and I think we're getting better. We go to the dojo everyday either after school or before school and my dad makes sure I'm not slacking off at home. There is only one problem, money. We don't have a lot of it. Since we're still the only students, dad isn't making any money from it.

"You punch like a girl." I say to Miguel as he's punching the dummy.

"I can guarantee I punch harder then you." He says with a smirk.

"Really?" I ask with a smile.

"Yeah, let's both punch he dummy and whoever makes the dummy fall down wins." He says, confident that he's stronger then me.

"Ok sure, you first." I say with a chuckle.

"Ok." He says as he gets in position to punch it, but when he does the dummy's head only moves a little bit.

"Ok whatever. Let's see you do it." He says sarcastically.

"Ok." I say and I walk over to his previous spot. I plant my feet and balance myself, then I swing my arm and punch it in the chest as hard as I can. The dummy tips a little, but doesn't fall. I sigh in defeat.

"See, we both punch like girls." Miguel says with petty and goes back to practicing.

"Hey you guys don't happen to have any friends who wanna learn karate do you?" Dad says to us as he walks out of his office. "What am I saying you guys don't have any friends sorry."

"Hey wait we have friends." I say, defensive of the fact that I don't really have friends.

"Oh yeah, who?" Dad asks us.

"Um." I mutter, trying to think of someone. "Demetri and Eli. We sit with them at lunch." I say, proud that I could name people other then Miguel.

"Would they wanna learn karate?" Dad asks.

"No." Miguel says to us. "Hey Sensei, when are we going to learn to do some kicking? I was watching a YouTube video of a guy breaking boards and it looked badass."

"Yeah no shit. Kicking is badass. But you guys aren't ready. Besides if I don't get more students in here, I won't be able to teach anything." Dad says. If only we had more friends.

"You've thought about advertising right?" Miguel asks as if it's obvious.

"Yeah, duh. Of course." Dad says, his voice trailing off at the end. Miguel and I look at each other then back to dad.

"No, you didn't" We say at the same time.

~~~

We're at lunch right now, and the guidance counselor is making a speech about cyber bullying.

"Cyber bullying is no laughing matter. Sending a cruel message to someone online can be just as hurtful and saying it to their face. I'm not gonna name names, but the other day a mother called me up because her son was crying after some some kids online made fun of his facial deformity."

The counselor is making a speech, and not so subtly. Does she not realize there is only one kid in school that gets made fun of for a facial deformity? Everyone around us is looking at our table and whispering about it, they all obviously know who it is.

I make eye contact with someone who is staring at our table and whispering to their friends.

"Oh my god people shut the hell up!" I yell to everyone in the cafeteria, making it go quiet instantly. I look at Eli with a small smile.

"Language!" Some teacher yells at me.

"Anyway... Our goal here is to make this school a safe space for all students." The guidance counselor finishes her horrid speech.

"If your sick of getting bullied, out karate dojo's looking for recruits." Miguel says to Eli, who looks slightly interested.

"Yeah, right. You hear that Eli? A little karate training, and you're gonna kick some major ass." Demetri says sarcastically.

"I'm serious Demetri. Our Sensei is the real deal. I'm sure I could get you both discounts." Miguel says to them.

"As enticing as that sounds, I think we'd rather spend our afternoons playing Crucible Control than getting hit in the face." Demetri says.

"Maybe that's what you think, but Eli might want to. Eli?" I ask, but before he could answer, the counselor starts talking again.

"One last thing. While we're all looking forward to the halloween dance, let's make sure our costumes are culturally sensitive. For example, instead of 'sexy nurse' maybe try 'gender-neutral hospital employee."

"Oh that's too bad, I was going to go as sexy nurse, what now?" I ask my friends sarcastically.

"Gender neutral hospital employee is still and option." Miguel says with a laugh, which I join in on.

I still don't know what I'm going to go as though, and the dance is soon.