CHAPTER 3
STRIKE FIRST AND STRIKE HARD

Jackie was excited for her first fighting lesson even though she knew Kwon would not go easy on her.

This was exciting. Learning how to defend herself. She didn't do it at her old school because at the time she wasn't interested in it.

But now after everything she had been through. Jackie felt like she had to.

Defending yourself and protecting yourself was the most important thing. She had to do this. For herself.

Jackie couldn't tell her parents. They would be upset. The whole reason why left she her old school was because of the karate war that happened. She didn't want to worry them with her fighting. Even though it wasn't quite the same thing.

She just wanted to prove to everyone she fitted in at the school. No matter what.

Kwon forced her to come early in the morning before school. Six in the morning.

Jackie had her uniform in her backpack so she was able to change later but came wearing her work out outfit. A grey tank top and black leggings with sneakers.

She was told to meet at the gym so Jackie walked to the center where Kwon was stretching.

"Good morning."

"Stretch."

Jackie wasn't surprised at how quick he was ready to get active. She placed her book bag down. Then did as he told her to do.

Kwon watched as she stretched. Then shook his head at the way she did it. "You are harder to train than a puppy."

"I'll take that as compliment."

"It is very much not a compliment." Kwon got behind her. He made her arms pull further out. Then brought her hip back. "Stop acting like you're stretching and just stretch." Jackie followed his command and this time easily stretched. "Stretch for five minutes."

When he walked away from her, Jackie huffed. "Stretching is boring!"

"You know what's exciting? Pulling a muscle and then having to walk funny for three days."

"Yeah...I think I'll stick with stretching."

"Thought so."

After Jackie was finished with stretching, Kwon threw gloves at her. Jackie barely caught them. He shook his head but wrapped up his hands. "Third lesson. Strike first and strike hard. There is no point in striking first if you don't strike hard. And there is no point in striking hard if you don't strike first. This doesn't just apply to fighting. You'll do this on a daily basis. Whether it's someone who is tormenting you, someone you're interested in, or if you want to win. You understand?"

Jackie nodded. "Got it."

"Alright." Kwon motioned to his face. "Hit me."

Jackie did not want to hit him. "Um...why? In the face?"

"Why are you questioning me? Just hit me."

"I don't want to hit you."

"Why not?"

"Because you have a pretty face. You're like one of those Korean boys in Boy Bands." Jackie said dreamy.

Kwon closes his eyes in irritation. "Just hit me."

"Fine." Jackie took her stance. Then she took in a deep breath. When she did, she threw a punch at Kwon.

Kwon immediately caught her fist and threw it down. "Wrong. Try again."

Jackie gave him a look. "This is my first day just to let you know."

"The enemy couldn't care less if it was your first day. Try again."

Jackie let out a sigh before getting back into position. She took a stance then went to hit him again.

Kwon caught her fist again but this time he held her as he swept her leg and he took her down on the mat. He was on top of her and Jackie gasped out in surprise at the action.

"What did I do wrong this time?!"

"There is no point of striking first if you don't strike hard."

After the intense workout, Jackie was tired. She didn't think her body was in shape for school but she would have to force herself to.

Kwon actually allowed the two to take the bus for a change. The two were in the school uniforms and on their way to school.

Jackie watched as Kwon pulled out his school work and started to do it on the bus. "Why do you do your school work so you can leave early?"

"I believe that falls under the category of none of your business."

He was harsh with his words but Jackie was unbothered. "You're really stubborn. We could have a beautiful friendship."

"I train you because I feel sorry. That's it."

Jackie was still unbothered. "Deny all you want Jae-Sung, but I'm the only person at school you talk to. You like me."

"I tolerate you."

"Pretty soon, maybe a month from now, you're going to realize the awesome duo we are and we're gonna be an unstoppable friendship and you'll look back on this day and say 'man, aren't I lucky to have her."

"You have a very vivid imagination."

"Mock all you want Kwon. It will happen and I am patient enough."

"If I tell you why will you shut up?"

"Maybe."

Kwon let out an annoyed sigh before responding. He kept his eyes on his school work. "I started school late when I was young so I've always been behind. Now I'm nineteen and I want to be done with it and focus on my dojo."

Jackie nodded as she listened. It made sense. No one wanted to be stuck at high school longer than they needed to. "I can always help. I have an Eidetic memory." He looked at her in surprise. "Why do you think I'm a fast learner?"

"I'll keep that in mind..." Kwon said, returning to his work.

Jackie continued to speak. "I'm still not ready for your dojo?"

Kwon let out a laugh. "You are not even close, princess."

Jackie decided to leave him be and go on her phone. She texted Park that she was free afterschool to study.

Park texted back a funny gif of a dog and she laughed. Kwon heard her laughter. "What's so funny?"

"Now who's talkative?"

"Your laugh is piercing my ears."

Jackie ignored the negative statement. "I told Park to meet me after school to study. You can find love too if you put yourself out there."

Kwon rolled his eyes. "Love is painful, pointless, and overrated."

"You won't say that when you find your soulmate."

"Who is Park anyway?"

Jackie gave him a look. "You don't know him? He has black hair, dark eyes, really tall."

"Jackie, you're describing every boy. You're describing me."

"Well he's also super hot."

That's when Kwon gasped sarcastically. "Wait? That super hot Park?"

Jackie smiled, not catching his sarcasm. "Yes. That one."

"Don't know who the fuck that is."

Jackie glared at him as he went back to his work. "You give me more heartbreak than a Taylor Swift song."

The first three periods went by in a breeze. Jackie managed to avoid Ha-Young and her group so her classes weren't bad.

Jackie just told herself it was the month of January. As soon as April thirdhit, she would be done and graduating.

She was sitting at lunch with Kwon while Kwon of course took her cupcake from her bag her mother made her.

She noticed when Kwon wasn't trying to leave school early, he would sit with her or be around her. It brought her to her original point. Kwon didn't talk to anyone in school and Jackie figured he was a loner.

Jackie didn't understand people that liked their solitude. She loved to be around people and talk but it seemed like Kwon was content with just being by himself all the time.

She quickly realized that maybe the reason he was a loner was because his dojo already graduated and he didn't have an interest in talking to anybody else.

Kwon read his book he kept on him as Jackie surveyed the area. There of course was Ha-Young and her girls at a table. Then she quickly realized Cameron was sitting next to them. Smiling and laughing.

She shouldn't be surprised. She didn't think she could blame Cameron. Who wanted to be isolated just because of her?

She turned her attention to Ahri, the girl that was sitting alone. The same girl Park warned her about.

Jackie didn't understand what so weird about her. She seemed like a regular girl with pre judgements placed on her.

As she looked at Ahri reading a book while eating an apple, she spoke to Kwon. "Do you know a girl named Ahri?"

Kwon let out an annoyed sigh with his silence being disrupted. "No, I don't." Jackie forced Kwon's face to look at Ahri. When he did, he nodded and she pulled her hand away. He returned back to his book. "She does the murals for the school. No one talks to her."

"Why?"

"I don't participate in gossip. I just know she doesn't talk to anyone and no one talks to her."

Jackie looked back at Ahri. She wondered why. Was she an out cast like Jackie? Or just a loner like Kwon? Either way, she was going to get to the bottom of it.

She had a pleasant smile on her face. "I'm going to go talk to her."

Kwon couldn't help but laugh. "I wouldn't do that. I heard she bites people."

"I thought you didn't participate in gossip?"

"Okay, I do a little bit."

Jackie grabbed her book bag from the seat. "She just needs a warm welcome."

"I'm not saving you."

"No saving required. I'm practicing what you taught me. Strike first and strike hard."

"You are something else."

Jackie walked over to the table. Ahri could feel her presence a mile away because she looked up at Jackie immediately. She had this intimidating glare but Jackie wasn't intimidated in the slightest.

For someone that constantly got bullied, Jackie still had confidence out of this world. "Jackie Baker. Future United States President. Probably gonna be the first woman President." When she saw the glare, she decided to speak in Korean. "It's nice to meet you. I saw you and-"

"Please." Ahri cut her off. "Stick to English. I can't take your accent in Korean."

Jackie nodded understandably. "I'm working on it. I already know Spanish, American Sign Language and French."

"I know." Ahri stated casually.

"You do?"

"You're Jacquline Baker. The American rich girl who just happens to be the smartest girl at this school. You carry the highest grade point average which is a 5.0 because you only take AP classes."

Jackie blushed a little at the fact she called her the smartest. "Aw. The smartest? That's...that's cool."

"You're also the girl no one likes."

"Oh..." The excitement died a little bit Jackie wouldn't give up. She motioned to the seat "Can I sit?"

Ahri shrugged. "You're gonna sit anyways."

Jackie sat down at the table. She turned to Kwon who was surprisingly watching her talk to Ahri. He looked a little shocked that she was able to sit down. She gave him a thumbs up, a way to say her plan was working.

Kwon returned it a little sarcastically before going back to his book. Jackie glanced back at Ahri. Ahri had sat down her book to finish eating her apple. "What's your sign?"

Ahri squinted at Jackie from the question. "Capricorn?"

Jackie gasped. "I'm compatible with that sign! See, this is already starting off strong." She took out her phone and went to her horoscope app. "Your horoscope says a sudden lucky break might appear out of nowhere today, Capricorn. While it feels like a dream come true, it could shake things up in your life significantly. You'll need to make a crucial decision: embrace this opportunity and potentially transform your entire lifestyle, or let it pass and risk missing out on something rare and valuable. Such choices are rarely simple, but they're what make life exciting and full of potential. Take some time to weigh the pros and cons. Trust your instincts and think about what truly aligns with your long-term goals and happiness." She finished. "That sounds promising."

Ahri gave her a 'really' look. "You actually believe in those?"

"Kwon said the same thing."

At the mention of Kwon, Ahri fixed her eyes over to him. "I'm surprised you get him to sit with you. He doesn't talk to anyone."

Jackie nodded proudly. "I'm persistent. Same thing with you. Is it working?"

Ahri brought her attention back at Jackie. "Why are you talking to me?"

"Because you were sitting by yourself."

"I like being alone."

Jackie scoffed. "No one likes being alone."

"I do."

Before Jackie could counter argue, Ha-Young was giggling at the table nearby. "Look. It's the two most pathetic girls having a tea party. Isn't that nice?"

She always just had to ruin something. Jackie placed her head down while Ahri looked over at her with a fake smile. She took a final bite of the apple. Then threw it at the back of Ha-Young's head.

Ha-Young gasped at the apple being thrown at her. She felt her head while standing up. "You weird bitch!" She yelled before rushing off to find the nearest bathroom.

Jackie was dumbfounded at the throw. "Wow. That was awesome."

Ahri turned back to Jackie. "Do you even know why she doesn't like you?" When she saw Jackie shake her head, she started to explain. "She was the smartest at this school before you came and was going to get Valedictorian. But when you showed up, in two months, you changed that. And you're surprisingly graduating in five. So she turned the whole student body against you."

That made way more sense to her now than ever. She always thought of herself  a random target but that wasn't the case. Ha-Young had a reason.

Jackie gasped. "Oh my god! That makes so much sense! I took everything away from her. No wonder she hates me."

Ahri eyed Jackie. "It's not your fault you're smarter than her."

"Maybe...but she had plans before I came here...I would be mad too."

Jackie felt a tap on her shoulder and she jumped. She turned to see Kwon and he shook his head. "Strike first and hard." He reminded her before continuing. "I'm leaving. Meet me at the gym after school for training."

She clenched her teeth at the plan. "I was going to study with Park after school?"

Kwon looked at her annoyed. "You want to ditch training for a boy?"

"No!" She quickly said. "I was politely going to ask for a later time to train. And I was going to practice Strike first and strike hard with Park. Ya know? The lesson?" She said cheeky.

Kwon noticed what she was doing. He looked at her disapproving first before just giving in. "Fine. Meet me at five at the gym. If you don't get to third base, you have to do thirty sit ups."

Jackie nodded. "Sounds like a plan." Kwon walked away and Jackie turned her attention to Ahri. "What's third base?"

Ahri wasn't really surprised Jackie didn't know. "Oral."

"Oral what?"

"Oral sex."

"Ew!" Jackie shifted in her seat. "I'm not doing that! Not yet..." Ahri snickered. Her face faltered and Jackie saw this. "What's up?"

Ahri bit at her lip like she was fighting if she wanted to say it. "You're going out with Park?"

The mention brought Jackie back to when Park told her to leave Ahri alone. What was the history? "I was but I will totally not if he was your ex or anything. Girl code and all."

"Make your own judgements." Ahri told her. "But he's not exactly a gentleman. You'd be better off hooking up with Kwon."

Jackie felt the distaste in her mouth at even the mention of that. "Oh no. Kwon and I are just...well he doesn't consider us friends but I believe otherwise. He's helping me train."

"Right...anyways just be weary of Park."

As Jackie awaited for Park at her house, she couldn't help but think back to what Ahri said. To watch out for Park. Maybe she was listening to someone she barely knew but something about Ahri's energy told her she wasn't lying.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to have any type of relationship with Park anymore. She just wished Ahri wasn't so cryptic and just told her the whole truth.

Jackie decided that she made a commitment and she would help Park study for the test but as far as relationships went, she was cool on it.

Park arrived at the door. Jackie opened the door and smiled at him. "Hey, come in."

He stepped inside. Jackie closed the door behind him. "You were right. Your house is bigger than mine." He teased.

Jackie chuckled. "You know I did not mean it like that."

"Sure you didn't." The two sat on the couch. "Your parents aren't home?"

"No. They're always busy." Jackie opened up the textbook while he placed his book bag on the ground. "Let's start with unit four that's chemical reactions. What's one chemical reaction you know off the top of your head?"

Park thought about it for a moment. "Um...Combustion?"

"Which is?" When she asked it, he didn't have an answer for her. "A rapid reaction involving a substance reacting with oxygen, typically releasing heat and light. Don't worry. You'll get it."

Jackie was about to continue reading but she felt a hand on her thigh. She looked at Park, uncomfortable. "You know Jackie..." He trailed off. "I didn't come here to study..."

His hand felt like fire on her skin. She shouldn't be so uncomfortable. She did want this right? But maybe it was what Ahri said that was changing her perspective. "Um...then why'd you come here silly?" She asked trying to laugh.

"You know why."

Before Jackie could interject, Park's lips connected with her. She was frozen for a second. This was something she didn't expect.

Jackie pulled away from the kiss. "Um..Park? I think we should just focus on the exam."

When she said that, Park looked heated. "What did that bitch say to you?"

The word caught her off guard. She definitely wasn't expecting him to use that kind of language. "Who? Ahri? Nothing it's just-"

"Jackie it isn't nothing. You were all over me and now you're just cold. Don't let what she said get to you."

Park went in to try and kiss Jackie but Jackie pushed him away. "I just don't want to, Park!"

"What do you mean you don't want to? Stop being scary." Park forced his lips on Jackie. Jackie tried to push Park away but she wasn't stronger than him.

"Park get off." She said in the kiss but Park shoved her on the couch and pinned her arms down.

"Just relax. You'll like it. I promise."

"Park stop!" She almost had got out of his grasp but he ended up hitting her in the mouth, making