A Bout for Two // NCT Renjun

Chapter 6

       The day has finally come: Fencing Tryouts!  Since this morning, it's all that I could think about.  I couldn't focus on any of my morning classes, and I tried eating a big lunch, but I felt like throwing up because I was so nervous.  My last class for today was Pre-Calc.  Renjun and Jaemin sit a row over from me, but up a row as well.  In the very front of the class sits Lia, along with her two minions.  The lesson begins, and our teacher goes on and on about different functions and how to calculate and find missing variables, blah blah blah.  I didn't pay any attention, my mind only focused on fencing tryouts.  I was still in a daydream when all of a sudden I hear my math teacher call out my name.  "Umm, Miss Aria Wong, since you look like you already know what you're doing, why don't you come up to the board and solve this problem?"  Oh shittttt, I'm totally screwed.  I see the entire class looking at me.  I make my way up to the front of the class to see Lia smirking at me.  I look at the problem on the board, and let out a sigh of relief!  I've done this problem before even though we hadn't learned it yet!  I have a tendency of studying ahead, so I feel totally confident with this.  I solve the problem and write out all the steps without making a mistake.  The class looks shocked, and my teacher impressed.  "I must say you did a good job tackling that problem Aria, just make sure that you completely pay attention in my class alright?"  "Yes Mr. Kun, my apologies."  I make my way back to my seat and I catch Jaemin's eye.  He gives me a high-five as I walk back towards my seat.  For the rest of the class,  I daydream more about fencing, counting down the minutes until dismissal.

       The time has finally come.  I make my way out of the classroom and go immediately to the changing rooms to get changed for fencing practice/tryouts.  

Outfit:

As I'm tying up my hair into a ponytail, Julia and Renee enter the locker room with smiles on their faces.  

"Good luck today girlie, but you won't need it," Julia says while throwing a wink at me.  Julia and Renee have nothing to worry about today since they're already on the team.  

"Thanks guys, at least I'll get to fence with you guys one way or another," I say, trying to hide my nerves.  After gathering up all my gear, I make my way out into the gym where the fencing strips have been lined up, ready for us to begin tryouts.

"Alright everyone listen up.  My name is Johnny Suh and I am the head fencing coach here at Neo High School."  Everyone in the room starts to applaud.  "Now to my left, this is Coach Xiaojun, but he goes by Dejun for anyone who doesn't know," Coach Suh says while laughing.  "And here on my right is Coach Irene."  The gym erupts in applause once more before everyone quiets down.  "Now before we begin tryouts and training, I would like to introduce you to your team captains."  I see Mark make his way to the front.  

"Now as some of you know, the captain of the girls' fencing team graduated last year, which means we need to initiate a new captain," Mark explains.  He looks over to the girls and continues.  "That means today won't just be about making the team for you guys, but also figuring out who will be your leader."  We shake our heads in understanding and then start to suit up.  First, you need to put on your chest protector, followed by a white jacket (you also have to put a body chord through the sleeve, which connects into you foil), followed by a silver looking vest called a lamé.  After that, I put on my glove and I take my mask and my foil, which is the correct term for the sword that we use.  I start to hook up to the machine at the end of the strip waiting for someone to fence me.  Then, the tryouts begin.

       An hour has gone by, and so far, I'm very satisfied with my performance.  I've fenced about 5 girls, and I've beat all of them.  We fence to 10, and to me the girls who I fenced look like they just want to be on the team for the guys or because they want to start a new hobby.  I take off my mask and sit on the bench to take a sip of water.  While I take a rest, I look across the way and see that Renjun is about to start a bout.  I become curious and divert all of my attention to him.  Renjun salutes his opponent, in this case Mark, and they put on their masks.  The ref, who is Coach Suh, makes the call to start the bout.  Renjun immediately steps forward, initiating the attack.  He jumps back and forth before making a swift attack with a jump lunge, hitting Mark perfectly in the chest.  The bout continues and it's an intense match between Renjun and Mark.  Every time Renjun scores, Mark comes back to hit Renjun.  After some time, the final score is 10-8, Renjun.  I'm so shocked!  Renjun made every attack look so effortless.  The way he has control over his body and his feet amazes me.  I catch myself staring and look away before I can make contact with Renjun.  I stand up and head over to my next bout when I get pulled aside by Coach Suh.  

"Hi I'm Coach Suh, what's your name?"

"Oh, I'm Aria Wong, I'm a junior this year."

I watch as he hums in response.  "I've been watching you during a couple of your bouts, and I must admit that you've been doing exceptionally well.  May I ask what experience you've had in the sport?"

"Yeah, I've been fencing since I was 5, and now I'm on China's international fencing team."

"Oh yes that's right, I know your coach Mr. Ten is that right?"

I shake my head yes as a response.  "Well keep up the good work kid," Coach Suh says smiling while giving my back a light pat before heading over to watch another bout.  I smile to myself before making my way over to my own bout.  

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