Page 27 of The Second Kiss
“Okay.” I sit down beside him and try to cover the stains on my shirt by crossing my arms over it.
He scribbles on the paper and I listen to the hum of the lights overhead. Finally, he sets his clipboard down and looks at me. “Let me see.” He puts his hand under my chin and touches my fat lip gently. “Not too bad.” His touch makes my lips tingle. “You kind of have the Angelina Jolie thing going on.”
“Thanks.”
“You kind of remind me of her when she was inTomb Raider. The high kicks and the long braid.” He stands up and reaches for my hand. “Are you ready for the advanced class?”
I let him pull me to my feet. I’m standing close to him, my heart pounding. “Advanced class? I thought we were done.”
He lets go of my hand and steps back, “There are a couple of things I’d still like to show you.” He pats his stomach. “Kick me here.”
“I’m not going to kick you.”
“C’mon, I know you can kick. I’ve seen your class. Kick me.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
He laughs, “You aren’t going to hurt me. Kick me.”
I take a step back, assume a defensive position, and kick. He blocks my foot and holds onto it while I hop like an idiot. “One, that took you way too long, and two, you need to get some power behind your kicks.” He lets go of my foot. “Now kick me.”
I try again, faster, harder, but every time he blocks my foot and sends me off balance. I’m sweating and little pieces of my hair are coming out of my braid and sticking to my neck.
“You need to get out of kickboxing and get into a good martial arts class.”
“Are you dissing my class?” I lean back to catch my breath.
“As a workout, it’s fine. To defend yourself… not really. It’s more dancing than anything.”
“Whatever.” I turn around. I’m hot, tired, frustrated and my lip is throbbing. “I’m tired.”
“Don’t be such a wimp, Jess,” Jacob taunts. “You're giving up, already?”
I whip my leg around and roundhouse kick him in the stomach. Hard. So hard it knocks the breath out of him. His face registers shock. He steps backward and doubles over.
“I didn’t mean to. I’m so sorry!” I sound like Ellen.
He chokes out a laugh. “Now that was a kick.”
“Do I pass now?” I ask as he works to catch his breath.
“Just one more thing.” He comes up behind me and grabs me around the waist. “Try to get away.”
This would be easier if I actually wanted to get away. To appease him, I struggle for a minute.
“You’re not trying,” Jacob barks, tightening his grip. “Make yourself limp, drop to the ground.” I try that, but he’s way too strong for me. I'm tired and I’m enjoying this part of the lesson more than any other. Then he tickles me. I scream and bite down hard on his arm.
“Ouch,” he lets go of me and rubs his arm. “I can't believe you bit me.”
“Sorry,” I step back away from him. “I hate to be tickled.”
“Why?” he asks.
“I don’t like the feeling of being out of control.”
“Good,” Jacob says. “Remember that feeling and don’t let anyone put you in a situation you can’t control.”
thirteen
