Spectacular World

A Nice Walk

"Come on, people!" Coach Jupiter shouted and blew into his whistle. "Put your back into it. You don't want to be the sorry scrub in the newspaper, do you? Give it your best shot!"

Oleander Bay could be such a strange school sometimes. For example, in the gym, hundreds of mats had been scattered around, and kids were now fighting each other. Well, actually, that wasn't the exact word to use. Kids were 'sparring' with each other.

Due to the recent Super attacks and gang-related activities that were going on, Oleander Bay was going over some self-defense lessons its students could take. You know, because if someone like Mars King or Green Wolf came at you, knowing how to kick their legs out could prove useful. As in, it wouldn't work, and they might find the fact you tried funny and kill you quickly.

Coach Jupiter blew into his whistle again. "Put your back into it, Moore. You're really getting beaten by a girl?"

"I'd like to see you do better against her." Armin muttered. He was currently flat on his back as she grabbed his arm and twisted him around, ramming him into the ground.

"This is fun." She giggled.

"Only because you haven't been thrown around so many times." Armin groaned and took her hand when she offered it. The two of them got to either side of the mat and entered their stances, restarting the match.

She normally didn't get to hang out with Armin at school much since the two of them had different classes, but with everything going on, both of them had been able to go to the self-defense lessons at the same time. Today they were learning some basic takedowns. She was winning.

"Come on, Hope, you're cheating." Armin sighed. "No super strength."

"I'm not using it though." She giggled. "You just suck."

"Rude."

She studied Armin intensely. They both got to wear the white martial arts uniforms from movies. She felt pretty cool and stylish. Slowly, her friend inched toward her with his arms up. She kept her guard up and approached. Once she was within reach, he struck.

Armin grabbed her arms and tried to kick out at her legs, but she managed to rip herself out of his grasp and awkwardly dodge his kick. She shoved herself forward, tackling him around his waist and causing them both to drop to the floor. She pinned him down with her chest and made sure his arms were trapped above his head, holding them by her wrist.

"You know," Armin murmured as she pressed against him. "This part of the spar is pretty fun."

"Don't be a pervert; that's just gross man."

"Then stop pinning me down!"

"Never."

Armin squirmed, and she flipped herself up, lifting him up and throwing him over her shoulder. She smashed him down and planted her knee to his gut, knocking the wind out of him. "You sure you're not using super strength?" The boy asked, shooting her a dirty look.

"I promise." She crossed her fingers...

She flipped Armin onto his back when he tried to crawl away, making the boy sigh. "You know, Myth wanted to talk with you once you were free." The boy said giving up.

"He did?" She took a seat on his back and folded her arms, humming. "I wonder what he wants with me." Though she had a pretty good idea.

"Will you get off of me? You're heavy!"

"Are you calling me fat?" She pouted. "You know, you're the last person I'd want to sit on anyway. Maybe I can try and get Ashley to agree to spar with me..." The Queen Bee was off by herself, not bothering to spar with anyone. "She's mean, but I'd be lying if I said she didn't look good."