UPON ARRIVING Meira felt nerve and excitement course through her veins. The anticipation of finally getting out on that mat filling her. Her team walked through the door adorning red and yellow gi's.

Looking around at the big venue where the tournament was being held, Meira turned to her best friend, Drea "sick." With a chuckle as the two bumped fisted, laughter falling from each of their lips. They stood on the edge of the blue and grey mat in a small huddle.

A group walked by them and one thing that caught Meira's eye was a boy who had a red, white, and blue mohawk. "mhm I wonder which country they're are from?" She thought to herself sarcastically as if the boy's hair wasn't enough.

Our sensei had told us we need to line up as everyone else was because the opening ceremony was about to start. Meria stood next to Diego, Drea on her other side. She caught a glimpse of a boy from the dojo next to them, standing tall in his grey gi she couldn't help but notice how attractive he was.

Drea seemed to catch this look and she lightly hit her on the shoulder "Hey I know that look, stop whatever your thinking it's a bad idea" She lectured quietly, "The Sekai Taikai is a tournament to do karate and make friends" Meira defended her soft spanish accent lacing her words, putting her hands up in surrender glancing back at the boy. Looking between the two and seeing the look in Meira's eye she mumbled "I don't know M', it looks like you have a lot more than friendship in mind"

Meira let out a small laugh, trying to ignore the sudden heat in her chest.

Her attention was pulled back to the front of the room as the director, spoke into a microphone on the stage. "Welcome, competitors, senseis, sponsors, and esteemed guests to Barcelona, this year's home of the world's greatest karate tournament, the Sekai Taikai." applause filled the room.

Once the clapping stopped he continued, "The Sekai Taikai boasts a rich and proud history. And if you are here, it's because you embody all that the Sekai Taikai stands for. Leadership, respect, sportsmanship." He listed as we listened attentively. "Captains, step forward and tie on your headbands." The man said. Meira and Diego both stepped forward tying the headbands over their heads, Meira quickly slipping her high ponytail out from under it.

"Captains, you will have the honor and privilege to compete in our televised tournament of champions. But that is only if your dojo does well enough in our team competitions to make it to the final four. Once the tournament is over, we will then tally all the points your dojos have earned. The dojo with the most points wins the Sekai Taikai. Team event begin tomorrow. Each event counts. And they will all be a surprise." The man on stage continued.

"But today it's about enjoying our host city and making new friends" He said causing Meira to look back at Drea sending her a quick wink, the other girl replying with a playful eye roll. "Or enemies." The words made Meira stomach turn but she also felt like rolling her eyes "It's just a karate tournament." she thought to herself.

She turned her attention back to the director as he said "We have a field trip arranged for our competitors. And for our senseis, a cocktail mixer with our distinguished sponsors, some of the world's finest martial arts brands. It's a beautiful day to make a first impression. And I suggest you enjoy it, because tomorrow your lives change forever. Good luck and welcome to the Sekai Taikai." He finished as the crowd clapped again.

"Finally" Meira mumble to herself continuing to clap politely.

The team filled into a car, the ride to the hotel being less then present with their pumped up team captain, Diego giving them an inspiring but fairly loud speech which was somehow had effectively made the other two boys in the car in the car electrified and Drea, Meira, and Maria dying of laughter at the ridiculous speech. The last half of the car ride was filled with them chanting some matra they'd created and three quick apologies from the girls as they exited the car.

We walked into the lobby of the nice hotel, bags in hand walking to the front desk. The girls decided that Meria and Drea would share and they would give Maria the single room. Then they walked to their room.

Once the two girls made it to their room, Meira fell back on her bed letting out a loud sigh. "I'm so tired I don't think anything could get me off this bed right now. I don't care about that stupid field trip" Meira says, to Drea who had begin to get ready for said field trip. "Wow you're really just gonna leave me. the team all alone?" she asked.

"Yep." She replied, Drea quickly thought of another excuse that would get her out of the bed as she was gonna go alone. "Nothing is gonna get you out of the bed?" She asked upon thinking up another reason. "Nothing" Meira confirmed with a nod. "Not even the hot guy in the grey gi?" She asked with an eyebrow raised.

Meira bolted up as she smiled "You know suddenly I really wanna go to the field trip." Her actions made Drea laugh, "There's my girl."