𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄. rocky

❨ before ❩

ON HER TIPTOES, JIEUN KANG REACHED UP THE window ledge, eyes wide, hoping to see the first shoots of spring. Just yesterday she sat with her mother - her, mud, newspaper, and beans.

They made little pots using their hands, the black and white strips becoming something new, something capable of holding new life. Oddly, once the soil was inside they became more stable, like proper pots. They stood them in a tray, added a bean to each, and water too.

Her mom said to be patient, there is nothing yet, but Jieun knew every morning will be the same, standing there on tiptoes until they grow tall enough to be planted in the garden.

"Let's do something today." Her mom, Kang Yoomi, put her palms on the counter and looked at her daughter.

Jieun widened her eyes, "Like what?" She had an expression on her face like they were talking about the most exciting thing on the planet, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Well, it's a beautiful day today." She teased, dragging her words after she noticed Jieun's impatient form. "The new park just opened up, I have some designs in mind I need to sketch out, the scenery would be perfect." Jieun jumped up and down, "Would you like to go?"

What a stupid question! Jieun thought, "Of course, I want to go!" It's like she doesn't even know me, she continued in her head and headed towards her room to change into proper attire.

ASKING JIEUN TO SIT WAS LIKE TRYING to tell a fire not to burn. Her eyes are alight, her every muscle needed to move, to dance, to jump. She chatters and observes giggles and jokes. Everything tickles her as funny and if there is one idea coming from her mouth there are seven more queuing up in her mind.

There is something so intoxicating about an excited child. They bounce, pounce, squeal and they run. As Jieun's grins get wider Yoomi starts to smile ― that was Jieun's power, after all. She's bursting with liquid sunshine from within.

She was a sweet and gentle child, though it may sound like a cliche, it was true. Her hair was lighter back then, chestnut, and she'd make her mother braid it for hours in front of the mirror; who didn't mind one bit.

She was a fighter, never staying down if she fell or got knocked. She would go out of her way to be nice to other kids at pre-school but mostly stuck to just two friends who didn't mind how energetic she was.

She loved animals, as most little girls do. She hated jelly and Brussel sprouts. She was a teacher pleaser, always doing her best in classes and clever too, learning quickly.

For Jieun happiness was simple. It's hugs with her mom and playing "let's pretend," it's an uplifting story at bedtime and the knowledge that she and her parents have life all taken care of. Food is always available, she has a comfortable bed.

As the mother and daughter duo get settled in the park, Jieun runs towards the playground while Yoomi set her belongings on a nearby picnic table that was accompanied by one other woman.

After a short distance, Jieun had scattered and ducked into a slide that led into back streets and rear gardens.

Two people, a grandfather, and a grandson, Jieun could only assume, stood not so far from her.

And she couldn't understand it, but her legs responded. Breathing hard, she rounded another corner ― and something hit her.

The impact wasn't severe; arms and legs violently clashed and their bodies collapsed onto the hard ground. Fearing imminent death, she screamed out loud.

"Oh shit, are you okay?" Croaked a voice, "sorry, he's still learning."

Jieun wanted to get away, but stood her ground with an air of contemptuous indifference. She stared on in disbelief as she looked down at her outfit, dirt everywhere. "What was that?" She looked at the man.

"Sorry?"

"What you were doing earlier. Why were you kicking the air?" the five-year-old asked.

"Oh, that." The man smiled, wrinkles forming around his eyes. "Karateka, you heard of it?" Jieun shook her head, she remembered a few old journals her father kept hidden in his study, titled with such words and phrases that had karate in, but she never cared to look into them. "I'm training him, would you like me to teach you a few things?"

At first, she was eager, then too scared, to tell him she was done. Her lungs were burning and her legs shook as adrenaline continued to course through them.

They took a break before the old man began again, "Want to hear a story?" Jieun leaped and nodded. "Many of Japan's young karate exponents never returned from the war, but of those who did survive, some went on to teach their art throughout America and Europe." He cleared his throat again, "Master Suzuki, was frustrated that he had been too young to enlist, but twenty years after the war ended he began establishing a style of karate known as Wado Ryu. It was an uncompromising sort." She continued to listen intently, "You know why we pass down arts like this?"

She shook her head, "because we must never let them die, by doing so we each are connected across generations." He patted her and the boys' heads. "Now you two are connected, too."

"What the hell are you doing with my daughter?" Yoomi yelled.

The old man cleared his throat, "she wanted to learn."

"Learn what?" Yoomi glared, grabbing Jieun harshly by the arm.

"Karateka!" Jieun smiled, then winced at the grip her mother still had on her.

Yoomi muttered the word over and over, karateka, karateka, karateka. Her jaw hardened. "You have no right, fucker."

"What?" He said in an angry tone. "Did you just call me fucker?"

They argued for what felt like hours.

Jieun winced at her mother's next words to her. "You are forbidden to learn that, do you understand me?" She didn't respond. "You have no idea how dangerous it is. Your harabeoji is six-feet under because of it."

Jieun never thought about it again.

❨ present ❩

"THIS BLOWS," JIEUN SAID, IT was the next day, and Yasmine, Moon, and Jieun sat in Moon's car. With the company of weed.

"Yeah, my mom gave me this weed for my birthday, as she says it's like lower in calories or something." Moon's expression was smug as she took another inhale.

Yasmine shrugged and put her hand around her throat. "I felt that one." She muttered, offering Jieun the cannabis, to which she politely declined.

"No not that, the whole Sam thing. I just find it hard to believe she could say that."

Before anyone could respond Yasmine made a grimace, "Ew, ew. A homeless person. Don't look."

"I feel bad not looking at her," Moon mumbled, though Jieun hears and gives her a nudge to her side.

"You think Kyler might be lying?" Jieun joined, hoping the two in front continue with the conversation.

"Why would he lie?" Yasmine defends.

"Jiji does have a point," Moon trails off, "Sam isn't like that, right?" she finishes, looking away from the two and towards the homeless lady. "Oh my God. We just made eye contact."

"Great, now she's coming over!" Jieun snickered.

"See what you've done?" Yasmine kept her tone light, and her shoulders relaxed. Everything in her body language still gave away that she had a slight scare from the lady walking to the car. "Okay, just take out your phone and act like you're texting."

"The homeless are homeless, not stupid." Jieun gave a fake tone.

The lady knocked on the car window. "Hey, open up and give me money!"

"I'm sure she'd be fine with five dollars," She said with a laugh in her voice.

"I ain't gonna hurt ya."

"Oh God, screw this. Lock the doors." Jieun hugged her phone close.

Moon gasped, "That'll look bad doing that right in front of her."

A few seconds go by and three continued to bicker until the car door beside Jieun opened and the car was filled with screams again.

Samantha LaRusso glances at the three. "What the hell, Sam?"

"We thought you were a poor person!"

As she ignored them, she sucks in a sharp, pained breath. Her fingers tingling. All the oxygen in the car disappeared. "Why have you guys been avoiding me?"

"What do you think," Yasmine started. "Kyler told us what you said."

"Wait, what did he say?"

"I didn't take notes, but pretty much that you think you're better than us." Yasmine's voice took on a more forceful note, "You were no one before we let you in."

Jieun glanced at Sam, "he said some other things too..." she trailed off.

"I never said a word about any one of you." Sam resumed her posture. "That's not what went down."

Yasmine nodded up and down, "Oh, Kyler told us what went down." Yasmine didn't give up. "And who went down."

"And in a movie theater?" Moon spoke in a low voice. "That's yucky."

Sam looked over to the Korean girl, "you will believe Kyler over me?"

Jieun knew it must've sounded and looked cowardly, but she didn't know who to believe. On one hand, was Kyler she knew him longer. Then there was sweet Sam, someone new in her life but someone who she knew deep down, wouldn't ever lie to her.

"Sam, just say you're sorry, and we can all be friends again," Moon said.

"Or don't, and get the hell out of Moon's car."

Sam took yet another glance at Jieun, who looked away and let her eyes wander over to the homeless lady they had met a few minutes earlier. "Whatever, enjoy puking out your burritos, Yas."

Now Jieun could no longer retain her composure. She followed suit, and whispered, "Blossom!" Jieun faced Sam, looking her up and down. she did the same; "No. I don't believe Frankenteen over you."

Jieun clasped her hands in front of her chest, and tried to send Sam a telepathic signal that she had a friend. "What else did he say?"

"What do you mean?"

"Was it... bad?"

Jieun cleared her throat, "He said you called me a two-faced spoiled brat."

"I would never!" She complained.

"I know." Jieun frowned.

"Why don't they believe me?"

"They've known him longer." Jieun nodded at her.

"So have you." She shook her head.

"You have no reason to hate me." Jieun rested her hand on her other arm, and Sam stared. "Frankenteen, he," she shrugged her shoulders, the disbelief of that moment reflected on her expression. "well, I'm not exactly his favorite. He has every reason to lie to me."

"Who cares about them anyways," Sam's gaze was still focusing on Jieun. "You still got me, right?"

Sam agreed silently, her eyes meeting hers. Finally, she said, "I'm glad."

THE CAFETERIA WAS ONE OF JIEUN'S favorite spots. Where the chattering chefs can be heard from the tables, joking and teasing, or perhaps singing loudly and out of tune. The food was simple and the decor was plain. She loved it for the people, for the conversations she'd have and the routine of seeing friends, the chance to make these casual bonds.

It was somewhat of a source of relaxation for the girl.

Until the new kid picked a fight.

Jieun watched him perform a series of crisply ❨ as far as she knew ❩ executed techniques. She didn't know how he was doing it, but his high-velocity punches snapped and his fast kicks cracked as limbs cut through the air.

Miguel launched another attack in an attempt to stop the onslaught attack coming his way, then hit his attacker with a counter punch as soon as he was close enough.

Miguel looked into his eyes for an indication of his next move but they remained angry. Suddenly, he shifted his stance to attack; Miguel moved to counter him and instantly realized that his maneuver was merely a feint. He had no choice but to follow through with his punch.

He saw his rear leg leave the ground but his block was little more than a futile gesture. Miguel braced himself for the impact an instant before he heard the sickening thud ― or was it more of a crack?

For a second or two he remained transfixed; too frightened to move. He heard the students kneeling behind him sucking n air as they waited for his reaction.

The next thing he heard was the voice of a girl shouting. She also heard the concern in her voice. Jieun took hold of his shoulders and asked if he was okay. He nodded. It was difficult to speak but he was grateful that her concerned grip had stopped him from sagging to the floor.

Jieun approached and took a long look as Miguel managed to tell her that he was only winded.

Satisfied that there was no more for him to give, all jocks with their head in their hands on the floor, the fight was called to a close with the applause of the students and the stern voice of a teacher.

Miguel was glad that he had managed to save some face by not collapsing onto the floor as he had expected, training with Johnny Lawrence truly did help him.

As the two made their way out of the office, Jieun came to him. She looked over for a second and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Wheezie," she laughed, "that was one hell of a kick."

He responded with a smile. "And you really showed Kyler." He paused. "That tray to the face? Classic."

"Yeah, really showed him my inner Rocky." She beamed.

Miguel's nose crinkled at that. "Rocky? The boxer?" He tilted his head, amused. "You know, my dojo could really use someone like you."

Jieun blinked. "I don't, uh, do karate."

"Neither did I, now look at me!"

Jieun briefly closed her eyes to blot out two things ― the look on his face and the frustrating sound of her father's voice she heard just moments ago when the front office called him about her altercation.

She opened her eyes to find Miguel was still looking at her with that puppy dog expression.

Miguel was the same age as her and had dark brown colored hair and a face that made him look more like a school kid. He was pretty much known around the school for his shit-fighting abilities.

When they had first met, Jieun refrained from letting on that she knew a small bit of karate ❨ very very small, she would've known more if it weren't for her father barging in and hiding her grandfather's journals, again. ❩

That mat is cruel, the foes hit to hurt. As strong as you are, I have to make choices about what you can take, when, and how often. I do that because you are always tapping in no matter the size of the foe.

One time she asked what color belt he wore and Miguel's friendly attitude towards the girl quickly changed to an overwhelming admiration.

Something so small meant everything to him, especially when it came from a popular girl like her.

Jieun glanced around. "Yeah, it's just a little scary, y'know?"

Miguel frowned not liking the sound of her tone, sad almost. "Rocky didn't raise that belt by sitting on the sidelines."

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄

is it a togeez ff if i dont make the mc a badass

dw robby will definitely be in the next ch!!

much love,