Summer was finally over and the color of leaves started to change to brown as if they were preparing the way for autumn. Autumn was the beginning for the new school year of High School.
Gabriel jumped out of the car and into the new beginning of his life.
High school, huh? Gabriel examined the outskirts of the campus. It was another first day in another new place.
He recalled his first day in elementary school.
At the moment his mother let go of his hand, he cried. He cried like the cry-baby that he was and would not let go of his mother's hand. The teacher's would always hold him long enough for his mother to go away. After which he would grow tired of crying.
It took the simple words of a classmate to solve Gabriel's crying problem.
"Hey, you're Gabriel, right? The cry-baby?"
It was not in a mocking tone but it hurt a nerve in Gabriel's childish pride. Gabriel never shed a tear in school ever again.
Once again at the foot of the unknown, Gabriel determined to be more courageous. He waved goodbye to his mother and chased after Gideon who had already made his way towards the school building.
"Gideon! Wait up!"
Gideon stopped and looked back. "Hurry up, Gabbo."
Gabriel had always been chasing after Gideon, always doing what he did, and always copying most of what he did.
Gideon put his hand on Gabriel's hand and ruffled up his hair as he always did.
"Cut it out!" protested Gabriel.
Gideon let out a victorious laugh and started to walk off. Gabriel trailed behind him and looked around for familiar faces and found none.
Gideon brought Gabriel to the notice board to check which class Gabriel was in. After finding out where Gabriel's class was supposed to assemble, Gideon guided him there.
"See you later, Gabbo," said Gideon as he walked off waving without looking back.
Gabriel joined the line that was forming and upon his arrival, the rather chubby and short guy in front of him looked back.
"Hi. My name's Steven," said the boy extending his hand for a handshake.
Gabriel accepted, "Gabriel." The two became fast friends.
At that moment, the command for the national anthem was given.
After morning assembly, the classes were dismissed to their different classrooms.
As he was making his way to the classroom, Gabriel instantly noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Upon seeing her, Gabriel's heart skipped. It was Anne. It was only a split-second but there was no mistaking it was her but she had already disappeared into the crowd.
"Gabriel!" Steven called out. "Come on."
Gabriel was surprised that seeing Anne had such an effect on him but he quickly dismissed the event and walked briskly after Steven.
The first day of lessons consisted of introductions to the various subjects for the freshmen. After lessons, everyone was encouraged to join the various clubs and societies.
"So what are you joining?" asked Steven as the two walked out of the classroom.
"I'm thinking of joining the Taekwondo Club."
"Are you serious? Are you a student from some dojo outside or something? Do you have a rank?"
"Um. No."
"And you're still planning to join? Don't you know that the Taekwondo Club only considers applicants who have at least a rank? If you don't have a rank, you obviously have not learned taekwondo before, and even those who do have ranks have to defeat an existing member in a sparring match to prove their worth. There's no way they will let a "rankless" fight in a match. It's crazy!"
"Wow. You sure know a lot about it."
"Of course, I need to know this kind of things if I want to be a member of the School Journalism Committee."
"Well, you sure have a nose for information, Steven. Thanks for the advice, but I'll try out anyway. I won't know how impossible it is if I don't even try, right? I'll see you tomorrow," said Gabriel as he started to walk towards the Sports Faculty.
"Good luck, Gabriel. You're going to need it."
Gabriel walked on and raised his hand to wave without turning to look.
The shouting from inside the room echoed even behind closed doors.
Gabriel took a deep breath and opened the door. The old, wooden door creaked as Gabriel pushed it open. The noise was enough to distract the members who were in the midst of warming up. A young man with a black belt (rank 1) who was giving the commands stopped to look at the cause of the disturbance. Everyone froze, waiting for a command to be given.
The black belt did not speak but started walking towards Gabriel. His stride was confident and authoritative. He stopped in front of Gabriel and stood there. Gabriel sensed that he had to explain his reasons for coming in un-announced.
"I apologize for the disturbance but I would like to join the Taekwondo Club, sir," said Gabriel, trying hard not to crumble under the air of authority that the black belt possessed.
"What is your name?"
"Gabriel Forrester, sir."
"Do you have a rank?"
"No, sir."
There was silence. The black belt examined Gabriel from head to toe and then back to his head and finally his eyes. He looked deep into Gabriel's eyes in a last attempt at intimidation.
Gabriel looked back with determination.
"Are you aware of the conditions for joining our club?" asked the black belt turning away from Gabriel.
"Yes, sir."
"Very well. Wear the head and chest guards and stand in the middle of the sparring mat. Oh, and stop calling me, sir." The black belt paused for a moment and then turned towards Gabriel. “Call me 'Senpai'," he said with a grin.
Gabriel was confused but also amused. He had never met anyone obviously addicted to Japanese anime to the extent that they would want to be talked to as if they were Japanese.
Weirdo...
After donning the protective gear Gabriel proceeded to the centre of the sparring mat and awaited further instructions. The black belt instructed the members to gather in a circle surrounding the mat. Everyone knew what was about to happen. All the white belts (rank 10) were eager to get there hands on this "rankless". It was rare to not be the lowest creatures in the club.
Black belt Senpai knew this and asked for volunteers who would "teach the newbie a lesson". Hands seemed to rise from everywhere. He asked the volunteers to wear protective gear and stand in line outside the circle around the mat. The first one in line was to get the first piece of "newbie pie".
"We have a lot of white-lings here ready to try you out, Newbie. If you survive. You'll be a proud member of the club," said Black belt Senpai with the same mischievous grin he had earlier.
Gabriel stood and awaited the first challenger. The first white-ling stepped into the circle and started pacing. Gabriel watched as the white-ling paced around. He then started waving his arms around and making noises.
"Whatttaa! Hiyaaaaa! Whooooo!"
Great. A Bruce Lee wannabee.
As the white-ling was imitating a monkey in an attempt to mock Gabriel. Gabriel stood still and waited.
Mockingly, the white-ling made feints at Gabriel.
Gabriel stood in a defensive stance and watched the white-ling's every move.
Then, the white-ling began his attack with a right-leg kick aimed at the left side of Gabriel's chest. Gabriel parried the white-ling's leg away.
Believing that the deflection was pure luck, the white-ling decided to counter with a swift kick aimed at the head. Again, Gabriel managed to block the attack.
At this point, the white-ling realized that Gabriel was blocking with taekwondo deflection moves - he was not completely a newbie. He backed away and looked at Gabriel in the eye and he sneered. It was time to get serious.
Gabriel stayed focused and watched the white-ling's moves closely. The white-ling advanced slowly and Gabriel remained stationary. Since Gabriel was going to be defensive, the white-ling realized that it was a chance for a strong final attack. When he was close enough, the white-ling turned, pivoting on his left foot and prepared to connect with a roundhouse kick with the intention of hitting Gabriel's chest. However, when his head turned to look at his target, Gabriel had disappeared.
Gabriel managed to run behind him at the moment that he was turning. Gabriel bent low and assumed the horse-stance and delivered a swift, solid punch to the white-ling's back. The protective gear mitigated the blow but the white-ling still fell down flat on his belly.
Gabriel had won the match. As he turned to await the next challenger, he was horrified to see that all the white-ling's were wearing protective gear and Black belt Senpai with a cheeky grin on his face.
"Go get him, boys."
At the command the white-lings charged towards Gabriel. Gabriel thought of fighting the whole group but at the split-second realized that it was not wise to do so. He turned and began to run.
He ran to the end of the room and was backed into a corner. The white-lings stopped running and began to slowly approach.
Thirteen years of his life seemed to flash before his eyes at that moment.
Suddenly, the wooden doors began to creak open. Everyone turned to look at the figure shadowed by the sunlight. It was the figure of a girl.
"Marcus Valentine! Have you forgotten that you're grounded? Mom sent me here to get you." It was Anne.
She walked towards Black belt Senpai. He seemed to tremble at the sight. He was like a kitten in front of a lioness. She grabbed his ear and began to pull him away.
"Ow, ow, ow! Anne, cut it out! I have to run the dojo."
"It's not a dojo you crazy, otaku. You're coming home this instant!" said Anne as she stormed out of the room dragging Black belt Senpai by the ears.
"Ow! Giddy-san! Take care of everything for me!" said Marcus as he disappeared out of view.
"Stop calling me that, you idiot!" It was Gideon. He was at the other end of the room.
"Alright, white-lings, that's enough. Get back to drills," said Gideon.
Gabriel sighed in relief.
Gideon then walked towards Gabriel.
"Good job, kiddo," he said ruffling Gabriel's hair.
"You could have just spared me from all of that, Vice-Captain," said Gabriel sarcastically.
"Now where's the fun in that? It wouldn't be fair if I just let you in just because you're my favorite little brother. And besides, I knew you could take them all on," said Gideon with a grin. "Congratulations, Gabbo, you're in. Now get a belt from the store room and join the other white-lings."
"Yes, sir!"
"Don't call me sir, bro," said Gideon and turning to look at Gabriel with a cheeky grin, "Call me Senpai!"
Gabriel looked at Gideon and the brothers stared at each other. They both broke out into laughter.
"I'm serious," said Gideon suddenly with a serious look.
After the day's activities, Gabriel was walking home. Gideon had to stay behind to settle some club matters. Gabriel enjoyed walking alone. It was a time for him to reflect on the day and to be alone in his thoughts.
He remembered the morning, stopping in his tracks after seeing Anne. He remembered being backed into a corner, and Anne taking Black belt Senpai away.
Anne... Saved by a girl, huh? He shook his head violently as if to dispel the thought away.
