The gym was equipped with the equipment for exercise. It was beneficial for the students during their Physical Education and it was also the home of the Martial Arts Club members. There was a vast space in the middle where the students could gather or perform basic physical activities.
That afternoon, only Zara and Theo were inside the gym, looking at each other like they had met for the first time.
“That’s right. I am the Martial Arts Club president,” Theo said.
“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
“Because I like surprises. And I want to be a little hard to get.”
Zara struck his chest. “You’re so mean!”
His playful smile vanished. “I’m sorry.”
“How did you become the president? Don’t try to fool me.”
“Alright. Sit down. I’ll tell you.”
They squatted on the floor as Theo began to narrate the story.
When he failed the test, Theo had to find ways to get accepted at all costs. He formed a fraternity, and they got involved in gang fights. As the leader, Theo was often called out to the moderator of discipline for his reckless behavior. Mr. Bailey didn’t care about them. Not until he witnessed it with his own eyes.
Mr. Bailey was on his way home when he saw two groups of students near a landfill. One group wore Mchalmmond High School’s uniform, while the other group was from Norianville Boy’s School. He stayed for a while and watched them. It wasn’t a simple fistfight. They were hitting each other with bottles and some plywood.
“Hey! What are you doing?” The students ran away when Mr. Bailey yelled at them. Theo, who was badly wounded, remained.
“What do you think you’re doing, Mr. Burton?”
“Nothing. Just having fun… sir,” he said as he touched the blood dripping from his head.
“Are you a sadist, huh?”
“Even if I am, it’s none of your business… sir.”
Mr. Bailey assisted Theo to the hospital.
“Do your parents know about this?” Mr. Bailey asked.
“Well, they know I like being in trouble.”
“I need to talk to them.”
“It won’t change anything. I will still do what I want. They can’t stop me, and neither can you.”
Theo’s phone rang.
“Mom.”
“My baby! I heard you are in the hospital right now? What happened?” His mom sobbed on the other line.
“I’m fine, Mom. Please don’t cry.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re always giving me reasons to cry! Should I transfer you somewhere else?”
“There’s no need, Mom. Don’t think about it too much.”
“Why are you doing this, honey? Do you want something? A car? Were you envious of Stan’s new car?”
“No, Mom.”
“Then what do you want? Tell me. I’ll make it happen.”
“It’s okay, Mom. All I want is for you to be calm and stay healthy. How is Dad?”
“He’s still the same.”
“So, he’s still with his mistress. Should I go and kill him?”
“Honey! Don’t say that.”
“Anyway, I’ll call you later, Mom. I love you.”
Theo looked at Mr. Bailey. “I guess I should thank you for being worried about me, sir. I’m sorry for doing so. But I can’t promise that this will not happen again. You can turn a blind eye to this. It won’t matter. In fact, I would appreciate it. You may leave, sir.”
Mr. Bailey sighed. “You were so persistent in joining the Martial Arts Club. You were passionate about it. I saw it in your eyes.”
“What’s the point of talking about it right now, sir?”
When Theo arrived at the dormitory covered with bandages, Stan was in a rage. He broke his pencil in half with his right hand.
“What should I do to make you stop, Burton? Do you drink blood? Do you starve when you couldn’t hit someone? Answer me!”
Theo sat on the chair like a puppy, contemplating his mistakes.
“Don’t wait for me to turn you into a cripple. Do you understand?”
Theo didn’t respond. Stan grabbed his ruler and struck the table. It broke and the other half flew to the window.
“I said, do you understand?” Stan’s deep voice sent shivers down his spine.
“I get it. But I have good news.”
“Don’t change the subject, Burton.”
“It’s relevant to this issue. Listen. I am now a member of the Martial Arts Club and Mr. Bailey appointed me as the president!”
Stan crossed his arms. “So, that was your goal all along.”
“Yep. I did it on purpose.”
“You didn’t win this game, Burton. Do you know why? Because members of the Martial Arts Club are forbidden to get involved in fights inside and outside of school, which means you have to say goodbye to your fraternity.”
“What?”
Zara listened to him with at most curiosity.
“Wow. You are unbelievable,” she said.
“I know. Since then, I have never gotten into gang wars aside from that recent fight I got into because of you.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. It was for a good cause. I will do it again if you are in danger.”
Zara bowed her head. “I was all alone when my boyfriend and I broke up. I forgot I wasn’t strong enough.”
“I’m sorry I’m talking to you about my problem,” she added.
“It’s okay. I have time.”
Zara smiled bitterly. “When we broke up, I questioned my worth. I blamed myself for not being enough and for being sensitive. If only I understood him better, we wouldn’t end up this way. Now that I’m slowly moving on, he showed up. He kept on giving me gifts and he’s treating me well.”
“So… what do you feel about his actions?”
“I am confused. I broke up with him because he was a womanizer.”
“Some guys are like that. They try to win you over and cover up their past mistakes. As if their actions will make you forget the pain they’ve caused you. Think about it. Think if he is worth the chance and if you deserve to feel that kind of pain again. Men don’t change overnight, Zara.”
Zara wiped the tears from her eyes. Theo lifted his hand and attempted to caress her back, but he stopped in the middle and put his hand back.
“Let’s stop this drama. I’m here for the training,” she said.
“Okay. Since I can’t move my left arm, I’m going to make you watch a video. You will imitate it and I am here to guide you,” he replied.
Zara nodded, and they began their training.
“When you are walking alone, what weapon do you bring?” he asked.
“A pocket knife?”
“That’s good. But what if you forgot to bring it? What thing do you always bring with you?”
“Notebook, lipstick, powder, and a ballpen.”
“Among those things, what can you use as a weapon?”
“I can slap him with my notebook.”
“Then why didn’t you do it when you were in trouble?”
“Because they caught me off guard. I had no time to get my notebook, and they were strong.”
“That’s right. You need something that you can easily get a hold of, such as your ballpen. You can keep it in your pocket and use it to defend yourself. Now, get your ballpen.”
Zara followed his instruction.
“This self-defense move is called Hammer Strike. As the name suggests, hold the ballpen like a hammer.” Theo tapped her hand with a ruler. “Hold it tight.”
“Then thrust it downward toward your target.” Theo demonstrated the move with his right hand. “Good. Keep on striking him until you get the chance to run away and call for help.”
Stan was meditating on his bed when Theo arrived.
“Hey. You’re early,” Theo said.
“Don’t bother me. Can’t you see what I’m doing?”
“Let me guess. You ran out of books to read. I’m sure you’ve memorized your favorite manga.”
Stan opened his eyes when he heard a loud thud in front of him. Theo placed a pile of books on the table.
“What’s that?” Stan asked.
“Novels.”
“I mean why do you have a lot of them? You don’t read much.”
“It’s my gift for you.”
“That’s weird.”
Zara gave him all the books in return for their self-defense practices. Theo didn’t need them. Having her by his side was enough compensation.
Stan grabbed one book and started reading it. Theo sat on his bed.
“Stan. Zara’s ex-boyfriend is a womanizer.”
“That’s bad news. You don’t stand a chance.”
“I’m not a womanizer or a playboy. I’m a Casanova.”
“They’re just the same.”
“No, they’re not. A womanizer leaves a girl after using her. A playboy is a rich guy who lives in enormous houses with cars and lots of women, while a Casanova is someone who is known for his sexual exploits but still famous to women.”
“I’m not talking about their definition, Burton. I’m talking about their loyalty, which they don’t have. You can’t have a girlfriend and be with random women at the same time.”
“Well, I… I haven’t been sexually active lately,” Theo said.
“That’s temporary, like your feelings for her.”
“My feelings aren’t temporary.”
“Hush now. I’ll just watch you prove my claim.”