All's Fair

Asked Out and Outcasts

A/n:  Picture of Nora above.

Nora's POV...

The next morning, I started my routine early. Stretching, and then following up with basic punches and exercises, and then on to more complicated moves on with my long staff. When was the last time I used this anyway? Oh yeah, yesterday.

A day of breaking serious rules like: breaking a detention student out of school so he can go to a secret meeting with his friend and not be caught while the principal is seeing to a protest. But I did get to meet a cute guy. Wait, is that like saying I saw a new painting in the arts gallery? That guy didn't even give me his name the whole time I talked to him! And he was definitely trying to- Grr! Can't concentrate! I've just been thinking about it longer than I should. A new routine! Yeah that will get me back on track.

I moved around everything I needed in my workout room. Yeah, more like a gym! I used to see Dad sometimes use the punching bag and the hand weights, but most of the stuff here is for me. I need the trampoline, high bar, low bar, mats, punching bag and the circle mat. I took a few deep breaths. Then my muscles tightened themselves ready, my adrenaline already starting from anticipation. I ran forward and let my staff out at full length.

My first trial is the trampoline. My speed and timing would be crucial along with my lower body strength. At the right distance I leaped on to the flexible material. It pushes me back, rocketing me high up. Pushing my staff horizontal to my stomach, I turn and arch backwards to make it over the high bar. Coming down the low bar appears in front of my eyes. I release my staff to grab onto the bar and flip myself full circle in order to catch my staff again. I landed in a crouching position and used my back foot to push forward and keep my speed. I use my staff on the punching bag, hitting top, middle and below repeatedly. But the last exercise is the hardest for me.

I knocked the bag out of my way and headed towards that next. I throw my staff up ahead of me. Hit the center! It lands with one end inside and the other high in the air. Once it lands, I jump next. This harder without the trampoline, but the height is easier to match. My legs push up from the floor and I lose all contact with the ground. Just do it!

And my cell phone goes off.

My foot landed on top of the staff, but I wobbled and swayed and land on the cushy mat below. Focus has always been the trouble with me. Even if I have gotten better it's only just enough. I dust myself off and look at my buzzing interloper. A text? And it's from Lee.

I know you only come for detention times.

But could you come to school now?

We have an emergency and could use some of your help.

First Barrage, and now Lee. I'm in high demand these days! I couldn't be mad at him. He didn't know I was doing something, and I did say I would help. It's 8:00 am, Dad is already out. I guess I could go. I text back.

Sure. See you there.

Can you give me any details?

He responded as I took a refreshing drink to cool myself down:

My bag got stolen

Again!

But it had that key to the tunnels in it

.

Spittake! Lee told me about the tunnels even though I haven't seen them for myself. They led to not only bizarre places under the school, they also connect various places around the city! Not something to share with someone with bad motives. He wrote more: