The next day passes in a blur. A rough sketch shows that it is a far cry from my fighting life, but I still feel the invisible walls surrounding me.
I am placed into what is called "the tenth grade" because I am 15... And apparently I'm smart enough. I did have schooling in my orphanage, before I was given, cash and carry, to the fighting stadium.
The next new thing I find, is that I need to exercise more! I'm literally DYING before even a quarter of the exercise is done... No surprise there. Even with my slim athletic body, made for fighting, I'm not very fit. Whoopee. NOT.
My training brings equal agony. All of us in the group are supposed to be learning REAL fighting moves... Whatever THAT means!
" Hello. my name is Mr. Firm. To those of you who are new, welcome to the Martial Arts Recreation Centre of Training." Our coach says, glacially eyeing us puny students.
" I will not tolerate misbehaviour in my class. Anyone who DOES misbehave, will have their behind slammed out the door before they know what hit them!" The coach emphatically states, gaining a smattering of chuckles.
" To begin in this class, we will be working on the scissor kick, the forward punch, the groin block, and the spin kick. Alright! let's begin!" Mr. Firm concludes, sealing my doom.
I work on the assigned tasks during individual training time. They're all easy, except for the spin kick. I know Mr. Firm said I should put in more gusto, but I get dizzy with all the jerking.
" Suck it up!" Is Mr. Firm's advice. What a compassionate teacher!
I work on my grade ten work, too. It's ok, I guess. Numbers, letters, and lines dance across my line of vision. Wonderful. I'm bone tired.
Activity time brings a round of dodgeball. Pretty fun, I guess. I don't even get caught!
Strength fun activity time, I try out rock climbing. Its challenging, but pretty awesome, I have to admit.
I take a shower during free time, then lounge, looking at the sunset, in a lawn chair.
I just sit during group hangout, because I don't have any friends to "hangout with" as they say.
the last hunk of the day is a nice quiet restful period. I decide to check out the library. My hazel eyes widen, as I check out the extraordinary collection: Little Women, The Swiss Family Robinson, Fairy Tales... Amazing...
by the time lights out arrives, I'm in a land filled with floating majestic books, skittering through the clouds, happy as can be.
The following morning, during exercise stretch and run, I accidentally bump into a girl jogging in front of me. the girl slowly turns around. I wince, ready for a barrage of mean words, but she just looks at me curiously, blinking her soft brown eyes.
" S - sorry," I stammer.
" It's fine," the girl says, flicking a hand, her sandy hair swinging from her ponytail.
I'm envious of her thick hair, since mine is fine, but thick hair isn't the best thing ever, either... Or so I've been told.
" I always trip and bump into things!" She continues, dimples appearing as she smiles.
I manage a small smile.
" My name is Orissa," the girl continues, holding out a hand. " But you can call me Riss," Orissa whispers, confidentially winking.
" I'm Aero," I say, grasping Orissa's hand and shaking it. " No nickname," I add, as an afterthought.
Riss laughs; and her laugh is contagious, so I am soon giggling beside her.
A staff member notices our lagging pace; and glowers at us.
" Oops! guess we'd better get going!" Riss exclaims. " See ya around!"
She takes off like a shot, leaving me behind, completely speechless.
While quiet tutor time takes place, I spot Orissa over by the window. She waves; and I waggle my fingers back at her.
I soon see her asking a monitor something, then she's marching over to me, dragging a poor boy by his collar.
"Hiya!IaskedthemonitorificouldworkwithyouandshesaidyesthisismybrotherOridion!" Riss positively glows as she announces all this in one big rush.
" Dammit, Orissa! I was trying to finish my history!" Oridion fumes, wrenching himself out of Riss' grasp.
" What are you working on?" Riss asks, completely unruffled by her brother's angry outburst.
"I've got algebra," I say, sighing.
" Oh algebra, do you need some help?" Oridion offers, his face clearing.
His face formation is similar to his sister's, but he has strawberry blond hair and deep blue eyes.
" It's ok..." I say, with hesitation.
" If 13+Y=28, then what is Y+22?" Oridion murmurs, reading out the question I'm working on.
" Pretty simple stuff," He concludes.
" Yeah, that's why I said I didn't need help," I shoot back stiffly.
" I was only asking!" Oridion retorts. " I didn't know you were miss high and mighty!" He stalks back toward his desk.
"Ok then," Riss says, breaking the silence.
After a few uncomfortable seconds she asks, " I guess you don't need any help?"
I don't reply. Riss sits down.
"Aero... Would you like to go bicycling with me this afternoon? When we're doing the strength activity thing?" Riss questions hopefully.
" Sure," I say, shrugging my shoulders.
"Yes!!! You're the best! We can race, and go slow, and have excercise, and..." She stops short, since Ms. Tariti, one of the stricter monitors, is giving her the stink eye.
"It'll be awesome!" Riss conjectures, practically pulsing with happy vibes.
The bell buzzes; and Riss quickly springs up.
" See you later, Aero!" Riss tosses over her shoulder.
" See ya," I reply.
Over the next few days, Riss, Oridion and I get to know each other better, running together, eating together, studying together, and hanging out together, of course. The siblings are SMART; and I realize that they are, completely and truly, NERDS. They are also big fans of jokes.
" What's one of the smartest animals?" Oridion asks me, grinning.
"Ummm.... Dogs?" I guess.
"Nope, OTTERS!" Riss quips.
" Ha ha," I say, rolling my eyes.
" What's the most religious animal?" Riss asks, grinning mischievously.
"I dunno. A horse?" I ask, throwing out a wild guess.
Riss giggles.
"A PRAYING mantis." She corrects.
I put my hands up in defeat.
" Why don't YOU make a joke?" Oridion says slyly.
I think and think. Finally, just a few minutes shy of the bell, I launch my joke bomb.
" So, a man goes to his doctor. He says, Doctor, I'm gonna be acting in a play."
"That's nice," the doctor says. " When is the play?"
"Tomorrow night!" The man answers proudly.
"Well, I hope you break a leg!" The doctor encourages.
"Can I break an arm?" The man worriedly asks. "I'm gonna need my legs for the act."
Riss and Oridion laugh and laugh, then the bell goes off, signalling the end of group hangout.
YOU ARE READING
FANGS
AdventureAero is saved from her fighting life by the dean of M.A.R.C.T, a martial academy. Aero makes friends; and accomplishes selected training. Everything is going fine, until she's paired up with a boy she thinks is horrible. But they must work together...
