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When Jack offered to go to Falafel Phil’s with Claire and… that guy, it was because he actually wanted to go. He kind of enjoyed the food, it made him nostalgic for before his grandfather died.
Both in that it tasted like the food that they bought with his grandfather, and that it tasted like the food they often got before they became rich.
Plus, he could see the Wasabi Dojo from across the mall. Only a few people attended, but Jack liked knowing his grandfather’s work was being immortalised.
There were four main attendees. A redheaded boy, a short african american boy, a curly black-haired boy, and a blonde girl.
Which was good, because it meant that when push came to shove, he could say he was staring at her; either saying she was hot or that girls weren’t supposed to fight.
That’s how he was supposed to act.
Most people at Swathmore didn’t know that he enjoyed martial arts, something that they considered for neanderthals; they didn’t know that he loved skateboarding— he always wore a motorcycle helmet when he rode to hide his face; they didn’t know that he liked violent video games rather than the complicated puzzle games that most of his classmates played.
And none of them knew he liked boys.
(In fact, he was sort of in denial about it himself.)
Jack was pulled from his usual spacing-out-to-ignore-rich-kids-and-survive when Claire started laughing obnoxiously. He saw the Wasabi kids look over at them and he tried not to look for too long.
“Put it in a doggy bag, you! It’s for our dogs,” Claire demanded. She laughed and leaned toward… the guy. “Can you imagine! He thought we were going to eat this!” She said with a laugh that… the guy joined in on.
Jack smiled politely but didn’t laugh. He didn’t have it in him.
“What’s next? Should we go bathe in the mall fountain?” The guy said.
“Oh, uh, not— not from 3 to 4,” The black haired Wasabi warrior spoke up. “That’s Jerry time.”
Jack looked down as he bit back his laughter. He did a double take when he noticed Claire walking over.
“Hello, Jerry,” She said. “I wish I could stay, but my poor pug is starving!” She said dramatically, as if she was playing a princess in a school play. “Woof,” She said, twisting her body back and forth for a second like she always did when she flirted.
How out of character…
“Come along, Jackie,” Claire summoned, picking up her doggy bag.
“Oh, I’ll be there in a sec, I’m gonna, uh… grab something for the birds,” He tried, though he sounded unsure of himself. Claire and the guy exchanged looks but headed out anyway. Jack turned to the employee. “Sorry about her,” He said. “Could I get some falafel balls and some baba ganoush poppers— to go?” He asked.
“Coming right up, just one moment,” The worker said with a thick accent that was familiar, but Jack didn’t know the name of.
As the worker called back into the kitchen, Jack looked back at the Wasabi Warriors.
One of them was leaning wistfully.
Jack only caught a few words of their conversation, but they were talking about Swathmore.
“Here is your food, that is 5 dollar and 48 cents.” Jack took his bag and put down six dollars. “Keep the change,” He added before turning around to leave.
He caught up to Claire and the guy quickly.
“Did you see those poor Seaford kids, Jackie?” She asked.
“Well, you certainly did. You talked to one. After he implied that he bathed in the mall’s public fountain,” He remarked.
See, this is why he preferred to stay silent around his Swathmore ‘friends.’ He couldn’t really help his pithy responses. He didn’t think before he spoke.
(He was also the only one who didn’t talk with either a fake British accent or like their teeth were stuck together.)
“Oh, please, Jackie. Sometimes it’s fun to have a little fun with a boy,” She said, rolling her eyes. “It’s like a good puzzle. It doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun! It just has to be pretty.”
Jack restrained himself from rolling his eyes, something he was greatly accustomed to.
“Right,” He said. “Anyway, I’m gonna head home. My mom— mother needs me.”
She didn’t. Jack wanted to go home.
“Oh my, I can’t wait to see the look on those poor Seaford kids’ faces when they see our float this year!” The guy said, making Jack hesitate.
“What’doya mean?” He asked, turning back around.
“Well, those poor saps always have such a pitiful look on their faces whenever they see our float! It’s hilarious!” The guy exclaimed.
“Right,” Jack said, “What is it this year?” He asked.
“It’s a secret Jackie,” Claire practically sang, putting her finger to her lips.
“Right,” Jack said again.
“Headmaster says that he’s going to discuss the details with us tomorrow. Perhaps you could convince him to let you in. You know, with your 3.9 GPA!” The guy exclaimed.
Jack again fought the urge to roll his eyes as Claire and the guy burst into laughter.
He only fought it long enough to turn around and start walking off.
The next day, Jack had mostly forgotten about the time he’d spent at the mall yesterday, having drowned it out with a few hours of playing video games into the late hours of the night.
He’d been sleeping in his English class when he heard a loud, familiar crashing outside the door.
One of those knight armour suits being knocked over. Jack had done it a few times. Well, more than a few times.
About 12 times total in the 3 years he’d been attending. 10 of them were on accident, but 2 of them were him kicking or punching them out of frustration over his classmates.
The class was dismissed, the teacher saying something about going to take care of that. Their teacher had made eye contact with Jack, as if to check that it wasn’t him, before leaving the room.
“That gives us an extra half an hour. What do you say us four run to the fencing studio for some practice!” Jack’s classmate, Daniel recommended.
Jack did fencing. He’d be ashamed of it if he weren’t so good at it.
“Can I just observe?” Jack asked. “I, uh… Yeah, I really don’t feel like changing just to change back in a half hour.”
The three other fencers laughed as if he were really joking.
“It’s alright, Jack! I’ll message Mumford. It’s about time we get a rematch!” Daniel exclaimed.
The four fencers left the room together, first stopping by the overly glamorous locker rooms— which should’ve been called dressing rooms, before heading to the fencing studio.
When they arrived, there was already someone in there.
(Jack would’ve assumed it were Mumford if not for the fact that he was clearly much taller and wasn’t dressed in his proper gear.)
“Well, well, well,” Daniel taunted, “There you are Mumford. Ready for our rematch?” He asked.
Jack expected the person to respond, saying they weren’t Mumford, but Daniel started the match.
“En guard!”
As expected, the person was inexperienced, clearly not Mumford. Daniel knocked the sabre out of his hand within seconds.
Instead of forfeiting and giving in, the person brought out the sabre that had been sitting in the rack closest to him.
Daniel knocked that one out too and he could practically hear his smug smile. He waved his sabre around fancifully— something they’d been taught never to do because it leaves you open while you’re showing off.
The person’s body language showed that he was thinking before deciding there was an obvious answer. And indeed there was, as Jack learned when they stepped closer to Daniel before kicking him right in the nuts.
Jack covered his near laughing mouth with his fist.
“Infirmary!” Daniel rasped. The three boys looked at each other.
“You two go,” Jack said, picking a sabre off the wall. “I’ll take care of him,” He said, making the person step back.
The boys nodded and each helped Daniel off. The person put up their hands in defence. As soon as the door shut, Jack couldn’t help himself and burst out laughing, dropping the sabre.
“Dude, that was amazing! Daniel totally had it coming, I can’t believe that came from a Swathmmore student!” He laughed out. The person put their hands out before fancilly bowing.
His helmet fell off.
He seemed to realise it too.
“Gah…” He groaned, turning his head away from Jack in shame.
“Ohh,” Jack awed. “That’s because it wasn’t a Swathmore student,” He said, crossing his arms. The familiar looking redhead backed up again and Jack realised what his body language may be conveying. “Hey, hey, I’m not gonna hurt you,” He said.
“Really?” The boy asked.
“Of course! I’m Jack,” He said, holding out his hand. When the boy hesitated, Jack second guessed himself. “Wait, is this not normal?”
“No, no, it’s normal,” He said, anxiously rushing his hand into Jack’s. His hands were cold. “I, uh, I’m… Jack… ie… son… ford…” Jack looked at him incredulously.
“Are you sure?” He asked. Jackiesonford pulled his hand away with an annoyed face, likely at himself.
“It’s Milton,” He said. “I just didn’t want to give you my real name so you couldn’t get me in trouble.” Jack laughed.
“I’m not gonna get you in trouble, dude. What are you doing anyway?” He asked. It clicked how Jack knew Milton when he brushed the side of his bangs back. “Wait, aren’t you that guy from the Wasabi Dojo!”
“I… Well, yeah, but I’m not very good,” Milton admitted.
“No, no, I’ve seen you! You’ve got massive potential, man!” Jack exclaimed, shoving him in the arm.
“Gah,” Milton yelped again, inching away. “How do you know that anyway?” He asked.
“Right, that sounded creepy,” Jack realised, drawing back. “So, I kind of look at the Wasabi Dojo, just to see how you guys are doing?”
“Why…?” Milton asked, clearly creeped out. Jack sighed.
“My, uh, my grandfather sort of… trained Bobby Wasabi,” He said, rushing through the last of his statement. Milton’s face dropped in awe before looking sceptical.
“Wait a minute… prove it,” He demanded.
“Okay, how would you like me to prove it?” Jack half-teased, getting in stance despite the fact that he hated doing karate in his uniform because it made him overheat.
“Okay, okay, you don’t have to prove it!” Jack shook his head.
“Nah, it’s cool, don’t worry,” He said, walking over to the rack that Milton had pulled the Sabres out of. Jack analysed it for a second, deciding that it may be too thick, but it was worth a shot if it meant proving himself.
He anxiously launched his fist through it, easily cutting it in half and making it fall to the floor.
(Note to self, let everyone know how cheap that was because that’d be hilarious)
“Okay, you’ve convinced me!” Milton exclaimed, eyes wide. “How did you do that?”
“I mean, you’ve broken a board before, haven’t you?” Jack asked. Milton shrank back into his shirt. “You have broken a board, right?” Milton sighed and shook his head.
“I can barely cut a well cooked piece of fish,” He said, clearly disappointed and annoyed with himself. Jack laughed at his comparison.
“Okay, well, I’ll help you with it then,” He said before he could stop himself.
“I, uh, r-right now?”
“Well, no, not right now,” Jack said before realising exactly where they were. “Wait, why are you here right now?” He asked.
“Me and my friends want our flag back!” Milton blurted.
“Your flag back?”
“16 years ago, your headmaster stole the Seaford flag from our Sensei. We just want it back. Without it, we’ll be the school of losers forever,” Milton explained. He crossed his arms, clearly pouting.
(Jack had a feeling that if he pointed it out, Milton would deny it.)
“Have you guys asked for it back?” Jack asked before realising how ridiculous that sounded. “Who am I kidding, even if you did they would’ve said no,” He grumbled. “How can I help?” Milton tilted his head at him.
“You… want to help?”
“Of course, dude,” Jack said. He put his fist to the palm of his hand. “Wasabi.”
“Wasabi,” Milton said in agreement, mimicking Jack’s stance. “Do you know where it could be?” Jack shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“My guess would be the headmaster’s office,” He said. “I can sneak in if you want.”
“Really? Are you sure? What if you get kicked out?” Milton asked. Jack scoffed.
“Yeah, because I totally love it here; that’s why I wear my uniform untucked, cuff my pants past what’s considered ‘acceptable,’ and am helping a Seaford student,” Jack remarked. Milton laughed a bit. “It’d kinda be a blessing, I’ve been trying to convince my mom to let me move to Seaford for years.”
“You want to go to Seaford?” Jack nodded. Milton beamed at him. “Well, if you do, you’ve already got a friend! Which means you’ve got three friends!” He seemed to realise something. “Shoot, I have to meet Jerry back in the hall in five minutes! Hopefully he hasn’t gotten caught…”
“Jerry’s here too?” Jack asked. Milton nodded. “Okay, well, I’ll get to the headmasters. I’ll find Jerry, and you guys can hide in here,” He said.
“What if someone comes in like before?” Milton asked.
“You know karate. The most these little assholes can do is fence and play golf,” Jack sniped bitterly. Milton laughed again. Jack loved that. “Plus, you kicked Daniel in the nuts, you got this dude.” Milton nodded.
“Okay! I got this!” He exclaimed, seemingly believing in himself.
“Awesome,” Jack said, more affectionately than he meant to come off. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” He said. He ruffled Milton’s hair before rushing off.
(Jack muttered something to himself as he walked through the halls, eyes wide. “Why the fuck did I do that??” )
He bumped into a familiar guy— Jerry as he was walking through the halls.
“Dude, you gotta help me, I’m being chased by this guy, Monty!” He exclaimed quietly.
“It’s all good, Jerry. Follow me and follow fast,” He said, pulling Jerry into the fencing studio.
“Wow, that was fast,” Milton remarked, making Jack smile.
“You guys stay here. I’ll figure out where the flag is and come back with either information or your flag.”
He rushed off.
“Why’s that Swathmore student helping us?” Jerry asked, leaning against the door.
“He’s a nice person,” Milton said with a shrug. “I guess not everyone at Swathmore is bad,” He said, a bashful smile on his face.
Jack had been digging through cabinets for almost five minutes when he heard people’s footsteps coming from the halls, going toward the office.
Jack somersaulted over the desk carefully, landing painlessly as the door opened.
“As you know, this Saturday is our yearly humiliation of Seaford High during the parade,” Their headmaster said as he entered the room. “And that Rudy Tootie fellow gave me a great idea.” Jack furrowed his brows in confusion, noticing a bearskin rug on the ground.
He carefully inched underneath as the headmaster continued to speak.
“This year, we’re going to kick things up a notch: by flying their flag from our pirate ship float!”
“Does anyone else notice my grizzly inching forward?” He asked.
Shit. Jack didn’t stop. Wouldn’t be the first time he’d gotten in trouble here, wouldn’t be the last.
The rug was pulled off of him.
“Oh! Thank you!” Jack said, standing up. “I am out,” He floundered. “That bear ate me during a camping trip two years ago!” He very obviously lied, using big gestures as he often did when he lied.
“This is a fake bear,” His headmaster said, pointing at the rug tucked under his arm.
“Well, then my excuse makes no sense, which means I should, uh—”
“Jack?” The headmaster asked, clearly frustrated.
“Mhm?”
“Get out.”
“Yes, sir,” Jack said with a weak laugh before turning around and walking out.
His heart was racing harder than it had in a long time, and it didn’t help that Monty bumped into him.
“Have you seen an ugly, black-haired kid,” He asked, putting his hand up to about Jerry’s height.
“You know what, I totally did! That way,” He said, pointing in any direction but toward the fencing studio. Monty nodded and ran off.
Jack quickly but inconspicuously got to the studio.
“Oh, good, you guys are okay!” Jack said happily, seeing the two boys playing with the sabres. Well, Milton had his held up fearfully while Jerry just blindly hit each side over and over again.
“Where’s our flag, Swathmore?” Jerry asked, dropping the sabre and getting all up Jack’s face, obviously trying to be intimidating.
“I don’t have it,” Jack said, pushing Jerry away. “But I know where it will be,” He said.
“Where?” Milton asked, hope sparkling in his eyes. Jack let his breath catch, allowing his eyes to linger for a second.
“The headmaster is planning on putting it on their float. B-But we should get out of here. If the headmaster weren’t in a meeting, he would’ve suspended me again, and you guys could get hurt.”
“What makes you think you’re a part of our crew, Swathmore?” Jack rolled his eyes at the nickname.
“Lay off, Jerry,” Milton said. “Thanks for the help, Jack. Do you know the safest way out?”’
“Anyway that’s got me by your side,” Jack said with a smile that was, he’ll admit it, a little cocky.
“Geez…” Jerry muttered.
Jack sighed, but motioned with his head for them to follow him quietly.
They were about four feet down the hall when he heard something.
“Those are Seaford kids! Get ‘em!”
Shit.
Many guys ran up and one of them threw a punch at Milton that Jack caught instinctively.
“You probably shouldn’t have done that,” He remarked. He grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm back before kicking him away.
“What the hell are you doing with these plebeians, Jack-Jack?” One asked before trying to hurt Jack.
“They’re not plebeians, Sean,” He argued, easily blocking the kick that he’d tried to throw. “Not anymore than we are,” He added, elbowing him in the head and launching him away with his own kick to the ribs.
The rest of the intellectuals looked hesitant to face Jack.
“Who’s next?” Jack asked, cracking his knuckles. Most of them ran off, revealing Monty. “Shit…”
Jack knew he could beat Monty, but he was a bit out of practice. And there was always that doubt there.
Jack threw a few punches and blocked before being knocked in the shoulder and being knocked down.
“Holy Christmas Nuts!” A familiar voice exclaimed, definitely getting the attention of Monty. “Uh-Oh…” He muttered. Jack saw Monty crack his knuckles before being tackled to the ground.
He sat up to see Milton basically somersault off of him, leaving Monty unconscious.
“Holy shit!” Jack exclaimed as Milton walked over to where Jack was. He held his hand out. “I knew you could fight!”
“It was less of fighting and more… being thrown,” He said, glaring at Jerry, who just put his arms out with a cocky smile.
“It worked didn’t it!”
“Let’s just get to the Wasabi Dojo,” Jack said, waving for them to follow him out the door.
“It’s like four miles away, are we just gonna walk?” Jerry basically complained.
“Well, how did you guys get here?” Jack asked.
“Bus, but it won't come near here again until tomorrow,” Milton said.
“Okay, well, let’s go down a couple blocks and I can get my car down here.”
“Your car?” Jerry asked. “We’re 14.”
“Yeah, and? Mom’s rich and doesn’t want me getting jumped for wearing this dumb uniform, so she has a car drive me to and from home,” He said. “I don’t really like using it, but mom insists,” He added, walking out of the gates with his new acquaintances in tow.
“Thanks, Jameson! Can you let mom know that I’ll be late home tonight?” Jack requested.
“You got it, Jack,” Jameson responded before the boys climbed out.
“Bro, it is awesome in there!” Jerry exclaimed before shoving a few skittles from the car into his mouth.
(Jack wanted to make a snarky comment about how they were suddenly bros after Jerry experienced the privilege that Jack didn’t want, but he kept his mouth shut. His brain let him think that time.)
“So, where’s the flag?” Milton asked as the crew walked into the mall.
“They’re planning on putting it on the parade float this year; to brag or whatever,” Jack said, walking through the familiar halls.
“Oh, geez. How’re we supposed to get it back before then?” Milton asked. Jack opened the door to Wasabi and held it open for Milton, and subsequently Jerry.
“I… I don’t know,” Jack admitted, “I didn’t even know about the whole float thing until this year. I’ll have to look into it more.”
“Maybe we can ask Eddie,” Milton suggested. “He’s working on Seaford’s float this year,” Milton added. “He should be here soon, I think.”
As if on cue, Eddie walked in, wheeling a giant faux log in front of him.
“Guys, I finished our float!” He exclaimed. He zeroed in on Jack. “Why’s there a Swathmore kid in here?” He asked, going into a fighting position.
“You don’t want to fight him, Eddie, you’d get hurt,” Milton said, shaking his head. “And he’s helping us. We know where the flag’s gonna be, we just have to figure out how to get it.”
“I have a question,” Jack said, getting everyone’s attention. “What the hell is that thing?” He asked, pointing to the log.
“It’s the Seaford float this year,” Eddie started, suddenly seeming less proud of it than he had just a second ago. “It’s a replica of The Screaming Log of Seaford.”
“Legend has it that the founder of our town crawled into a hollow log to survive the harsh winter of 1808,” Sensei Rudy said, coming out of his office. “It looks great!”
“Harsh winter? We live in California,” Jack noted.
“Why do they call it the screaming log?” Milton asked, a little disappointed that he didn’t know.
“Unfortunately, a family of wolverines had the same idea,” Rudy said. Jack stifled a laugh and tapped his hands against the log.
“Woah, is this thing hollow?” He asked. Eddie laughed.
“Yeah, because I could push a solid cylinder of wood,” He said. “You drive it from the inside and I figured we could yell from the inside,” He added. “I just gotta get it down to that hanger by the train station.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s where floats go before the parade,” Jerry said, pointing to Eddie.
“That’s it! If we get there before the parade starts, we can get the flag in the nick of time!” Jack exclaimed.
“How’re we supposed to get in there? The Swathmore kids all know what we look like. I’d be surprised if they don’t harass you all of tomorrow,” Milton said. Jack rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, because I’m totally not used to Swathmore harassment,” He said, motioning to himself. “And the log is hollow. We can just hide in here, right Eddie?”
“Who’s ‘we’?” Eddie asked, a bit concerned.
“I figure me, Milton, Jerry,” Jack said with a shrug.
“And me!” Rudy exclaimed.
“And him, I guess,” He said.
“That’s Sensei Rudy. He’s the one who got the flag stolen,” Milton informed.
“Oh! Yeah, the headmaster was talking about him in the float meeting thingy,” Jack said. “Okay, so me, Milton, Jerry and Rudy.” Eddie looked at the log and then himself.
“Yeah, I think I can handle that.”
“Perfect!” Jack exclaimed, an excited smile on his face.
“Okay, now that the flag plan is out of the way, would anyone like to introduce me to whoever this is?” Rudy asked, motioning to Jack. Milton nodded.
“Right, of course. Jack, this is Rudy Gillespie. Rudy, this is Jack… uh…”
“Brewer,” Jack said. “It’s nice to meet you,” He said, putting his fist in his palm and bowing slightly. Rudy returned the motion.
“And you’re a Swathmore student?”
“Yeah,” Jack said, pulling his sweater collar and letting it snap back. “Before I went to Swathmore I was homeschooled by my mom and grandfather. I’ve only been at Swathmore a few years.”
“Why are you helping us?” Rudy asked, a bit vulnerable. Jack shrugged.
“Wasabi sticks together, right?”
“Yeah, but you don’t go to this dojo.”
“He doesn’t need to,” Milton interrupted with a smile on his face. “His grandfather trained Bobby Wasabi.” Rudy’s eyes widened.
“I live my life by the Wasabi Code. Just like my grandfather; just like you guys.”
“Why haven’t you joined our Dojo then?” Rudy asked. “I mean, the only reason we’re still open is because a Black Dragon, Kim, forfeited a challenge and let us win.”
“She joined our dojo, she’s the highest ranking in our whole dojo,” Jerry added. He nodded with a smile. “She’s also a hottie.”
“Don’t be gross, Jerry,” Milton criticised. “It’s true though.”
It was a tight fit in the Screaming Log. Milton was pressed against Jack’s side as Eddie pushed them down the street. Jack was glad that he took the time to sleek his hair back again like he did every day, despite not liking it.
If his fluffy hair was flying free, it’d probably bother Milton and make Jack overheat. Plus, everyone told him his hair looked better this way.
“Okay, we’re almost there,” Eddie said to the log.
“Ready guys?” Rudy asked quietly. He was at the opposite end of Jack.
“As we’ll ever be,” Milton said, his voice a bit fearful. Jack put his hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.
“We got this. Those Swathmore kids are a bunch of cowards. They talk big talk, but most of them aren’t actually strong enough to fight. They are, however, well coordinated and pretty smart. All in all, it’s an easy fight. We might be outnumbered, but we’re stronger than they are.”
“Eh, debatable,” Jerry said with a snort, earning an elbow to the arm from his sensei.
“Shush, we’re rolling in,” Eddie warned.
“Uh, hey Eddie,” They heard, muffled. It was a girl’s voice. “What is that thing?” She asked.
“Screaming log of Seaford,” Eddie said, clearly more proud that he’d said it the day before.
“Uh, don’t you think you’re gonna look a little silly pushing that thing down mainstreet?” She asked. Jack nodded in concession, making Milton bite back laughter.
“Kim, you do know you’re sitting in a clam, don’t you?”
Oh, that must be the Seaford girl who beat Claire at the Pearl of Seaford contest. It was basically the only other thing people were talking about that day— apart from Jack’s betrayal of Swathmore, which he actually took some pride in hearing about.
“Well played,” She returned.
“What is that thing?” A different, familiar voice asked from the other side. Headmaster. “Some kind of sea turd?”
“Yeah, because that’s so dignified to say,” Jack muttered, so quietly that barely anyone else heard.
“Your float’s a joke.” Daniel.
“Ha ha! Jokes on you!” Rudy exclaimed, pushing on the door. It did not open. “Ha ha! Jokes on you!” He repeated, hitting the door again. Still did not open. “Eddie!” He banged on the door. “Open the stupid hatch!”
“Oh, my bad,” Eddie said quietly before the door hinged open.
“Ha ha!” Rudy exclaimed directionlessly. “Ha ha!” He repeated, now looking up at the pirate ship. “The jokes on you!” He yelled for a third time. “We’ve come to get our flag back!” He said, finally breaking the chain of repeating script. He stumbled as he stepped forward. “Agh! Foot’s asleep.”
Jack sighed, shaking his head.
“Let’s go,” He said, tugging on Milton’s sleeve.
They began climbing up the net, which resembled one from a playground. It wouldn’t surprise Jack if they just straight up took it off of one.
Daniel blasted the apparently working cannon at Jerry. It just shot ash though.
Jack immediately kicked one of the alarmingly heavy fake swords out of a classmate’s hand, which Milton caught automatically. Jack kicked him off the ship when Daniel’s voice snagged his ear.
“You’re just a Seaford high loser,” He sneered.
“En Garde,” Milton responded— which Jack had to admit, was kind of charming and adorable.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Milton block two different swords with his own. Wow… And then suddenly he was being attacked again.
Two pirate-dressed classmates jabbed at him with their fake swords as the parade advisor announced the time until departure. Jack was pushed out onto the plank.
“Seriously, Jack? Turning on your own?” One of them asked. It was that guy from that visit to Falafel Phil’s.
“Dude, I don’t even know your name,” He admitted before being swung at. Jack caught the wooden sword and twisted it out of the guy’s hand, facing the other guy’s sword with it.
Jack didn’t notice the Pearl— Kim, leaving her shell until she was swinging across the ship, knocking the two assailants off the float.
Jack saw Milton kick the girl he was fighting back, facing him back against Daniel.
“You’re done for, Seaford,” He scorned. “You’re nothing but a talentless geek.”
“Don’t call him that!” Jack spat defensively, kicking Daniel in the back, leading Milton to elbow him in the ribs and push him off the ship.
Milton and Jack exchanged smiles before being distracted by Rudy’s yelling.
“I got it, I got it, I got it!” He exclaimed, waving the flag as he took it down.
It was only then that Jack realised that it was only him and the Seaford kids left on the ship.
“Thanks for your help,” Jack said to Kim, honestly trying to distract himself from Milton’s sunshine-beam of a smile. “You’re Kim Crawford, right? You beat Claire in the Pearl of Seaford pageant.”
“Uh, yep,” Kim said. “Who are you?” She asked, cringing slightly at her own question.
“Oh, I’m Jack Brewer,” He said, holding out his hand. She took it hesitantly, shaking it once before letting go.
“He’s from Swathmore,” Milton said, effectively destroying Jack’s distraction attempt. “He’s the one I was telling you about.”
“Oh, so you’re supposedly a karate master?” Kim asked. Jack looked at Milton.
“You said that?”
“Well, I mean, you took down those guys without help,” Milton said with a shrug, crossing his arms.
“You took down Monty,” Jack argued. Milton shook his head.
“Jerry threw me.”
“Yeah, but—”
“I should get back to my float!” Kim exclaimed, clearly just trying to get them to stop talking.
Rudy approached the pair as she walked off, throwing the flag over his shoulder.
“So, Jack. What do you think about joining the Bobby Wasabi Dojo?”
Jack looked around, seeing Kim climbing back into her clam, Jerry climbing into the log and Eddie shutting the hatch over him. Milton smiling at him with pride and excitement.
“That sounds great.”