Chapter 13: My First Karate Class

Sarahs POV

I came out of the locker room. There were other people there that were going to take the class. There was a girl that already had a belt. That told me that she had been doing this for a while. I did know that you had to test to get a belt. The test was how well you knew the form you were taught. Each belt has a different form.

I bowed as I was walking on the mat.

" Line up." David stated.

" Yes sensi." we all said in unison.

He then went up to the front of the mat.

" This is Sherry." he stated as he pointed to the girl with the white belt.

" She will be helping you learn the white belt form," he stated.

She then got back into line.

" Now here are the basics," he stated.

" When you enter this building you are my students. I expect you to bow to me and other belts that are higher than you. Also, when you have worked your way up to higher belts you will begin to spar. You will bow to your opponent," he stated.

" Today we are going to learn basic stances and how to hold your arms and how to punch properly.

" Yes sensi." we all stated in unison.

He then went on to show us the proper stances and how to hold our hands. The first form he was going to show us was the white belt. He went through the steps. It looked easy enough. After that, we all started practicing the form. He came up behind me and helped me position my hips. He said to pivot my hips when I punch because it adds more force.

I leaned in to him more than I should have. He backed away very quickly. He moved so fast I almost lost my balance. I was surprised that he reacted the way he did. Like he was doing something wrong. He caught me just in time.

" I think that is enough for today. Just practice your punches for right now." he stated.

" Yes sensi." I stated.

Class ended, and I went to the locker room and got my gym bag. There were three of us girls in the class. Sherry, who was a white belt. Then the rest of us that haven't earned a belt yet. Then there were several guys that had not earned a belt yet. I changed into a pair of sweatpants that I had brought with me. I was going to go jogging after class today.

I needed to stretch and release some energy. I finished changing and was about to leave the locker room when mother called.

" Do you want a ride home?" she asked.

" No mother, I'm going to jog home." I stated,

" Are you sure, sweetie, I have dinner ready," she stated.

" Yes mother," I stated.

I left the locker room and was walking down the hallway. David was on the mat doing his own form and working out.

" Kara, I thought you had already left," he stated.

" No sensi I'm headed out now," I stated.

" Would you like a ride home," he asked.

" No, I'm going to go jogging." I stated.

" Do you want some company?" He asked.

" If you want to," I replied.

" Sure wait here, and I'll go change." he stated.

I waited in the main hall. He came out of the men's locker room about 5 minutes later. I was going to put my headphones on but decided not to. We stretched out in front of the dojo. We then began to jog. He went a different way than I would have taken. Two blocks to the east of the doko was a park. It had jogging paths.

We jogged up one path and came to a dead end.

" Look at the view," he stated.

" It is beautiful," I stated.

We turned around and headed back to the dojo. We got there and stretched out.

"Would you like a ride home now," he asked.

" Yes I would." I stated.

I didn't think I could walk home now. I was tired. After a restless night and then all the exercise I got today. Plus, I was ready to go home and get some dinner and rest. We got into his car and he turned down my street. We pulled into the driveway and mother was waiting. I got out of the car and walked up to the house.

" I thought you went jogging," she asked.

" I did." I responded.

" How was the jog?" she asked.

" It was good and David went with me," I stated.

" ohh." she stated.

We went inside and dinner was on the table. It was lasagna and salad. It happens to be one of my favorites. I loved the pasta period. Since I was a little girl. I always asked for pasta. Which was surprising because I didn't weigh all that much. We sat down and ate dinner. There was tension in the air.

I knew mother wanted to say something, but she didn't.

" Mother, what's wrong?" I asked.

" This is the second time you have come home in his car," she stated.

" Seriously, mother, we went jogging after class, and he took me home," I stated.

" I don't want any trouble," she stated.

"I'm not getting into trouble," I stated.

I then took my dishes to the sink. I lost my appetite. I did not want to fight with her. I work again tomorrow. She is always jumping to conclusions. I wasn't trying to get in his pants. If she knew he was rich she probably wouldn't object to me dating him. But I wasn't going to go there.

I went upstairs to take a shower. I got done with my shower and went and laid down in bed. I was going to watch a movie. I was getting comfortable when mother knocked on the door.

" Kara, I'm sorry," mother stated.

"OK mother." I stated.

She wanted to say more, but I overexaggerated a yawn.

"I'll let you get some rest," she stated.

" Thanks Mother." I responded.

She left the room. I was thankful that she did. I am an adult now. I could do what I wanted. Right now I am going to focus on school. I turned my movie back on and started to drift off to sleep. I woke up to my alarm blaring.