away.
Ava dreaded returning to the Academy. All because of that Karate Freak. But it wouldn’t stop her from going. Oh no. She loved fencing, and hoped to join gold medalist Mariel Zagunis in the record books. Mariel was a goddess! She was the first American woman in a century to win fencing gold with a saber.
She had competed with all three weapons, but a foil’s bout with its feints, ducks and sudden attacks appealed to Ava more than the épée or saber. The sport fed her competitive streak, while the rhythm and cadence of the moves made her feel elegant and graceful. She even enjoyed researching the long history of the sport, which surprised her mother since anything not involving a foil in her hand tended to be done under protest and as quickly as possible.
Holding her cell phone—with 911 already dialed—in one hand, and her bag in the other, Ava stepped from the bus. With her thumb ready to push the send button, she scanned the street. A few parents hustled their kids to karate class, and two Academy students walked toward school.
Ava sprinted to catch up with the fencers. She trailed behind them despite their annoyed looks. When she spotted the Karate Freak teaching his class, she remembered to breathe. Once inside the Academy, she should be safe.
Mr. Clipboard seemed surprised to see her. Ava debated. Should she ask him about last night or not? He had been in the group talking to Karate Freak. He tapped his watch when she approached. She didn’t have time.
By the time the session ended, Ava no longer cared about the Karate Freak. All she wanted to do was crawl inside a locker and hide. Salvatori hadn’t spoken any of the Italian words she learned. Eventually, he stopped talking and used gestures for most of the session, adjusting her stance by touch.
He corrected everything she had learned from Coach Phillips. When she thought she had mastered a move, he proved her wrong. Frustrated and humiliated, Ava felt like a beginner again. Coach Phillips treated her like a professional, while Salvatori acted like he worked with an amateur. Perhaps she should ask for another coach.
At the end of the lesson, Salvatori dismissed her with a curt wave. Exhausted, she aimed for the locker room and stopped.
Karate Freak leaned against a side wall, watching her. No one seemed bothered by his presence, and Ava didn’t have the energy to care. She changed in a hurry, wanting to leave before the Academy emptied.
Once again she armed herself with her pre-dialed phone. She was halfway to the door before Karate Freak caught up to her. At least this time a few people milled nearby.
“Go away,” she said, brandishing the phone.
“Look, Ava, I’m sorry about last night,” he said.
He knew her name. She stepped back.
“I thought you were someone else.” He pulled his hair away from his face, attempting to look sincere.
If he wasn’t a freak, he’d be hot—grayish blue eyes, hawk nose and a slight Asian cut to his features. But he overdid the whole karate warrior look with his tight black T-shirt and black jeans. Maybe she should call him the Ninja Freak. Either way, his explanation was lame. She remained unconvinced.
“I know it sounds weird. We’ve been having trouble with … another school. And I thought you were one of them, spying on us.”
“So you threw water on me? That’s weak. Get lost.” She walked around him. But he trailed her.
“It’s a long story, and you wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
“Fine. Whatever. Apology accepted, now go away.” She pushed through the door, hoping to leave him behind.
He kept pace with her. “At least let me make it up to you. How about a free lesson?”
“On how to be a jerk? No, thanks.”
Unfazed, he gestured toward the school. “No. Isshinryu karate. You know, martial arts? All fencers should cross-train. Karate is great for improving your reflexes and footwork.”
“No.” She didn’t trust him.
“If this is about last—”
“Look, I don’t even know you, and frankly, I don’t have any interest.” She continued to the bus stop.
He walked with her. “I can rectify one of those.” He held out his hand. “I’m Jarett White, owner of the White Hawks Isshinryu Club.”
Owner? He didn’t look old enough, but she shook his warm hand. He held hers a moment past awkward.
“Your hand is ice cold.” He studied her face as if that was a bad thing.
She pulled away. “It’s November.”
“How about a free session on self defense? It could help you around here.”
“I really don’t have time.” Except Sunday, but that was her day to get everything else done. And her “to do” list spanned pages.
He considered. “Yeah. I guess Salvatori has you on the novice training schedule. That’s brutal.”
Despite her irritation, she was intrigued. “How do you know?”
“I trained with Sal for two years before Sandro took me on.” His gaze grew distant. “Sandro helped me qualify for the Junior Olympic Fencing Championships.”
Impressive. He must have been recruited by the best universities. “Where did you go to college?”
“I’m taking business classes at the community college.”
She gaped at him in pure astonishment. With a fencing scholarship, he could have gone anywhere.
Jarett noticed. “I earned my black belt at age twelve, and I enjoy teaching karate. Plus I’m my own boss. How many twenty-year-olds can say that?”
Weak excuses. Ava felt sorry for him. Teaching a bunch of snot-nosed kids instead of competing at the Cadet level. He must have burnt out. Before she could remark, the familiar roar of the bus signaled its approach.
“You really shouldn’t be taking the bus this late,” Jarett said. “Besides lying to your mother about getting a ride home, there’s dangerous people downtown.”
She hefted her bag. “I didn’t lie to my mother.” The bus’s door opened, revealing the smiling red-haired driver. “Jarett, meet my friend Tammy.” Ava gestured to the bus driver.
He gave her a wry grin. “Let me guess, her parents own the Copper Tea Kettle.”
“Yep. And the most dangerous person I met so far … is you.” She stepped onto the bus.
Jarett saluted her with an imaginary sword. “Touché.”
Much to Ava’s annoyance, Jarett insisted on walking her to the bus stop every night. He’d talk about karate and fencing, but he always kept watch, scanning the area as if expecting an ambush.
After a few nights she actually looked forward to his company. And he agreed with her about Mariel being a goddess.
“She was added to the 2004 Olympic team as a replacement, then goes on to win the gold. How sweet is that?” He stabbed a hand in the air.
“Pretty sweet. To be at the Olympics has to be …” Ava searched for the word, but couldn’t find the perfect one.
“Awesome.”
She thought about Jarett’s many talents. “Does your community college have a fencing program?”
“No. But I went to Penn State University for a year. Their coaches are excellent.”
“Why didn’t you stay?” The question just popped from her mouth. She wished she could erase it as his smile faded.
“I needed to be home. Some things are more important than fencing.”
Ava found that hard to believe.
Jarett was extra jumpy. He spooked at any noise, and stared at everyone who walked by them as they waited for the bus. There were more people out tonight than Ava had seen before.
