***

***

My name is Aaliyah.

The last bell rang loudly. School is finally over for the day. I grabbed my skateboard from the locker and rushed out of the building. While kicking the street as the skate board rolled quickly, I pulled my arm straight to move the sleeve of my shirt up. I peered quickly at the watch o my wrist.

Crap. I'm gonna be late.

I ended up in the middle of Town Square in front of a small but newly built building. A large LED sign in the front read: OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO. I kicked up the skateboard, grabbed it and quickly ran inside.

-

"Three more laps around the room!" She yelled out from the middle of the well lit room with foam blue mats covering the ground.

"Yes! Sabom-nim!" I yelled out while making my last rounds. The sweat drenching my forehead.

"Don't arrive late next time!"

"Yes! Sabom-nim!"

After the warm-up, students all clad in white with red and blue-trimmed taekwondo outfits gathered around the main dojo area. It was time for a sparring session. Another girl stood in front of me - a good 3 inches taller than myself. I mean, I am tall, but damn. There weren't many chances for me to look up at someone.

Amalia. That was her name. She came from a family of Dutch giants.

She grinned at me. Apparently this is her intimidation face. I try not to judge others but - that was a pretty ugly intimidation face. I just looked at her while trying to keep a straight face and bowed, showing respect before the match started.

Sabom-nim swung her arm down through the air, following a loud, "Go!"

Amalia started fast. She came in with her right and the left fist. Her swings were caught in my peripheral vision allowing me to block her swiftly. Hard to admit but her swings hurt. She threw another right and then swung her left leg towards my waist. I blocked her with my left forearm, then quickly threw my right arm at her side. Amalia continued this back and forth a few more times. I got tired of this repetitiveness and stepped back with my left leg. I swung a round kick at her with my right leg. She blocked it with her shin and proceeded to grab my arm. I used my free arm to do a palm strike at her neck.

Amalia dodges the strike and kicks her right leg towards my head. I barely dodge it and force two counter palm strikes into her lower ribs. She jumps back. I ran towards her doing a double leg strike - right leg, then left leg. She tried to block me and slide by my open defense area. Spotting her sliding by, I rushed to do a round kick and smashed my leg into her neck. She fell to the ground hard.

I headed back into defense position, relaxed my pose and bowed slightly towards Amalia.

"Thank you for the fight."

Sabom-nim started clapping and smiled. "That was an amazing display! Good job Aaliyah and Amalia."

As I walked back to my sitting position, Amalia sits up and looks at me angrily. She fixes her messed up dirty blond hair and whispered something under her breath.

"Next time..."

-

I was making my way out of the dojo as sabom-nim came to talk to me.

"Good spar, Aaliyah. The county finals are coming up. What do you think about applying?"

My gaze moved from her to the floor. I thought for a moment.

"Would there be a problem with this - ?" I pointed at the white sport scarf on my head. Most people call it .

Sabom-nim looked at my head and then back at my eyes. She smiled, showing the slight crows feet around her almond-shaped eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it." She started waving her hands around in the air like it was nothing.

"Your talent is too good to pass up. It would be a waste not to apply."

My heart felt warm.

I smiled at her and bowed slightly.

"Thank you, sabom-nim. I'll let you know soon."

***

***

An old Vietnamese woman opens the door to a small apartment. The neighborhood was old and broken, but cozy.

"-Greetings bà nội.-" I bowed with my arms against my chest, respectfully.

"-I missed you!-" I exclaimed to my grandmother from my dad's side. I hugged her, even though hugging wasn't a thing in our whole family. She was probably the only one I ever hugged besides Josh.

It was our weekly visit to my grandparents place. They were both still alive and kicking. I loved them more than anyone else.

My bà nội. My best friend. She doesn't speak any English but that's okay. She helped raise my brother and I. So she was basically like my mother to me.

She playfully slapped my shoulder.

"-You never call me.-"

"Sorry," I put my arm behind head and rubbed it in embarrassment. I smiled knowing she wasn't wrong.

There was a pile of shoes next to the door and I added mine to the collection. I made my way to the dining table to sit with her.

"-You know dad never lets me use the phone...besides, I'm not much of a phone person anyways.-"

No matter what mischief I cause, she's always got my back.

"-Psh. Doesn't matter. As long as you always visit me. Come...-" She pulled me closer to the table dressed in many different dinner foods.

"-I made winter melon soup. Get some rice and eat.-"
"-Oh! My favorite! Thanks, bà nội.-"

I took a sip of the soup. It was a light , tangy yet savory taste. How I always like it.

All of a sudden bà nội got a solemn look on her face. She looked at me with worried eyes that were blessed by years of aging.

"-Is that woman still bothering you?-"

My soup spoon paused halfway to my mouth. I looked at her and forced a smile.

"-Don't worry. I can handle it.-" I hesitated and continued eating.

She put one hand on my back to reassure me. I couldn't look her in the eyes.

"-If anything happens, don't be afraid to call me. I still don't like her!-"

I turned to her and grinned widely.

"-Hehe. Thanks bà nội. You're the best!-"