Welcome to Reefside (editing in progress)

Balck Belt Test Part 1

Dr. Oliver's POV

I've spent the past week helping Tracy prepare for her black belt test. I'm impressed by how quickly her technique returns, even things she swears she forgot. Her stamina is also better; she pushes through every drill without complaint.

Today is the big day.

She stayed over last night, so I head to the guest room to wake her. I knock. No response.

I open the door slightly.

She's still dead asleep, sprawled across the bed like someone unplugged her.

"Hey there, future black belt," I say. "Rise and shine."

She groans without opening her eyes. "How do you know I'm going to get it..."

"I just do. Come on, time to get ready."

She sits up and rubs her eyes. When she moves, she favors her right shoulder. She insists she "just slept on it wrong." That shoulder has been tight lately, but she keeps brushing it off.

I leave her to change. A few minutes later, she comes downstairs in jean shorts and a shirt that reads "I'm too pretty to do math." She grabs her bag with her left hand, and after a quick breakfast, we head to Reefside High.

Tracy's POV

My shoulder aches again when I close my car door, but I ignore it and walk inside.

At my locker, I freeze.

There's a rose taped to the door.

And an Ariel keychain looped neatly around the handle.

My chest tightens.

"...Mike."

I take the rose down, and a small card drops to the floor. I set the rose on my bag and pick up the card.

Tracy,
Happy belated birthday.
Don't stress about homecoming.
Good luck today.
—Mike

I smile, slip the keychain into my pocket, and grab my science book. I close my locker—

"Hey, Tracy."

I jump and drop my book. Mike winces. "Sorry! I didn't mean to sneak up on you."

I laugh shakily and put a hand over my heart. "It's okay. And yes... I loved the surprise. Especially the keychain."

His smile softens. "Cool. We should head in before the bell."

We walk side by side. Our arms brush lightly. My stomach flips.

Be brave, Tracy. Just try...

I hook my pinky around his... then immediately pull away.

"Sorry—too bold. I'll let go."

He shakes his head, cheeks faintly pink. "You're good. Actually... I kind of like seeing you be bold. It's cute."

Then he links his pinky with mine.

Warm. Steady. Butterflies everywhere.

As we reach the classroom, I whisper, "Okay, bold moment number two... we should let go so we can actually walk in."

He laughs softly. "Yeah, probably."

We unlink—slowly.

Normal POV

They step inside together. Cassidy and Devin turn toward them immediately.

Cassidy lights up. "Hi! Cassidy Cornell, head anchor of Reefside's number one teen news source. And you—finally—must be Tracy."